Marrakech offers a diverse experience tailored to all tastes. There is something for everyone in the "Pearl of the South," as the city is far from being a museum piece—it’s dynamic and vibrant on all fronts. To help you plan your trip and get a comprehensive overview of the city, here are five tourist areas in Marrakech, highlighting the distinct neighborhoods and their main attractions. Discover 5 Tourist areas in Marrakech and must-see sights of each zone.
The Medina and the Souks
Gueliz, and the new City
The medina is certainly the n#1 of our 5 TOURIST AREAS IN MARRAKECH. It is the historic heart of Marrakech and its main feature. The Medina is, in fact, the old city of Marrakech. It is surrounded by walls listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Medina is home to the famous Jemaa el-Fna square, the true beating heart of Marrakech. This lively place is where you’ll find traditional souks. It’s also where most of the city’s main historical and cultural attractions are concentrated. The Medina is the prime location for a multitude of riads.
The MUST-SEES of the Medina :
📍 Place Jemaa el Fna :
The famous lively square where you’ll find storytellers, musicians, snake charmers, and food stalls. It is one of the must-sees during your visit to Marrakech!
📍Mosquée Koutoubia :
A magnificent 12th century mosque, emblematic of Marrakech with its minaret.
📍Musée de Marrakech :
Housed in a former 19th-century palace, this museum features collections of traditional Moroccan art, including jewelry, textiles, and pottery.
📍Madrasa Ben Youssef :
An ancient Quranic school dating from the 14th century, known for its exquisite Islamic architecture and magnificent wood and stucco decorations.
📍Les souks :
A maze of alleys where you can find traditional markets selling spices, carpets, clothing, crafts and much more. The souks are a must-see place during your visit to Marrakech.
How to negotiate, what are the different souks in Marrakech, what are the good addresses in the souk? Discover our dedicated article by clicking here.
📍Palais Bahia :
A 19th-century palace with extensive gardens, decorated with sculpted ceilings, fountains and mosaics, offering a glimpse into the architecture and lifestyle of the elites of the time.
📍Les Tombeaux Saadiens :
A historic site housing the tombs of members of the Saadian dynasty, richly decorated with stucco designs and ceramic tiles.
2. GUELIZ: 2/ 5 TOURIST AREAS IN MARRAKECH
Known as the "new" city, Guéliz was developed outside the walls of the Medina, mainly during the period of the French protectorate. This area extends around Avenue Mohammed V and connects Koutoubia to the Gueliz center. Large hotels, modern stores, cafes and nightclubs are grouped there, you will be spoiled for choice!
The MUST-SEES of Gueliz :
📍 Jardin Majorelle :
An exotic botanical garden housing rare plants, created by French artist Jacques Majorelle.
📍Musée Yves Saint Laurent :
Located near the Majorelle Gardens, this museum pays homage to the famous fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent.
📍 Le Carré Eden :
A modern shopping center on two floors where you will find around sixty shops including: H&M, Planète sport and Yves Rocher.
📍 Le café de la poste :
An emblematic café in the Guéliz district known for its retro atmosphere and its history dating back to colonial times.
📍 Le théâtre Royal:
A prestigious theater which hosts shows, concerts and various cultural events.
👉🏻 It is also in this central district of Marrakech that you will find our City Lock Luggage Storage and Pocket Wifi City Wifi rental service.
3. HIVERNAGE : 3/ 5 TOURIST AREAS IN MARRAKECH
Located south of Guéliz, between the medina and Boulevard Mohammed VI, Hivernage is a quiet and chic residential area. There are high-end hotels as well as upscale restaurants and clubs. Its streets transform into veritable parades of big cars at nightfall.
The MUST-SEES of the Hivernage :
📍 Hôtel La Mamounia :
A legendary palace offering refined luxury and sumptuous gardens.
📍 Casino de Marrakech :
A popular entertainment venue for visitors looking to try their luck. The little secret of writing? From the casino, you can access the Epicurien restaurant, a restaurant very renowned for its atmosphere. With a VIP pass, you will also have the opportunity to go to the most famous club in Marrakech: Le Théatro.
📍 Ménara Mall :
The Menara Mall is one of the city's largest shopping complexes, offering a variety of shops, restaurants, and activities for visitors. The center houses international and local brands, children's entertainment areas, as well as a dedicated dining floor with panoramic views of the city.
📍 M'Avenue :
M’Avenue is a prestigious boulevard in Marrakech. It is a high-end project that combines luxury residences, boutiques, restaurants and five-star hotels. Designed to be an exclusive and modern venue, M'Avenue reflects a cosmopolitan lifestyle with offerings in the areas of shopping, gastronomy, wellness, and art.
4. AGDAL: 4 / 5 TOURIST AREAS IN MARRAKECH
Located to the south along Boulevard Mohammed VI, Agdal is the site of large hotel projects and golf complexes. This district is marked by ambitious developments and should give rise to new large stores and hotel complexes within a few years. The Agdal district is a commercial area, an ideal area for those looking for a less authentic experience.
The MUST-SEES of Agdal :
📍 Jardin de l'Agdal :
Designed in the 12th century during the reign of Abd el-Moumen, an Almohad ruler, the Agdal gardens are the oldest gardens in Marrakech and are considered the lungs of the ocher city.
📍 Centre commercial Al Mazar :
Al Mazar Shopping Center, located in Marrakech, is a large shopping and leisure complex, located in the Agdal district. It includes more than 100 stores, and entertainment options with a children's play area and a Megarama cinema.
📍⏳ Morocco Mall :
The Morocco Mall Marrakech project is an extension of the iconic Morocco Mall in Casablanca, aiming to bring a similar luxury shopping and entertainment experience to the city of Marrakech. The site is in planning and should open its doors in 2025.
Like its Casablanca counterpart, the Morocco Mall Marrakech is expected to include a range of high-end international boutiques, leisure and entertainment spaces, as well as restaurants and cafes. It plans to integrate water attractions and event spaces, with the aim of establishing itself as one of the largest shopping complexes in the region.
5. PALMERAIE: 5 / 5 TOURIST AREAS IN MARRAKECH
To the northeast of the city is the Palmeraie, an area renowned for its luxurious villas and hotels with swimming pools. It is a prestigious location and often associated with high-end vacation homes. A sort of Hollywood Marrakchi where the vacation villas of many well-known Moroccan and international personalities stand. The 13,000 ha palm grove is struggling to survive in modern times. The irrigation system previously put in place no longer exists and the well-feathered palm trees are suffering... not those of the hotels and villas of course.
The MUST-SEES of the Palmeraie :
📍 Palmeraie Golf Palace :
A luxury resort with a 27-hole golf course and top-of-the-line facilities.
📍 Les tours opérateurs Camel Tour :
A pretty cool option for exploring the palm grove is to take a camel ride (even better at sunset 😉.
📍Nikki beach :
Nikki Beach Marrakech is a famous beach club and restaurant located in Marrakech, part of the international Nikki Beach chain, known for its festive and luxurious venues. It’s a popular spot for daytime parties, with an exclusive and lively vibe.
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