Marrakech
Currency
MAD
Language
Arabic, French
Timezone
Casablanca
Continent
Africa
Discover Marrakech
Marrakech fits inside its medina, and the medina arranges itself around Jemaa el-Fna. The square changes character through the day: market in the morning, street theatre and open-air kitchens by night. Around it, the Majorelle Garden, the Koutoubia, the Ben Youssef Madrasa and the Saadian Tombs form a compact circuit you can walk.
When to go
March to May, September to November. Summer regularly passes 40 °C, which makes the medina hard work by day. Winter is mild but the nights are cold — riads are rarely well heated.
Getting around
The medina is walked, only: the lanes are too narrow for anything else. Getting lost is part of it and an offline map helps. Petits taxis for Guéliz or the Majorelle, meter running or price agreed first.
Where to eat
Al Fassia is run entirely by women and serves careful Moroccan cooking, far from the tourist menus. Café des Épices and Café de France overlook the square — you go for the view rather than the plate, which is a fair reason.
Good to know
Only three halal addresses are listed here, and that is misleading: in Morocco nearly all food is halal and nobody bothers to tag it. Carry cash, many places do not take cards. Ramadan changes opening hours substantially — check the dates before booking.
Where to Stay in Marrakech
Top Activities in Marrakech
landmarkJemaa El-Fna
landmarkMajorelle Garden
landmarkKoutoubia Mosque
landmarkBen Youssef Madrasa
landmarkEl Badi Palace
museumMarrakech Museum
museumSaadian Tombs
landmarkAlmoravid Qubba
museumMuseum of Music
landmarkBen Youssef Mosque
museumDar El Bacha Museum
landmarkMoulay al-Yazid Mosque
landmarkMarrakech
Bahia Palace
from €9
parkJardin de l'Agdal
Free
landmarkBerrima Mosque
Le Jardin Secret
museumSynagogue Salat Al-Azama
Tiskiwin Museum
Dar Bellarj
Free