It also has daily flights between Heathrow and Casablanca, with connections to Marrakesh; British Airways (0845 77 333 77, ) also flies from Gatwick to Marrakesh The city’s airport is three miles from the city centre. Bus 11 takes you to the main post office on Avenue Mohammed V. For a taxi, check the fare in advance: expect to pay around 80 dirhams (£5), or Dh40-50 (£2.50-£3) for a shared taxi; these wait at the departure point and set off when they are full.Get your bearingsLike most Moroccan cities, Marrakesh consists of two parts. The original Arab district is centred on the medina, with its network of narrow alleyways and the large open square, Djemaa el Fna. To the west stands the more modern, mainly French-built new town, Gueliz, where the avenues are wider.
The main thoroughfare in the new town is the Avenue Mohammed V. At one end of this street is the only architectural landmark on the city skyline, the minaret of the Koutoubia mosque. The main tourist office is at 170 Avenue Mohammed V (00 212 44 43 61 31); it is open Mon-Sat 8.30am-noon and 2.30pm-5pm. For information before you leave Britain, contact the Moroccan tourist office at 205 Regent Street, London W1B 4HB (020-7437 0073; ).Check inThe classiest hotel in town is La Mamounia on Avenue Bab Jdid (00 212 44 38 86 00, ). Winston Churchill, who was a frequent visitor, and after whom one of the suites is named, described it as the “most beautiful place in the world”. It is set in lovely, walled grounds that were originally laid out for the royal family.
At this time of year, which is high season, rooms for one or two people start at Dh3,000 (£181.50); breakfast is Dh220 (£13) extra. La Mamounia is well worth a peep even if you don’t stay there. Riads – traditional Moroccan townhouses that have been turned into small hotels – are increasingly popular. Try the Riad El Arsat, in the heart of the medina at 10 Derb Chemaa (00 212 44 38 75 67, ) Double rooms cost €170 (£130) including breakfast.