Marrakech's warren of side streets and the sun-baked countryside beyond the city are home to numerous hidden attractions. This lamp bazaar can be found in the old medina.
Exploring Morocco's Red City —
Marrakech's warren of side streets and the sun-baked countryside beyond the city are home to numerous hidden attractions. This lamp bazaar can be found in the old medina.
Gisella Deputato/CNN
The medina is a great place for wandering, getting lost and even picking up a bargain -- shoppers need good haggling skills.
Old medina —
The medina is a great place for wandering, getting lost and even picking up a bargain -- shoppers need good haggling skills.
Ali Berrada
Traditional medicine shops can still be found in the old medina, crammed with powders and potions for curing all manner of ailments.
Marrakech medicine shop —
Traditional medicine shops can still be found in the old medina, crammed with powders and potions for curing all manner of ailments.
Gisella Deputato/CNN
It may be in ruins, but it's still possible to get a sense of the former glory of the sprawling 16th-century El Badi Palace. Once the home of a sultan, it has a labyrinth, subterranean rooms and museum.
El Badi Palace —
It may be in ruins, but it's still possible to get a sense of the former glory of the sprawling 16th-century El Badi Palace. Once the home of a sultan, it has a labyrinth, subterranean rooms and museum.
Ali Berrada
The five-star Mamounia Palace hotel has been a Marrakech institution for the best part of a century, receiving famous guests such as Winston Churchill and Charlie Chaplin.
Mamounia Palace —
The five-star Mamounia Palace hotel has been a Marrakech institution for the best part of a century, receiving famous guests such as Winston Churchill and Charlie Chaplin.
Ali Berrada
Created by French artist Jacques Majorelle, the Jardin Majorelle was later owned by French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent.
Jardin Majorelle —
Created by French artist Jacques Majorelle, the Jardin Majorelle was later owned by French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent.
Ali Berrada
Another luxury hotel, this one on the way from Marrakech to the Atlas Mountains, the Namaskar is an oasis-style spa retreat that regularly tops best-in-Africa lists.
Namaskar Palace —
Another luxury hotel, this one on the way from Marrakech to the Atlas Mountains, the Namaskar is an oasis-style spa retreat that regularly tops best-in-Africa lists.
Ali Berrada
Marrakech is a great base for day trips to surrounding countryside. The valley of Ourika is a popular escape to see Berber villages surrounded by waterfalls and rivers.
Marrakech countryside —
Marrakech is a great base for day trips to surrounding countryside. The valley of Ourika is a popular escape to see Berber villages surrounded by waterfalls and rivers.
Gisella Deputato/CNN
The Atlas Mountain village of Armed is the last stop before Toubkal, Morocco's highest mountain, the peak of which affords views over the Sahara.
Atlas Mountains —
The Atlas Mountain village of Armed is the last stop before Toubkal, Morocco's highest mountain, the peak of which affords views over the Sahara.
Ali Berrada
The clear skies over Marrakech make it an ideal spot for hot air ballooning. The views over countryside, mountains and desert are said to be the best in Morocco.
Hot air balloon rides —
The clear skies over Marrakech make it an ideal spot for hot air ballooning. The views over countryside, mountains and desert are said to be the best in Morocco.
Gisella Deputato/CNN