Morocco’s second-largest city is situated in the southwest, at the foot of the imposing High Atlas Mountains. Marrakech is the administrative center of southern Morocco and also known as ‘Morocco City’. This delightful destination boasts stunning landscapes combined with countless architectural miracles, and is also home to one of the world’s most renowned squares, Djemâa el Fna.
What it is: A historic city in western Morocco, known for its walled medina, colorful souks, and centuries-old Islamic architecture.
Affordability: Budget-friendly, with cheap street food, affordable riad stays, and low-cost shopping, though luxury options exist too.
Safety: Generally safe, but watch out for scams, pushy touts, and pickpocketing in crowded markets.
Popularity: One of Morocco’s most-visited cities, drawing travelers for its sensory overload and cultural immersion.
Tourist Infrastructure: Well-developed in the medina and tourist zones, though navigation can be tricky without a guide or map.
Accommodation Options: Traditional riads, hostels, boutique hotels, luxury resorts, and desert-style retreats.
Dining Scene: Hearty tagines, couscous, grilled meats, rooftop cafés, and vibrant night market food in Jemaa el-Fnaa.
Nightlife: Modest but growing, with rooftop lounges, live music, belly dancing shows, and hotel bars.
Weather: Hot summers, mild winters, and dry conditions most of the year.
Best Time to Go: March to May and September to November, when the weather is warm but not oppressive.
Known For: Souks, palaces, riads, tagine, hammams, gardens, medina maze, call to prayer echoing through sunset.
Top Attractions: Jemaa el-Fnaa • Bahia Palace • Koutoubia Mosque • Majorelle Garden • Saadian Tombs • El Badi Palace • Medersa Ben Youssef • Marrakech Museum.
- Population: Approximately 1 million in the city.
- Emergency Numbers: 19 for police, 15 for medical emergencies, and 15 for fire.
- Time Zone: Western European Time (WET), UTC +0; Western European Summer Time (WEST), UTC +1 (March to October, aligned with daylight saving time).
- Currency: Moroccan Dirham (د.م MAD); ATMs are widely available, and credit cards are accepted in many places.
- Language: Arabic and Amazigh (Berber) are official languages; French is widely spoken, and English is used in tourist areas.
- Electricity: Standard voltage is 220V; plugs are type C and E (European two-pin plugs).
- Internet: Good coverage; free Wi-Fi is available in many hotels, cafes, and riads.
- Convenience stores: Found throughout the city, small corner shops (hanouts) and Carrefour Market are common.
- Nearest International Airport: Marrakech Menara Airport (about 3 miles / 5 km southwest of the city center).
- Trivia: Marrakech is known as the “Red City” due to its distinctive red sandstone walls and buildings.
- Iconic Local Foods: Must-try dishes include tagine, couscous, pastilla, and mint tea.
- Fun Fact: The medina of Marrakech is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to Jemaa el-Fnaa, one of the most famous squares in Africa, bustling with performers and market stalls.
Marrakech, Morocco’s most iconic city, is a sensory feast of vibrant markets, intricate architecture, and desert sunsets. Most tourists come to explore the maze-like Medina, shop in the souks, and admire landmarks like the Koutoubia Mosque and Bahia Palace. Beyond the hustle of the old city, Marrakech offers lush gardens, rooftop cafés, and easy access to the Atlas Mountains.
What makes Marrakech special is its rich blend of Berber, Arab, and French influences, visible in everything from its architecture to its cuisine, and the constant, colorful buzz of its street life, especially around Jemaa el-Fnaa square.
Top attractions include Jemaa el-Fnaa, the Medina, Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, Majorelle Garden, and the Koutoubia Mosque. For a deeper dive, visit the new Yves Saint Laurent Museum or take a day trip to the Atlas Mountains or nearby desert camps.
Visitors to Marrakech will be overwhelmed by the city’s magical atmosphere and exceptional location between the snow-capped Atlas Mountains and the arid desert. This enchanting place abounds in marvelous attractions, such as the lovely Menara and Adgal Gardens, El Badi Palace, Saadian Tombs and Koutoubia Mosque. Further top sites are Marrakech’s well-conserved salmon pink ramparts which lend the city its nickname, the ‘Rose City’.
The bustling core of the city is the world-famous Djemâa el Fna square, where visitors are provided with everything from amazing performances by dancers, musicians, storytellers and comedians, to local food and products. Marrakech is also a paradise for shopaholics, offering all you can imagine including camels – just head for the innumerable souks (markets). Marrakech has a reputation for its night entertainment, with plenty of nightclubs, discos, casinos and bars open late.
For lodging, staying within the Medina offers immersion in the historic atmosphere, with riads (traditional courtyard houses) being a popular choice. Gueliz (the modern district) offers more contemporary hotels and wider streets. Accommodations range from luxury riads to budget guesthouses and international hotel chains.
Getting around is best done on foot within the Medina’s narrow streets, while taxis and caleches (horse-drawn carriages) are available for longer trips. Be prepared to haggle over prices unless using metered taxis.
Dining is a highlight, try tagines, couscous, pastilla, and freshly squeezed orange juice from street vendors. Nightlife is low-key in the Medina but more lively in Gueliz, with rooftop bars and lounges. Shopping is legendary, with everything from carpets and lanterns to spices and leather goods.
Marrakech is generally safe, but be cautious of pickpockets and aggressive touts in touristy areas. Dress modestly out of respect for local customs. Summers are extremely hot, while spring and fall offer the most pleasant weather.
Why Go to Marrakech?
-
Bustling Souks: Shop for spices, textiles, and handcrafted goods in lively markets.
-
Historic Landmarks: Visit palaces, mosques, and gardens steeped in history.
-
Traditional Riads: Stay in beautifully restored homes with intimate courtyards.
-
Moroccan Cuisine: Savor tagines, mint tea, and street-side snacks.
-
Atlas Mountains Access: Take day trips to mountain villages and desert landscapes.
Who Might Not Enjoy Marrakech?
-
Travelers Averse to Crowds: The Medina can be overwhelming, especially for first-timers.
-
Visitors Sensitive to Heat: Summers are scorching, often exceeding 40°C (104°F).
-
Those Uncomfortable with Persistent Sellers: Expect assertive vendors and guides in tourist areas.
What’s Cool
Jemaa el-Fnaa square, Koutoubia Mosque, vibrant souks and markets, Majorelle Garden, Bahia Palace, traditional hammams and riads, Atlas Mountains day trips, Moroccan cuisine (tagine, couscous), Saadian Tombs, film spots (Gladiator, Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation), colorful medina streets, cultural festivals.
What’s Not
Persistent touts and haggling, hot and dry summers, crowded medina alleys, language barriers (Arabic and French), occasional tourist scams, limited public transport, narrow and confusing streets, noise and dust, dual pricing in markets, limited nightlife, conservative dress expectations, pushy vendors.
Marrakech is located in the western part of Morocco, at the base of the Atlas Mountains, about 240 km (150 miles) south of Casablanca. It’s one of Morocco’s major tourist destinations, renowned for its historic medina, vibrant souks, and cultural heritage. Marrakech Menara Airport serves as the main gateway, and the city is navigable by taxis, buses, and on foot within the medina.
Covering around 230 km² (89 mi²), Marrakech is broadly divided between the ancient Medina and the newer districts like Gueliz and Hivernage, with palm-lined suburbs and surrounding countryside.
Most tourists stay in the Medina or Gueliz for proximity to landmarks, markets, and restaurants.
Medina
The Medina is the historic walled city filled with narrow alleys, souks, and major cultural landmarks, making it the top choice for traditional experiences.
- Accommodations: (Budget to High-End) – Riads, guesthouses, and boutique hotels.
- Nearby Attractions: Jemaa el-Fnaa • Koutoubia Mosque • Bahia Palace
- Dining: (Traditional) – Moroccan cuisine and rooftop terraces.
- Nightlife: (Low-Key) – Rooftop bars and cafés.
- Shopping: (Bustling) – Souks and artisan workshops.
Gueliz
Gueliz is the modern center of Marrakech, with wide avenues, shopping malls, and international dining, offering a contrast to the Medina.
- Accommodations: (Mid-Range) – Hotels and serviced apartments.
- Nearby Attractions: Majorelle Garden • Carré Eden Mall
- Dining: (International) – French, Italian, and global cuisine.
- Nightlife: (Moderate) – Bars and lounges.
- Shopping: (Modern) – Boutiques and malls.
Hivernage
Hivernage is a chic district known for its luxury hotels, palm-lined boulevards, and nightlife, appealing to upscale travelers.
- Accommodations: (High-End) – Luxury resorts and 5-star hotels.
- Nearby Attractions: Menara Gardens • Royal Theatre
- Dining: (Upscale) – Gourmet restaurants and hotel dining.
- Nightlife: (Lively) – Nightclubs, lounges, and cabarets.
- Shopping: (Luxury) – High-end boutiques.
Palmeraie
Palmeraie is a palm oasis on the outskirts of Marrakech, known for luxury resorts, golf courses, and spa retreats, ideal for relaxation.
- Accommodations: (High-End) – Luxury resorts and villas.
- Nearby Attractions: Palmeraie Golf Club • Camel Trekking Tours
- Dining: (Resort-Based) – Fine dining and Moroccan cuisine.
- Nightlife: (Minimal) – Resort bars and lounges.
- Shopping: (Limited) – Hotel shops and artisan goods.
Kasbah
The Kasbah area is located within the Medina’s southern part, offering a quieter historic atmosphere near key landmarks.
- Accommodations: (Budget to Mid-Range) – Riads and small hotels.
- Nearby Attractions: Saadian Tombs • El Badi Palace
- Dining: (Traditional) – Moroccan restaurants and cafés.
- Nightlife: (Quiet) – Rooftop cafés.
- Shopping: (Local) – Small markets and artisan stalls.
Agdal
Agdal is a developing area south of the city, offering a mix of residential and tourist facilities with easy access to the Medina.
- Accommodations: (Mid-Range) – Hotels and resorts.
- Nearby Attractions: Agdal Gardens • Al Mazar Mall
- Dining: (Casual) – Restaurants and cafés in malls.
- Nightlife: (Casual) – Bars and lounges.
- Shopping: (Good) – Malls and retail stores.