Viva Vacations: Marrakech

Marrakech Morocco

Gateway to the desert and the south, Marrakech is overwhelming like no other imperial city of Morocco. Its reddish-pink streets and alleys are full of sounds, sights, smells and life. The mid-summer heat is enough to prostrate most tourists. The best times to explore Marrakech are early morning, early evening, and winter, during winter temperatures are mild, but fall significantly at night, due to the cold air from the High Atlas. The Djemaa El-Fna, Assembly of the Dead, is anything but what its name suggests. A hot and crowded market by day, the Djemaa really gets rolling at sunset when the entertainers invade. This chaotic outdoor circus offers a microcosms of Morocco at its most exotic. The huge audience clusters in tight circles around the diverse cast of performers. Almost every tour of Marrakech begins at the 12th century Koutoubia Mosque, with its magnificent minaret presiding over the Djemaa. The minaret, crowned by a lantern of three golden spheres, is the oldest and purest surviving example of the architecture of the Almohads. The city’s two most breathtaking monuments date from the 16th century. Feast your eyes and cool off at the ornate Ben Youssef Madrassa, the largest Qur’anic school in North Africa. Even more lavish are the dazzling Saadian Tombs, modelled upon the interior of the Alhambra in Granada. The view from the terrace at the Badi Palace, now in ruins, is majestic. Close by we find the 19th century Bahia Palace. It is an ornate and beautiful palace with restful fountained gardens. To escape from the relentless midday sun, wander in the lush Menara Gardens and lounge in the charming lakeside pavilion. Marrakech is noisy, busy, dusty and chaotic. It is a visual and sensory banquet of colour, diverse cultures, architecture and design. Marrakech delivers an exotic and exciting taste of Africa and the best part is that it is only a few hours away from Europe by plane.

Wikipedia

Recommended airport

Menara (RAK)

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Marruecos, España y Portugal 16D (2025)

22 Destinations 15 Nights

holiday package

From US$2,585 Per person

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Destinations: Madrid, Granada, Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Tinghir, Erfoud, Fez, Tangier, Seville, Mérida, Evora, Lisbon, Fátima, Porto, Braga, Cambados, Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Lugo (Province), Leon, Madrid

Marruecos Sorprendente 9D (2025)

8 Destinations 8 Nights

holiday package

From US$1,309 Per person

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Destinations: Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Tinghir, Erfoud, Fez, Mequinez (Meknes), Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech

Gran Tour Marruecos y Peninsula Iberica 18D (2025)

27 Destinations 17 Nights

holiday package

Gran Tour Marruecos y Peninsula Iberica 18D (2025)

From US$2,846 Per person

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De Marrakech a Lisboa 11D (2025)

10 Destinations 10 Nights

holiday package

From US$1,614 Per person

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Destinations: Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Tinghir, Erfoud, Fez, Tangier, Seville, Mérida, Evora, Lisbon

Ciudades imperiales y atlantico Marroquí 9D (2025)

10 Destinations 8 Nights

holiday package

Ciudades imperiales y atlantico Marroquí 9D (2025)

From US$1,211 Per person

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Destinations: Casablanca, El Jadida, Safi, Essaouira, Agadir, Marrakech, Ouzoud Falls, Fez, Mequinez (Meknes), Rabat, Casablanca

Andalucía, Marruecos y Portugal con Madrid 16D (2025)

15 Destinations 15 Nights

holiday package

Andalucía, Marruecos y Portugal con Madrid 16D (2025)

From US$2,476 Per person

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Destinations: Madrid, Granada, Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Tinghir, Erfoud, Fez, Tangier, Seville, Mérida, Evora, Lisbon, Caceres‎, Madrid