Marrakech

Marrakech is a city located in central Morocco at the foot of the Atlas Mountains. It is nicknamed the "Red City" and is home to a vast medina listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is nicknamed "the Red City" or "the Ochre City" in reference to the red color of most of its buildings and houses. Marrakech lies at the gateway to southern Morocco. Its atmosphere, colors, and climate are a reminder that the desert is not far. According to legend, when the Koutoubia Mosque and its minaret were planted in the heart of the city, Marrakech bled so much that all the house walls retained this omnipresent red color which is also the background color of the Moroccan flag. Another legend from the 11th century says that Marrakech was founded by a "blue man" named Youssef Ben Tachfine, who had pitched his tent there for a short stay. This nomad ate so many dates that a palm grove sprouted around his camp. He then became the first sultan of the Almoravid dynasty.

An imperial city like Meknes, Fes, and Rabat, Marrakech was the capital of Morocco for nearly 350 years. It is home to a vast medina covering 600 hectares, the most populated in North Africa, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Within its winding alleys, around its patios, fountains, and orange gardens, the quiet of its homes offers a refreshing contrast to the vibrant chaos of the souks. At the center lies Jemaa-el-Fna square, the beating heart of Marrakech, bordered to the north by its souks. All the historical and cultural landmarks that make people dream are located in the medina.

Thanks to the vitality of its 900-year-old medina, world-class hotel infrastructure, and sunny climate, Marrakech has established itself as the undisputed capital of tourism. But it is above all to the High Atlas Mountains, whose snow-covered peaks are visible from the city in winter, that Marrakech and its surrounding areas owe their wealth. Without this mountainous barrier—whose foothills begin just 25 kilometers from the city limits and whose highest point, Mount Toubkal (4,167 meters), is about 60 kilometers away—Marrakech wouldn’t be what it is today.