"Marrakech - the Pink City" Marrakesh by iwys

Marrakesh Travel Guide: 2,160 reviews and 5,887 photos

Marrakech is a big, exotic city. There is the old city, centred on el Djemaa el Fna, and surrounded by walls, and the new city, centred on Gueliz, where the train and bus stations and most of the hotels are. You can stay in the old city in a riad, but they tend to be over-priced for what they offer. If you stay in a hotel in Gueliz, however, you will have to travel back and forth by taxi to the Medina, where most of the city's attractions are. And the taxi drivers in Marrakech can really try your patience. They all have meters, but will almost never agree to switch them on for a foreigner. When I pointed to the meter, one of them said, "That's for local people." They will ask you for two or three times the normal fare instead.

Koutoubia

If you are prepared for the fact that Marrakechis have hundreds of years' experience of relieving foreign visitors of their money and know 101 different ways of doing it, you can begin to relax and enjoy the wonderful sights and sounds of "The Pink City".

Ben Youssef Medersa

Marrakech was founded in 1062 by Yousesef ben Tachfine, the first leader of the Almoravid dynasty, who conquered southern Spain. His son, Ali ben Youssef brought in architects and craftsmen from Cordoba to build a great capital city. In 1126 the walls around the city were built and then, between 1150 and 1199, the Koutoubia. In the 16th century the Saadians made it their capital and the Saadian Tombs remain from this period.

Last visit to Marrakesh: Oct 2006
Intro Updated May 22, 2007
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Reviews (43)

Guest Rooms Things to Do (15)

Along the inside of the wall in the north-west of the Badi Palace is a row of rooms that were reserved for foreign... more travel advice

views of Djemaa el-Fna Restaurants (4)

This French-run restaurant is one of the classiest of those with a view of Djemaa el-Fna. Coffee, tea and ice cream are... more travel advice

Olives Shopping (4)

more travel advice

Spices Shopping (4)

more travel advice

Warnings and Dangers (2)
See All Asking directions
Nightlife (2)
See All latin music
Local Customs (2)
See All Orange juice sellers
Off The Beaten Path (3)
See All Souk des Babouches
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Comments (14)

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Anita_Porec Mar 18, 2009 at 8:25 AM

Hi there! How is it to drive in Marrakesh??
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Arkeolog Feb 23, 2009 at 8:15 AM

I got this city into my "must see places list" after your VT page. Best wishes from Istanbul.Bora
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junecorlett Feb 23, 2009 at 6:26 AM

By the time I get to Marrakesh I will be too old....so many places I want to go!
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sourbugger Jan 20, 2009 at 11:18 AM

some excellent advice here on warnings and dangers - i could not agree more
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Kaspian Sep 30, 2008 at 9:03 AM

Great page! Just wondering--how long did it take you to get from Marrakech to Ouarzazate?
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mvtouring Feb 11, 2008 at 4:43 AM

Here kitty kitty, the man has brekkies for you . Lovely page ;-)
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Jim_Eliason May 21, 2007 at 6:30 AM

great tips! I hope to get the chance to return to explore more Morocco!
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SWFC_Fan May 5, 2007 at 2:32 AM

Excellent tips and photos, Ian! I enjoyed a week in this great city in February. I loved the foodstalls on Djemaa el-Fna but, as you say, the atmosphere is certainly better than the food.
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Jawnuta May 2, 2007 at 12:48 AM

great tips, thanks!
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gkitzmil Oct 12, 2006 at 5:06 PM

You have a lot of good tips here!