Alba Kech House

Race of Morocco 2012

Adam_D — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:26:20 +0000

13th – 15th of April 2012, Marrakech will be hosting the Race of Morocco. Albakech House is situated right in the middle of the circuit, only 40 meters away and can be seen from the roof terrace. For further info on offers for the race, contact us on info@albakechhouse.com from the contact page.

Koutoubia Mosque

Adam_D — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:41:53 +0000

Koutoubia Mosque

From any approach, the first sight of Marrakech is of the minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque, which dominates the skyline and is a handy reference point for lost travellers. Marrakech’s tallest building dates from the 12th century and is the prototype for Moroccan design, with each facade and archway on the square minaret carved with a different architectural flourish. Originally, it was covered in plaster with each tier decoratively painted, but a 1990s restoration opted to leave the stonework exposed. The architecture can be admired at close quarters from the recently renovated gardens, where you can glimpse the foundations of an 11th-century Almoravid mosque demolished because it was not correctly aligned with Mecca.

Opening Times: Mosque and minaret closed to non-Muslims; gardens open sunrise-sunset.

Admission Fees: No (for gardens).

Disabled Access: Yes

Unesco: No

Address: Avenue Mohammed V , Marrakech, Morocco

Bahia Palace

Adam_D — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:30:14 +0000

Bahia Palace

The 19th-century Bahia Palace still functions as a royal residence where the king entertains, but dozens of rooms are open to the public to see how the royals lived, including the former residence of the Grand Vizier’s four wives and his royal harem of 24 concubines. These rooms are decked out floor to ceiling with an eye-popping combination of stuccowork, mosaics and intricately carved and painted woodwork.

Opening Times: Mon-Thurs and Sat-Sun 0830-1145 and 1430-1745, Fri 0830-1130 and 1500-1745.

Admission Fees: Yes.

Disabled Access: Yes

Unesco: No

Address: Rue Riad Zitoun el-Jedid, Marrakech, Morocco

Telephone: (0524) 389 564.

Ben Youssef Medersa

Adam_D — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:27:17 +0000

Ben Youssef Medersa, Musée de Marrakech and Koubba el Badiyin

In the heart of Marrakech’s souks, the sublime Ben Youssef Medersa is a former Koranic school where the main courtyard is a wonder of stucco, mosaics and marble surrounded by balconies of exquisite carved cedar and relatively austere dorm rooms where students lived, memorised scriptures, crammed for tests in Islamic law, and prepared simple hot-plate meals. A visit here can be combined with a trip to the Musée de Marrakech (Museum of Marrakech), a magnificently restored 19th-century mansion built by the Mnebhi family that now displays carpets, jewellery, furniture, ceramics, textiles and manuscripts. Across the square in front of the Ali ben Youssef Mosque is the Koubba el Badiyin, the sole surviving structure of the city’s Almoravid founders other than the mud-brick city walls. A combined ticket gives same-day access to the Medersa, museum, and Koubba el Badiyin.

Opening Times: Medersa daily 0900-1800, museum and Koubba daily 0900-1900.

Admission Fees: Yes.

Disabled Access: Yes

Unesco: No

Address: Place ben Youssef (in the souks), Marrakech, Morocco

Telephone: (0524) 441 893.

Souks (Souqs)

Adam_D — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:20:26 +0000

Souks (Souqs)
Address: Central Souqs, Marrakech, Morocco, MA

‘Souks’ are traditional North African markets and Marrakech is awash with them. At the city’s lively souks you can pick up anything from fine leather goods and hammocks to souvenirs and food. The market next to Place Jema El Fna is one of the best in town, where everything and anything is on sale, but you must bargain hard. The attractions and excited locals found within the souks are not to be missed.
Open: daily
Admission: free

Djemaa El Fna (Jemaa-el-Fna)

Adam_D — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:18:27 +0000

Djemaa El Fna (Jemaa-el-Fna) Square

Address: Djemaa El Fna, Marrakech, Morocco, MA

Djemaa El Fna is a buzzing square in the heart of Marrakech and comes alive at night. This is central the main tourist attraction in the Old City (Medina Quarter) and is surrounded by appealing places of interest, such as hotels, gardens and market traders. Hawker stalls sell food and drink (mainly orange juice) during the day, while at night the place throngs with entertainers of every ilk, from musicians and dancers to acrobats and snake charmers. As the evening arrives, crowds begin to arrive here.
Open: daily
Admission: free

Saadian Tombs

Adam_D — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:15:07 +0000

Saadian Tombs
Address: Marrakech, Morocco, MA
Tel: +212 024 389 192

One of Marrakech’s creepier attractions, the Saadian Tombs are perhaps not suitable for younger kids. There are over 100 graves here, many of which are decorated with elaborate mosaics, while the building itself is stunning and held up by innumerable pillars. Dozens of the Saadian royal family are buried here, with the Saadian Tombs dating as far back as the late 16th century and only actually discovered as recently as 1917.

Open: daily
Admission: charge

Majorelle Garden

Adam_D — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:08:37 +0000

Majorelle Garden

Address: Marrakech, Morocco, MA

If you need to escape the din and chaos of the markets and traffic of Marrakech, head for the beautiful Majorelle Garden. These tranquil gardens were the brainchild of French painter, Louis Majorelle, and were set out in 1924. They feature innumerable attractive plants and trees, as well as several tranquil ponds.

Open: daily

Admission: free

Le Djellabar

Adam_D — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:45:18 +0000

Le Djellabar

Decorated in modernized 1940s decor, this Oriental restaurant and bar serves up a variety of Moroccan and international dishes. Signed musician Claude Challe holds down the restaurant with Stéphane Atlas.

LE TANJIA

Adam_D — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:26:05 +0000

LE TANJIA

14, Derb J’did – Hay Essalam

Marrakech

Leaning on the Ferblantiers place of Marrakech, le Tanjia is a place where East meets West with a fabulous chemistry. This palace offers a sober and elegant décor in a subdued ambiance where you can appreciate its traditional music group accompanied by Oriental dancers. The menu offers a inventive moroccan cuisine and a few foreign dishes. The terrace offers an exceptional view over Marrakech.