Marrakech – even the name is enough to have you dreaming of rust-coloured homes encircling a bright and cheerful souq brimming with authentic cookware and carpets you just have to take home with you. Fondly known as the ‘Red City’, Marrakech has over 950 years of history and is simply bursting with culture, as a result of the various Berber, sub-Saharan, Andalusian and French influences over the years. From the architectural wonders around every corner to the culinary practices so loved in the West, there are just too many wonderful things to say about the ancient city of Marrakech.

The Kingdom of Morocco is a unique country, boasting the best of both worlds with the Atlas Mountains separating the Saharan desert from the beautiful beaches of the north western coast the continent. This has resulted in a fantastic array of climates to be enjoyed across the region. Imagine spending your mornings hiking through the alpine forests on the mountain before a well-deserved dip in the Mediterranean and an evening stargazing in the desert. The various climates are only one of the reasons this country has gained such an incredible reputation as an ‘off the beaten track’ holiday spot.

The authentic cuisine is another plus for so many adventurers adding Morocco – and Marrakech in particular – to their bucket list. Boasting a culinary hot pot of dishes and flavours, there are some delicacies you simply cannot miss. Fitting for the red city, Morocco is known for its unparalleled red orange juice, which can be a wonderful, zany refresher during the warmer months and a great backdrop for your next profile picture, if you find yourself near one of the citrus stalls.

If there’s one dish that defines Morocco, it’s the tagine. Cooked in the clay dome and bowl it gets its name from, traditional Moroccan tagine usually consists of a meat, usually lamb, beef or chicken, a blend of fragrant spices such as turmeric and saffron, as well as preserved lemon. Nonetheless, there really are no rules to creating a delicious tagine, which is why you may find some interpretations include ingredients such as dates, almonds and apricots. Everything is assembled in the tagine and the dish is slow-cooked in the oven, allowing the clay pot’s cone to do the work circulating the rising moisture. (The secret’s out – now you know the secret behind the meltingly tender meat in a tagine).

When it comes to sampling the city’s most delicious treats, the market is the place to go. Simply follow the winding alleys to the central souq, perpetually filled with the twittering of voices and tapestries of every colour you can imagine. There, you will find gorgeous green glass tableware, as well as vials of argan oil you’ll want to stock up on. Do make sure you pack your bartering hat and avoid paying ‘tourist’ prices. In Marrakech, the atmosphere of the market is what most people fall in love with.

Whether you find yourself taking in the aromas of Moroccan cuisine – even better, tasting it – or gazing out over the earthy rainbow of tones filling the popular Medina, Marrakech is a true feast for the senses and something you won’t forget in a hurry.

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