Known as the "Red City" Marrakech is the capital of the south. The atmosphere is distinctly more African than that of the other Imperial cities, Fez, Rabat and Meknes. The setting of the city is stunning with ochre stucco buildings surrounded by the snow−peaked Atlas mountains. If you have the time, Marrakech is definitely worth a stay of several days.
The Jma−l−Fna is an unbelievable experience. It is a market scene straight out of the movies with snake charmers, musicians, dancing bears, acrobats and storytellers. Around the square there are numbered stalls that sell very cheap freshly−squeezed orange juice in the morning and afternoon. At night there are tables set up that you can eat at for a very reasonable price. Other sights include the impressive Koutoubia minaret and the Ben Youssef Medersa and the Saadian Dynasty tombs, the ruined 16th−century El Badi Palace the Dar Si.
Said Museum.
The artistic colors of the museum and beautiful gardens donated by Yves St. Laurent are a refreshing break
from the heat of the city. Spring is a good time to visit.
Marrakech − Bookshops
Marrakech has a few good bookshops, most in Gueliz, who have a good collection of French books. English
books are harder to find. Some of the budget hotels do book exchanges. Try hotel Essaouira.
all Librairie Gilot
Accross the street form Chatr, at no. 44 on the Avenue Mohammed V.
Librairie Chatr
Address: 19, Avenue Mohammed V (Gueliz).
Marrakesh − Internet Cafes
all Hotel Ali
Hotel Ali offers Internet access at good rates. The hotel is located about 200 meters from the Jma el Fna,
behind the post office. el Maroudi: happy ramadan to all my friend hendriks: I am the productmanager of
Sindbad reizen and Cycletours. Many times groups of ours have stayed in Hotel Ali, and we enjoyed
ourselves. Ewa Westling: Does Hotel Ali have an e−mailadress where you can book rooms?
Cybernet
tel: (212) 4 43 91 17 − (212) 4 43 84 04
