As hundreds of Brits search for their next holiday destination for after the Christmas festivities wrap up, there is one particular country that offers balmy temperatures, stunning cultural attractions and a chance to make memories to last a lifetime.
Just a three-hour flight from the UK, holidaymakers can fly to Morocco and visit one of its most iconic and celebrated cities – Marrakesh.
Marrakesh‘s wealth of art galleries, museums, and cultural landmarks, along with a steady, sunny 25C weather, make the North African city an excellent escape for when the gloomy winter weather of the UK becomes too much to bear. It is also renowned for being a compact, walkable city which can be easily explored on foot.
With such amazing historical monuments on offer, it’s not far to see why more and more airlines are launching flights. For example, Ryanair has launched an exciting new route to Marrakesh from Newcastle Airport twice a week.
“Marrakesh, also known as the ‘Red City’, is a city of contrasts, with its ancient medina and vibrant souks standing in sharp contrast to its modern buildings and elegant hotels,” wrote myqvi.com. “The city has become increasingly popular and desirable as a holiday destination for tourists worldwide – and for good reasons.
“Visitors to Marrakesh can expect a sensory overload of sights, sounds, and smells as they absorb the city’s rich culture and history.
“Marrakech is an unmissable destination that offers a one-of-a-kind experience of the city’s vibrant energy, bustling nightlife, and authentic daily life shared by locals and tourists alike.”
High on the list of must-see spots is the city’s ancient main square – Jemma el Fnaa – which has UNESCO world heritage status.
Offering a sight like no other, the square lies in the heart of the city and is filled with street performers, dazzling snake charmers playing hypnotic melodies and exotic food stalls.
Close by is the “magic market” of Rahba Kedima, which is filled with hundreds of spices and local crafts. National Geographic even featured this souk in its “seven of the world’s most exciting spice markets” list in 2022.
The historic wealth of the city is manifested in palaces, mansions and other lavish residences. The best-known today are El Badi Palace, commissioned by the sultan Ahmad al-Mansur in 1578, the Bahia Palaca, built in the late 19th century and the main Royal Palace which is still used as one of the official residences of the King of Morocco.
The Koutoubia Mosque is one of the largest and most famous mosques in the city, located southwest of Jemaa el-Fnaa. The mosque was founded in 1147 by the Almohad caliph Abd al-Mu’min. A second version of the mosque was entirely rebuilt by Abd al-Mu’min around 1158, which is the structure that stands today.
Its minaret tower, the tallest in the city at 77 metres, is considered an important landmark and symbol of Marrakesh.
One of the most famous monuments in the city is the Saadian Tombs, which were built in the 16th century as a royal necropolis for the Saadian Dynasty. The necropolis contains the tombs of many Saadian rulers as well as various family members and later sultans.
The city serves a major economic centre and tourist destination, with real estate and hotel development having grown dramatically in the 21st century.
Marrakesh is particularly popular with the French, and numerous French celebrities have owned property in the city, including Yves Saint Laurent, who drew inspiration from the city’s art, architecture and landscapes. Over two million tourists visited Marrakech in 2023, making it the most visited city in Morocco last year.
Marrakesh is served by Ménara International Airport (RAK) and by Marrakesh railway station, which connects the city to Casablanca and northern Morocco. RAK has several non-stop flights from UK airports each day, including Gatwick and Stansted as well as Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh airports.