Things to do in Marrakesh

Marrakesh is the fourth largest city of Morocco and has been a popular tourist destination for decades for Europeans. With a hot, dry climate and relatively little rainfall, you are guaranteed round-the-clock sunshine throughout the year. However, you may want to avoid the hottest moths of July and August when temperatures can reach the mid-40 degrees Celsius.

The huge expanse of the Jemaa El-Fnaa Square is well worth a visit and is a great place for “people watching” and enjoying the hustle and bustle of the city. There are stalls selling refreshing freshly squeezed orange juice, snake charmers, dancers, pedlars and musicians playing African drums and tambourines. Enjoy wandering around the many souks nearby and prepare yourself for some hard selling. While some of the shops may appear scruffy on the outside, inside you are faced with a plethora of wares to buy, from carpets to shoes, woven baskets to intricate jewellery and fleshy olives to packs of cashews. Don’t be afraid to haggle for a good price. It is not considered rude but an essential part of the shopping process. The ramparts of Marrakesh surround the city within a 12 mile high wall and many of the gates have intricate stone mason work around the arched entrances. For a break from the busyness and the noise, enjoy a peaceful afternoon in one of the gardens in and around Marrakesh. The Menara Gardens are situated near one of the Western gates to the city while the Museum of Islamic Art is located in the Majorelle Garden where there is also a large collection of plants including cacti and bamboo.