Marrakech Travel Guide

Marrakech, one of Morocco's four imperial cities, spreads across the plain at the foot of the Atlas mountains — the ochre-red walls and buildings that earned it the name Red City. The medina's lanes tangle past spice stalls, leather dyers and artisans' workshops; the 14th-century Ben Youssef Madrasa, the Maghreb's finest Islamic college, dazzles with cedar carving and mosaic courtyards, while the Koutoubia minaret rules the skyline. After dark, Jemaa el-Fna becomes Africa's great open-air theatre: snake charmers, storytellers, Gnawa musicians and a hundred food stalls boiling into the night. Early mornings are quietest and best for photographs, and in the souks the etiquette is to haggle from about a third of the asking price.

The Jardin Majorelle sits in Marrakech's Gueliz quarter, designed in 1924 by French painter Jacques Majorelle; the vivid cobalt 'Majorelle blue' still comes from paint mixed and flown in from France. Cacti tower over the paths, palm and bamboo shade a tiled fountain, and the blue villa now houses the Berber Museum. Yves Saint Laurent bought the garden in 1980 and restored it for decades; in 2017 his ashes and those of partner Pierre Bergé were interred beneath a Moorish-style memorial inside. Go right at opening to beat the heat and tour groups.

Djemaa el-Fna is the heart and soul of Marrakech. A UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage site, this vast open-air square features daytime snake charmers and street performers, transforming at dusk into a massive outdoor food market with hundreds of stalls — one of Africa's most vivid public spaces. Dating to the 11th century, by day it hosts snake charmers, acrobats and storytellers; at dusk, hundreds of food stalls fire up with grilled meats, snail soup and fresh juices. Surrounded by the Medina's souks. Rooftop cafes offer panoramic views. Visiting for the sensory feast is an unforgettable Marrakech experience.

The Koutoubia Mosque is a grand, solemn ancient mosque in Marrakech, famed for its tall, elegant minaret - the symbol of Marrakech. Near Jemaa el-Fnaa, it is the largest, most important and most iconic mosque. Its most striking feature is the roughly 70 m red-ochre minaret, a masterpiece of Moroccan-Andalusian Islamic art (said to have inspired Seville's Giralda). Non-Muslims may not enter; view the exterior and gardens.

Stade de Marrakech is the main stadium of Marrakech, Morocco. Opened in 2011 with ~45,000 capacity, it has hosted the 2014 IAAF World Indoor Championships and international football, and is the start/finish of the Marrakech International Marathon — a major Moroccan sports facility and Marrakech's primary international venue. Designed by Italian architect Salvatore Como-Rigolio, opened 2011 — ~45,000 capacity, Morocco's second-largest stadium. The design draws from Moroccan geometric patterns — the facade features traditional zellij tilework. The stadium hosted the 2014 IAAF World Indoor Championships (in a temporary indoor setup), international football friendlies and the Marrakech International Marathon. Located in northern Marrakech, ~15 min from the medina. Visiting to feel international event atmosphere in a modern venue with Moroccan geometric decoration is a unique experience for sports fans in Marrakech.

Jamaâ El Fna is the heart of Marrakech; after dark it becomes a world of light and noise — storytellers, snake charmers and food stalls unfold, listed by UNESCO as intangible heritage. The most magical, most authentic Moroccan nightlife, waking every sense. At dawn the square is different — water-sellers, orange stalls and pigeons give it a flavour from morning to night.