Marrakech Travel Information

Marrakech City, former imperial city in Morocco; also known as the “Red City” is located in southwestern Morocco in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. It is the country’s second-largest city with a high shooting population. The city derives its beauty from the amazing peaks of the Atlas Mountains rising up in the city backdrop. The city is also the capital of the mid-southwestern economic region of Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz.

Today, the main focus of the city is the Jemaa-el-Fna, a central square. This is an extraordinary gathering place and social center of the city that at dusk offers a scene little changed since medieval times. It comes to life after dark with enticing color, noise and smells, with dancers, fire-eaters, acrobats, snake charmers and fortune-tellers. Towering over Marrakech is the Koutoubia mosque, the city’s tallest building, and a reminder of the importance of Islam to the lives of residents.

For centuries Marrakech has been known for its ‘Seven Saints. The seven saints include Sidi Muhammad al-Jazuli, Sidi Bel Abbas, Cadi Ayyad ben Moussa, Sidi Abu al-Qasim Al-Suhayli, Abdelaziz al-Tebaa and Abdallah al-Ghazwani. The ‘seven saints’ (sebaatou rizjel) is now a firmly established institution, attracting visitors from everywhere. This festival was founded by Abu Ali al-Hassan al-Yusi at the request of the sultan.

Getting There

Marrakech is the southern transport hub of Morocco. To the north trains are the best option. There are frequent and comfortable trains to Rabat, Casablanca and even all the way to Tangier. To Essaouira there are frequent buses. To Asni and Ourika your best option is s shared taxi. To the south the choice is between bus and grand taxi, the latter gives you a little more freedom of movement. To Ouarzazate there’s only one route you can take (Tizi-n-Tichka), but to Agadir and Taroudant there are numerous routes across the atlas.  Ménara International Airport serves as the main airport for the city and receives flights from Europe and neighboring Arab countries.

Getting Around

Marrakech is dominant with bicycles. CTM coaches and several private lines operate services to most Moroccan towns as well as a number of European cities, from the Gare Routière on Rue Bab Doukkala in downtown Marrakech. There is a taxi stand near the Jma-l-Fna.  Marrakech is the southern terminus of the ONCF, the Moroccan railway network, and Marrakech is well served by trains heading to Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca, and Fes. The Marrakech railway station is located on Avenue Hassan II. The bus timetable coordinates with the train timetable and the bus terminal is right beside the station.

Best Time to Travel

Spring and autumn are the best months to visit this bustling city. The weather during these months is pleasant enough to spend your day walking to the popular attractions.

Summer (June, July, and August) months feature the maximum temperatures and crowds. Average temp during in this season ranges between 91-100 degrees F. However, if you don’t mind the heat, summer is the time to visit if you want to see the Marrakech Popular Arts Festival in July at Djemma El Fna (main town square), which attracts folk singers, fortune tellers, snake charmers, fire swallowers, and more from all over the country.

Winter – Well, then winter is the time for you to visit the Atlas mountains from mid-Jan to mid Feb, where there is enough snowfall to ski a few runs at the Oukaimeden Ski Resort, 50 miles away from Marrakech. Broken ski lifts? A donkey will cart you up the slopes. The International Film festival is also held during the month of December.

Autumn (September to November) is truly the best times to visit Marrakech and surrounding areas. Temperatures range from 73-84 degrees Fahrenheit in the spring and hover in the 80s during the early part of fall. Also, the crowds aren’t as jam-packed as in the summer months. Enjoy your  Marrakech Trip!