With its fantastic climate, colourful souks and abundance of luxury hotels, it is easy to see why Marrakech is on the map for the hotly anticipated season 4 of the hugely popular TV series The White Lotus. It is one of the four imperial cities of Morocco and lies west of the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. Now, it is being hotly tipped as the location for the next series of the hugely glamorous HBO series The White Lotus, following on from Hawaii, Sicily and Thailand. The city is home to dozens of souks stacked high with opulent, richly coloured fabrics and materials, with plenty of tiny little alleys to explore, independent art galleries and historical sites to explore.
It is also where Yves Saint Laurent famously lived. His house and garden, the Jardin Majorelle, is hugely popular among tourists for its striking blue walls, selection of cacti and other flowering plants, and would be an especially beautiful filming spot, according to Conde Naste Traveller.
Yves Saint Laurent’s Jardin Majorelle is popular among tourists for its striking blue walls, selection of cacti and other flowering plants, and typically for its ‘social media appeal.’
They wrote: “In contrast to the energy on the streets outside, the Four Seasons hotel (where the series is always set) looks idyllic, and there’s a reason we’ve pinpointed it as one of the best hotels in Marrakesh. Architecturally identical, low-slung villas and calming interiors combine in a way that’s starkly different to Morocco’s maximalist aesthetic, so the visuals would be a treat to watch.”
Marrakech itself comprises an old fortified city packed with vendors and their stalls. This medina quarter is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contains the Jemaa el-Fnaa square, a large number of souks (markets), the Kutubiyya Mosque and many other historic and cultural sites.
Marrakesh is served by Menara International Airport and by Marrakexh railway station which connects the city to Casablanca and northern Morocco.
Temperatures in May average 29C in the daytime, dropping to 14C at night. Flights from the UK in May start from £37 with Ryanair, easyJet, British Airways, Tui and Jet2.
However, Lonely Planet advises: “While there is something to be said for spontaneous wanders and chance encounters, Marrakech is the country’s leading tourist destination and guides, experiences and restaurants book up days, weeks and months in advance (in the high season).
They also advise booking an airport transfer ahead and being prepared to haggle over everything from taxis to buying souvenirs.
The travel guide’s Mandy Sinclair advises: “For women, I suggest ditching any belly tops and short shorts while wandering in the Marrakesh medina, one of the city’s most traditional neighbourhoods. Instead, opt for dresses that fall below the knee or trousers and a shirt that covers your shoulders.
“For men, knee-length shorts or trousers are advised. For traversing the cobblestoned and uneven footpaths, flats are best, ideally close-toed.”
They also point out that Morocco’s Dirham is a closed currency, and visitors are permitted to arrive and leave with a maximum of 1000 Dirhams (just over £200). Most ATMs distribute up to Dh2000 per transaction to a daily maximum of Dh4000 per bank card, though this varies by international bank. Most banks will charge a fee.
For the best currency exchange, head to Hotel Ali in Djemaa el Fna or Hotel Farouq on Avenue Hassan II near the train station.
