Marrakech

Marrakech has been a crossroads since its founding in the 11th century, when it became the capital of an empire stretching from Spain to the Sahara. Its rose-colored walls, built from local earth, give the "Red City" its nickname, and inside them lies a medina that is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a thoroughly lived-in neighborhood.

The medina

At the heart of the medina is Jemaa el-Fnaa, a square that changes through the day: orange juice sellers and henna artists in the morning, musicians, storytellers and acrobats in the afternoon, and, at dusk, rows of smoking food stalls. UNESCO recognizes the square's living traditions as intangible cultural heritage.

North of the square, the souks unfold in a maze of lanes devoted to leather, lanterns, spices, carpets and metalwork. Beyond the bargaining lie masterpieces of architecture: the Ben Youssef Madrasa, with its carved cedar and stucco, the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs and the Koutoubia Mosque, whose 12th-century minaret is the city's landmark.

Gardens and calm

Marrakech also knows how to slow down. The Jardin Majorelle, with its cobalt-blue villa and cactus gardens, and the neighboring Musée Yves Saint Laurent celebrate the city's artistic ties, while Le Jardin Secret offers quiet courtyards right in the medina. A traditional hammam followed by mint tea on a riad rooftop is the perfect end to a day in the souks.

Beyond the walls

Gueliz, the French-built new town, is home to galleries, cafés and restaurants, while the Palmeraie and the stony Agafay desert, less than an hour away, offer quiet retreats, camel rides and dinners under the stars. The High Atlas is close enough for a day trip, and the Atlantic town of Essaouira is around three hours away.

How we plan Marrakech

We recommend three nights to explore without rushing, ideally in a riad inside the medina, with a licensed guide for your first morning to make the souks far easier to navigate. Marrakech is the starting point of our Morocco Medina + Desert journey.