Marrakesh is one of the most famous touristic cities in the world. Know as “the red city”, Marrakesh offers to visitors, at the same time, the authenticity of Moroccan culture and the modernity and modernity induced by the evolution of the country. In this article you will find all answers about Marrakesh.

Why is Marrakesh so famous?

Historical facts

First of all, you need to know that Marrakesh is one of the 4 imperial cities of Morocco. Therefor it hosts many historical monuments such as the Koutoubia Mosque, The Badai Palace, the famous Jamaa EL Fna Place, and many more. The city was the first capital of Morocco and gave its name to the kingdom It was founded in the mid-11th century by Yusuf ibn Tashfin of the dynasty of the Almoravids, and it served as the Almoravid capital until it fell to the Almohads in 1147.

One of the most famous places in the city is the Medina of Marrakesh. The Medina is the name of the old town of Marrakesh. From the most luxurious accommodation in the world to traditional Moroccan baths or Hammams, including visits to palaces, markets and mosques, there is so much to see and do in the Marrakesh Medina!

Surrounded by approximately 19 kilometers of ramparts built in 1122, the Medina is the name of the entire historic center of the city; it is the oldest part of the city, also known as the Old Town. Until a little over 100 years ago, the entire city of Marrakesh and its commercial activity were located within these walls.

Luxury and hotels

Marrakesh is also known for luxury, attracting every year hundreds of the world’s most famous celebrities. From pop stars, famous soccer players, Hollywood celebrities or even known politicians and world leaders (Cristiano Ronaldo, Winston Churchill, Madona, Yves Saint Laurent, Maria Sharapova, Vinicius Jr. and many more) are attracted to the huge choice of luxury boutique, hotels and chic riads for which the city is famous. And many of those celebrities have even made Marrakesh their home.

The red city’s hotels are an other reason for its fame. The city hosts a huge number of luxury hotels and above all a large number of riads, a unique accommodation for its kind and only available in Morocco, especially in Marrakesh and Fez. For instance, one of the top 5 hotels of the world is in Marrakesh, La Mamounia Hotel. It was crowned in 2018 the best hotel in the world.

Hospitality

Moroccan people in general are known for their hospitality and Marrakesh is no exception to the rule. Once you land in the Marrakesh Menara Airport (whish was, by the way, classified the most beautiful airport in the world in 2017 by The points guy) you can feel the hospitality the country and its people. The Moroccans never hesitate to help visitors or even invite them to their houses.

The city’s location and surrounding landscapes

Another reason for the city’s popularity is its location. Marrakesh is located at the foot of the ever-present, snow-capped mountains of the High Atlas, it is also at a couple of hours from Atlantic beaches and under a day’s drive from the northern edge of the Sahara Desert.

Is it expensive to go to Marrakesh?

Marrakesh is a city for all tourists, if you are rich or not, you can travel to Marrakesh, find a stay and eat a very good quality food. The prices in Marrakesh vary from the lowest to the highest.

Stays in Marrakesh starts from 15 USD/night if you opt for a simple hostel or small riad and it can reach more than 2000 USD/night if you if you can afford luxury hotels or magestic riads.

In term of meals, the food quality is very good and the Moroccan cuisine is one of the best in the world. It was crowned the best cuisine in the world following a poll by Instagram platform “Pubity” and the title was announced by British chef and show host “Kitchen Nightmares,” Gordon Ramsay. You can try Tagine, Bastila, the famous Couscous or many more Moroccan meals for some dollars. For example a one person Tagine starts from 5 USD. The average meal price per person is about 10 USD. But if you have a bigger budget you can afford a table in a luxury restaurant and spend more than 300 USD per person in one meal.

Marrakesh is a city for all budgets. Every one can find what what suits its needs and budget.

Is it safe to travel to Marrakesh?

Morocco in general is a safe country with a very low crime rate. Marrakesh is no exception to the rule. The city’s crime rate is very low, and even when it happens it never targets tourists or foreigners. However, in crowded areas or tourist zones, be vigilant to pick-pocketing.

While terrorism is non-existant in Marrakech, and Morocco as a whole, it does happen. In 2011, Argana Cafe in Jemaa el-Fnaa Square was bombed by terrorists and 17 people were killed. 

ISIS has also launched several other attacks in Morocco, focusing on tourists and foreigners. This includes a tragic incident in 2019 where two Scandinavian hikers were killed near Toubkal in the Atlas Mountains.

In response, the Moroccan authorities have significantly increased security measures nationwide. As a result, Marrakesh and Morocco is now more secure, allowing visitors to explore the vibrant streets with confidence and peace of mind.

What are the must-see attractions in Marrakesh?

Marrakesh is full of historical monumants, museums, gardens and squares. From Jamaa EL Fna to Koutoubia Mosque, and from Majorell garden to The Badai Palace, you will get a full visiting day every day during your journey in the red city. For more about the places to visit on Marrakesh check our dedicated travel guide 9 places to visit in Marrakech: A Comprehensive Traveler’s Guide to Unforgettable Experiences.

What is the local currency, and can I use credit cards?

The local currency in Morocco is the Moroccan Dirham. But in some touristic areas such as Medina bazar souks, some shops can accept Euro or Dollars.

Credit card? Yes, you can use your international credit card every where in Morocco and in Marrakesh. You can use it especially in hotels, malls, and big brands shops.

Is it necessary to speak French or Arabic in Marrakesh?

No, it is not necessary to speak French or Arabic in Marrakesh. Even if most of people in Marrakesh speak Arabic and French, English is gaining terrain. The hotel staff, shopkeepers, taxi drivers and waiters, almost all of them speak English and some of them speak even Chinese and German language.

What are some traditional Moroccan dishes I should try?

Moroccan cuisine, as said earlier, is one of the best cuisines in the world. Always ranked in the top 5 of world’s gastronomies. Therefor you have to try it, and at least try its most famous dishes such as Tagine, Bastila and Couscous. To know more about Moroccan gastronomy head to our blog post Indulging in Moroccan Gastronomy: A Journey Through Flavors and Traditions

What are the top things to buy as souvenirs in Marrakesh?

Marrakesh is a city that is famous for its handmade products. While walking arround in the Medina you will find thousands of shops and workshops manufacturing and selling hand made products. From leather to wood, from pottery and ceramics to textile, Marrakesh is like the Alibaba cave. The city full of treasures and products of all types and colors. To know more about what to buy in Marrakech, check our post Moroccan Handmade Products: The Rich Heritage

We hope that we coverd or your questions and gave you all the answers about Marrakesh.

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