March 2008
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Marrakech Destination Guide
Text by Mary Beth LaRue
Photo by John Warburton-Lee/Danita Delimont Agency/drr.net
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The Ali ben Youssef Medersa theological college typifies traditional architecture. |
This fast-paced Moroccan city pulsates with snake charmers, henna vendors, and chaotic markets.
 xplore the Red City—a city rich with heritage and history, blended from Arab, Berber, European, and African influences, that is comprised of an old fortified town and an adjacent modern city. Shop the suqs for textiles, jewelry, and pottery; sample Moroccan cuisine flavored with saffron; and rub shoulders with acrobats, snake charmers, and henna vendors. Get a taste before you go with Traveler's picks for the best blogs, podcasts, maps, and other essential resources.
Blogs
Podcasts
Newspapers
Maps
Books
Movies
Blogs
My Marrakesh
In gorgeous prose accompanied by brightly hued photographs, blogger Maryam writes "bemused tales of an American family's quest to build a guesthouse in Marrakech." Maryam's Moroccan life is more than a little like a fairy tale. Why Marrakech? "We decided to build our guesthouse, Peacock Pavilions, in Marrakesh because it seemed to offer just the right combination of factors: amazing weather, delicious food, fascinating culture, beautiful architecture, and a low crime rate," says Maryam. "The fact that we were able to buy an olive grove as the site of our guesthouse helped too. Our peacocks roam freely among the trees."
Fast Facts
• The population of Marrakech city is 653,000.
• Temperatures can soar into the 90s (°F) June-September; spring and fall are better, quieter seasons to visit.
• At its closest point, Morocco is just eight miles (12.9 kilometers) across the Straits of Gibraltar from Spain. | A Moroccan Kitchen
Join Samira and Sabah for traditional Moroccan recipes like onion and raisin jam, chicken tagine, and couscous, and stories of their lives in the Fez Medina. Though the blog isn't often updated, it's a great resource for Moroccan food. You'll enjoy little gems like the photos of shopping for raisins in the medina and details of menus at Riad Laaroussa, the restaurant where they work.
The House in Marrakech
The House in Marrakech is a peek into Moroccan daily life. Read entries and see colorful photographs of shopping in the suqs for tea glasses and rings, collecting shells on the beach at Moulay Bouzerktoun, and dyeing a skirt with traditional powder. Also see the author's evocative photographs of Morocco.
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Podcasts
Amateur Traveler
Since 2005 Chris Christensen has recorded over 100 episodes of travel tips and stories. Check out his podcast interview with his friend Rod about his trip to Marrakech's Djemma el Fna market, the medina, the Kasbah, and more.
Newspapers
Magharebia
Read breaking news from across the Maghreb, check the current weather, and read Moroccan bloggers at this interactive news site. Also check out the links section for recipes, entertainment, and media links.
Maghreb Arabe Press
One of Morocco's few English newspapers (most are in Arabic or French), the Maghreb Arabe Press is a good overview of Moroccan events, culture, and politics.
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Maps
Sacred Destinations
Use this interactive satellite map for a bird's-eye view of Marrakech. Click on the markers for more information on each landmark.
La Maroc
Though it might not be the best for usability, this beautifully illustrated map gives you an idea of the city's layout.
Planetware
Use Planetware's Northwest, Northeast, and Southeast maps to navigate the city's winding streets.
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Books
Welcome to Paradise, by Mahi Binebine (1999)
Local artist and novelist Mahi Binebine's story takes place along the Strait of Gibraltar, the waterway separating Europe and Africa. Immigrants desiring to escape Africa plot against two sets of coast guards.
A Year in Marrakesh, by Peter Mayne (1953)
Writer Peter Mayne details his experiences as he rents rooms, learns the language, and mixes with the locals in 1950s Marrakech. Though it was first published in 1953, Mayne's novel has become a classic portrait of Marrakech.
The Voices of Marrakesh, by Elias Canetti (1967)
Each of the book's 14 chapters is a first person account of the Moroccan city. Canetti weaves together the stories of the people, bazaars, and streets of the city.
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Movies
Babel (2006)
Four stories weave in this film about human connections. One storyline is set in Morocco as a troubled married couple on vacation try to work out their differences.
Hideous Kinky (1998)
Adapted from the 1992 autobiographical novel by Esther Freud, this film follows a hippie family who moves to North Africa in the 1970s. It is filled with North African music and beautiful shots of the city.
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