Marrakech lies at the foot of the Atlas Mountains and was founded by Abu Bakr Omar, an Almoravid king, around 1062. Today, Marrakech is home to approximately one million inhabitants, making it the fourth-largest city in Maroc after Casablanca, Rabat, and Fès.

The city of Marrakech is composed of two distinct parts: on one side, the Médina, surrounded by roughly ten kilometres of fortified walls, and on the other, the new town comprising the Guéliz and Hivernage quarters. The new town primarily serves as a commercial city centre, established by the French during the Protectorate. In the Hivernage district, you'll find numerous hotel developments, and increasingly, residential neighbourhoods expanding on the periphery, particularly in the Targa region. Marrakech is also known as a university city and home to one of the most densely populated Médinas in Maroc.

Marrakech welcomes countless visitors each year and has become a premier tourism destination—and equally, a place of choice for celebrities and the French jet-set. The city serves as the quintessential departure point for those seeking to venture into the surrounding region and trek into the Atlas.

Marrakech harbours numerous architectural, cultural, and historical treasures waiting to be discovered. You can experience the singular atmosphere of Jamâa El Fna Square, situated near the mosque, where performances unfold—from monkey trainers and musicians to snake charmers. You'll be captivated by the colours of the Ben Youssef medersa, the Quranic school founded in 1570, which draws inspiration from Arabo-Andalusian art. Marrakech brims with enchanting places and spaces. The souks—with their wafting spice-laden air drifting through the streets—beguile wanderers. Gardens such as the Agdal Gardens and the Menara Gardens mesmerise with their floral notes that cast a spell on passersby. Moreover, Marrakech captivates through its cultural richness and museums. The Bert Flint Museum and the Museum of Islamic Art offer remarkable collections. As you stroll through this Moroccan city, the palaces will not be forgotten, leaving visitors awestruck by their splendour (the Bahia Palace and El Badi Palace are standouts).

Marrakech stands as a major tourism hub also because of its numerous festivals throughout the year, which have bolstered its international renown. Three major festivals draw culture-hungry visitors: the Marrakech International Film Festival (early December), the Marrakech Festival of Popular Arts, and the Samoa Festival of sacred music. Marrakech is truly a city offering visitors from around the world the allure of a place both ancient and contemporary—one that enchants through its colours, its fragrances, and its landscapes.