Muslim city named world’s best city by Trip Advisor

SAN FRANCISCO: The Moroccan city of Marrakech, home to some of the world’s most beautiful mosques, has been named the world’s best city by Trip Advisor. 

Known as the “Jewel of the Desert,” the bustling city climbed five places to claim bragging rights to the top spot.

Award winners are determined using an algorithm that takes into account the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings for hotels, restaurants, and attractions in destinations worldwide over a 12-month period.

 

A market seller selling snails in Jemaa el-Fnaa. PHOTO: IBRIZ SHEIKH

Alongside the cacophony of the city’s marketplaces and souks, the Medina — a Unesco World Heritage Site — teleports visitors to the Middle Ages with its cobblestone streets, ramparts, labyrinthine alleys and courtyards, while the Jardin Majorelle serves as a mid-city respite.

 

Jardin Majorelle discovered by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé in 1966. PHOTO: IBRIZ SHEIKH

After Marrakech, TripAdvisor users were most enamored with Siem Reap, Cambodia, and Istanbul, Turkey, which round out the top three spots.

“These world-class destinations chosen by our community are rich in history, culture and beauty and offer endless sights to explore,” said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer.

Other notable movers on the list include Cape Town, Africa, which leapfrogged nine places to crack the top 10 list, as well as Siem Reap, which jumped seven spots to take second place.

 

Lamp shops can be found in abundance in Jemaa el-Fnaa. PHOTO: IBRIZ SHEIKH

Meanwhile, Rome seems to have lost its luster as the popular tourism hotspot was the biggest loser, falling five places from 2014.

This year, TripAdvisor has also compiled travel and shopping guides for top-ranked destinations along with hotel suggestions.

 

Traditional Moroccan goods sold in Jemaa el-Fnaa. PHOTO: IBRIZ SHEIKH

The most popular, top-scoring hotel for Marrakech is the Riad Noir d’Ivoire, a boutique hotel hidden within the Medina, decorated in sumptuous Middle Eastern colors and fabrics.

 

Handmade crafts being sold at the top of the Atlas Mountains. PHOTO: IBRIZ SHEIKH

Here are the top 10 destinations for 2015, according to TripAdvisor users:

1 Marrakech, Morocco

2 Siem Reap, Cambodia

3 Istanbul, Turkey

4 Hanoi, Vietnam

5 Prague, Czech Republic

6 London, England

7 Rome, Italy

8 Buenos Aires, Argentina

9 Paris, France

10 Cape Town, South Africa