Marrakesh is a city that sums up all of Morocco’s exotic North African charm. The city’s name provided the root for the name of the country itself, spelling out this town’s importance down the ages. Within the hustle of the city core you’ll find old and new clashing and blending, which can make some tourists almost dizzy. Snake charmers and smooth shop touts both compete for your attention amid a noisy, colourful bustle that encapsulates Morocco’s vibrant soul.

For shoppers this city is famous as a frenzied hub for bargain hunting. Intended for history lovers the many museums and monuments are some of the country’s not to be missed star attractions. And for those who just want to dive into local culture, the Medina offers Moroccan life in all its hectic glory. Marrakesh is also the gateway to Morocco’s High Atlas region where you can relish the scenic mountain beauty after your Marrakesh metropolis adventures.

Medina Souks

For many visitors, Marrakesh’s labyrinth Medina (Old City) district is the town’s celebrity attraction. The narrow alleyways are a kaleidoscope of colors, scents and sounds, and bound to be the sightseeing highlight of your trip. As well as simply wandering (and getting lost ) among the bustling maze, there are myriad shopping opportunities where one can put your haggling hat on and barter to your heart’s content. Shoppers shouldn’t miss the Babouche ( shoe ) Souk, Chouari (carpenter’s) Souk, El-Attarine (perfume and spice) Souk and the Cherratine (leather) Souk. Just west of the main souk area, at the end of Rue Bab Debbagh, you will discover Marrakesh’s tanneries where animal skins are still dyed the old fashioned way.

Djemaa El Fna

This large square at the entry to the Medina is the centre of Marrakesh life. The Djemaa El Fna (assembly place of the nobodies) is a vibrant centre of bric-a-brac stalls, musicians, storytellers, fortune-tellers and snake charmers that never seems to rest. Here the entire spectrum of Moroccan life enfolds before you. If being down among the thrum becomes too much, it’s also easy to escape to one of the many surrounding rooftop cafes and restaurants where you can survey the crazy scene from above.

Majorelle Gardens

These lush tropical gardens, full of cacti, palms and ferns, are the work of painter Jacques Majorelle. Originally from the town of Nancy in France, Majorelle came to Marrakesh for health reasons and became well known for his paintings of regional Moroccan existence. His most famous work though was this garden and the vibrant blue ( the colour now known as Majorelle blue) painter’s studio he lived in on the grounds. After Majorelle’s death in 1962, French fashion designer Yves St Laurent bought the property and upon his loss of life in 2008, his ashes were scattered in the gardens. A small pavilion on site has a small but interesting collection of Islamic art.