Marrakech-Morocco's heart

If you're looking for a weekend or an initial basis for backpacking around Morocco, Marrakech promises a unique and fascinating. From the chaotic streets awash with bicycles, mo-peds and drawn taxi for the extraordinary sights and sounds of Plas Djemaa el-Fna, Marrakech droning atmosphere is one that is impossible to forget.

Plas Djemaa el-Fna
The main square of Plas Djemma el-Fna is a remarkable place that simply can't be seen, it must be experienced with all five senses. By day, an array of snake charmers, monkey and all sorts of dance artists compete for money from tourists. At night the place really takes life. Itinerant charismatic invite tourists with traditional Moroccan tajine, while the backbeat ceaseless Bongos energises the insane crowd.

Souk
No visit to Marrakech is not complete without a trip to the city sprawling labyrinthine Souk. Everything is for sale here, ranging from hand-woven carpets and jewelry to camel's skin and dried lucky Chameleon bongos.

A word of warning, do not go there expecting to Browse peacefully. Nothing more than a second look the goods usually available will result in being driven in a shop from one of the many market vendors and extricate themselves Football can be extremely difficult without a purchase.

Be prepared to haggle for everything you buy here, as sellers generally ask a starting price of at least three times the actual value. This can sometimes be difficult and nerve-racking, but once you have mastered the art you will be greatly rewarded by a greater understanding of people and their culture, in addition to being able to collect some business well.

Accommodation
Marrakech has many budget hotels which are ideal for backpackers and independent travelers on a shoestring. Hotel Afriquia is highly recommended, with clean rooms single, double and triple rooms from just 50 dirham (about £ 3) overnight and boasts a view of the fabulous roof terrace of the city's breathtaking backdrop of the High Atlas mountain range.

Of touts and False guides
One of the most important things to remember in Marrakech is to always look like you know where you're going, regardless of whether you actually irremediably lost (which is fairly likely, given the lack of road signs).

Be wary of anyone who offers to help you find a particular reference point or a position, as the city's unemployment rate means that a good many young men who offer services in guiding you aggressively there, but often this will result in conducted in a family-run boutique where they receive a Commission.

Moving
For backpackers planning on exploring Morocco, Marrakech is an ideal base. Centrally located, the city has rail connections to northern cities like Casablanca and Tangier and also offers easy access to climbing in the vicinity of Jbel Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa. If you travel further South, by bus or taxi gran, expect long journeys more tightly winding mountain roads.

Chris is a freelance writer and ghostwriter based in East of England. For more articles, or to discuss a project http://www.fertilewords.com , visit

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