Marrakesh
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Marrakesh is one of the four imperial cities of Morocco, along with Fes, Meknes and Rabat - those have all been capitals at some point. Marrakesh is almost 1,000 years old and is an important city historically. Even the country name is derived from Marrakesh - this is more obvious in other languages (Marruecos, Marrocos, etc.) Marrakesh is often called the Red City, just like Chefchaouen is the Blue City. Most buildings have a warm pink/orange colour that really comes alive at sunset. 
The Riads
This is what your accommodation should look like in Marrakesh. Lots of options to choose from, to suit all budgets. We stayed at Riad de la Semaine, on a quiet alley just off the main square.
The Square - Jemaa el-Fnaa
This vibrant square is the beating heart of Marrakesh. There is a lot going on there - food stalls and cafes (most of them very average, avoid), merchants, street performers, and much more, plus an abundance of locals and travellers roaming around.
Of course, the tourists themselves attract a fair share of shady individuals, scammers, men with chained apes, and snake charmers (don’t let them charm you too!) - and this takes away from the character of Jemaa el-Fnaa.
The square really comes alive at night. A good night view of the square can be seen from Le Grand Balcon du Café Glacier. It's so obvious people go there just for the view that they are not even trying anymore. You pay for one of three basic bottled drinks on your way in and then walk around a dirty terrace, taking in this magnificent view of the square! The cafe itself is devoid of any charm, but the view is amazing!
The Rooftops
Rooftop cafes/restaurants are quite popular in Marrakesh and for good reason. It can be quite relaxing to escape the hectic streets of the medina and watch everything from the comfort of a rooftop terrace.
We went to NOMAD, but there are plenty of other options out there. If you are travelling in high season and want to have dinner at one of the nicer places in Marrakesh you really should book a table. We narrowed it all down to three options for eating out, thinking we could just walk in, but our plan has failed us every single time.
The Souks
The souks are one of the main attractions of Marrakesh, whether you are looking to snatch a bargain or even just there for the fun of it. The visit can be a bit overwhelming, especially later in the day when it gets really crowded. An early start can make for a very different experience. As always in Morocco, know your way or pretend that you do and, if you are buying something, haggle.
The Medina
This is probably the best way to experience the city in its raw authentic form: walking around the narrow alleyways of the medina without a set purpose - but maybe don’t do this at night. Expect lots of cats.
El Baadi Palace
This is a ruined 16th century palace. It was destroyed and stripped of most of its precious materials, but the vast remains still retain the structural integrity allowing you to picture the scale of the building back in the day.
Bahia Palace
This is a much newer attraction, as it was built in the late 19th century. The main feature here is the spacious blue courtyard. This is something out of the ordinary for a city that is predominantly red.
Saadian tombs
This is the royal necropolis of Marrakesh, housing the remains of the rulers of the Saadian dynasty.
Koutobia Mosque
Built in the 12th century, its minaret still remains the tallest structure in Marrakesh, and dominates the city skyline. There aren’t any high-rises around the city, due to a local law stating that no building can be higher than a palm tree. The interior is off-limits to non-muslims, however one can still admire the ornate architecture of the facade or relax in the mosque’s adjoining park. The minaret has been an inspiration for other buildings throughout Morocco and beyond, including Giralda, the minaret of Seville’s Cathedral.
Ben Youseff Madrasa
Madrasas are former Islamic schools, and you can find one in most major cities of Morocco. This one in Marrakesh is a fine example of Islamic architecture, beautifully ornate and well preserved. These can be visited by anyone, unlike the adjoining mosques, however when we were there in April 2018 it had just closed down for a two-year restoration project.
Jardin Majorelle
This is quite a modern and unique attraction, different to all the others. The mansion and surrounding botanical garden is most famous as the home of Yves Saint Laurent in Marrakesh - he and Pierre Bergé bought the gardens in 1980 and helped preserve them. Today, the gardens house a couple museums and are filled with Instagrammers attached to the walls of the villa, boasting fashionable, colour matched outfits. YSL would be proud...maybe…
AVOID - Tanneries
Forget the tanneries. They have a notorious reputation. Check reviews to convince yourself of the fact. Ignore local men showing you the way to the tanneries, or any other place for that matter. Such encounters have scam written all over. Fes is the place to see tanneries, better to get harassed there instead - at least you get something out of it.
More in Morocco
Meet the blue city of Morocco.