Morocco: Country Profile

The Conference

Staying in    Marrakech

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Staying in Marrakech

Visa

Participants requiring entry visa to Moroccan territory must contact the nearest consulate or embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco (see the list of countries, the citizens of which are exempted of such a formality at the web site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation).

For participants coming from countries not covered by a Moroccan representation, visa formalities might be done upon arrival to Morocco.

Transportation

Reception:

- A reception desk will be placed at the Mohammed V airport in Casablanca to offer help and orientation to delegations flying to Marrakech.

- A desk will be placed at Menara airport in Marrakech for reception of delegations.

Local Transport and shuttles for delegates:

- Shuttles are provided between Menara airport in Marrakech and the hotels where delegations are lodged.

- Shuttle vehicles will be available all along the Conference for taking you between the Palais des Congrès where the works are taking place and the whole range of hotels in its vicinity ( see the framed area in the Map of the center of Marrakech). Shuttle hours will be available at the information desk of the Conference placed at the Palais des Congrès.

Other means of Transport:

« Small taxis» of beige color, contrary to “big taxis”, cannot take you out of Marrakech and are limited to three passengers.

They are equipped with a counter that should be working.

The average cost of a ride is 10 DH. a 50% rise is accepted for night drives. Luggage gives right to additional pricing as well.

Visiting Marrakech

Marrakech has granted its name to Morocco; if it is not the capital, this imperial city, called "The pearl of the South", remains with Fez the historical heart of Morocco. With its ideal location, with equal distance from the atlantic coast and the first dunes of the Sahara, Marrakech is also the gate of the Moroccan South. Its ambiance, colors and its climate enchants its visitor with a genuine change of scenery.

Few visits not to be missed :

In the Medina :

- The Koutoubia Tower : a Tower of 77m built by Abdelmoumen in the 12th Century. It stood as a model for building the Giralda of Sevilla…

- Jaama-el–Fna Square : It is a central square: close to the souks, it is the first point of interest, a hallmark, and constitutes a wide space with an endless show in the open air …

- the souks : gathered according to professions, one finds the souk of dyers, the souk of Shouari ( one of basket makers and wood turners), the souk of Haddadin ( one of ironware merchants), the souk of copper, the souk of Smata where a smell of fresh leather diffuses into the air, and where traditional slippers are made, and the souk of Sherratin.

- The Medersa Ben Youssef : One of the most fabulous monument of the city. This koranic school could comprise up to 900 pupils…

- The Marrakech Museum : close to the Medersa Ben Youssef, Dar M’nebhi palace is one of the most attractive work of art of the 19th Century. Transformed into a museum, it receives permanently contemporary works and orientalists as well as cultural activities …

The other monuments of the Medina :

- El Mansour Mosque : Called also El Casbah mosque, built by Yacoub el Mansour between 1185 and 1190, It was rebuilt following an explosion that took place in 1569. It was then called the mosque with « golden apples» as the balls of its lantern were made with the golden jewels of the spouse of Yacoub el Mansour.

- Saadian Tombs are lavishly decorated, the mausoleums host the tomb of Moulay Ahmed el-Mansour , its children and its mother. The garden constitutes a real haven of peace.

- El-Badi Palace : Out of this 360-rooms palace, built in just 25 years by Ahmed el-Mansour after its victory in the battle of the three kings in 1578, there remains today only the structures…

- Bahia Palace: built around 1880, Ba Ahmed Palace, vizir of Moulay Hassan and Moulay Abdelaziz, is a real Moroccan work of arts…

- Dar Si Saïd : an ancient mansion of the vizier Ba Ahmed dating back to the end of last century, it contains a Moroccan museum of artefacts…

- The Tiskiwin mansion: A mansion dating to the beginning of the century which contains the private collection of Bert Flint, a Deutsche installed in Morocco since 1957. It gathers the equipment and the techniques used by the Moroccan handicraft men …

- The handicraft complex: one can find in a concentrated space, all that is found in the Souks…

The new city : Guéliz

- Majorelle garden: acquired by Yves Saint Laurent who left a part of it accessible to visitors, the sprawling garden surrounds the old workshop of the renowned decorator transformed into a museum of Islamic art.

- Walls towers : 19 km of walls crowned with 200 square towers pierced with many gates...

Marrakech Suburbs:

- The Menara : Visit to it is recommended at sunset ; it is the best place for lovers’ ramble. A pavillon at the foot of which a great bassin for gala meetings of sultans, is today a real haven of peace…

- The Ourika Valley : The mountains of the high Atlas embody a natural barrier to the South of the imperial city. At sunset, the snowy peaks shift into a colorful landscape with pink and red shades …

Accomodation

Participants are invited to make their reservations by their own means. Nevertheless, you will find below a list of suggested hotels that may help you make your choice.  All suggested hotels are located in the vicinity of the Palais des Congrès (represented by a circle on the Marrakech Center Map beside) where the works of the Conference are taking place, and give special offers during the Conference time.

List and details of the hotels:

Hotels 5*

Hotels 4*

Restaurants

* Al Fassia: 232, av. Mohammed V, Guéliz (200/300 dhs) -

Tel: 044 43 40 60

* Dar Fès: Riad Laarous – El Gza, 8 Boussouni St – (450 dhs)

Tel: 044 30 23 40

* Dar Marjana: 15, dar Sidi Al Tair, Bab Doukkala – Closed on Tuesdays (600 dhs)

Tel: 044 38 51 10

* Diaffa: 1, Jbel Akhadar St – (500 dhs)

Tel: 044 38 68 98

* L’Amandier: Angle Paris St & Shouhad Av. – Hivernage – (200/250 dhs)

Tel: 044 44 60 93

* Le Jardin des arts: 6, Sakiat Al Hamra St, Semlalia – (250/350 dhs)

Tel: 044 44 66 34

* Villa Tivoli: Km3 – Road of Casablanca – (200/400 dhs)-

Tel: 044 31 35 28

* Alizia: Angle Shouhad Shawki St – Hivernage – (150 dhs)

Tel: 044 43 83 60

* La Trattoria: 179, Mohamed Al Beqal St – Gueliz – (300 dhs)

Tel: 044 43 26 41

* Villa Rosa: 64 Hassan II Av. – Guéliz – Tel: 044 43 08 32

*Le Dragon d’or: 10 Bis, Zerktouni neighbourhood – Guéliz – Tel: 044 43 06 17

Health

A health coverage is ensured from 15th to 19th December 2003.

No vaccination certificate is required for travelers coming from Europe or America. Anticholeraic vaccination certificate might be required for travelers coming from regions stricken by this illness. Anti-paludal treatment is not necessary.

Electricity

220 volts. Plugs are of French type.

Banking services

The national currency is the Dirham (DH).

Monetary Unit: 1 Moroccan Dirham = 100 cents.

Change might be done without commission in the accredited banks and establishments, namely in great hotels. Besides, one finds easily automatic telling machines in Marrakech.

Change rate in force in the end of September 2003 is as follows:

100 Dirhams = 9, 57 Euros

1 Euro = 10,50 Dirhams

100 Dirhams = 10, 109 $ US

The main international credit cards are accepted in hotels and by merchants.

Communication

Phone calls

Codes of Main Cities 

Internet access

Internet Space will be located at AGDAL space at the ground floor of the Palais des Congrès. Internet connection will be open from 08 h 00 to 22 h 00 during the period of the Conference.

Useful numbers

Marrakech, the Palmeraie & the Atlas

The Koutoubia

  Jamaa-el-Fna

Souk by night

          Water salesman (Guerrab)

    Saadian tombs

           Bahia Palace

El Badi palace

        Majorelle Garden

Walls towers

The Menara

Map of the Center of Marrakech