Marrakech flights and travel guide

The popular Moroccan city of Marrakech, set against a backdrop of mountains and filled with the sights and sounds of centuries past, is full of drama, excitement and a little mystery.

Often referred to as the “The Rose City,” or “The Jewel of the South,” Marrakech is a country built on symbolism. The jewel symbolizes Marrakech’s importance as Morocco’s trading place. The rose references the city’s pink-painted buildings and landscape. With Berber, Arab, and African influence present in Marrakech, it’s no wonder the country is known as the heartbeat of Morocco.

Saving money on a cheap flight to Marrakech with one of the low-cost airlines that now fly to the city allows travelers to spend extra cash in the many souks. Start in the old city and let your nose guide you. The scents and aromas that fill the air will lead you through open shops and markets throughout the city. Watch the human spectacle take place at the famous Djemaa el-Fna square, perhaps the greatest open-air market in the world, where businessmen walk alongside magicians and snake charmers perform. Tour the historic monuments and mosques before resting while watching the colourful Moroccan sunset.

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Marrakech Climate

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When to Fly to Marrakech

Peak Season:
Despite the heat, July and August are the busiest times to visit Marrakech. In spring the Christian Holy Week (Easter) brings huge crowds of holidaymakers, especially from France.

Off Season:
September to December are pleasant with cool evenings. January through February the weather is unpredictable and sometimes chilly.

The Muslim Ramadan takes place between mid-October and mid-November and nearly all restaurants and cafes are closed during the day.

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Getting Downtown Marrakech

Taxis are freely available outside the airport terminal, operating on set fares. Regular bus and train shuttles connect to the city and the port.

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Getting Around Marrakech

A walker’s delight, Marrakech offers exotic sights for the foot traveller. With some of the best parks in Africa, it is easy to find spot to relax. You will need a good map or a guide. Streets in Gueliz are wide and their names are in French. In the medina, street signs are in Arabic.

Public buses are cheap, frequent, and cover the city. They run from dawn to dusk, with night buses along the more popular routes. During rush hour buses can be quite crowded and boarding is a mad scramble.

Morocco has two types of taxis: petits taxis and grands taxis. Petits taxis provide transport within city limits, and grands taxis take passengers from one city to another and to airports. Petits taxis can be hailed, but take a maximum of three passengers, including infants. In Marrakech, petits taxis are beige. They use meters, and the fares are negotiable but have a hefty surcharge at night. 

Cycling is popular in Marrakech and bikes are easy to rent.

Driving is not recommended unless you know your way around. Not all alleys are wide enough for a car and the one-way streets and Moroccan traffic add to the confusion.

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Marrakech Insider Information

• Djemaa el-Fna, the town square, bustles day and night. Apart from shopping opportunities (the souks), relaxing (in the hammams) and dining (in the cafes and restaurants), there are the musicians, snake charmers and merchants to enjoy.
• Dar Si Said museum has a fine collection of Moroccan art.
• The gardens of La Menara (just outside the city centre) date from the 12th century. They are considered to be the most romantic place in Marrakesh. Planted with palms and olives, the gardens have an artificial lake and overlook the Atlas Mountains.
• Gardens: the Majorelle Gardens were created by Jacques Majorelle, a French artist, in 1924 and have been open to the public since 1947. Pierre Bergé and Yves Saint Laurent bought the garden in 1980. The gardens feature plants from five continents including cacti, palms, bamboo and aquatic plants. Many of the built features are painted a cobalt blue.
• The riads (the palaces and private homes of the nobility) can be found in the medina (Arab part of town) and many are now boutique hotels or B&Bs.
• The coastal city of Essaouira (formerly known as Mogador), close to Marrakech, has a fascinating history that dates back to prehistoric times. Sailors, saints, emperors and pirates all feature in its past. Today, the resort is a UNESCO World Heritage Listed city, an example of a late-18th century fortified town. In the bustling medina, look for wood crafts made from the Thuya tree, pottery, jewellery and Argan oil, which comes from a tree native to Morocco and is used in cooking and baking.

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Marrakech Airports

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