DK Travel : Marrakech

An oasis in every sense of the word, Marrakech was once a beacon for the trading caravans that had driven north through the desert and navigated over the often snow-capped Atlas Mountains. Marrakech may be Morocco’s third most important city after Rabat and Casablanca, but its fabulous palaces and lush palm groves exercise a powerful hold over tourists. It has always been the place where sub-Saharan Africa meets Arab North Africa, and, even today, this market town located on the edge of nowhere remains a compellingly exotic port of call.

Orange Trees

Apart from jacaranda, the streets of the New City are lined with orange trees which flower and bear fruit each spring. The blossom is sold to perfume companies for use in scents.
Othello (1952)

Orson Welles put the Moor in Morocco, shooting much of his troubled masterpiece in Essaouira.
Ouarzazate

The so-called “Gateway to the Sahara” (pronounced “warzazat”) is a town of around 60,000 people. Most visitors tend to spend at least one night here before pushing on south to the desert proper (see “South to the Desert” ) or heading east to the Dadès Valley and beyond. The number of hotels in town is always increasing and with constantly improving quality. There are plenty of interesting activities here, from camel-trekking and quad biking to visiting the film studios for which the town is renowned.
Ouirgane

Ouirgane, 16 km (10 miles) south of Asni, is a pretty little place. The actual village is hidden among the trees along the valley above the Oued Nifis river. There’s an abandoned Jewish hamlet nearby and a working salt factory. Stop by for lunch or, if you plan on lingering in the village, spend the night at one of the two enchanting hotels – La Roseraie and the Au Sanglier Qui Fume – for which the place is best known.
Oukaimeden

Odd as it sounds, Marrakech serves as a base for skiing for a part of the year. The heavy snowfall on the Atlas between February and April means business for the bona fide ski resort at Oukaimeden down in the Ourika Valley. There is a chairlift and ski equipment can be hired on site.
Our Man in Marrakech (1966)

A little-seen silly spy comedy, but the city features heavily.
P. Diddy

In 2002, rap artist P. Diddy flew nearly 300 guests into Marrakech on chartered jets from New York and Paris to celebrate his 33rd birthday in opulent Moroccan style. The king, apparently a rap fan, also contributed to the party and lent him the use of the Bahia Palace for the high-profile celebrations.
Pacha

A ten-minute drive south of town is North Africa’s largest, megadecibel, super club. A massive, purpose-built affair, it can accommodate up to 3,000 people. It also boasts a chillout lounge, two restaurants and a swimming pool with sunbathing terrace. Guest DJs are flown in from overseas every weekend.

Live music at Pacha
Palais Rhoul

An opulent, sunken residence straight out of a James Bond movie, its gardens are vast and shared by just 19 rooms. The hotel has a fantastic alfresco restaurant – and one of the world’s best hammams.
Palais Rhoul

The hammam is attached to an exclusive Palmeraie villa but is open to all. Purpose-built, it is of palatial dimensions with a central plunge pool and boasts the finest masseur in Marrakech.

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Hotel price categories

For a standard double room per night with taxes and breakfast if included
- under Dh500
- Dh500–Dh1500
- Dh1200–Dh2500
- Dh2500–Dh3500
- over Dh3500