Any visit to Marrakech will centre on the medina and square of Djemaa-el-Fna, the heart of the city. Many of the attractions are within walking distance of the square, with the rest being just a short taxi ride away.

The numerous souks offer the chance to become fully involved in city life, making shopping quite an experience and an attraction in its own right. The city’s three medina-based museums, are well worth a wander around. As well as the once magnificent El Badi Palace, the sprawling Bahia Palace is a beautiful building, although only open to the public when Morocco’s royal family are not in residence. When Marrakech becomes too intense, peace and quiet can be found in the many lush public and private gardens surrounding the city.

Unlike in most other Muslim countries, in Morocco non-Muslims are not allowed to enter mosques. (The main exceptions are the Great Mosque in Casablanca and the Tin Mal mosque in the High Atlas Mountains). In Marrakech the best you can do is admire the buildings from the outside and try to catch a glimpse of some details of their internal courtyards.

It’s worth noting that on Friday, the Muslim Sabbath, some monuments may be closed or have different opening hours.

Opening times in Morocco are open to interpretation so always take them as a guideline only. Entrances to the sites (where applicable) is usually between 10 and 15dh. If using a guide, you should also tip them about 10dh.