Al Amane Apartment
Marrakech, Morocco

Top Attractions in Marrakech
What to See in Marrakech
Djemma el Fna
The Djemma el Fna is really the heart of Marrakech. It is a large central square in the old city (Medina) and during the day it's a perfect place to grab a freshly-squeezed orange juice and a handful of dates. At the end of the afternoon the Djemma el Fna transforms into an entertainers paradise -- if you're in to snake charming, juggling, music and that sort of thing. Snack stalls are replaced with stalls offering more substantial fare and the square comes alive with entertainment that hasn't changed much since medieval times.
The Djemma el Fna is surrounded by cafe's overlooking the square so you can just relax and watch the world go by if you're tired of jostling the crowds below. Be prepared to be asked for money when you take photos of the performers and stop to watch the entertainment.

Souqs
The souqs are basically undercover markets that sell everything from chickens to high-quality crafts. The souqs of Marrakech are considered to be among the best in Morocco, so if you like shopping and bargaining you'll enjoy yourself tremendously. Even if you don't like shopping, the souqs are a cultural experience you wouldn't want to miss. Souqs are divided in to small areas that specialize in a certain good or trade. The metal workers all have their little shops clustered together, as do the tailors, butchers, jewelers, wool dyers, spice merchants, carpet salesmen and so on.

The souqs are situated north of the Djemma el Fna and finding your way around the narrow alleyways can be a bit tricky. Guides are plentiful in Marrakech, so you can always use those services, but getting lost in the chaos is also part of the fun. It's often more interesting to peek in to souqs where local wares are being produced, than to be taken to yet another carpet shop by your guide. If you get lost, just ask for directions back to the Djemma el Fna.

Majorelle Gardens and the Musuem of Islamic Art
In the 1920's, French artists Jacques and Louis Majorelle created a stunning garden in the middle of Marrakech's new town. The Majorelle gardens are filled with colour, plants of all shapes and sizes, flowers, fish ponds and perhaps the most pleasing aspect, tranquility. The designer Yves Saint Laurent now owns the gardens and has also built himself a house on the property. The building that gets most of the attention however is the bright blue and yellow building the Marjorelles used as their studio and which now houses the Museum of Islamic Art. This small museum includes some good examples of Moroccan tribal art, carpets, jeweler, and pottery.

The gardens and museum are open daily with a 2 hour lunch break from 12-2pm.

Saadian Tombs
The Saadian dynasty ruled much of southern Morocco during the 16th and 17th centuries. Sultan Ahmed al-Mansour created these tombs for himself and his family in the late 16th century, 66 of them are buried here. The tombs were sealed up rather than destroyed in the 17th century and were only re-discovered in 1917. Consequently they are beautifully preserved and the intricate mosaic is stunning. Despite being situated in the heart of the somewhat hectic old town (medina) the tombs are surrounded by a nice peaceful garden.

The tombs are open daily except Tuesday. It's advisable to get there early and avoid the tour groups.

The Ramparts of Marrakech
The walls of the medina have been standing since the 13th century and make for a wonderful early morning stroll. Each gate is a work of art in themselves and the walls run for twelve miles. The Bab ed-Debbagh gate is the entry point for the tanneries and provides an excellent photo opportunity full of vivid colours from the dyes used. It is a little smelly though.

Palais Dar Si Said (Museum of Moroccan Arts)
A palace and museum in one and well worth a visit. The palace is opulent and beautiful in itself with a lovely courtyard where you can relax and take some pictures. The museum's displays are well laid out and include jewelery, costumes, ceramics, daggers and other artifacts. The museum is open daily with a couple of hours break for lunch.

Ali ben Youssef Medersa and Mosque
The Medersa was built in the 16th century by the Saadians and could house up to 900 religious students. The architecture is beautifully preserved and you can explore the tiny rooms where the students used to live. The mosque is adjacent to the Medersa.


Where to Eat
AL-FAISSA
232 Avenue Mohammed V, Gueliz (00 212 44 434 060).
Home cooking in the new-born district of Gueliz, lovingly prepared by an all-female team.

CAFÉ ARABE
184 rue Mouassine (00 212 44 42 97 28). Opened at the beginning of 2004, Café Arabe is the first proper café in the sinuous alleys of the Medina. It fills most of an old traditional-style house, with seating beneath the orange trees in the courtyard and in a couple of colourful adjacent salons. It serves Italian food (the café's owners are from Rome) and a lengthy menu of traditional, Moroccan and fruit teas, plus juices, a buffet of salads and pastas, and a selection of own-made quiches, tarts and pastries. There's simply nowhere else in Marrakech that does anything like this. Even better, the premises also include a snug little bruised-pink bar and a canvas-shaded, cushion-strewn terrace with views over the city rooftops which are themselves intoxicating.

Nightlife
CAFE DE FRANCE
Place Jemaa el Fna. Sip mint tea on the top-floor terrace while you watch the theatrics below.

JAD MAHAL
Fontaine de la Mamounia (00 212 44 436984). This is a complex of bar, restaurant and dance space beside the roundabout just over the way from the Mamounia. Take in the outrageous folie de grandeur of this contemporary orientalist fantasy. The newest and hippest addition to Marrakech nightlife.

LE COMPTOIR
Avenue Echouhada, Hivernage (00 212 4443 7702). For post-dinner drinks on a Saturday night, le tout Marrakech decamps to Le Comptoir for funky music in a gorgeous setting, respkendent with black and red tadlekt walls and a slinky grand staircase littered with pink rose petals. Well-heeled Marrakech comes out to play, with expensive drinks and ritzy clientele. Interesting as an experience of modern Morocco at its most

The apartment is in a quiet builduing ,with a cofe shop near by serving breakfeast & drinks ,couple of shops,a butcher near by also a turkish bath =Hammam & hair dresser .