Marrakech Medina – Our Favourite Places

If you want to discover traditional Marrakech then you have to stay in the medina – the ancient walled part of the city. Because while there are lots of hotels in other areas of the city, you’ll only be plunged into local Moroccan life if you stay in the medina. 

 

Unchanged for centuries, it’s full of twisting streets, the sound of the call to prayer and artisans honing their craft. Wander the souk, head down to Djemaa el Fna to watch sunset fall and follow in the footsteps of generations of travellers. The medina is one part atmospheric, another pulsating with energy.  

 

One word of caution though: not all locations are created equal. Be careful to research exactly where you’re staying because if not, you could end up with a long walk to get into the centre of the medina or to find a taxi. 

 

That’s why we love that our location at El Fenn is pretty perfect. We’re five minutes from Djemaa el Fna and the souk, but also next to one of the medina’s main gates so you can easily pick up a taxi to get to the shops, bars and restaurants in areas like Gueliz and Hivernage. 

 

It means you get to enjoy the best of both worlds and can easily flip between ancient and modern Marrakech in a day. 

 

Here’s a rundown of our favourite places in the medina, by walking time from El Fenn.

 

5 MINUTES WALK FROM EL FENN

 

• Djemaa el Fna – traders have gathered for centuries in the UNESCO listed site that’s the beating heart of Marrakech. Now it’s home to market traders by day but night is the time it really comes to life with a food market, musicians, story tellers and acrobats. Head to the upstairs balcony at Cafe France to grab a coffee and watch sunset fall over the square.
• Dada Gallery – A hybrid space where you can eat, drink, dance, and discover art from both local and international talents. Aiming to become a crossroads for cultural exchange, DaDa is part art gallery, part bookshop, and part culinary playground. A highly creative space including an outside terrace from which to watch the vibrant scene in the Square below.
• Koutoubia – The largest mosque in Marrakech, renowned for it’s 77 metre high minaret, it’s a sight to behold, particularly when lit up at night. Non-Muslims can’t go inside the Koutoubia Mosque or minaret but are most likely to get a glimpse inside on a Friday when the doors are open for prayers. The best spot from which to photograph the Koutoubia’s minaret – framed by old stone and date palms – is under the archway to the left of the main entrance.
• The Souk – turn left out of our hotel front door, right at the end of the street and walk in a straight line until you reach the Mouassine fountain where there’s a main entrance into the souk. You’ll find the wood artisans first who’ll be handcarving their wares and you can pick up everything from kitchen utensils to giant walnut chopping boards. Then it’s a question of plunging in, seeing where your nose leads you and discovering the souk. Main routes are packed with traders but explore the side streets and find areas devoted to everything from spices to carpets.

 

10 MINUTES WALK FROM EL FENN

 

• Museum of Confluences – the former home of Marrakech pasha Thami El Glaoui was built in 1910 and today houses a museum exploring Morocco’s fascinating cultural heritage spanning Amazigh and Arab culture, Islam, Judaism and Christianity. There’s also a gorgeous palm-filled coffee shop. Open Tues-Sun 10am-6pm.
• The Secret Garden – Hidden behind a door in the souk is this nineteenth-century palace that’s now home to a huge – and beautiful – traditional Islamic garden and cafe. You can also see a fascinating original water supply system modelled on those that brought water for the first time into the medina in the eleventh century. Open daily 9.30am-6pm. 
• Yazel – lunch on North African meets Middle Eastern dishes on Yazel’s tiny terrace that’s perched high above a busy medina street just around the corner from the Mouassine Fountain. It’s the perfect pitstop after a morning’s shopping and a great spot for people-watching.
• Mustapha Blaoui – everyone from the Clintons to Paloma Picasso has taken tea with Mustapha at his Aladdin’s Cave of a showroom over the past 40 years. Its lantern-filled main room is the gateway to a series of rooms artfully styled with Moroccan textiles, art, lighting and design. 144 Arset Aouzal Rd, Medina, Marrakech

 

15-MINUTES WALK FROM EL FENN

 

• Fashion Quarter – A cluster of Marrakech’s most exciting fashion makers have boutiques in  Rue Amsafah and the streets nearby. At Hanout, designer Meriem Nour creates fashion in a colour palette that fizzes to the beat and colours of Marrakech. Sarah Maj and Topolina should be on your list too. Over at the Different, you’ll find more casual men’s and women’s collections, as well as accessories and homeware.
• Ben Youssef Medersa – Parts of this former theological school date back to the 1400’s and today it’s a stunning testament to traditional Arabic design and craftsmanship. Light and shadow are in constant interplay across delicately carved plaster and cedar work, sculptures, stuccoes, zellige and marble. Beautiful. Open daily 10am-6pm.
• Maison De La Photographie – Housed in a beautiful riad, this photography museum showcases a fascinating collection of vintage photographs of Morocco dating from the 1870s to the 1950s. Head up to the rooftop cafe for one of the medina’s best panoramic views and a refreshing mint tea. Open daily 10am-6pm.
• Riad Zitoun Jedid – This main street leads from Djemaa el Fna down to the Mellah – the city’s historic Jewish quarter – well known for it’s jewellery in particular. Along the way you’ll find a clutch of great shops and restaurants like La Famille where delicious vegetarian food is served in a pretty garden. 
• Moroccan Culinary Arts Museum – Set in a restored palace, this unique museum celebrates Morocco’s rich culinary heritage. You’ll discover traditional cooking utensils, ancient recipes, and spice collections, while learning about the evolution of Moroccan cuisine through the centuries. The museum also offers cooking demonstrations and tastings. Open daily 9am-5pm.
• Bahia Palace – Built in the late 19th century, this spectacular palace showcases the finest Moroccan craftsmanship with its intricate woodwork, painted ceilings, and peaceful courtyards. Once home to a grand vizier who spared no expense in its creation, it’s a masterpiece of domestic architecture with room after room of ornate decoration. Open daily 9am-5pm.
• Saadian Tombs – These ornate burial chambers, dating from the time of sultan Ahmad al-Mansur (1578-1603), were sealed up for centuries until their rediscovery in 1917. The main mausoleum hall, with its breathtaking carved cedar ceilings and elaborate Italian marble tombs, is a stunning example of Moorish architecture at its finest. Open daily 9am-5pm.