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Travel to Marrakesh
A holiday in Marrakesh is a treat for all the senses. This popular Moroccan city is busy and bustling and full of hidden treasures. In the heart of the medina, Marrakesh's main square Djemaa El-Fna is alive day and night with musicians, snake charmers and story tellers. Visit the famous Cafe de France which overlooks the square to sit back and people watch. The labyrinthine souks sell everything from rugs and antiques to local handicrafts and fragrant spices. Marrakesh's historic monuments such as Koutoubia Mosque and the Saadian Tombs are also must-sees.
Budget airlines Ryanair and easyJet both offer cheap flights to Marrakesh from London Luton, London Stansted, East Midlands, London Gatwick and Manchester airports. Direct flights take around three and a half hours. Indirect flights are also available from other airports in the UK with carriers such as bmi and British Airways. All flights from the UK land at Marrakech-Menara Airport which is located around six kilometres from the city centre.
There are a number of options to get to your Marrakesh hotel. The cheapest is by bus. The #19 Airport Express Bus departs every half an hour and serves most hotels. There are no specific drop off points, so be sure to tell the driver where you'd like to get off. Taxis are also readily available from the airports. There are two types of taxis, 'Petits' and 'Grand'. Petits are small hatchbacks and the cheapest choice. Always agree a price before beginning your journey, and don't be afraid to haggle hard on the price. If you really are on a really tight budget, it is also possible to walk to the city centre in around two hours, just head towards the Koutoubia Mosque and you can't get lost!
The best way to explore the medina during your Marrakesh holiday is by foot, but if you fancy going further afield and feel confident driving on the very hectic roads (think cars, camels and whole families on mopeds!), car hire in Marrakesh is a good option. Book in advance to get the best deals.
There's a wealth of accommodation options in Marrakesh from camping to plush, luxury resort hotels. If you're on a budget it's pretty easy to find cheap hotels in Marrakesh if you shop around online and book in advance. Riads and Dars (old houses that have been converted into hotels and inns), can be very affordable and offer a great way to experience Marrakesh life.
Marrakesh's souks are a shopper's paradise, but you'll need to brush up on your haggling skills to bag a bargain. Haggling is expected and encouraged and can be great fun. Aim to get at least 50% off of the first price quoted, and remember if one seller won't agree, there'll be another just around the corner selling the exact same thing who will!
Author: Eve
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Updated 19th June 2013
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