Marrakech Tours and Vacation Packages

Overview

One of Morocco’s four imperial cities, Marrakech is located at the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. A fashionable city with many ties to the past, there is much to see and experience in Marrakech on Morocco vacations.

Berber Almoravids founded the city in 1062 and in time, it became the capital of the Islamic Empire. This empire stretched from central Spain to West Africa and within it, Marrakech became a centre of religion, culture and trading. Up until 1867 Europeans were not permitted to enter the city without direct permission from the Sultan, however, this changed early in the 20th century when France made the whole of Morocco a protectorate. After the Second World War Marrakech became a popular tourist destination for those seeking an exotic experience.

Today Marrakech incorporates both modern neighbourhoods and an old fortified city, the Medina. The Medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it is an impressive example of a major Islamic capital of the Western Mediterranean as well as being a “living historic town”. The architecture and artwork found in the Medina are also remarkable. Jemaa el-Fna, a marketplace and one of the most famous squares in all of Africa is part of the World Heritage Site. Once a place of public executions, today it is a meeting place for different cultures as well as entertainment including snake charmers, acrobats and magicians adding a little spice to your Morocco vacation package.