Relax
Escape the city’s hot, dusty streets and frenetic pace and discover some of Marrakech’s delightful green spaces. Take a stroll through the lakeside trails of Menara Gardens, a tranquil oasis peppered with palms, olives and fruit trees, or wander the paths of the Majorelle Gardens, created in the 1920s by French artist, Jacques Majorelle – a blissful botanical sanctuary dotted with buildings painted an intense shade of cobalt blue (known as Bleu Majorelle) and a wonderful complement to the colours of nature. Alternatively, hone your swing on one of Marrakech’s championship golf courses, including Assoufid, Samanah, PalmGolf, Noria and Royal Golf Marrakech.
The Atlas Mountains
Marrakech is the gateway to the Atlas Mountains, an awesome, snow-capped range famous for their majestic splendour. This gloriously formidable backdrop frames a region of emerald-green forests and rich, fertile valleys filled with dates, walnuts and other delicious fruit farms. Choose from various day trips, some including a stop for lunch in a traditional Berber village or atop a plateau for spellbinding views; others focusing on flora and fauna with guided expeditions on mule or foot and others exploring the local markets. For those with a passion for adventure sports, another option is a guided, off-road mountain-biking tour – a truly exciting way to discover the area.
Sightseeing
Soak up the vibrant ambience of Djemaa el-Fna, a huge open space heaving with street entertainers – snake-charmers, herbalists, acrobats, storytellers, magicians and musicians beating out repetitive rhythms. Look out for Koutoubia Mosque and its beautiful minaret, dominating the city-line thanks to a law that forbids other old city buildings to rise above a palm tree. Other points of interest include Ali ben Youssef Medersa, a 16th century Koran school and the Musée de Marrakech, an exquisite building showcasing Moroccan and Islamic arts and crafts. Another recommendation is a horse-drawn tour around the old city walls, a six-mile circuit laced with 200-odd towers and twenty ornate gates.
Shopping
Book a private guide and discover the city’s ancient medina, a labyrinth of twisting lanes lined with souks and palaces. Not-to-miss is a chance to haggle with tradesmen over souvenirs and homewares – leather slippers, silver jewellery, copperware, brassware, handwoven rugs, colourful ceramics, Moroccan teapots and fancy lanterns, not to mention a myriad of stalls bulging with spices and dried fruits. Be bold over bartering and fill your bags with all kinds of keepsakes!
Travel Planning
Our Travel Consultants can advise on, arrange and pre-book many things to enhance your holiday. This includes everything from spa reservations and dinner reservations, to a range of special experiences available in our featured resorts that you may not know about.
Spa
Do indulge in a traditional Morroccan Hammam treatment that involves the exfoliation and scrubbing of the skin to leave it feeling smooth and soft.
Sightseeing
Hiring a private Guide can be invaluable, especially to help you navigate your way around the labyrinthine lanes of the souks.
Flight Information
Royal Air Maroc from London Heathrow and London Gatwick to Casablanca. Easyjet from London Heathrow and London Gatwick to Marrakech. UK regional departures and charter flights are also available.
Flight Time
From London Heathrow to Marrakesh: 3 hours, 40 minutes.
Travelling With Children or Without an Adult
Children travelling without both parents should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. Please contact the relevant Embassy for the county you are travelling to for further information.
Visa and Advance Passenger Information
All passengers must ensure they have a valid, acceptable passport, any required visa and any other documentation for both the final destination and any stop-off points en route. Please make sure that Advance Passenger Information is submitted in advance to travel for all destinations. Failure to hold correct documentation or submitting incorrect details with Advance Passenger Information or Visa applications may result in refusal of carriage or entry into a country. Please check with the relevant Embassy regarding visa requirements well in advance of your travel date. Charges may apply for some visas.
Passengers not travelling on a British Passport are advised to contact their relevant Foreign & Commonwealth office for individual Visa requirements.
For up-to-date resort information, visit www.fco.gov.uk
Health facilities, hygiene and disease risks vary worldwide and you should take health advice about your specific needs from your general practitioner or a specialist clinic as early as possible before travel. Those planning to become pregnant should discuss their travel plans with their healthcare provider to assess their risk of infection with Zika. For information about Zika, other mosquito-borne diseases (such as Dengue fever and Chikungunya), Lyme Disease (caused by tick bites), and to receive advice on mosquito bite avoidance measures, please visit Insect and tick bite avoidance.
In addition, we highly recommend that you seek specialist advice from your doctor and, where recommended, obtain vaccinations or tablets for protection against, for example: Malaria, Hepatitis A, Polio and Typhoid. In some cases, treatments for Malaria should begin well in advance of travel. Travellers may also be required to show Yellow Fever Certificates on arrival in certain destinations ie, some African countries. Please note that you are strongly advised against scuba-diving for 24 hours before travelling by air. We would also like to draw your attention to the risk of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and recommend that you consult with your doctor before travelling.
Visit the FCDO website and select your destination country for the very latest travel advice: Foreign Travel Advice. Additional sources of information include: Public Health England, The National Travel Health And Network Centre, Foreign And Commonwealth Office and your General Practitioner or a specialised clinic.