Africa is becoming an ever more popular destination with globetrotters from around the world. The continent welcomed a whopping 74 million visitors last year alone, as its tourism sector continues to recover from the Covid pandemic.
Gambia, Morocco and Egypt proved to be the biggest winners of the upturn in business, seeing huge increases in arrivals from overseas. Morocco continues to thrive as a popular tourism destination, as visitors flock to the country to experience its unique charms. Latest figures show that some 13.5 million people had visited the country by the end of August.
This represents a stunning 15% increase compared to the same period in 2024, according to the Ministry of Tourism.
A must-see place to spend some time on any trip to Morocco is Marrakech, with its vibrant culture, ancient architecture and bustling markets.
The city boasts a historic Medina that has been included in UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites. Criss-crossed with maze-like streets, the Medina is a vibrant hub of local life and commerce filled with stalls selling spices, clothing, and crafts.
Its ancient past can also be glimpsed in its eclectic buildings that represent a unique blend of Berber, Muslim and Spanish influences.
Perhaps one of the architectural highlights of the city is the immaculately preserved Ben Youssef Madrasa. Originally constructed in the C14th, the former Islamic school is a fascinating representation of Moroccan design.
The El Badi Palace, built in the 16th century by Saadian sultan Ahmed al-Mansour, is also well worth a visit. The sultan constructed the palace with money received from the Portuguese after the Battle of the Three Kings.
Marrakech was also a personal favourite of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who persuade Franklin D. Roosevelt to join him for a visit after the Casablanca Conference in 1943.
The British wartime Prime Minister reportedly said to his US counterpart: “You cannot come all the way to North Africa without seeing Marrakech.”
One of the best times to visit is in the autumn when temperatures still remain high but are more comfortable than the summer.
The average temperature in October is a pleasant 29ºC, meaning t-shirts and shorts are the order for the day.
Marrakech is just a 3 hour and 40 minute flight from London, making it a perfect destination for a long weekend.