UltimateCity Guide Marrakech
Our favourites

The magazine

Stories from Marrakech, Morocco

Every story, long read and guide in the ULTIMATE Marrakech City Guide, in one place.

Areas

Marrakech, neighbourhood by neighbourhood

Eight neighbourhoods, each with its own guide: the square and the souks, the courtyards of Mouassine, the Kasbah and the Mellah, Gueliz, Hivernage, Majorelle, the Palmeraie and the Atlas roads.

Jemaa el-Fna at dusk, the food stalls lit and the Koutoubia minaret on the skylineNeighbourhood guideJemaa el-Fna & the souksThe heart of the medinaThe galleries of the Ben Youssef Madrasa courtyardNeighbourhood guideMouassine & the north medinaCourtyards and museumsBab Agnaou, the carved gate of the Kasbah, in the city wallsNeighbourhood guideThe Kasbah & the MellahTombs, palaces and the old Jewish quarterThe platforms of Marrakech station under its patterned canopyNeighbourhood guideGuelizThe new townThe Menara pavilion reflected in its great basinNeighbourhood guideHivernage & the MenaraResorts and the great basin

Inside or outside the walls

For a first visit, sleep inside the walls and walk; keep a garden resort for the last nights.

  1. Neighbourhood guideMajorelleThe blue garden
  2. Neighbourhood guideThe PalmeraieAmong the palms
  3. Neighbourhood guideAgdal & the Atlas roadsResorts, golf and the mountains

History

History & heritage

Founded by the Almoravids in 1070–72, the city of the Koutoubia and the Kasbah, the Saadian Tombs and El Badi, the riads and Jemaa el-Fna, and the city of today.

The Koutoubia minaret above the palms of its gardensHistory & heritageMarrakech: from the Almoravids to the red cityThe Almoravids, the Almohads, the Saadians and the red city

Practical

Before you go

Entry rules, the closed dirham, Ramadan, the emergency numbers 150 and 190, getting around and the itineraries that work for a first visit.

Bab Agnaou, the carved gate of the Kasbah, in the city wallsBefore you goMarrakech essentialsEntry, the dirham and RamadanThe latticed façade of Marrakech Menara AirportGetting aroundGetting aroundOn foot, by taxi, train and coachThe Koutoubia minaret rising above the palms of its gardens on a clear morningItineraryMarrakech in three daysThe square, the Kasbah and MajorelleThe snow-covered High Atlas above a walled farmsteadItineraryA day in the High AtlasImlil and ToubkalThe outdoor pool of La Mamounia among the palmsLuxury guideLUX LivingThe finest addresses

In the medina

Use only official guides with a badge, and agree every taxi fare before you set off.

  1. ItineraryThe Gold weekendLa Mamounia and its spa
  2. ItineraryThe Platinum weekendThe Royal Mansour and the Agafay

Our advice

Majorelle at opening time

Book the Jardin Majorelle on its own website, the only one whose tickets admit you, and go at 8am, before the crowds. Jardin Majorelle

Day trips

Beyond Marrakech

The High Atlas and Imlil, the Ourika valley, the stone desert of the Agafay, Essaouira on the Atlantic, Aït Benhaddou over the mountains and the Ouzoud falls.

The earthen ksar of Aït Benhaddou above the riverbedBeyond MarrakechThe High AtlasImlil and ToubkalThe Ourika river winding through its valleyBeyond MarrakechThe Ourika valleyGardens and the riverA nomad tent on the stony plain of the Agafay, the Atlas beyondBeyond MarrakechThe Agafay desertStone hills and starsBlue fishing boats beneath the sea bastion of EssaouiraBeyond MarrakechEssaouiraThe Atlantic portBeyond MarrakechAït Benhaddou & OuarzazateThe earthen ksar
  1. Beyond MarrakechThe Ouzoud fallsWaterfalls

Our advice

Take a day in the mountains

Hire a licensed driver for the High Atlas, walk from Imlil with a local guide, and carry a warm layer whatever the weather in the city. The High Atlas

In depth

In depth: the stories of the red city

The red city’s great sights, the table from Le Marocain to the night market, the arts from Majorelle to the film festival, the palaces and riads, getting around and what a foreign buyer should know: the stories behind Marrakech.

The snowy road and cedar forest at OukaïmedenWinter sun and Atlas snowChristmas in MarrakechWhite peaks over the palms, and a palace for the holidaysWhite storks nesting along the walls of El Badi PalaceIn depth: nature & wildlifeWild MarrakechStorks, macaques and the AtlasA chicken tagine with preserved lemon and olivesThe back storyMarrakech at the tableTagines, terraces and the night market

At the table

Eat at the square once, early in the evening; book the roof terraces for sunset.

  1. The back storyFrom Majorelle blue to the festivalMarrakech’s arts
  2. The back storyWhere Marrakech sleepsPalaces, riads and gardens
  3. The back storyGetting aroundOn foot, by taxi and train
  4. The back storyBuying in MarrakechRiads, villas and the notary

The ULTIMATE letter

Marrakech in your inbox

An occasional email with new places, events, neighbourhood guides and our latest in-depth articles. No spam, ever.