Marrakech is Morocco's fourth-largest city and its undisputed tourism capital, sitting at the foot of the High Atlas Mountains on a flat plain roughly 460 metres above sea level. The city divides neatly into two halves: the ancient walled medina - a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985 - and the Ville Nouvelle (new town) built by the French during the protectorate era, centred on the wide Boulevard Mohammed V and the Gueliz district. Most of what travellers come to see is packed inside the medina's salmon-pink ramparts.
Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) handles direct flights from most major European cities and is just 6 km southwest of the medina - a 15-20 minute taxi ride costing around MAD 70-100 (EUR 6.50-9.50). Grand taxis and the Airport Bus 19 (MAD 30, every 20 minutes) also run to Djemaa el-Fna. Getting around the medina itself is entirely on foot - the alleys are too narrow for cars. For longer trips to the Ville Nouvelle or out-of-town day trips, use petit taxis (metered, beige-coloured), ride-hailing apps like InDrive and Careem, or hire a driver for the day (MAD 500-800 depending on distance).
The best months to visit Marrakech are March to May and October to November, when daytime temperatures sit between 22-28°C and the city is not yet in peak-season pricing. Summer (June-August) pushes past 40°C regularly and makes walking the medina exhausting. Winter (December-February) is mild by day (17-20°C) but drops to 5-8°C at night - riads without heating can be cold. Ramadan dates shift each year; the medina is quieter during daylight hours but comes alive after iftar.
Hotels (2267)

Riad Nomades

L'emeraude de la Medina

Riad Dar Sakina

Riad Inn 40

Riad Dar Lfonoun

Hotel Atlas

Riad Nashira & SPA

Riad Ta'achchaqa

Bnb Medina

Riad Akl

Riad Espagne

Il Parco Dei Principi

Riad Zinoun

Riad Douja

Riad Le Coq Fou

Dar Moulay Ali

Riad Agdim

Riad Anjar

Riad Andaloucia

Dar Sun

Riad Molayzin

Riad Swaka

Riad N° 16

Riad 112
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