The short answer
Marrakech is in central Morocco, inland at about 450 m on the Haouz plain, with the High Atlas mountains rising just south of the city. It is the main city of the south and the usual starting point for trips to the Atlas, the Agafay desert, the Atlantic coast at Essaouira and the Sahara dunes beyond the mountains.
In more detail
The Atlas shapes everything about Marrakech, including its weather. The mountains shield the city from the Atlantic, giving it a semi-arid climate: hot summers, mild bright winters and cold nights. On clear winter days you can see snow on the peaks from the medina rooftops.
Distances by road give a sense of place. The medina is about 6 km and 15 minutes from Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK). Imlil, at the foot of Jbel Toubkal, North Africa's highest peak at 4,167 m, is about 60 km away. The Tizi n'Tichka pass, on the road to Ouarzazate, is about 2 hours 30 minutes. The dunes of Erg Chebbi at Merzouga are about 8 hours 30 minutes.
Fes, the other great imperial city, is about 530 km to the north-east. Essaouira and the Atlantic coast lie to the west, and a day trip there is a long but popular day out.
Good to know
- Fly into Marrakech Menara (RAK).
- Plan the Sahara as a multi-day trip, not a day trip.
- Pack a warm layer in winter: nights are cold.