Travel Guide > Africa > Morocco > Marrakech
Marrakech (Marrakesh in English) is a popular travel destination in Morocco. Famous for ochre stucco buildings, the city is surrounded by the Atlas mountains, making for a spectacular setting. Capital of the south and known as the "red city", the atmosphere is decidedly more African than that of Fez, Rabat and Meknes, other Imperial cities. It's primarily this unique atmosphere which makes Marrakech the most visited Imperial city and nowhere is this better experienced than in the alleyways and souks (markets) of Medina, the Old City. Indeed, such is the change that you think yourself on a movie set as you wander through it.
In the very heart of the Medina is Djemaa el Fna, the busiest square in Africa. Tourists are drawn by day to witness the square's acrobats, dancers, story-tellers, water sellers and musicians. By night tourists are just as plentiful, enjoying the transformation of the square into a huge open-air restaurant as the food stalls kick into gear. Unlike so many other locations, tourism has not taken away from the atmosphere, but only seems to be adding to it.
Adjacent to Djemaa el Fna is Le Souk, the largest traditional market in Morocco and famous for its winding streets and stalls selling everything from traditional handicrafts, clothes, leather crafted goods and carpets to spices and marinated olives.
Spring is a particularly good time to visit when it is mostly dry and sunny. Summers are very hot but low humidity makes things at least a bit bearable. Winters are not particurly cold, but nights are rather chilly.
Menara International Airport (IATA: RAK, ICAO: GMMX) in Marrakech has a growing number of flights from southern and western Europe, for example with low budget airline Ryanair. Some domestic services exist as well, for example to and from Casablanca. Regional Air Lines has many domestic services.
Trains connect Marrakech and Tangier via Casablanca and Rabat. For more information you can check the ONCF website.
Marrakech is the central focus of the south of Morocco and is well connected by road to a number of cities. Roads going north lead to Fes, Meknes and Casablanca, west towards Essaouira and Agadir and east across the Atlas Mountains towards Ouarzazate and the Sahara desert.
CTM runs many buses to main cities and towns in Morocco.
Navigating the streets of Marrakech can be nervous activity and you don't need a car anyway in Marrakech.
The main bus station is on Bab Doukkala, just outside the Medina walls. This is where most buses depart from and where you will find the main booking office for CTM. You can get a local bus ( No. 3 or 10) here from Place de Foucauld which is near Djemma el - Fna.
Grande taxis congregate just to the north of the bus station and ordinary taxis can be found accross the road from the local bus stop.
In central Medina, this is the only way to get around the narrow little streets, unless you have access to a donkey! You can also take a leisurely ride on a caleche, the horsedrawn carts.
Alcohol is not easy to come by in Marrakech and limited to the more touristy hotels. A good place though to cool off with a cold beer or a cocktail is Cafe Arabe at the northern end of the souk. Take a seat on the terrace and revel in the cool mist spray which eminates from the overhead pipes.
If you are happy to have your vitamin C neat, then you wont be disappointed in Djemma el-Fna. Scores of juice bars line up to offer you six oranges in a glass for a few pence.
Without exception, all cafes and bars will have on offer the traditional mint tea or 'Whisky Berbere' as it is affectionately called. Made and served properly, which is quite an art, it is absolutely delicious.
Marrakech literally has thousands of choices to spend the night. There are an estimated 1100 Riads alone! The Riads (and Dars) are usually in the older parts of Marrakech, like the medina. There are also many regular hotels, which are located in the newer parts of Marrakech and some luxurious hotels a bit further away from the main drag. Although riads are quite expensive, they are a great way to spend the night as close to the action as possible. They usually only have several rooms, more than 10 is already unusual, and come with breakfast.
The luxurious hotels are great to combine some relaxing days at the pool with some days exploring Marrakech and its surroundings.
| Property | Address | Type | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amine Marrakech | Av. Abdelkrim El Khettabi Marrakech | Hotel | - |
| Amour de Riad | 109 derb Jamaa Derb Dabachi medina | Guesthouse | 54 % |
| Ayoub | Medecine Lamhita | Hotel | - |
| Bled Al Fassia | Commune Oulad Hassoune, Douar Sidi Mbarek, SYBA | Hotel | - |
| Casa Taos | Km 8 route de Souihla | Guesthouse | - |
| Chez Reda | 38, Derb Raouia Rmila, rue Fatima Zohra | Hotel | - |
| Dar Al Hamra | 4, Derb Zaouia Bab Doukkala | Guesthouse | 83 % |
| Dar Atif | Dar Atif route de l'Oukaeimden | Guesthouse | 50 % |
| Dar Atta | 28 Derb Raouia Rue Rmila | Guesthouse | 79 % |
| Dar Badra | 178 Arset Aouzal, Bab Doukkala, Marrakech | Guesthouse | 89 % |
| Dar Baya | 102 Rue Dar El Bacha | Guesthouse | - |
| Dar Choumissa | 14 derb Labzioui, riad Mokha - Marrakech | Guesthouse | - |
| Dar El Kanoun | Route de Targa, Lot. Farida, Villa #64 | Guesthouse | - |
| Dar El Kheir | 4, Derb el Ferrane Bab Doukkala Marrakech-Medina | Guesthouse | - |
| Dar Elma | 81 Derb Sidi Bouamar - Riad Larousse Marrakech Medina | Guesthouse | 97 % |
| Dar Ftouma | 10, derb Tizougarine Medina (Dar El Bacha) | Guesthouse | 92 % |
| Dar Jani | 18, Derb El Koudia Kasbah, Marrakesh | Guesthouse | 90 % |
| Dar Limoun | 25 Derb Ben Amran | Guesthouse | 87 % |
| Dar Maada | 6 Derb El Maada Azbezt | Guesthouse | 91 % |
| Dar Mauresque | Derb Jdid Dabachi No. 132, 40 000 Marrakech-Medina | Guesthouse | 85 % |
| Dar Najat | Dar Graoua Derb Lala Chacha n° 18 | Guesthouse | - |
| Dar Saad | Trick Dar El Bacha Marrakech Medina | Guesthouse | - |
| Dar Salam | 162, Derb Ben Fayda Arset Hiheri, rue Legza Bab Do | Guesthouse | 76 % |
| Dar Shama | Circuit de la Palmeraie Marrakech | Guesthouse | - |
| Dar Souihla | Route 2008 - Quartier Al Afaq - Route de Souihla | Guesthouse | 80 % |
| Dar Souihla Les Dar Dorient | Km 10 Route De Souihlia Quarti Marrakech, 44000 | Hotel | - |
| Dar Soukaina | 19 derb El Ferrane RIAD LAAROUSS | Guesthouse | - |
| Dar Tasnime | 131, Derb Hammam, Kasbah | Guesthouse | - |
| Dar Tha Tha | 8 Derb Tah Tah Rahba Kedima. Marrakech Medina | Guesthouse | 86 % |
| Dar Zaman | 29 Derb Bouelilou, Sidi Ben Slimane | Guesthouse | - |
| Dellarosa Hotel | n°5, avenue Moulay El Hassan.Hivernage. | Hotel | - |
| Douarskoll Guesthouse | Douarskoll Derb el Hammam 66, Mouassine | Guesthouse | 92 % |
| Equity Point Marrakech, Riad Amazigh | 80 Derb El Hammam; Mouassine | Hostel | 90 % |
| Essaada Apartment | Saada 114 Marrakech | Apartment | - |
| Farah Marrakech | Avenue Du Président Kennedy Marrakech | Hotel | - |
| Heart of the Medina backpackers hostel | Check in at: Riad Rahba, 53 Rue Rahba Lakdima, Biy Hostel: 46 - 47 Derb Ben Aissa, Dabachi | Hostel | 66 % |
| Hivernage Hotel & Spa | Angle Avenue Echouhada et rue des Temples Hivernage | Hotel | - |
| Hotel Agnaoue | Avenue My Rachid, 1 Rue de la Recette Riad Mokha, | Guesthouse | 83 % |
| Islane Hotel | 279, avenue Mohamed V | Hotel | 79 % |
| Jamaa House | Riad Zitoun Jdid, Derb Jamaa 70 Riad Zitoun Jdid, Derb Jamaa 70 | Guesthouse | - |
| Kasbah Le Mirage | Douar Ouled Messaoud, commune Sidi Brahim Préfecture de Syba | Guesthouse | - |
| Kasbah Tiwaline | Palmeraie, Bab Atlas | Guesthouse | - |
| Kenzi Farah Marrakech | Avenue du Président Kennedy | Hotel | - |
| Kenzi Oasis | Commune Rurale Ouahat Sidi Brahim | Hotel | - |
| La Casa Del Sol | N° 03 Derb Tijani/Mouassine | Guesthouse | 90 % |
| Le Caspien | 12 Rue Loubnane Gueliz, Marrakech | Hotel | - |
| Les Couleurs de L'Orient | Riad Zitoun Lakhdim, derb lakhdar n°22 marrakech M | Guesthouse | 77 % |
| Les Jardins Mandaline | 55 Derb El Feranne, Riad Làarouss, 44000 Marrakech | Guesthouse | 59 % |
| Les Seuils de l'Atlas | km 10 route de l'Ourika | Guesthouse | - |
| Maison Arabo Andalouse | 66-67 Derb Touareg Kasbah 40000 Marrakech | Guesthouse | - |
| Nassim Marrakech | 115 Bd Mohamed V Gueliz Marrakech | Hotel | - |
| Riad Anis | Derb Jdid Dabachi No.188 bis 40 000 Marrakech-Medina | Guesthouse | - |
| Riad 1001 Nuits | 53 Derb Toudgha Riad Laarouss | Guesthouse | - |
| Riad 34 | 34 derb Lahbib - Riad Zitoun Jdid | Guesthouse | 85 % |
| Riad Aderbaz | 40 Derb Al Foundouk Qt Sidi Mimoune | Guesthouse | 88 % |
| Riad Adika | 286 Derb Sidi Bouamar Riad Adika Marrakech | Guesthouse | - |
| Riad Adraoui | N° 09 Derb Zouak Riad Zeitoun Lakdim Marrakesh Medina | Guesthouse | 83 % |
| Riad Adriana | 99, derb Jdid - Bab Doukkala | Guesthouse | 92 % |
| Riad Al Faras | 35 Derb Boutouil Kennaria | Guesthouse | 87 % |
| Riad Al Mamoune | 140 Derb Aarjane, Rhaba Kedima Marrakech Médina | Guesthouse | 95 % |
| Riad Al Mansoura | 11 Derb Manchoura, Hay Essalam | Guesthouse | - |
| Riad Amiris | 47, Derb Sidi Boulfdail Kennaria | Guesthouse | - |
| Riad Asma | derb Dabachi -40000 Marrakech | Guesthouse | - |
| Riad Assalam | 13, le Touarg Quartier Berrima | Guesthouse | 100 % |
| Riad Aya | Dar El Aakib Derb Toudgha, nº 41. Bab Doukkala | Guesthouse | - |
| Riad Azenzer | 109 Derb Sebaat Ourijal, Quartier Moukef | Guesthouse | - |
| Riad Bab Chems | 6, Derb El Hajra Quartier Dabachi-Medina | Guesthouse | - |
| Riad Bamaga | 86 Derb Sidi Bouamar - Riad Laârouss Marrakech Medina | Guesthouse | - |
| Riad Basma | Dabachi, Derb Jamaa 22 | Guesthouse | 91 % |
| Riad Bibtia | Mouassine Derb El Hammame N°58 Médina Marrakech 40000 Morocco | Guesthouse | - |
| Riad Catalina | 21 Derb Abdellah Ben Hssaine,Bab Laksour | Hotel | - |
| Riad Dar Ilham | Route de Fes | Guesthouse | - |
| Riad Dar Kaotar | Bab Hilane Boutouil 30 Derb El Ferrane | Guesthouse | - |
| Riad Dar Maia | 31 Derb Zouina Riad Zitoun | Guesthouse | 91 % |
| Riad Dar Tamlil | Rue Riad Zitoun El Quedim Derb Lakhdar no 7 Marrakech medina | Guesthouse | 83 % |
| Riad Davia | Hilana Boutouil N° 43 | Guesthouse | - |
| Riad Djebel | 190 derb Skaya Hay Issebtiynne | Guesthouse | 93 % |
| Riad Doha II | Bis Derb Lakhder Riad zitoun lakdim Medina | Guesthouse | 79 % |
| Riad Dollar des Sables | 13 Derb Deffa Ourbââ, Laksour Medina | Guesthouse | 93 % |
| Riad Douzi | 123 derb Aarjan, Rahba Lakdima | Guesthouse | 84 % |
| Riad El Nour | 7 Derb El Ferranne Azbezt | Guesthouse | - |
| Riad Elixir | Rue Bounouala - Touala Sidi Ghanem | Guesthouse | 70 % |
| Riad Ghallia | 21 derb el Khemis Marrakech | Guesthouse | - |
| Riad Honey | Derb el Khalifa, Boutwel 88 | Guesthouse | - |
| Riad Ifoulki Rak | 11 Derb Mqqadem, Route Arset Loghzail 40000 Marrakech | Hotel | - |
| Riad Isis | Derb Dabachi, Derb Jdid N°12 Medina, Marrakech | Guesthouse | 87 % |
| Riad Jardin Grenadine | 145,Derb Jdid Bab Doukkala Tensift Elhouz | Guesthouse | - |
| Riad Jddi | 71 Rue El Gza Arsset Ihiri Bab Douklla | Guesthouse | 67 % |
| Riad Johenna | Kennaria, Db Sidi Boulafdail N° 25 Medina | Guesthouse | 80 % |
| Riad Jomana | 62 Derb Arset Aouzel Bab Doukkala | Guesthouse | 89 % |
| Riad Karmela | 10, Dreb El Ferranne Azbezt 40008 Marrakech | Guesthouse | - |
| Riad Khabia | Houmate Berrima, Derb chtoka n°6 | Guesthouse | - |
| Riad Lakhdar | 28 Jbel Lakhdar, R'mila, Marrakech | Guesthouse | - |
| Riad Le Plein Sud | 56 derb derdouba arset ihiri bab doukala | Guesthouse | 79 % |
| Riad Lena | 8 Derb El Hamam - Medina Ryad Laarouss | Guesthouse | 99 % |
| Riad Limouna Médina | 3 Derb Cherkaoui - Douar Graoua MARRAKECH | Guesthouse | - |
| Riad Massin | 48 Derb Sidi Mohamed L'Haj- Bab Doukala | Guesthouse | 90 % |
| Riad Massine II | 107 Derb Essnane / Mouassine | Guesthouse | 92 % |
| Riad Medina Azahara | derb dabachi derb jemaa 17 | Guesthouse | 71 % |
| Riad Midou | Route Fes Km 10 Lamhamdia Palmeraie Marrakech | Guesthouse | - |
| Riad Miski | 6 derb Abdelouassaa Marrakech Medina | Guesthouse | 100 % |
| Riad Nerja | 125 , Derb Caid Rassou Baba Aylane Medina | Guesthouse | 83 % |
| Riad Nomades | 56 Derb Chentouf Quartier Riad Laarous | Guesthouse | 93 % |
| Riad Noor Charana | 31, derb elkebir, Ben Salah Marrakech Medina | Guesthouse | - |
| Riad Philmauge | Sidi Mimoune Derb El Fondak n°39 | Guesthouse | - |
| Riad Rahba | 53 Rue Rahba Lakdima, Biyadine, Marrakech | Hotel | 70 % |
| Riad Rose Medina | 39 Derb Lahbib Lemagni Marrakech | Guesthouse | - |
| Riad Sabah | Derb Lamnabha, N°13, Kasbah, Marrakech-Médina | Guesthouse | - |
| Riad Sacr | 120, derb Snane Mouassine Marrakech | Guesthouse | 99 % |
| Riad Sheba | 35 derb Raouia, 40000 Rmila Marrakech | Guesthouse | - |
| Riad Souari | 4 Derb Habib Allah Mouassine | Guesthouse | - |
| Riad Soumia | 38 derb Lhabib el Magni | Guesthouse | 93 % |
| Riad Souvenir de Marrakech | 1, Derb El Marstane, Zaouia El Abassia - Médina | Guesthouse | 77 % |
| Riad Taghazoute | N° 39 Derb Kabada - Prince Avenue- Marrakech Medina | Guesthouse | 80 % |
| Riad Villa El Arsa | 18 Derb El Arsa Kennaria Medina | Guesthouse | - |
| Riyad El Cadi | 86/87 Derb Moulay Abdelkader Dabachi | Guesthouse | - |
| Ryad Amira Victoria | 12 Derb El Baroud Hart Soura | Guesthouse | 100 % |
| Ryad Dar Ganou | 3 derb Fahl Ezzafriti - Laksour - Médina | Guesthouse | 63 % |
| Ryad Puchka | 24, Derb Haddada, quartier Ben Saleh 40000 Marrakech | Guesthouse | 92 % |
| Tamkast | 10 derb Sidi Bou Amar Zaouiat Lahdar | Guesthouse | - |
| Telila | 27 Derb Essnane Medina | Apartment | 91 % |
| Terre Resort & Spa | West Palmarie | Hotel | - |
| Tichka Salam | Quartier Semlalia B.P. 894 | Hotel | - |
| Villa Warhol | Palmeraie, route de casablanca 40000 marrakech | Guesthouse | - |
| Villa Zahra | Bp 12410 Nakhil | Guesthouse | - |
The main post office is on the southern side of Djemma el-Fna, just round the corner from the Pharmacie de Garde. Stamps can also be bought at 'Tabacs' and there are several post boxes dotted around the city.
This is version 21. Last edited at 19:10 on Jun 22, 09 by Utrecht (+180). 7 articles link to this page.

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