 Marrakech is a wonderful combination of delightful aromas, bright colourful marketplaces and the contrasting arid desert. Sometimes called Morocco City, this vibrant destination has long been known as the meeting place of southern tribesmen and Berber villagers.
 Marrakech is Morocco's second largest city (after Casablanca) and is the administrative hub of southern Morocco. The real magic of the city can be found in its cosmopolitan atmosphere and magnificent location. Behind Marrakech, the impressive peaks of the Atlas mountain range stretch towards the sky and are covered in snow during the winter.
 Djemaa El Fna (also spelled Jemaa-el-Fna), the busy heart of the city is the best place to experience the wonderful ambience and delight in the performances of musicians, dancers, acrobats, drummers, comedians and storytellers unweaving elaborate tales of adventure and mystery through their art forms. Sumptuous delicacies including moist kebabs are set up on rows of tables. Away from the main scene, alleyways snake out into the dark and you’ll find vendors selling herbs, exotic jewellery, spices, carpets and metalwork.
 Marrakech is also home to incredible architectural wonders, including the Agdal and Menara gardens, the Saadian Tombs with their detailed carvings and the finest example of an Islamic monument in North Africa, the Koutoubia Minaret.
 Along with Méknes, Fez and Rabat, Marrakech is one of Morocco’s four Imperial cities. Unique in its Berber, rather than Arab origins, Marrakech blossomed from the cultures of many Atlas tribes including the Maghrebis, which are Saharan nomads as well as former slaves from Africa, Sudan, Senegal and Timbuktu. The residents here are friendly and warm, with a good sense of humour.
 There is plenty of excellent hotels including five-star resorts in Marrakech. A former backpacker favourite, the city now appeals to a greater variety of travellers but retains plenty of budget accommodations. The most convenient places to stay are near Djemaa El Fna but you may prefer to stay away from the action. Morocco’s official language is Arabic, but Berber is also spoken by some. French is widely spoken throughout the country and English is understood in the main tourist areas.
History
 Marrakech has had a long and colourful history since its founding by the Berber Almoravids in 1062. It was the capital of an Islamic empire that reached from central Spain to West Africa and called the ‘Pink City’ because of the colour of the local earth used in its construction. European traders entered the area in the late 19th century, and France occupied virtually all of Morocco by 1912. Sultan Mohammed V inspired an independence party that finally secured Moroccan freedom in 1956.
 In 1999, Mohammed VI ascended to the Moroccan throne and sped up the more liberal trends that had already begun. In 2002, the king married a computer engineer named Salma Bennani. This was a landmark event symbolising acceptance of an increasingly modern role for women. In 2004, the government adopted changes to the Moudawana, or Family Law, aimed at lifting the inequality imposed on women and protecting children's rights. The new legislation grants rights and protections for women concerning marriage, divorce and custody of children.
Weather
 With a scenic location at the foot of the Atlas mountain range, Marrakech has blazing hot summers and bright, crisp winters. Rains are refreshing in spring and in autumn. Morocco has the most unique climate of all African countries, as it is flanked by seas and guarded by the Atlas Mountains. June to September are the most pleasant months to visit Marrakech, as most days will be sunny but just moderately humid and warm. Temperatures always reach between 25 and 30°C
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