Marrakech Holidays

Best hotels in Marrakech

Plan an exotic adventure to magical Morocco and visit a colourful city where old meets new. Marrakech holidays are divided into the Medina (old town) and Guéliz (new town). You can discover the thousand-year history of the Red City in the main square of the hectic Jemaa el-Fna and make you way through the winding souks.

And when the sun goes down there’s a buzzling nightlife scene to enjoy, too. Love being outdoors? It’s is just a short distance from the stunning Atlas Mountains, where you can go trekking during the summer and skiing in the winter. With so much to explore, there’s never a dull moment when you choose holidays to Marrakech. With warm sunshine throughout the seasons, it makes a glorious year-round destination.

Things to do

On holidays to Marrakech, you won’t want to miss the hustle and bustle of the traditional souks (or markets) and explore every inch of Medina. If you want to escape the noise for an hour, then you’ll find plenty of peace and quiet in the stunning Menara Gardens. If you’re looking for something completely different during the winter months, head out to a ski resort in the Atlas Mountains. Oukaimeden is only an hour’s drive from here, and offers a great selection of slopes for beginners through to some seriously challenging black runs.

What do I need to pack?

For anyone taking Marrakech holidays, sunscreen is an absolute must. When it comes to clothing, think light and airy by day and something a little warmer for the evenings. As the ‘Red City’ is relatively conservative, there are a few observations you should make. For women, it’s important to keep your shoulders and legs covered, so leave the strappy tops and tiny shorts at home. Instead, think T-shirts or light shirts and dresses, skirts and shorts that go below the knees. While headscarves aren’t required in public, you’ll need to wear one as a sign of respect if you’re visiting any sites of religious interest.

Because of the heat, comfortable shoes can be important, and you might want to protect your feet from the dust, so ‘closed’ footwear is a good idea. Sun hats are essential for the little ones.

If you’re taking gadgets with you on your holiday to Marrakech, be sure to take an adaptor plug and a portable power-bank.

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38 ℃

Sizzling summer highs and glorious sunshine, making it a great all-year-round holiday hotspot.

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3.5 - 4 hours

Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK).

Map of Marrakech

Marrakech is best for...

Explorers: Dive straight into the vibrant city life; head for the lively square and make your way through the alleyways. Get your haggling head on and explore the busy souk to sample a slice of traditional Moroccan life.

Scenery lovers: From the historic city centre to the breath-taking backdrop of the Atlas Mountains, it’s easy to fall in love with this city.

History buffs: This destination is one of Morocco’s former imperial capital cities, and it’s home to an array of historic attractions and fascinating museums. You’ll find the fascinating Saadian Tombs within easy reach.

Getting around Marrakech

By bus: You’ll find plenty of buses to take you northwest of the old city, running from the early morning into late evening. It’s a cheap and efficient way to get around.

By taxi: You can hail down a beige taxi almost anywhere in the city. Bear in mind that it’s common practice to round up the fare to the nearest Dirham or two when you reach your destination. It’s always worth asking for an estimate before you hop on board.

By caliche: Explore Medina from the comfort of a horse-drawn carriage. You’ll see the fixed hourly rates on the side of the carriage, or agree on a price beforehand for shorter trips.

Fast facts for Marrakech

Language: Arabic, Berber and French. English is spoken in many of the tourist venues, but it’s advisable to take a phrasebook or download our handy language app to help you with a few basics in Arabic or French.

Currency: The currency used here is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD).

Local time: It’s the same time zone as GMT/UK time.

Fly to: Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) is 7km southwest of the resort.

Flight time from UK: You’ll be able to fly here in around 3.5-4 hours.

Tourist information: You can find out more useful information at the official website for tourism in Morocco before your Marrakech holidays.

Visa / health: Ahead of holidays to Marrakech, it’s worth checking the latest advice from The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office for visa and health recommendations.

Events in Marrakech

Marrakech International Film Festival: Film lovers will want to book Marrakech holidays to coincide with this star-studded event; it’s often described as the North African answer to the Cannes Film Festival. The festival runs every year in November or December.

Marrakech Popular Arts Festival: Held in July, this is one of the biggest events on the city’s calendar, promising four days of art, performances and music. You’ll find the main square to be packed with food vendors, snake charmers and street performers.

Marrakech safety and security

Do I need a passport?

Marrakech passport regulations state that British citizens will need a valid UK passport to gain entry to the country. On arrival, ensure that your passport is stamped with an entry stamp. For further advice before you set off on your Marrakech holidays, check out The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

Do I need a visa?

British citizens do not need a Marrakech visa if they are staying for less than three months. For the latest information on visa requirements, visit The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

Should I get travel health insurance?

While you might see your holiday to Marrakech as a chance to relax or explore, it’s always best to be prepared for the unexpected. Travel health insurance can give you financial protection against injury or illness, covering the cost of things such as medical treatment, medicine, and medical repatriation back to the UK if necessary. Check your policy to see what is and isn’t covered before you fly.

Any other tips?

If you’re visiting the markets, be prepared to haggle. As a rule of thumb, have what you’re prepared to pay in mind, but start bargaining at a lower price. Don’t enter into haggling unless you have genuine intent to buy; time-wasters are not looked upon kindly.
When using taxis, be sure to agree on the fare with the driver before you get in.
When taking photographs, don’t be tempted to try and take pictures of the locals without first asking permission. Public performers such as snake charmers may ask for a fee.
Avoid drinking tap water; stick to the bottled stuff. Similarly, try not to eat salads that have been washed in tap water, ice cubes in drinks, or fruit that has been peeled and washed.
ATMs can be hard to find, even in the newer parts of the city. Carry as much cash as you think you’ll need. You’ll find that upmarket restaurants and shops do tend to accept cards.

Marrakech weather

Temperatures: Summer highs of 38˚C.

When’s the best time to go?

Sitting on the outskirts of the Sahara Desert and overlooked by the snowy grandeur of the High Atlas Mountains, Marrakech is a superb destination for a holiday and a city where the past and present are intertwined, creating a backdrop that is as exciting as it is relaxing. Barter your way through sand-dusted souks, get an invigorating massage in a local hammam or soak up the sun on one of the many nearby beaches.

As you might expect from a desert city, the climate is warm and dry for most of the year. However, to help you pick the right time for your African adventure, we put some Marrakech travel advice together.

The hottest months are between June and September. While the temperature averages at around 29°C, it’s not uncommon for it to leap into the 40s by day. At night, things can get chilly very quickly, so it’s worth packing something warm just in case. With an average of 14 hours’ sunshine a day, there’s plenty of time to get bronzing.

The wettest month is November, but even that’s not a big deal. If you’re not a fan of extreme heat, your best bet is to book your holiday to Marrakech in the spring or autumn, when things hover around the 25°C mark.

More hotels in Marrakech

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FAQs

How many days do you need in Marrakech?

Three to four days is a good rule of thumb for a Marrakech holiday. That's enough time to lose yourself in the souks of the Medina, visit Jardin Majorelle and the Bahia Palace, and still have an afternoon free for a hammam or a rooftop mint tea. Add a night or two if you fancy a day trip out to the Atlas Mountains. Many Thomas Cook holidaymakers turn this into a week-long All Inclusive stay at resorts like Aqua Mirage Club & Aqua Parc, splitting time between Medina sightseeing and pool days back at the resort.

What is Marrakech known for?

Marrakech is known for its maze-like Medina, the buzzing Jemaa el-Fna square, ornate palaces and gardens, and its riads – traditional courtyard houses that make gorgeous places to stay. It's also a brilliant gateway to the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara beyond.

Is Marrakech good for a city break?

Yes, Marrakech is one of the most popular short-break destinations from the UK. Flights are around 3 and a half hours, the city is walkable in parts (with taxis handy for longer hops), and there's a real mix of culture, shopping and relaxation packed into a small area. Direct flights include Stansted, Gatwick and Manchester, amongst several others around the UK, so getting there is straightforward wherever you're starting from.

What's the best time of year to visit Marrakech?

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are ideal, with warm days and cooler evenings. Summer can be very hot for sightseeing, so if you're travelling in July or August, plan Medina visits for the morning and save the afternoon for your hotel or riad's pool. October's our busiest month for Marrakech, but if summer's your only window, save sightseeing for the cooler hours.

How do you get around Marrakech?

The Medina is best explored on foot – it's compact but easy to get lost in, so a bit of help from GPS won't hurt. Getting to and from the airport or venturing further out? Licensed taxis and pre-booked transfers are the simplest options.