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Only a couple of synagogues in the Mellah are still used by Marrakesh's dwindling Jewish community, including this one, which doubles as an interesting museum of Jewish life in Morocco. It was originally built in 1492 by Jews expelled from Spain, but its blue-and-white interior is a much later iteration. The synagogue is on the right-hand side of the pretty internal courtyard – note the Star of David motif in zellige (colourful geometric mosaic tilework).
The central market square of Marrakech.
University Library in Marrakech.
Photo by TomiValny
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Marrakesh

Marrakesh-Safi, Morocco · Africa

About Marrakesh

Marrakesh is worth a stop: 5 minutes from Méchouar-Kasba, 5km from Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan.

Marrakesh is in Marrakesh-Safi, Morocco, with about 1 million people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Méchouar-Kasba, about 4 km away.

Marrakesh or Marrakech is the fourth-largest city in Morocco. It is one of the four imperial cities of Morocco and is the capital of the Marrakesh-Safi region. The city lies west of the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. The city was founded circa 1070 by Abu Bakr ibn Umar as the capital of the Almoravid dynasty. The

Read more Almoravids established the first major structures in the city and shaped its layout for centuries to come. The red walls of the city, built by Ali ibn Yusuf in 1122–1123, and various buildings constructed in red sandstone afterwards, have given the city the nickname of the "Red City" or "Ochre City". Marrakesh grew rapidly and established itself as a cultural, religious, and trading centre for the Maghreb. After a period of decline, Marrakesh regained its status in the early 16th century as the capital of the Saadian dynasty, with sultans Abdallah al-Ghalib and Ahmad al-Mansur embellishing the city with an array of sumptuous monuments. Beginning in the 17th century, the city became popular among Sufi pilgrims for its seven patron saints who are buried here. In 1912, the French Protectorate in Morocco was established and T'hami El Glaoui became Pasha of Marrakesh and generally held this position until the independence of Morocco and the reestablishment of the monarchy in 1956. Marrakesh comprises an old fortified city packed with vendors and their stalls. This medina quarter is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contains the Jemaa el-Fnaa square, a large number of souks (markets), the Kutubiyya Mosque, and many other historic and cultural sites. The city serves as a major economic centre and tourist destination. Property and hotel development in Marrakesh have grown dramatically in the 21st century. Marrakesh is particularly popular with the French, and numerous French celebrities own property in the city. Marrakesh is served by Marrakesh Menara Airport and by Marrakesh railway station, which connects the city to Casablanca and northern Morocco. Marrakesh has several universities and schools, including Cadi Ayyad University. The most visited city in the country, Marrakesh has become a major destination for tourism.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Marrakesh

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is there to see near Marrakesh?

Within an hour or so of Marrakesh: Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan (5 km), Ourika Valley (47 km), Oukaïmeden (51 km).

Are there any good drives near Marrakesh?

The nearest famous roads are Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan, Oukaïmeden and Tizi n'Tichka.

Where is Marrakesh?

Marrakesh is in Marrakesh-Safi, Morocco, about 4 km from Méchouar-Kasba.

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Quick Information

Population
995,871
Continent
Africa
Country
Morocco
Region
Marrakesh-Safi
Timezone
Africa/Casablanca
Coordinates
31.6342, -7.9999

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in Morocco

Police
19
Ambulance
15
Fire
15
Driving side
right

Royal Gendarmerie (outside cities): 177.

Full driving guide for Morocco

Tags

AfricaMoroccoMarrakesh-SafiCity

Worth the detour from Marrakesh

3 notable places within an hour's drive.

famous road

Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan

A street circuit in Marrakech running alongside the Menara gardens, host of the World Touring Car Championship. Palm-lined public boulevards outside race weekends.

5 km · about 10 min drive

scenic viewpoint

Ourika Valley

A green river valley south of Marrakesh with roadside cafés and a road running to the Setti Fatma waterfalls.

47 km · about 55 min drive

mountain pass

Oukaïmeden

A High Atlas ski station at 2600m, about 75km from Marrakesh by a paved mountain road, with prehistoric rock carvings.

51 km · about 60 min drive

Driving roads near Marrakesh

6 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 100km.

  • Right hereCircuit International Automobile Moulay El HassanA street circuit in Marrakech running alongside the Menara gardens, host of the World Touring Car Championship. Palm-lined public boulevards outside race weekends.
  • 47 kmOurika ValleyA green river valley south of Marrakesh with roadside cafés and a road running to the Setti Fatma waterfalls.
  • 51 kmOukaïmedenA High Atlas ski station at 2600m, about 75km from Marrakesh by a paved mountain road, with prehistoric rock carvings.
  • 70 kmTizi n'TichkaMorocco's highest road pass at 2260m on the route from Marrakech to Ouarzazate, winding through the High Atlas Mountains with dramatic North African landscapes.
  • 70 kmTizi n'Tichka PassThe 2,260m High Atlas pass on the Marrakesh-Ouarzazate road, recently rebuilt and endlessly serpentine.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Marrakesh.

Tamansourt

🇲🇦 Morocco

17 km awayPop. 27,383

Aghmat

🇲🇦 Morocco

30 km awayPop. 1,319

Tahannout

🇲🇦 Morocco

32 km awayPop. 13,215

Ait Ourir

🇲🇦 Morocco

33 km awayPop. 42,705

Asni

🇲🇦 Morocco

43 km awayPop. 18,674

Oukaïmedene

🇲🇦 Morocco

49 km awayPop. 4,440

Amizmiz

🇲🇦 Morocco

51 km awayPop. 15,685

Setti Fatma

🇲🇦 Morocco

55 km awayPop. 22,283

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence