The heart of Marrakech is Djemaa el Fna, a large square in the city’s old quarter “Medina”.  Both tourists and locals gather here, drawn by the energetic, bustling atmosphere.

By day, visitors find themselves mesmerised by the whirl of activity - snake charmers, acrobats, musicians and Barbary apes, many of whom are happy to pose for photographs (for a small fee!).  But as night falls, the square becomes even more crowded, the atmosphere more “authentic” as locals gather around the food stalls, street dancers and story-tellers.

Narrow streets lead off the square into the Medina where there are small riads and hidden courtyards.  Visitors staying here can escape the hustle and bustle by retreating to their roof terraces or take some time out to enjoy a coffee at one of the many cafes around the square.

The square also provides access to the souks.  Marrakech has the largest traditional market in Morocco – a labyrinth of small passageways lined by endless shops selling everything from carpets and fabrics to woodcrafts and jewellry.  Despite the many shoppers, the souks can be surprisingly cool on a hot day and, even if you are not intending to buy, wandering through the maze of shops, surrounded by the pungent aroma of spices and leather, is an experience not to be missed.  If you’re worried about finding your way around, hire a local guide for a few dirhams - they’ll point you in the right direction and ensure you don’t get lost.

El Badi Palace was built by the Saadian king Ahmed el-Mansour in 1578, influenced by the Alhambra Palace in Granada. Taking over 25 years to construct, the original palace was extravagantly furnished with Italian marble and Sudanese gold.  Although well worth a visit, the palace today is a mere shadow of its former self as the buildings were ransacked by Sultan Mawlay Ismail who used the materials to decorate his own palace in Meknes.

The Bahia Palace is defintely on the list of Marrakech must-sees.  Built towards the end of the 19th century by the Grand Vizier Si' Ahmed ben Musa,  it is a prime example of Moroccan-Islamic architecture. Here you will find private inner courtyards, patios scented by orange trees, tiled floors, a vast harem and landscaped gardens.

The Majorelle Garden is a botanical garden designed by the French artist Jacques Majorelle in 1924. Open to the public since 1947, the garden is now owned by Yves Saint-Laurent.  Although most definitely on the tourist trail, these gardens provide a refreshing change to the busy streets of the Medina with a variety of plants from all over the world.  There is also a small museum of Islamic Art within the grounds.

Also highly recommended are the Saadian tombs, located just near the Kasbah Mosque in the Kasbah district.  These were discovered relatively recently in 1917 and carefully restored to become one of Marrakech’s most prized monuments.  The tombs are arranged in two mausoleums, both beautifully decorated with high domed ceilings, marble columns, mosaics and carvings.  Outside is a pretty garden where visitors will find a number of smaller graves amongst the orange trees and rosemary bushes, belonging to the family’s soldiers and servants.