Marrakech
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By Air
Menara International Airport serves as the main airport for the city and receives flights from Europe and neighboring Arab countries.Plenty of low cost companies now fly to Marrakech. Some companies fly to Casablanca, where a plane change for the 45 min flight to Marrakech can be made.If you are flying from the US, Canada, Asia or elsewhere, you'll have to change planes in Casablanca.
By Train
The train station is in the recently developed Gueliz district at Avenue Hassan II.Trains from Casablanca (2nd class Dh84/ 1st class Dh150, 3 hours),Rabat and Tangier connect with most domestic rail destinations in the country,with Marrakech as the southernmost stop.Trains run regularly between Marrakech and Casablanca (including the International Airport).They arrive around every two hours and regularly from other destinations like Rabat.Every day there are 8 direct 7 hour trains to Fez via Casablanca Voyageurs station and another two direct connections to Tangier.
By Bus
There are many long distance bus companies operating within Morocco which serve Marrakech and other cities.The recommended bus companies for tourists are CTM, Pullman du sud and Supratours.Other companies do exist, though these three companies are usually your safest options.Most ALSA (local destination bus company) and private bus lines arrive at the long distance bus station near Bab Doukkala, a 20 min walk (Dh 15 - 20 by petit taxi) from Djemaa El-Fna. Supratours and Eurolines buses operate from here. It's the place to take the buses from the small companies, that go directly to small destinations.
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Draa River
Is Morocco's longest river (1100 km).It is formed by the confluence of the Dades River and Imini River.It flows from the High Atlas mountains south-(east)ward to Tagounit and from Tagounit mostly westwards to the Atlantic Ocean somewhat north of Tan-Tan.Most of the year the part of the Draa after Tagounit falls dry.In the first half of the twentieth century the Draa lowest course marked the boundary between the French protectorate of Morocco and the South Zone of the Spanish one.Presently part of its upper course marks a part of the international boundary between Algeria and Morocco.
Jemaa el-Fnaa
Is a square and market place in Marrakesh's medina quarter (old city).The origin of its name is unclear Jemaa means congregational mosque in Arabic,probably referring to a destroyed Almoravid mosque.Fana or fina can mean death or a courtyard,space in front of a building.Thus one meaning could be the mosque or assembly of death or The Mosque at the End of the World.A more likely explanation is that it refers to a mosque with a distinctive courtyard or square in front of it.
Koutoubia Mosque
Is named after the booksellers market that used to be located here.It is said that the minaret of the Koutoubia mosque is to Marrakech as the Eiffel Tower is to Paris.The minaret is visible from Gueliz which is connected to the Medina by Avenue Mohammed V. At night,the mosque is beautifully lit.
Tanneries
Visiting the Tanneries can be an interesting experience.Even if some people tell you the area is only for locals,it is possible to visit the Tanneries without paying a youngster.After finding a Tannery,ask one of the workers if you can visit it and take pictures.
The Souks
From spices to shoes,jellabas to kaftans,tea pots to tagines and much,much more.Undoubtedly, being a foreigner means you will end up paying higher prices than a native would,but be sure to bargain nonetheless.If you happen to run out of dirhams,you'll also find plenty of people in the souks who will eagerly exchange your dollars or euros (though a fair rate here is less likely than at an official exchange).All that said, the sellers here are much less aggressive than say, Egypt or Turkey, so have fun.
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