The city of Marrakech has a Mediterranean climate and is located inland in southern Morocco at the foot of the Atlas Mountains. It has a population of about one million.
The Medina district is the historic centre. Secret and fascinating, with its souks, its Riads, its museums such as the Medersa Ben Youssef, Dar Si Said or the Bahia Palace and the famous Jemaa el Fna square.
The Medina, is the heart of Marrakech, surrounded by 18 kms of ramparts, it is classified with the world inheritance of UNESCO. Its souks are home to more than 40,000 craftsmen, spread throughout the different districts.
One finds there jewels, fabrics, clothes, teapots, trays, leathers, carpets, spices, herbalist’s shops, Moroccan pastries.
This area is now the commercial centre. It was the first district located outside the ramparts. It gathers most of the banks and the shops of Marrakech as well as the trendy restaurants and night club.
L’Hivernage gathers most of the hotel complexes (including the mythical Palais de la Mamounia on the edge of the Medina).
Avenue Mohamed VI is the central avenue. Majestic, 5 km long, it joins the Medina: hotels and residences of high standing have developed very quickly. To see on this avenue and in this district:
Now that you have the map of the different districts in mind, here are the must-sees of Marrakech.
On the edge of the Jewish quarter of the Medina (Mellah quarter) with its perfumed gardens, its sculpted doors, its courtyards with superb ornaments, its Riad. Visit it rather in the afternoon because in the morning, it is the affluence of the buses of tourists.
An architectural complex surrounded by high walls where you can walk around and discover pools and gardens. The palace is used as a stage for the “Marrakech du Rire” festival.
Discovered in 1917, with cedar wood domes and marble columns.
Next to the Royal Palace, they date from the 12th century and their existence is linked to the astute management of water resources.
At the entrance of the Medina, it is the largest mosque of Marrakech with its minaret which culminates at 70 meters height. The tower is in the Hispanic-Moorish style.
In the Medina next to the Ben Youssef Medersa. A 19th century palace with a vast patio, typical of Moorish art, rehabilitated as a museum by a Moroccan patron.
So famous, it is the symbolic heart of Marrakech, known since the 16th century for its commercial activity. It is a meeting place, even if it is a little too touristy for some, it is nevertheless a must. You can walk there after a stroll in the souks.
Animated from morning to night, you can find everything. Dozens of stalls selling freshly squeezed orange juice, traditional food, tattoo artists, storytellers, snake charmers, monkey trainers and Berber musicians. It is particularly in the evening, with the lights coming on and the ocher of the setting sun, that the charm and animation of the square take on their full dimensions.
A garden with soothing colours and atmosphere. It is beautiful with that extraordinary blue. You will also find the Berber museum where traditional jewellery and ornaments are displayed.
Each souk has a different speciality (leather goods, jewellery, carpets, clothes, perfumes, spices…bargaining is compulsory of course).
If this is your first discovery of Marrakech (because you will come back for sure), you can take a guided tour, which will be very useful and instructive, and will allow you to find your way easily. Afterwards, if you are lost, ask a shopkeeper for directions to Jemaa el Fna square, it’s the easiest way.
Don’t miss the Spice Square in the heart of the souks, with its stalls of incredible perfumes and colors. You can’t miss the herbalist shops where they will tell you everything about how to cure all your ailments with Moroccan plants and spices. You will also find pleasant restaurants and cafés on the terrace to enjoy a good moment of relaxation at the height of the city’s bustle.
Here are the essentials (so you can come back and see the rest during your next stay!).
Day 1:
Day 2:
Day 1:
Day 2:
Day 3: 1 excursion
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