Will Young's Marrakesh

Interview by York Membery

The singer Will Young loves the Moroccan city of Marrakesh for its cultural mix and its ‘otherworldly’ souks.

WHY MARRAKESH? 
I’m crazy about Africa, especially Morocco, and try to visit every year. The thing I love aboutMarrakesh, in particular, is the mix of cultural influences – Arabic, African and European – stretching back thousands of years. The food’s fabulous, too. This is the perfect time of year to go there, too, because it’s not too hot.

ANYTHING SPECIAL I SHOULD PACK? 
A second suitcase, if not a trunk – so you can bring back all those fabrics, carvings and spices that you’re sure to pick up in the souk.

WHAT’S THE FIRST THING YOU DO? 
I love to go to the main square to watch the snake charmers and the other street life and perhaps get myself a fresh juice at the orange juice stand. Then there’s the souk itself – it’s like entering a magical Star Wars “other world”. You can’t avoid the sense that you are walking in the paths of the ancients.

WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE TO STAY? 
The Hôtel La Renaissance (00212 524 337777;renaissance-hotel-marrakech.com; doubles from £73), should fit the bill. Actually, I got turned away from the first hotel I wanted to stay at in Marrakesh. I’ve no idea why – though I was dressed a bit scruffily at the time.

Read our expert’s reviews of the best hotels in Marrakesh

WHERE WOULD YOU MEET FRIENDS FOR A DRINK? 
It has to be the Café Arabe (429728;cafearabe.com) on the top floor of the Hôtel La Renaissance, which has an amazing sky bar and terrace with fabulous views over the city.

WHICH IS THE BEST PLACE FOR LUNCH? 
I like Le Kechmara (3 rue de la Liberté; 422532;kechmara.com), a funky café-restaurant where you can grab a light lunch or something more substantial.

AND FOR DINNER? 
I’d suggest the Palais Jad Mahal (436984; jad-mahal.com), a cool restaurant where you can tuck into delicious Moroccan food while listening to music in a place that has loads of atmosphere.

WHERE WOULD YOU SEND A FIRST-TIME VISITOR? 
If you have the time, then you have to visit the Atlas Mountains, which are absolutely breathtaking. You can get there and back in a day from the city – a car and driver for the day are not overly expensive – but it’s obviously much better if you can stay overnight. Marrakesh is wonderful, but I don’t think you’d ever forgive yourself if you visited the city without seeing the mountains.

WHAT SHOULD I AVOID? 
I’ve always found it pretty safe in the main tourist areas. Sure, avoid paying the first price they quote you in the souk, but don’t overdo it Bargaining is part of the culture, but don’t insult the vendors.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING HOME? 
A pair of slippers with pointed toes, or some moccasins. I always seem to come back with a lantern and a few ceramic tiles, too.

ANYWHERE THAT ISN’T YOUR KIND OF TOWN? 
I just don’t get Barcelona. Everyone rolls their eyes when I tell them so, but I obviously haven’t had that moment when something clicks about a place. Maybe I just haven’t been in the right mood for it.

• Will Young’s latest single ‘Come On’, taken from his chart-topping album ‘Echoes’, is out now. More information at willyoung.co.uk

Getting there

British Airways (0844 493 0787; ba.com) has flights from Heathrow to Marrakesh from £154, Royal Air Maroc (020 7307 5800;royalairmarocuk.net) from £200 and easyJet (0905 821 0905; easyjet.com) from £78.

Staying there

The Riad Porte Royale (00212 524 376109;riadporteroyale.com; doubles from £64) is a stylish, traditional courtyard house – some of which dates from 1750 – set in a quiet quarter of the medina. Les Jardins de la Medina (381851; lesjardinsdelamedina.com; doubles from £156) is a former palace that once belonged to a cousin of the king, it boasts beautiful gardens, a hammam, pool and a cookery school.

Packages

Kirker Holidays (020 7593 2283;kirkerholidays.com) has three nights b & b for the price of two at the Es Saadi hotel, Marrakesh, from £460, including flights, transfers and walking tour. The offer is valid from January 3 to March 22.

What to see

Make a point of visiting the Saadian Tombs, which date from the late 16th century and were discovered in 1917. They can get crowded, so early in the day can be a good time to visit. The Jardin Majorelle, off the Avenue Ya’qub al Mansour, is a small tropical garden laid out between the wars by a French artist; it belonged to the designer Yves St Laurent until his death three years ago.

Getting a tan

Near Bab Debbagh, the tanneries certainly provide an experience and you won’t forget the smell for quite a while. Watch as animal (goat, cow, camel) skins are rinsed and then dyed in particularly noxious tanning pits.

Modern art

Dar Cherifa (Souks 8 Derb Charfa Lakbir, Mouassine) is a gallery set in a lovely town house, parts of which date back to the 16th century. Works on show come from local and foreign artists. Alternatively, Gallerie 27 (Guéliz 127 avenue Mohammed V) is an impressive photograhic gallery.
SIMON HORSFORD