The Marvelous Medinas of Morocco

[Sarah Marri]

With a wealth of recent restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, Morocco is truly a modern cultural city, but if you step inside the medina,you’re taken to a new world. Comprised of high walls, the medinas - present in all four of the country's majestic "Imperial Cities" as well as various others - are occupied by slightly narrow streets, small alleys, marketplaces and antique mosques, all meant to thwart attacking enemies. Each has its own exceptional story, but all offer visitors an extraordinary experience of antiquity and loveliness. 

One of the four magnificent cities of Morocco, Marrakesh is the economic, traditional and cultural hub of the country. Dubbed the ‘the ‘Red City’ or ‘Land of God’, Marrakesh is a busy, vibrant combination of ancient and new Morocco with both traditional customs and advanced practices.

In the ancient part of the city, the traditional medina lies in its center. The heart of the medina, Djemaa El-Fna square, is a place filled with shops and stalls selling food, handicrafts, spices, henna tattoos, traditional clothes, and scents. Travel hotspots here include El-Badi Palace and Koutoubia mosque, two attractive illustrations of fascinating Arabic culture and history.

Another majestic city is Fez which is the past capital of Morocco and still holds its glory. One of the largest and oldest ancient areas in the world, dating back to the 9th century, the medina of Fez is possibly the best well-maintained in the whole country. The new city of Fez (19th century onward) is constructed outside the old medina; it means that when visitors cross the edge of the Bab Boujeloud gate they arrive into a completely dissimilar place. Take a turn down the ancient pathway of Talaa Kebira here, the core path of the medina leading to an array of unseen Arabic charms, houses, and mosques.

The nearby city of Meknes is often identified as the ‘Versailles of Morocco’ due to it’s so lovely and wonderful design of buildings. The "Warrior King" Sultan Moulay Ismail was the leader of Meknes and is the gentleman accountable for the influencing and making the city a better place to live. The medina's striking arrangement of 17th-century Islamic as well as some European architecture is superb and distinct.

Located perfectly close to the Atlantic coast, the beautiful Essaouira is a famous place for excited squawking seagulls and windsurfers. The seaside city has had a flow in drawing and popularity in Game of Thrones admirers from all over the globe as it is the location for the city of Astapor. The Muslim and Arabic design of the sites exemplifies the styles found in the 18th century, while European effects thrive too, generating a unique display sparkling the area’s past as a multicultural port zone.

Rabat is also located on the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean, and it was constructed by refugees fleeing the Spanish reconquest of al-Andalus which culminated in 1492. Before the French invasion in 1912, there was no new town in reality in this area; Rabat was encompassed totally of the medina. Arriving at the heartened site through Souika path guests will understand that this is less busy than other medinas, which permits for a more laid-back and relaxed experience. This is the highest spot for leather products, carpet and woodwork, menthe tea plants and other ancient stuff to buy in your Morocco Holiday Packages, as the kinds of these goods for sale here are of the maximum quality.