You will soon be able to travel to this stunning North African getaway direct from Liverpool John Lennon Airport
As temperatures on Merseyside plummet, many of us will be looking longingly at winter sun destinations, hoping for a cheeky getaway to perk us up and escape the sideways rain. As luck would have it, from November, you can travel to a winter sun destination that won’t break the bank and doesn’t involve taking a long-haul flight.
Morocco’s capital Marrakech is under four hours away from Liverpool, but you’ll feel like you are a world away when you step off the plane. You can enjoy stunning architecture, delicious food and a vibrant culture – all for a fraction of a price of many winter sun holidays.
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What are the best activities in Marrakech?
You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to things to do in Marrakech. The first thing on your list should be taking a trek through the narrow streets of the medina, a 10th century UNESCO World Heritage site surrounded by the orange-red clay and chalk wall which gives Marrakech the name “red city”. Buy something from one of its thousands of vendors, and try your hand at haggling if you’re feeling brave.
Go to Le Jardin Secret, a stunning garden within the medina that once belonged to Morocco’s last sultan. It was beautifully restored in 2016 after decades of neglect, and is split into an Islamic garden and an exotic garden. You can enjoy views from a rooftop terrace, where you can enjoy local specialities like mint tea and Moroccan pastries.
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Visit Jemaa el-Fnaa, the exciting centre of the medina. By day, it is home to street performers and henna tattoo artists while at night, it becomes an open-air theatre, alive with storytellers, musicians and hundreds of street food stalls, serving up everything from kebabs and stews to – depending on how brave you are – snails and sheep’s brain.
The square has an incredible atmosphere as locals and tourists sit and break bread together. Head to a rooftop bar after you’ve eaten and enjoy the lively character of this old and famous landmark.
Yearning to learn more about Moroccan cuisine? Get yourself down to a cookery class with Souk Cuisine which offers workshops allowing you to make authentic local dishes such as tagine, couscous and sardines with chermoula. Or try one of the city’s unique restaurants, many of which serve brilliant food – often with a modern twist.
Marrakech isn’t short of art galleries and museums. Anyone interested in fashion should check out the Yves St Laurent Museum, where you can see many of the great designer’s most iconic outfits, including his ‘Le Smoking’ tuxedo.
Ten minutes away from the medina, you’ll find the neighbourhood of Gueliz, or the ‘New Town’. As well as its cafes and shopping malls, it has some of the best contemporary art galleries around such as Galerie 127, Galerie Siniya 28 and Comptoir des Mines. No trip to Marrakech is complete without a visit to Majorelle Garden, a beautiful botanical garden created by the French Orientalist artist Jacques Majorelle over almost forty years, starting in 1923, featuring a Cubist villa designed by French architect Paul Sinoir in the 1930s.
Where is the best place to stay in Marrakech?
While Marrakech boasts a number of luxury hotels, those wanting a more authentic experience should consider staying in a riad. Riads are traditional Moroccan houses or palaces with an indoor garden and courtyard, and they are dotted all over the medina.
Many riads which allow people to stay in them are much more intimate than a hotel, with a limited amount of staff. In many cases, you’ll be treated more like a guest in their home rather than just another person staying in a resort. They’re calm and quiet places, and many will serve you tea and pastries when you check in. And, as riads house fewer guests than a hotel complex, there’s often a personal touch to the service you receive.
What about beyond Marrakech?
If you want to escape the city, it’s worth exploring the desert near Marrakech. Many guides offer excursions to the rural region which include activities such as hot air balloon rides, quad biking, camel riding and camping. You can also take a day trip into the beautiful Atlas mountains to Ouzoud Falls, the highest waterfalls in North Africa.
For those of you hoping to squeeze in some sunbathing, you might consider going to the coastal city of Agadir. It’s not the prettiest of cities (it was largely destroyed by an earthquake in the 1960s) but the long, white sandy beaches are stunning, and with the warm winds coming in from the Atlantic, it’s a surfer’s paradise. Golfers can play a round or two at one of the city’s many golf courses.
What is the flight time to Marrakech from Liverpool Airport?
The flight time from Liverpool John Lennon Airport to Marrakech Menara is three hours and 40 minutes. Flights will commence on Wednesday November 13 and will take place every Wednesday and Sunday.
