The road to the heart of Marrakech

Prepare to face a completely different world. Here is unique does not seem to the other world. Here, you are on the one hand in the East and on the other hand in Africa. If you are ready to indulge in what comes without prejudice, you will have a great time.

Eastern splendor, dust, heat, souks, snake charmers - you have nowhere else so lucky to enjoy 1001 nights. Although noticeably tourist in the meantime, the charisma of the old caravan stop remained largely. Marrakech is a charming city for all Moroccans!

General advice and tips on customs in Morocco, which also apply in this city, can be found in Moroccan customs.

I- How to arrive ?

1- By plane:

A- Marrakech-Menara Airport: The Marrakech - Menara airport is located about 6 km southwest of the city center (Jamaa El Fna). Every year, more than 3 million passengers are treated. The 3 terminals are practically united to form a terminal. The two current terminals T1 and T2 cover an area of ​​42,000 m² for approximately 4.5 million passengers per year. The 45 m wide track is 4.5 km long and has an east-west orientation. The airport can accommodate nearly 20 Boeing 737/747. There is also a small terminal with an area of ​​340 m².

The airport is served by many global airlines. These include, among others, the Royal Air Maroc. Low cost airlines easyJet and Ryanair have now established a base here and serve a growing number of destinations, including destinations in European countries. There are also many connections from Spain, France and England and Germany. There are also flights to Casablanca and Agadir.

B- A small taxi in the city costs 70 MAD (about 7 EUR, evening 100 MAD, night 150 MAD), a Grand Taxi 100 MAD (about 10 EUR). A table with fixed prices and any supplements (at night) is located directly at the taxi rank. The taxi driver will always try to negotiate a price 2 to 3 times higher. From the city to the airport, the small taxi costs only around 40 MAD.

C-BUS :  Directly in front of the arrivals terminal, there is a bus every 20 minutes (until midnight) that will take you to different parts of the city. Cost 30 MAD per person (3Euro). This has the advantage of not waiting a long time at the exchange counter, but to easily exchange the many ATMs in the city center. A schedule with departure times is attached to the outside of the bus. Since we read that this bus (airport registration) at the place Djemaa el Fnaa. Some travel guides also say that bus # 11 goes to the airport. It costs only 3 MAD, but it does not stop at the airport but outside the airport area, then 300 meters to the left of the next priority road, look on the other side of the street, where people are waiting for the bus.

2- By train

Marrakech station is located about 1.90 km west of the city center (Djemaa el Fna). There are regular connections to all cities in the north of the country. The station is a luggage station, linking the south, for example. Agadir does not exist. A drive from / to Casablanca costs 90 MAD (9 Euro). By bus

There are direct bus connections to Marrakech from all major cities in Morocco. Partly also from different companies with different standards.

3- In the street

From Northern Morocco you can reach Marrakech via the A7 motorway from Casablanca.

II-The most famous places and historical monuments :

The "small" taxis that circulate in Marrakech are inexpensive and popular. You can tell by the ocher color. Most of them are Dacia brand vehicles. Wherever many tourists travel, taxi drivers will try to make a price too high. Their willingness to negotiate depends on current supply and demand. Basically, you have to try to push the required price to 50%. As an indication, for trips in the medina, a price of 30 MAD can be applied.

1- Koutoubia Mosque of 1162. The distinctive minaret of this mosque can serve as a landmark because it is visible from almost everywhere. The mosque adjoins a garden. Meanwhile, a photovoltaic system works on the roof of the mosque.

Kasbah of the 12th century

The Ben Youssef Madrasa of the fourteenth century. It is not for nothing that it is a World Heritage Site.

2 - The tombs of Saadian rulers (17th century). One of the absolute highlights of Marrakech.

3- Bab Agnaou, gate of the city of the years 1185-1190

4- Museum of Photography of Marrakech, where interesting photographs from around the world are

5- The souks of Marrakech with their colorful stalls and small workshops in the heart of the medina (old town) are considered the largest in Morocco. Before the first visit, you must prepare: habits and conduct of price negotiations, bakchich, treatment of beggars.

6 - Djemaa el Fna square is offered almost all day. There is music, food, freshly squeezed orange juice (4.00 MAD = 0.4 Euro), snake charmers, monkeys, craftsmen and more. The unique atmosphere in the square is part of the intangible UNESCO World Heritage Site. .

7- In the dye district, fabrics and skins are dyed and leather is tanned in the traditional way. As the vegetable substances are used for the finished fermentation, the tanning used must be a so-called vegetable tanning, a type of tanning which produces a high quality leather, but which has long since ceased to be used by us because of the load of high work.