Cheap Hotels in Marrakech - News

Unearth the Wonders of the Red City

With the city break market continuing to expand at pace, the list of urban centres around the world that remain undiscovered by the majority of tourists is shrinking. However, one destination that is sure to offer something new, different and exciting to the adventurous traveller is the north African gem of Marrakech in Morocco, also known as the Red City.

Much like cities such as Sydney, Rio de Janeiro and Istanbul, Marrakech is often incorrectly identified as its country's capital city, a position that is actually filled by its neighbour to the north, Rabat. Marrakech is in fact Morocco's third largest city, behind Rabat and Casablanca, a location which movie fans may be tempted to visit via rail links to the north.

Marrakech was founded in 1070 when Abu-Bakr Ibn-Umar, leader of the Almoravid dynasty at the time, decided to build another large city in Morocco to reduce overcrowding in Aghmat. Over the following centuries, one of Marrakech's most prominent and popular events was its festival of the 'seven saints', an occasion that continues to attract pilgrims from all over the world who visit the tombs of several religious figures.

People planning a leisurely trip to Morocco will be able to find plenty of landmarks and sites of interest to visit, including Djemaa el Fna, a bustling square and marketplace in the old town, which gives visitors an opportunity to experience the unique atmosphere and sense of life in this African city. The square itself is full of everything from juice stalls to snake charmers, while around the edges of the square visitors will find the souk, the traditional north African market that serves the needs of both local people and tourists. Djemaa el Fna takes on a new ambience at night, when the square fills with food stalls and the crowds gather to eat and socialise.

People with an interest in religious history may be interested in seeing some of the many mosques in Marrakech, including the Koutoubia mosque, which is the largest structure of its kind in the city. Another historical attraction is El Badi palace, which consists of the remnants of a majestic building constructed by the Saadian king Ahmad al-Mansur in 1578.

The appeal of a visit to Marrakech is not limited to the boundaries of the city, as there are a number of trips and excursions that travellers can embark on. One of the most popular locations outside the city is the Ourika valley, some 30km from Marrakech, through which flows the Ourika river, a waterway that has its source in the Atlas mountains. The mountains themselves provide plenty of opportunities for exploration, mainly in the foothills around the city. Other destinations of interest include Essaouira, a city and tourist resort on the Atlantic coast, and the waterfalls of Beni Mellal.

After busy days exploring the markets, mosques and palaces of Marrakech, visitors can find plenty of places to enjoy a good evening meal in the city. There are a number of stalls in the Djemaa el Fna, selling everything from harira soup to goat's head for adventurous eaters. One of Morocco's famous dishes is the tagine, a slow-cooked stew with tender chunks of meat and aromatic vegetables. Another thing visitors to Marrakech should ensure they try is the local tea, which boasts flavours ranging from cinnamon and ginger to mint.

This article is provided by Hotels Hotels Hotels suppliers of cheap hotels in Marrakech

Updated: Fri, 29 Aug 2008 09:24:19

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