Marrakech is Morocco's fourth-largest city and its undisputed tourism capital, sitting at the foot of the High Atlas Mountains on a flat plain roughly 460 metres above sea level. The city divides neatly into two halves: the ancient walled medina - a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985 - and the Ville Nouvelle (new town) built by the French during the protectorate era, centred on the wide Boulevard Mohammed V and the Gueliz district. Most of what travellers come to see is packed inside the medina's salmon-pink ramparts.

Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) handles direct flights from most major European cities and is just 6 km southwest of the medina - a 15-20 minute taxi ride costing around MAD 70-100 (EUR 6.50-9.50). Grand taxis and the Airport Bus 19 (MAD 30, every 20 minutes) also run to Djemaa el-Fna. Getting around the medina itself is entirely on foot - the alleys are too narrow for cars. For longer trips to the Ville Nouvelle or out-of-town day trips, use petit taxis (metered, beige-coloured), ride-hailing apps like InDrive and Careem, or hire a driver for the day (MAD 500-800 depending on distance).

The best months to visit Marrakech are March to May and October to November, when daytime temperatures sit between 22-28°C and the city is not yet in peak-season pricing. Summer (June-August) pushes past 40°C regularly and makes walking the medina exhausting. Winter (December-February) is mild by day (17-20°C) but drops to 5-8°C at night - riads without heating can be cold. Ramadan dates shift each year; the medina is quieter during daylight hours but comes alive after iftar.