General Info / Travel

About Marrakech

Marrakech is an intoxicating city known for its souks, spices, snake charmers and hidden palaces, though these days it’s prized as much for its trendy art galleries, hip hotels and elegant hammams. Offering a tantalising taste of Africa within easy reach of Europe, it certainly lives up to the hype, and not only thanks to its fabled ancient medina.

It is to the medina, however, that most visitors will gravitate. The ageless city of blushing pink stone has waylaid desert caravans since the 11th century, with travellers succumbing to the charms of its bluesy Gnaoua music, calls to prayer and elaborate feasts. Its dark, narrow alleyways are full of artisan workshops, shrines and sprawling markets, and riads. These traditional courtyard guesthouses range from palatial oases to smaller, more intimate affairs.

Once you’ve had your fill of getting lost (not to mention the relentless street sellers and reckless mopeds), head to the open space of Jemaa el Fna. Thronging with locals each evening, the legendary central square hosts dozens of stalls serving up sheep's head soup from vast cauldrons, as well as grilled aubergines, ubiquitous mint tea and spicy cakes. Meanwhile, a mix of musicians, fortune-tellers, dancing cobras, storytellers and acrobats keep the crowds entertained until late. Towering over the scene is the stately minaret of Koutoubia Mosque, built in 12th century.

Beyond old Marrakech, a modern, 21st-century city is fast developing, particularly in the pulsating district known as Guéliz, and the wider Ville Nouvelle. Indeed, the city that lured hedonists and idealists in the 20th century now attracts fashionistas and trendy couples in search of luxury spas, chic bars and clubs. A flourishing arts and music scene is also firmly stamping Marrakech on the cultural map.

It’s this contrast that makes today’s Marrakech so interesting. With its maze of lanes and entrancing past, the medina will always have its appeal. But as you sip cocktails on a rooftop terrace watching the sun smoulder behind distant peaks, remember Marrakech’s legacy. This is the gateway to the immortal Atlas Mountains, and the vast Sahara beyond.

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How to get to Marrakech

Marrakech can be reached by many direct flights from most important European cities. The Menara International airport of Marrakesh (http://www.onda.ma/onda/an) is very close to Marrakech Down Town (10 minutes).

There are also a lot of daily direct flights to Mohamed V International Airport in Casablanca from North America (Montreal, New York) and Asia. Casablanca is about 45 minutes flight to Marrakesh. A connection pool is already available between the Moroccan company Royal Air Maroc and many others companies. Marrakesh is about 3 hours by train (www.oncf.ma) from Mohamed V International airoport (Casablanca).

Visa

To avoid any misunderstandings during your stay in Morocco, check that you have a valid passport in your possession. For all nationalities, the maximum length of a tourist visit is 90 days. Visitors from the following countries do NOT need a visa(For more information please visit here):

Algeria
Germany
Saudi Arabia
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Belgium
Brazil
Bulgaria
Canada
Chile
Cyprus
Congo (Brazzaville)
South Korea
Côte d'Ivoire
Croatia
Denmark
Spain + Andorra
Estonia
UAE
USA
Russian Federation
Finland
France + Monaco
great Britain
Greece
Guinea
Hungary
Indonesia
Ireland
Iceland
Italy

Japan
Kuwait
Latvia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Mali
Malta
Mexico
Niger
Norway
New Zealand
Oman
Netherlands
Peru
Poland
Philippines
Portugal
Puerto Ricoh
Qatar
Romania
Senegal
Singapore (for a period of thirty days)
Slovakia
Slovenia
Sweden
Switzerland
Czech
Tunisia
Turkey
Venezuela