Marrakech, The High Atlas & Essaouira

Julius Honnor is a travel writer and photographer based in London. He has written and updated several books for Footprint, including Footprint's Bolivia and various bits of Italy. He first visited Morocco in the early 1990s. Having grown up on the edge of Dartmoor, he was initially attracted by its big open spaces; he now finds Morocco's narrow winding streets equally intriguing. More from Julius at juliushonnor.com.

Stroll through 'The Red City' and discover a medieval world full of flavoursome food stalls, vibrant souks, acrobats, musicians and snake-charmers: it's easy to see why Marrakech is one of North Africa's best-loved destinations. Head south to the dramatic High Atlas Mountains which offer a veritable feast of experiences, from skiing and trekking to sightseeing or simple R&R. Enjoy the slower pace of life and the sleepy coastal town of Essaouira, where you can wander through the whitewashed streets or find yourself swept along one of its many beautiful beaches. Discover this region for yourself with Footprint's brand new full-colour guide, including a stand alone Popout map, perfect for navigating your way around.
Perfect for planning your trip with lively and entertaining features on everything from trekking in the Toubkal mountains to driving in the Draâ Valley
Compact Popout map of Marrakech
Great tips on navigating your way around Marrakech's medina and hints on how to haggle
Lather up with a guide to the hammams
Culinary low-down including the best cookery courses

Discover this region for yourself with Footprint's brand new full-colour guide, including a stand alone Popout map, perfect for navigating your way around.

1) Introducing The Region 2) About the Region 3) Marrakech 4) Essaouira & Coast 5) High Atlas 6) Gorges & Desert 7) Practicalities