Magical Marrakesh
After less than a four-hour flight from the Netherlands, you will find yourself in a whole other world thanks to the fragrances, colours, sumptuous food, and stylish riad hotels. Marjolein Mosmans (51) from Travel Magical Morocco lives in Marrakesh a couple months per year and is here to talk about the aromas and shades of the city she instantly fell in love with.
The ages-old city of Marrakesh, in southern Morocco, is the fourth largest city in the country. Marrakesh lies at the foot of the Atlas Mountains. “It’s as if you’re in a fairytale straight from the One Thousand and One Nights,” says Marjolein.
Imagine yourself in Aladdin
In 1985 the historic centre of the city, the walled medina, was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This was mostly thanks to the impressive monuments, some of which are the Kutubiyya Mosque from the twelfth century, the breathtaking Ali Ben Youssef Madrasa (Qur'anic school) and the Bahia Palace. The old centre is well preserved, as hotels, offices and other modern buildings are barred from the medina and are located in new districts, such as Gueliz and Hivernage.
“Walking through the narrow streets makes you feel like you are in the cartoon film of Aladdin. There are many shops and stalls that sell souvenirs, leather, and lamps and it smells delightful. This is because of the many spices and fresh herbs such as mint, sage, and thyme. And you also find fresh fruits and vegetables everywhere. It’s a feast for the senses.”
The Jemaa el-Fnaa square is also on the World Heritage List. Marjolein says that visiting it is an absolute must if you are in Marrakesh. “It is the biggest square in North Africa,” she says. “And there is an awful lot to see. The first merchants arrive first thing in the morning, and display their wares on rugs on the ground. During the day, and especially at night, the square is teeming with musicians, storytellers, water carriers, acrobats and henna ladies. You can eat and drink anywhere, even in the backstreets surrounding the square.”
Oasis of peace
Morocco is already well known for its rich cuisine. For lovers of culinary delights, you can also indulge in Marrakech. “If you have the time, I would absolutely do a cooking workshop,” says Marjolein. There, you will learn about cooking with tagine, among other things. And there are also enough places around the Jemaa el-Fnaa square and the Jewish district of Mazel to try out all the local foods and drinks.
Marjolein recommends spending at least one night in a riad hotel in the old city centre if you don’t spend your whole stay there. “Riads are a type of house with an open courtyard. They are boutique hotels mostly with five to six rooms. They are generally gorgeous, with Moroccan tiles and mosaics. It’s usually quite noisy in the medina, but in type of riad is an oasis of peace in the midst of the city’s bustle.”
In a tent under the stars
“If you want to get away from the city’s busyness to dive even deeper into Moroccan way of life, a trip to the desert where you can spend the night in a tent under the stars is a must,” explains Marjolein. “Or a day tour to the mountains. There, you can hike, eat with the hospitable locals and go back to Marrakesh in the evening. The Aït Benhaddou is also absolutely worth a visit: it is a ksar (a fortified city) made of clay. The film Gladiator 2 was just shot there.”
Marjolein concludes: “There is an awful lot to experience in Marrakesh and its surroundings. That is the beauty of Morocco. It is an incredibly diverse country.”
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