Marrakech – Pearl of the South
With its idyllic location set against the background of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains, its enviable sunny climate and its vibrant, colourful street life and exotic gardens, the Rose City of Marrakech is a feast for the senses. This enchanting city with its ancient 12th century Medina and 19th century ‘Nouvelle Ville’ rises up from a fertile plain and stands between mountains, desert and sea.
Behind the ochre walls of the medieval Medina, are colourful labyrinthine streets full of donkeys and carts, aromatic fragrances and bustling souks, where life has barely changed in centuries. And tucked away behind high walls and anonymous wooden doors are lovely old palaces and riads, with tinkling fountains and perfumed gardens of roses, orange blossom and jasmine.
Just a 3 hour flight away, the unique and exotic appeal of Marrakech, coupled with its beautiful all-year round good weather, makes it an ideal holiday destination at any time of year.
La Place Jemma el Fna
At the heart of the Medina is the fascinating Place Jemma el Fna. By day it sports clusters of stalls selling fresh orange juice, plants, dried fruit and nuts, and then at dusk, against a backdrop of pink skies and the floodlit Koutoubia minaret, the Square fills up with snake charmers, acrobats, storytellers, bellydancers, musicians and a huge array of lively food stalls. Perfect for a fun night out, you can retreat to the rooftop terrace of one of the cafés surrounding the square and watch the spectacle unfold.
And all around are the souks; an overwhelming array of stalls which wind their way down a maze of narrow alleyways, selling a fabulous selection of leather slippers, ceramics, jewellery beautiful brass lamps, traditional rugs and wood carvings.
The Historic Kasbah area
Dar Azure is situated in a quiet street in the Kasbah area of the Medina, close to the ornate Saadian Tombs and the historic palaces and museums of the nearby Mellah (Jewish quarter). Both areas have their own covered markets and souks, and are close to several good restaurants. A brisk 15 minute walk from the house will take you through the souks to the bustling Jemma el Fna Square. Dar Azure is accessible by taxi right to its front door.
| January | 18 | May | 29 | September | 33 |
| February | 20 | June | 33 | October | 28 |
| March | 23 | July | 38 | November | 23 |
| April | 26 | August | 38 | December | 18 |
Marrakech weather
During the day the sun shines almost all year and there are blue skies and it rarely rains. From December to March, the evenings can be chilly, so it’s advisable to bring a sweater, and it occasionally rains. In July and August the temperatures can soar to over 40 Centigrade.