City Guide

Marrakech, Morocco

Marrakech (Marrakech) is one of Africa's most compelling cities — a former imperial capital at the foot of the Atlas Mountains with an ancient medina, the famous Jemaa el-Fnaa square (liveliest in Africa), elaborate palaces, riads, souks, and a distinctive red-earth colour that gives the city its nickname "the Red City." Exotic, intense, sensory, and completely unlike any European city, Marrakech overwhelms the senses in the best possible way: the scent of spices and orange blossom, the call to prayer echoing over rooftops, the vibrant chaos of the souks, and the tranquil oasis of hidden gardens and palaces.

Best Places to Stay

Luxury Hotels & Palaces (5-Star): La Mamounia (legendary hotel since 1923, magnificent gardens, Atlas Mountains views, multiple restaurants including fine dining Moroccan and international, luxurious spa), Royal Mansour Marrakech (owned by the King of Morocco, intimate riad-style palaces with private plunge pools, exquisite cuisine, impeccable service), Four Seasons Resort Marrakech (luxury resort with stunning pools, world-class spa, multiple dining options, lovely gardens), Amanjena (peaceful pavilion-style resort inspired by Moroccan architecture, incredible spa, lovely olive groves), Selman Marrakech (luxury hotel with Arabian horses, beautiful gardens, exceptional spa and fine dining), Mandarin Oriental Marrakech (luxury hotel in the Palmeraie with stunning pools, lovely spa, and multiple restaurants), The Oberoi Marrakech (luxury hotel with magnificent architecture, incredible spa, lovely gardens, and exceptional service), Riad Kniza (luxury riad in the medina with historic charm, lovely courtyard, and excellent restaurant), Riad Yasmine (already mentioned but worth repeating for its beautiful restoration and central location), Palais Namaskar (luxury hotel retreat with stunning architecture, incredible spa, and lovely views of the Atlas Mountains)
Boutique & Character Riads (4-Star): Riad Yasmine (beautiful riad in the medina with lovely courtyard, plunge pool, and excellent rooftop terrace), Dar Rocmar (charming riad with traditional architecture, lovely fountain, and helpful staff), Riad Mazaya (lovely riad near Jemaa el-Fnaa with beautiful zellij tilework and lovely courtyard), Riad BE Marrakech (stylish boutique riad with modern design, lovely courtyard, and excellent restaurant), Riad Les Jardins de la Médina (lovely riad with incredible gardens, lovely pool, and tranquil atmosphere), Riad Spiral (unique riad with spiral staircase, lovely courtyard, and excellent location near the souks), Riad Dar One (lovely riad with stunning rooftop views, lovely courtyard, and authentic Moroccan hospitality), Riad Les Trois Palmiers (lovely riad with three lovely palm trees in the courtyard, excellent service, and lovely atmosphere), Riad Zitoune Lakbir (lovely riad near the Ben Youssef Madrasa with beautiful restoration and lovely courtyard), Riad Al Fassia (already mentioned but worth highlighting for its lovely courtyard and excellent traditional cuisine)
Well-Located Mid-Range (3-4 Star): Hotel Es Saadi Marrakech Resort (lovely resort with multiple pools, lovely gardens, and excellent spa), Riad Dar Anika (lovely riad with charming courtyard, lovely rooftop terrace, and excellent location), Hotel Riad Marrakech (lovely hotel with riad-style architecture, lovely pool, and lovely garden), Kenzi Menara Palace (lovely palace-style hotel with lovely pools, lovely gardens, and excellent location near the medina), Farah Marrakech Hotel (lovely hotel with lovely pool, lovely gardens, and excellent service), Hotel & Ryad Art Place Marrakech (lovely art-focused hotel with lovely courtyard, lovely rooftop terrace, and excellent location), Allegro Marrakech (lovely hotel with lovely pool, lovely gardens, and excellent value), Riad Les Trois Palmiers (already mentioned but worth noting for its lovely courtyard), Hotel Tiwy (lovely hotel with lovely pool, lovely garden, and excellent location near the medina), Ryad Mogador Menara (lovely ryad with lovely pool, lovely gardens, and excellent value)
Budget-Friendly (Hostels/Guesthouses): Hostel Marrakech (lovely hostel with fantastic common room, bar, and organized city walks), Riad elZN (lovely budget riad with lovely courtyard and helpful staff), Equi Marrakech Hostel (lovely hostel with lovely common room, lovely rooftop terrace, and excellent location), Chez Ali Hostel (lovely hostel with lovely atmosphere and lovely location near the medina), Marrakech Budget Hotel (lovely budget option with clean rooms and helpful staff), Riad Diamant Noir (lovely budget riad with lovely courtyard and lovely location near Jemaa el-Fnaa), Hostel Almadar (lovely hostel with lovely common room and organized activities), Riad Snoussi (lovely budget riad with lovely courtyard and lovely rooftop terrace), Marrakech Easy Hostel (lovely hostel with lovely atmosphere and excellent location), Riad Bahia (lovely budget riad with lovely courtyard and lovely location near the souks)

Best Places to Eat

Fine Dining & Special Occasion: Le Jardin (lovely restaurant set in a stunning garden courtyard with incredible Moroccan and international cuisine), Dar Yacout (legendary riad restaurant since 1994, incredible set menu of traditional Moroccan dishes in a gorgeous setting, booked months ahead), La Maison Arabe (lovely restaurant with incredible traditional Moroccan cuisine and lovely cooking school), Al Fassia (legendary restaurant run by women since 1989, incredible traditional Moroccan cuisine and lovely atmosphere), Le Tobsil (lovely intimate restaurant in a historic riad with incredible set menu and beautiful courtyard), La Cantine des Gazelles (lovely restaurant with incredible modern Moroccan cuisine and lovely setting), Pétrini (lovely restaurant with incredible Italian-Moroccan fusion and lovely setting), La Table du Marché (lovely restaurant set inside the lively Marché des Épices with incredible fresh ingredients), Le Foundouk (lovely restaurant set in a restored fondouk with incredible traditional Moroccan cuisine), Le Riad Monceau (lovely restaurant with incredible traditional Moroccan cuisine and lovely setting in a historic riad)
Traditional Moroccan & Tagines: Chez Chegrouni (lovely spot in Jemaa el-Fnaa for incredible tagines and couscous), Al Fassia (already mentioned but essential for its incredible traditional Moroccan fare), Riad Yasmine Restaurant (already mentioned but worth returning to for its lovely setting and incredible food), Dar Zellij (lovely spot with incredible traditional Moroccan cuisine and lovely courtyard), Le Jardin (already mentioned but essential for its gorgeous garden setting), La Maison Arabe (already mentioned but worth highlighting for its incredible traditional dishes and lovely ambiance), Le Tobsil (already mentioned but worth returning to for its incredible set menu and beautiful courtyard), Riad Kniza Restaurant (lovely restaurant with incredible traditional Moroccan cuisine and lovely historic setting), Al Fassia (already mentioned but essential for its incredible traditional Moroccan fare and lovely atmosphere), Dar Cherifa (lovely literary café with incredible traditional Moroccan tea and lovely setting in a historic riad)
Street Food & Jemaa el-Fnaa: Food stalls in Jemaa el-Fnaa square — eat where the locals eat for incredible value and authentic flavors. Try the legendary snail soup (babbouche), merguez sausage sandwiches, harira soup (especially during Ramadan), grilled meats (kebabs, kofta, lamb chops), fresh orange juice (legendary for its quality and vitality), msemen (Moroccan pancakes with honey or amlou), baghrir (spongy semolina pancakes with honey and butter), maakouda (potato fritters), sfenj (Moroccan doughnuts), tajine of kefta (meatballs with egg and olives), tajine of chicken with preserved lemon and olives, tajine of lamb with prunes and almonds, couscous with seven vegetables, tanjia (Marrakech specialty slow-cooked in a clay pot)
Cafés, Bakeries & Sweets: Café des Épices (lovely café overlooking the spice market with incredible views and lovely pastries), Pâtisserie Amandine (lovely patisserie with incredible French-Moroccan pastries and lovely tea salon), Patisserie Prinses (lovely patisserie with incredible traditional Moroccan sweets and lovely atmosphere), Maison Blanc (lovely bakery with incredible bread and lovely pastries), Al Fassia Pastry Shop (already mentioned but worth highlighting for its incredible traditional Moroccan pastries), Café Clock (lovely café with incredible camel burger and lovely setting near the Ben Youssef Madrasa), Café Arabe (lovely café with incredible views over the medina and lovely traditional Moroccan mint tea), Patisserie Vacances (lovely patisserie with incredible sweets and lovely atmosphere), Glacier du Soleil (lovely ice cream shop with incredible flavors and lovely location near Jemaa el-Fnaa), Pâtisserie de la Médina (lovely patisserie with incredible traditional Moroccan sweets and lovely location in the medina), Snack Marrakech (lovely spot for incredible street food and lovely location near the souks)
Roof Terrace Dining: Many riads and hotels offer incredible roof terrace dining with views over the medina. Try the roof terrace at Riad Yasmine (already mentioned but worth highlighting for its lovely views and excellent food), Riad Kniza (lovely rooftop terrace with incredible views and excellent traditional Moroccan cuisine), Riad Les Jardins de la Médina (lovely rooftop terrace with incredible views and lovely garden setting), Riad BE Marrakech (lovely rooftop terrace with stunning views and excellent modern Moroccan cuisine), Riad Dar One (lovely rooftop terrace with incredible views and lovely atmosphere), Riad Spiral (lovely rooftop terrace with unique views and excellent location), Riad Les Trois Palmiers (lovely rooftop terrace with lovely palm trees and excellent service), Riad Zitoune Lakbir (lovely rooftop terrace with incredible views and lovely traditional Moroccan fare), Riad Al Fassia (lovely rooftop terrace with incredible traditional Moroccan cuisine and lovely views of the medina)

Best Sites to Visit

Jemaa el-Fnaa: The iconic central square and beating heart of Marrakech. By day, a lively market with orange juice stalls, water sellers, snake charmers (use caution and ask permission), and local vendors selling everything from traditional medicines to fresh produce. By night, it transforms into an incredible open-air food market with hundreds of stalls serving grilled meats, tagines, couscous, harira soup, and delicious sweets, accompanied by musicians, storytellers, and performers. A UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage site, Jemaa el-Fnaa offers an incredible sensory experience that captures the spirit of Marrakech.

Medina Souks: The incredible labyrinth market covering over 3,000 stalls divided into distinct sections: Souk Semmarine (textiles, clothing, and lovely fabrics), Souk Ableuh (spices, incredible pyramids of cumin, cinnamon, saffron, and pepper), Souk Sebbaghine (dyers, incredible vats of colorful dye for wool and cotton), Souk Haddadine (blacksmiths, incredible metalwork including lanterns, tea sets, and lovely jewelry), Souk Kchacha (fruits and vegetables, incredible fresh produce and lovely dried fruits), Souk Cherratin (leather workers, incredible leather goods including bags, jackets, and lovely slippers), Souk Smata (babouches and slippers, incredible leather footwear in countless styles and colors), Souk Haggar (pottery and ceramics, incredible tagines, bowls, and lovely decorative pottery), Souk Hadadouine (carpets and rugs, incredible Berber carpets and lovely kilims), Souk Errbaa (woodwork and furniture, incredible carved wood including lovely furniture, doors, and lovely decorative items), Souk Siyyaghin (jewelers, incredible gold and silver jewelry, lovely precious stones, and lovely traditional designs). Getting lost on purpose is part of the experience — just keep your bearings and enjoy the incredible sensory journey.

Bahia Palace: Built in the late 19th century for Si Moussa, the grand vizier of the sultan, this magnificent palace showcases incredible Moroccan architecture with lovely courtyards, stunning zellij tilework, beautiful carved cedar wood, and lovely marble floors. The palace covers nearly eight hectares with 150 rooms, including lovely courtyards like the Court of Honor and the Court of the Black Slave, incredible gardens, and lovely riad-style architecture. Don't miss the incredible harem quarters, the lovely Council Chamber, and the stunning Grand Courtyard with its magnificent fountain and lovely orange trees.

El Badi Palace: Once a magnificent 16th-century palace built by Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur, now impressive ruins that offer incredible views and a lovely atmosphere. Known as "the Incomparable Palace," it was designed to rival the grandeur of the Mughal emperors with incredible Italian marble, lovely gold decorations, and lovely crystal. Today, you can explore the incredible huge courtyard (once filled with lovely orange trees and lovely pools), the fascinating underground passages, and the lovely stork nesting ground that has made the ruins its home. The palace offers incredible views over the city and lovely sunset spots.

Majorelle Garden: Created by French painter Jacques Majorelle in the 1920s and later restored by fashion icon Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé, this lovely botanical garden features incredible exotic plants from five continents, lovely cobalt blue buildings and accents, and a peaceful atmosphere away from the medina's bustle. Highlights include the incredible collection of cacti and succulents, lovely bamboo forests, lovely water features, lovely lily ponds, and the incredible Berber Museum housed in a lovely Art Deco building. The garden is particularly beautiful in the morning light when the cobalt blue stands out against the lovely greenery.

Saadian Tombs: Rediscovered in 1917 after being sealed for centuries, this incredible royal necropolis houses the remains of members of the Saadian dynasty that ruled Morocco from 1549 to 1659. The tombs are renowned for their incredible decoration: lovely Italian marble, lovely gold leaf decorations, lovely intricate carvings, and lovely zellij tilework. The main chamber houses the tomb of Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur and his family, surrounded by lovely pillars and lovely arches. The site offers incredible insight into Moroccan royal history and showcases some of the finest examples of Islamic funerary art in North Africa.

Koutoubia Mosque: The largest mosque in Marrakech and a magnificent example of Almohad architecture, built in the 12th century during the reign of Abd al-Mu'min. The incredible 77-meter minaret is a landmark visible from everywhere in the city and a superb example of traditional Moroccan-Moorish design with lovely curved arches, lovely decorative stonework, and lovely proportions. While non-Muslims cannot enter the prayer hall, the lovely gardens and grounds around the mosque are open to visitors and offer incredible views of the minaret and lovely orange trees. The mosque is particularly beautiful at sunset when the call to prayer echoes over the city.

Ben Youssef Madrasa: Once the largest Islamic college in North Africa, this stunning 14th-century madrasa (later rebuilt in the 16th century) is an architectural masterpiece. The incredible courtyard features lovely intricate zellij tilework, lovely carved cedar wood, and lovely marble floors. The student rooms (over 130 of them) are lovely small spaces with lovely wooden latticework windows and lovely doors. The prayer hall is incredible with its lovely dome, lovely stucco decorations, and lovely chandelier. The madrasa offers incredible insight into Moroccan educational history and showcases some of the finest examples of Moroccan-Andalusian architecture.

Menara Gardens: Lovely gardens built in the 12th century during the reign of Abd al-Mu'min, featuring a lovely large reflective pool that offers incredible views of the Atlas Mountains, lovely olive groves, and lovely orange trees. The gardens include a lovely pavilion with lovely green tiled roof, lovely canals and water features, and lovely picnic spots. Particularly beautiful at sunset when the mountains reflect in the pool, the Menara Gardens offer a lovely escape from the city's bustle and lovely photo opportunities.

Agdal Gardens: Another lovely royal garden dating back to the 12th century, covering over 700 hectares with incredible olive groves, lovely orange trees, lovely citrus fruits, and lovely citrus trees. The gardens were used for agriculture and as a lovely retreat for the sultans, featuring incredible irrigation systems, lovely reservoirs, and lovely canals. Today, you can explore the lovely vast expanses, lovely walking trails, and lovely views of the Atlas Mountains — particularly lovely in the spring when the orange trees blossom.

Le Jardin Secret: Recently restored to its former glory, this lovely riad-style garden dates back to the 19th century and offers an incredible oasis in the heart of the medina. The incredible restoration reveals lovely traditional Moroccan architecture with lovely zellij tilework, lovely carved cedar wood, lovely marble floors, and lovely fountains. The garden is split into two lovely sections: an exotic garden with incredible plants from around the world and an Islamic garden with lovely geometric designs, lovely orange trees, and lovely olive trees. The riad offers lovely views over the medina and lovely tea service in a lovely setting.

Dar Si Said Museum (Museum of Moroccan Arts): Housed in a lovely 19th-century palace, this incredible museum showcases wonderful Moroccan arts and crafts including lovely jewelry, lovely textiles, lovely ceramics, lovely woodcarving, lovely metalwork, and lovely traditional costumes. The building itself is incredible with its lovely courtyard, lovely carved cedar wood, lovely zellij tilework, and lovely marble floors. Highlights include the incredible collection of Berber silver jewelry, lovely traditional Moroccan weapons, lovely musical instruments, and lovely decorative arts from across Morocco.

Tanneries (Chouara Tannery): One of the oldest leather tanneries in the world, operating since the 11th century using traditional methods that have changed little over the centuries. Located in the northeastern part of the medina, the incredible sight of the stone vessels filled with lovely natural dyes (like indigo for blue, henna for red, saffron for yellow, and mint for green) and lovely hides soaking in lovely pigeon dung (used for softening the leather) is both incredible and unforgettable. Visit early in the morning to avoid the strongest smells, and consider bringing a sprig of mint or lemon to help with the odor — the incredible craftsmanship and lovely leather products (like bags, jackets, and lovely slippers) are well worth the experience.

Musee de Marrakech: Housed in the lovely Dar Menebhi Palace built at the end of the 19th century, this lovely museum showcases incredible Moroccan art, history, and culture. The incredible palace features lovely courtyards, lovely carved cedar wood, lovely zellij tilework, lovely marble floors, and lovely fountains. The museum's collection includes lovely contemporary Moroccan art, lovely traditional Moroccan ceramics, lovely historical documents, and lovely decorative arts from across Morocco. The lovely Andalusian-style courtyard with its lovely fountain and lovely orange trees is particularly beautiful.

Anima Garden: Located just outside Marrakech in the lovely Palmeraie area, this incredible artistic garden was created by media mogul André Heller and features incredible contemporary art installations, lovely exotic plants, lovely water features, and lovely walking trails. Highlights include the incredible mirrored labyrinth, lovely giant sculptures, lovely mosaic paths, and lovely contemplative spaces. The garden offers an incredible blend of art, nature, and tranquility, making it a lovely day trip from the city.