Marrakesh

Marrakesh was founded in 1062 by the Amazighan Almoravid ruler Yusuf ibn Tashfin and was the capital of the empire of the Almoravids. In the twelfth century it was the capital of the Almohad. The city was an important trading city for the caravan routes in the Sahara. After the French occupation in 1913, the modern part of the city was built.

The historic core of the city (the medina) was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985. The central square of the city, Djemaa el Fna, is very popular with tourists, as well as the adjacent souk ("bazar") with its picturesque alleys and stalls selling all kinds of merchandise. Both have an exotic atmosphere for the experience of Europeans. During the daytime there are a lot of street performers, including snake charmers, in the square where executions used to take place (hence the name, which means "Square of Death") and in the evening there are dozens of food stalls. Furthermore, the famous Ben Youssef medersa, a so-called Koranic school, is located in this city. The city has always retained its Moroccan identity more than other large Moroccan cities.

When it is also on your bucket list:
picture source: http://www.elegantresorts.co.uk