10 Interesting Facts about Marrakech

At the foothills of the Atlas Mountains lies the famous Marrakech and sought after destination in Morocco. Marrakech is known for its numerous mix of physical and cultural heritage. Here are some ten Facts About Marrakech to know about this fascinating Moroccan city.

The "Always Sunny" Weather

Marrakech is sunny all year round; even in cold seasons, the sun always finds a way through. An unspoken rule of thumb is to wear protective headgears to shield the face from radiation from the sun and block off dust when out in the open. With the constant sunshine here, visitors who love to sunbathe can do this for the most part of the day. Since the land is always dry and dusty, wearing headgear will protect you from excess dust and protect your skin from sun rays.

The Market Is Everything!

Remember the setting in the famous Aladdin movie? The markets in Marrakech are the real version of whatever you've seen in the film. The Medina, known as the market area, spans many kilometers. Marrakech has the largest market in the whole of Morocco. And people troop in numbers to buy or watch -- you can find tons of gift items and ornaments -- you also get to watch fascinating events such as the snake charmers, musicians, and dancers. The charmers tend to charge a token for any of their displays you catch on camera. If you take photos or videos of a snake charmer, be prepared to pay a token-- it's a free show until you decide to capture the moment. Many locals do this every day as tourists come in large numbers into the region. And as you shop the little things, expensive items like pottery, high-grade textile, and leather are parts of goods on display!

Tea Is an Art!

Like their Asia counterparts, the Moroccans cherish mint tea. It's a part of the culture, and not a day goes by without an average local taking tea. Sweet mint tea is a general drink in Marrakech, which is true for the entire nation. Tea making is art in Morocco. Popularly served in small glasses, the tea comes from stylish long-neck jugs. Across the city, tea is available in abundance for locals and visitors. If you fancy Asian tea, you may want to try the mint and perhaps draw a comparison between African and Asian tea.

The Land Of Cats!

Cats, cats, cats! They're everywhere and anywhere in Marrakech. Most locals have multiple cats and are allowed to roam around freely. The majority of the cats stray from home and decide to hop from one place to another. The Moroccans are cat lovers, but they don't pay particular attention to their pets.. Hence, the cats find their way around Marrakech unattended. It's, however, a bonus to tourists who are cat lovers. There are picture-perfect scenes to capture with cats as part of the landscape or the main focus of attention. Nevertheless, the chances of finding cats almost everywhere may be overwhelming, especially if cats break into your hotel room -- it may not be a surprise you're looking for!

It's a Bilingual City

Continuing with most interesting Facts About Marrakech, You'd expect that by default, the primary language in Marrakech, Morocco is Arabic. Well, while many understand Arabic, French is somewhat very popular. Close to half of the population can fluently speak both. The French colonized Morocco until the mid-1900s when they gained independence. The years of colonial rule meant that French, at some point, was the primary language even though Arabic is spoken too. You may want to brush up on your French if you plan to visit the city. If you speak Arabic, that's a double plus. Amazigh is another common language in Morocco. The Berber people speak the Amazigh language, and it's common among the locals. The language may not be as common as the other two, but a tourist who can speak it might be in for a more memorable experience. The natives lit up when a visitor could converse in their tongue. It's always heart-warming for them to speak to someone from another race or part of the world. So, if your French, Arabic, or Amazigh is smooth, chatter away and meet as many people as possible.

Marrakech and Rug Shops

A visit to Marrakech requires a visit to a rug and carpet shop to be complete. Rugs and carpets are part of the culture of the Moroccan. They cherish the arts. They love to make different kinds of crafts, using a variety of materials for it. Carpets and rugs are common as pottery and textile. When creating a list of places to visit, include carpet & rug shops to the list. The Moroccans value rugs and carpet-- they pay attention to design and quality. You may budget to buy a small-sized rug or go into any of the shops to feed your eyes. Get to learn firsthand the process of carpet & rug making and how the craft has been maintained over the centuries. Rug shops are many so you won't have trouble finding one!

Winston Churchill Sang Praises of Morocco

The famous Winston Churchill preached about Marrakech to many people around him. He was known to have told friends and family about the beauty of Morocco. The cities of Morocco, which includes Marrakech, Casablanca, and Fez, among others, caught the attention of Churchill when he visited. And the beautiful scene stuck with him, for he invited the American president then -- Franklin D. Roosevelt -- to sightsee the beautiful cities in Morocco. He chose Marrakech as a destination to travel to after a conference in Casablanca. Luckily for Roosevelt, he welcomed the invitation and embarked on a driving expedition from Casablanca to Marrakech. The sight must have been memorable as the two would have spotted architectural and cultural objects of interest. On their arrival in the beautiful city of Marrakech, the experience continued.

The Museum of Photography

In Medina, a museum of photography has collections that showcase the beauty of Morocco, both present-day and ancient artifacts. It contains thousands of prints from top photographers across the globe. The numerous scenes and landmarks of Morocco captured by different lenses and individuals make it to this museum. A library of works spanning centuries also has a place in the museum. It's open to lovers of art and culture. The medium, through images, tells the story of Morocco in diverse forms. The museum's design also adds to the overall charm of Marrakech and Morocco as a whole.

Marrakech Deserts

The images of Golden brown sands are common elements in many pictures of Marrakech. The country has a desert that tourists are always eager to explore. The desert tour options include a drive-through with a vehicle to see the various ruins and clay houses along the desert. Alternatively, tourists can hike or enjoy camel riding. Tour guides are always helpful on desert trips because they know the terrain and easily point visitors to objects of interest since the tour can take hours, if not the whole day; tour guides are the best bet for meals and water.

The Lavish Palais Bahia

The Palais Bahia or Bahia palace showcases the luxury of Morocco royals in the past. The palace has a top-notch finish that breathes class. It has a premium floor finish that looks modern and classic. A visit to the luxurious court will show you how the royals in Morocco lived back then. The colors, designs on the wall and floor, the mosaic, and artistic expression are nothing short of beauty. The courtyard has open areas, gardens, well-built walkways, and a lavishly furnished interior. Unlike before, the Royals of Morocco no longer make it their abode. The invasion of the Palace in the 1900s led to this. However, some royals still stay in the palace. Their stay may not be permanent, yet there are reserved areas for them. Visitors can access many parts of the edifice, but some places are off-limits. Bahia can be crowded as the day goes by, so it's best to come in the early hours of the morning. The Badi palace is another similar site to visit. It also has some jaw-dropping architectural designs, although the interior has been lost to ruins over the years. Yet, it's still worth a visit. 

Here comes the end of the most interesting 10 Facts About Marrakech. So what are you waiting for!