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Things to do in Marrakech

Make for the Atlas Mountains

The Atlas Mountains offer a great escape from the city and many tours take you to Imlil, the hub of mountain tourism 90km (56mi) south of Marrakech, for a hike in the countryside.

Spend a night under the stars

Join a multi-day tour that ventures into the Sahara on a camel's back with plenty of photo opportunities. At night, lying on your back and looking up at star clusters is what some would consider the best desert experience. Bring comfortable shoes and a sun hat.

Spice up your life with a cooking class

Moroccan cuisine revolves around colourful and flavourful spices, and one of the best ways to experience it is to take a cooking class. Most cooking classes teach tagine, a type of stew named after the ceramic or clay pot in which it is cooked in, and some chefs even take you shopping around the souks for spices.

Sunset camel ride

The southern edge of Marrakech lies a large expanse of palmeraie (palm grove), and one of the best ways to experience it is on a camel's back during sunset. Many tours also include a visit to a Berber family.

Unwind in a traditional Hammam

Check your privacy at the door and relax in a Hammam, a traditional Moroccan spa. Whether you opt for a public or private hammam, the ritual is the same: an initial lather in savon noir (black olive oil soap), an intimate exfoliation, a hydrating clay mask and a rejuvenating cold room. Going to a public hammam will require you to bring your own soap, exfoliating glove, towel, flip-flops, and a change of clothes.

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

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La Maison Arabe Marrakech

Opened in the 1940s, La Maison Arabe was a popular dining place for the rich and famous (Winston Churchill was a patron). It closed in the 1980s but reopened in 1998 as a hotel with Italian blueblood and African antiques collector Frederic Ruspoli at the helm. His collection is now the centrepiece of the hotel's luxuriously restored suites and rooms.

Les Jardins de la Koutoubia

Tucked behind the Jemaa el Fna, this lovely hotel has 100 rooms and suites, clustered around a palm-filled courtyard with a large pool, decked out in a modern Moroccan style. Other major draws include the serene spa, offering traditional hammam treatments, and the piano bar and rooftop terrace, perfect for that evening sundowner.

La Mamounia

Set within lush gardens (once the royal grounds of the Saadians) and with fine views of the Atlas Mountains, this art deco luxury hotel has been the place to stay in Marrakech since it opened in the 1920s. Winston Churchill was a frequent visitor and has a bar named in his honour. Expect beautiful rooms, succulent on-site dining and world-class spa facilities.

Du Pacha

Expect friendly staff, a warm welcome, simple breakfasts and clean rooms at this good value hotel located close to the city's main train station. Rooms offer TV and free Wi-Fi, while on-site amenities include a concierge, a safe-deposit box and a 24-hour reception. Guests can also sit and relax in the hotel's tranquil grounds.

Riad Dar Aby

Situated just outside the Medina, Riad Dar Aby houses a number of en-suite rooms circled around a bright, tiled courtyard. The daily breakfast of Moroccan pancakes with lashings of jam provides a homely touch, while free Wi-Fi access, optional specialised tours and friendly staff complete the package.

Riad Cherihane

Notable for its vibrant rooftop garden where tortoises laze in sun, the well-priced Riad Chrihane is situated near the northern edge of the Medina, roughly a 15-minute walk from Jemaa el Fna. Though it can be tough to track down, due to its location down a quiet side alley, complimentary Moroccan tea and biscuits greet wearisome guests.