Marrakech. The Red City
A celebrated imperial city at the junction of the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert, Marrakech harbours a colossal wealth of cultural heritage. Sheltered behind its powerful ochre ramparts, the medina (old city) guards the relics of the city's history, from the Almoravid dynasty to the Saadien reign. Morocco's little red pearl, it is often said that a lifetime would not be enough to exhaust all of its charms.

Bahai Palace is a mid to late 19th-century palace and a stunning example of Moroccan architecture and design. It took over 3,000 workers to complete the project. The palace is composed of four main courtyards, each with its own unique style and design. The first courtyard is the most ornate, with intricate mosaics, carved stucco walls, and colorful tiles. The second courtyard is more open and airy, with a large pool in the center. The third courtyard is filled with lush gardens and fountains, while the fourth courtyard is home to the palace's private residences. One of the most spectacular parts of the Bahia Palace in Marrakesh is the great Courtyard of Honour. It's a large area measuring 50 metres by 30 metres, covered with Italian marble and Moroccan mosaics and surrounded by a gallery of 52 wooden columns leading to the harem of the grand vizier's four wives and the rooms for his 24 concubines and their children.

The northern part of the medina is where you'll find the famous Koutoubia mosque, the city's most conspicuous landmark. The mosque was built in 1162 and is considered one of the great achievements of Almohad architecture.

Koutoubia Minaret supposedly was to be built with three gold globes. The ones topping the tower today are composed of copper. The Wife of Sultan Yacoub el-Mansour broke her fast during Ramadan. To pay her penance, she had her gold jewellery melted and made into a fourth sphere. Completed during the reign of her husband, this unique minaret was quite a feat of engineering for its time. Standing 69 meters high, a ramp is built around the tower so that the muezzin could rise to the top. The Koutoubia's square design is an Amazigh trademark.

Saadian tombs Hidden from the world for roughly 200 years, the Saadian Tombs were found a short distance from the bustling city centre, and are a truly rich architectural gem. Housing lavish mausoleums with approximately 60 tombs and over 100 more in the beautiful gardens, the Saadian Tombs are one of the most elaborate and best-preserved resting places in Morocco today.

Jemaa el-Fnaa (assembly place of the nobodies) is a square and marketplace in Marrakesh's Medina Quarter (old city). Jamea El Fnaa Square is the vibrant heart of the city of Marrakech, and it has always been the meeting point between the Medina and people from the surrounding areas. Jemaa Elfna was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its cultural and historical importance.
Beyond the Jemaa el Fnaa square extend the souks. To reach them, take the road of the Semarine Souk and turn right at Rahba Kedima square.