Things To Do in Marrakech

Grand Vizier Bou Ahmed wasn’t a man to do things by halves. When he built El Bahia, he decided it would be the greatest palace of its time and a befitting home for a man with 24 concubines. The palace was ransacked after his death, but you still get a sense of its former grandeur. The interior is filled with stucco work and mosaics, and the gardens are brimming with citrus trees and date palms.

The Atlas Mountains come highly recommended – Jimi Hendrix dubbed them ‘paradise’ after spending time in their foothills in the Sixties. Nestled between the misty ridges, you’ll find an oasis called Paradise Valley. While you’re here, you can swim in natural pools, feel the spray of the Ida Ouatane waterfall on your face, and explore ancient village of Imouzzer.

This was Morocco’s biggest Koranic school but it closed down in 1960. Reopened as a site of historical interest in 1982, it’s a great example of Moorish architecture. As you wander through the corridors here you’ll see carved cedar wood, elaborate stuccowork and brightly-coloured tiles. The centrepiece is an enormous courtyard with a pool for ritual bathing.

In the 16^th century, Sultan Ahmad l al-Mansur was Morocco’s biggest VIP, which explains why his burial chamber in the Saadian Tombs is one of the most impressive. Twelve hefty marble columns support a cedar wood roof in the room where the former ruler of Morocco lies. In the gardens outside you’ll find the graves of his servants and soldiers.

The Koutoubia Mosque is Marrakech’s answer to the North Star. No matter where you are in the city, you’ll be able to see the building’s 70-metre minaret and navigate yourself home. The mosque was built in the 12^th century by Sultan Yacoub el-Mansour. Legend has it the gold balls that crown it were melted down from the jewellery of one of his out-of-favour wives.

Marrakech goes into 6th gear for this festival of street theatre. The epicentre of everything is Jemaa el-Fna square where, on opening night, more than 500 dancers, musicians, contortionists and street artists amass to celebrate the culture of the city.

Back in the 16^th century El Badi Palace was an ‘if your name’s not down, you’re not coming in’ sort of place. Rich princes and visiting diplomats were the guests of choice at this palace. The select few who got to stay here would have the choice of 360 bedrooms and free reign of a giant courtyard and 90 metre-long swimming pool. Today, there are only ruins left, but it’s worth a visit just to see the scale of the place.

This art festival is the result of Marrakech’s cultural growth spurt. At least 40 art venues across the city take part, showcasing work by Moroccan and Mediterranean artists. Textiles, photographs, sculptures and drawings are all part of the annual display.

Jemaa el-Fna is Africa’s original curiosity shop. Walk around here during the day and you’ll see snake charmers coaxing cobras out of wicker baskets and fortune tellers teasing stories out of tourists’ palms. In the evening this place becomes an open-air restaurant. Grills sizzle with tender strips of lamb and shells bob in vats of hot snail soup.

When you’ve had enough of navigating your way through the fray, hop on a horse-drawn carriage – or a ‘caleche’ as they’re known – right by Jemaa el-Fna and see the sights from a different vantage point. Make sure you take in a stretch of the ramparts – the chunky red walls that have haloed the medina since the 13th century.

If you want a bit of breathing space, this is the place to come. These gardens were designed by French artist James Majorelle during the Forties and they were owned by the fashion titan Yves Saint Laurent until his death in 2008. The gardens showcase plants from 5 continents, and artwork and sculpture from international artists.

These gardens are a great place to recharge your batteries. They were built in the 12^th century and they’re made up of olive groves, orchards and palm groves. The pool in the centre has a bit of a grizzly past. Legend has it, a sultan seduced his guests over dinner here, before throwing them into the water to drown.