Discovering Marrakesh’s Best Neighborhoods: Where to Stay, Shop, and Sightsee

Get ready to be amazed: Djemaa El Fna is the vibrant heart of Marrakesh, bustling with crowds from morning until late at night. It’s an exhilarating atmosphere, featuring shops, restaurants, herbalists, playful cats, schoolchildren, drummers, fruit juice vendors, motorbikes, tourists, musicians, shoppers, and the occasional snake charmer.

Radiating from the square, narrow alleys lead to various neighborhoods—some tranquil with cozy accommodations, others filled with intriguing museums and magnificent monuments, and still others housing stylish boutiques and trendy dining spots. Don't miss exploring the Ville Nouvelle (new city) with its stunning art deco architecture, art galleries, and chic shops, or heading south for a relaxing day in palm-lined resorts.

Djemaa El Fna

Top Neighborhood for Immersing in Local Culture

This expansive square serves as the vibrant heart of Marrakesh, marking the starting point for every visit to the red city. During the day, the sharp sounds of snake charmers’ flutes and gnaoua drums fill the air, mingling with the fragrant incense that beckons you to explore the colorful fruit juice stalls, herbalists, henna artists, and an array of trinkets. As night falls, both locals and tourists flock to the food stalls that spring up in the square, enticed by the mouthwatering aroma of kebabs sizzling over charcoal.

Surrounding the square are entertainers of every kind—musicians and acrobats, men dressed as belly dancers, comedians, boxers, and energetic gnaoua dancers, all under the watchful gaze of the towering minaret of the Koutoubia. For stunning views and photo opportunities, head to the rooftop of Zeitoun Café. Consider joining an evening food tour with Moroccan Food Tour to sample exquisite dishes you might not discover on your own. Keep the festivities going with rooftop cocktails at nearby Kabana, a sultry drink at Le Salama's 'sky bar,' or jazz at Riad Monceau’s La Pergola Jazz Bar.

Mellah

Top quartier for Discovering Majestic Monuments, Museums, and Charming Squares

Not all medina squares are bustling like Djemaa El Fna: venture south to the charming, palm-lined Place des Ferblantiers (Tinsmith’s Square). Here, you can explore spice shops offering rosewater, saffron, and argan oil, browse Concept Bohem for stylish basketware and home decor, and enjoy delightful eateries: don’t miss Mazel Cafe for falafel and coffee or Kosybar for drinks at sunset on the rooftop.

Within a short walk from Place des Ferblantiers are several significant attractions: marvel at the 15th-century majesty of the imposing Badi Palace, which, though in ruins, is well worth exploring. Be sure to visit the exquisitely adorned Bahia Palace, featuring its stunning courtyards and riads. Nearby, large residences once belonging to courtiers include Dar Si Said, the carpet and weaving museum, and the Moroccan Culinary Arts Museum. Given that the Mellah was the former Jewish quarter, a visit to the intriguing Lazama Synagogue and the adjacent Jewish cemetery is essential.

The Mellah makes for an excellent place to stay, just a 10-minute walk from the vibrant Djemaa El Fna yet offering a quieter atmosphere with fewer tourists (and fewer motorbikes). Consider the newly opened Zoraida Riad & Spa, the elegant Riad Le Clos des Arts, or the art-filled Riad Azoulay.

Gueliz & Ville Nouvelle

Top Choice for Contemporary Art Galleries, Stylish Boutiques, and Exceptional Restaurants

Just a short taxi ride from the medina, the relaxed and trendy neighborhood of Gueliz in the Ville Nouvelle is ideal for discovering the art deco architecture of the new town developed by the French in the 1930s. Many of these stunning buildings now host art galleries: admire the terrazzo floors and crystal chandeliers at Comptoir des Mines while exploring contemporary Moroccan art. Passage Ghandouri on Rue Yougoslavie features a charming mini shopping mall filled with showrooms and galleries. Don’t miss the enticing homeware at Some Slow Concept Store located in an urban villa. Follow the stars to Norya Ayron’s elegant clothing boutique, and complete your look with a satin clutch from Lalla. Relax with a drink at the opulent Grand Café de la Poste, then enjoy lunch or dinner at the acclaimed Plus61 or Cantine Mouton Noir.

Mouassine

Top Neighborhood for Stunning Architecture, Charming Guesthouses, and Rejuvenating Hammams

Mouassine is celebrated for its magnificent 16th-century Saadian architecture, including impressive merchants' residences like Dar Cherifa and the stunning palace of Le Jardin Secret along with its enchanting gardens. The beautiful Musée de Mouassine is home to the Musée de la Musique, which hosts concerts three evenings a week.

Located just 500 meters north of Djemaa El Fna, Mouassine boasts some of the most beautiful riads, including the stylish Riad L’Orangeraie, the budget-friendly Equity Point, and the vibrantly decorated El Fenn. This neighborhood also features some of the best dining spots in the medina; be sure to reserve early for a rooftop table at Nomad or La Terrasse des Épices.

After a long day of exploring, unwind with a hammam and massage. Mouassine’s public hammam has recently been renovated, with prices starting at just Dh10 ($1) for a DIY hammam, and going up to Dh150 ($15) if you opt for a massage. For a more private experience, consider the beautifully fragrant Hammam de la Rose or the luxurious Le Bain Bleu.

South of Marrakesh

Ideal region for escaping the city and relaxing at countryside resorts

For those days when you seek tranquility away from the city, venture south to one of the countryside resorts. Beldi Country Club, just a 20-minute drive from the medina, offers multiple pools (including one for children), a restaurant, and a bar nestled in gardens filled with olive trees. There's even a souq featuring unique shops that sell glassware, carpets, clothing, ceramics, and jewelry. If you wish to linger, a hotel and two additional restaurants are available.

La Ferme Berbère embodies an adobe farmhouse vibe with plenty of animals and provides a day pass that includes access to the pool, lunch under the palm trees, a hammam, and a massage, with rooms available for those who wish to stay overnight.

Kids will adore Oasiria resort, which boasts eight pools complete with water slides and games, along with a pirate boat in a lagoon. For more adventure, Terres d’Amanar offers zip lines, a forest adventure course, trekking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.