Districts · Marrakech
Marrakech by district
Almost everything a first visit needs is inside the medina walls, about 2 km across, plus Gueliz and the Majorelle garden 2–3 km to the north-west. Petit taxis link the two.Almost everything a first visit needs is inside the medina walls, about 1.2 mi across, plus Gueliz and the Majorelle garden 1.2–1.9 mi to the north-west. Petit taxis link the two.
About these names
Names below are the ones drivers and maps use. Inside the medina there are no street numbers you can rely on: navigate by landmark, gate and named riad.
- Medina: Mouassine and the souksالمدينةsleepeatseeSuits: First visit, 2–4 nights, shopping and courtyardsEverything is a walk from Jemaa el-Fnaa; taxis stop at a gate, then a porter carries the bags.2 sights · 3 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Medina: Kasbah and Riad ZitounالقصبةsleepseeSuits: Palaces at opening, quieter nightsBahia, El Badi and the Saadian Tombs within 10 minutes on foot; a 15–20 minute walk to the evening square.3 sights · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Jemaa el-Fnaa and Koutoubiaجامع الفناeatseeSuits: One evening, orientationThe square is a meeting point, not a bed: loud, crowded, hustled. Koutoubia gardens are the calm corner.1 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- MellahالملاحseeSuits: Spice market, cemetery, synagogueThe old Jewish quarter next to Bahia Palace; markets are more local than the tourist souks.3 sightsDistrict guide →
- GuelizeatsleepSuits: Restaurants, cafés, cash machines, the trainFrench-built new town; wide pavements, cars, a modern grid. 15–25 minutes by taxi from the square.1 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- HivernagesleepSuits: Big hotels with pools, casinos, nightclubsBetween the medina and Gueliz; comfort over character, and every outing is a taxi.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- PalmeraiesleepSuits: Resorts and villas with gardensPalm grove 10 km north; car needed for everything.Palm grove 6.2 mi north; car needed for everything.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- Sidi GhanemseeSuits: Design and craft showroomsIndustrial zone north-west with furniture, lamps and ceramics at fixed prices; only for a shopping trip.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Off the map: Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) (20–40 min by the usual route).
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): Hivernage, Palmeraie, Sidi Ghanem. See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- Medina: Mouassine and the souks (المدينة): Everything is a walk from Jemaa el-Fnaa; taxis stop at a gate, then a porter carries the bags. Suits: First visit, 2–4 nights, shopping and courtyards. Price band $$.
- Medina: Kasbah and Riad Zitoun (القصبة): Bahia, El Badi and the Saadian Tombs within 10 minutes on foot; a 15–20 minute walk to the evening square. Suits: Palaces at opening, quieter nights. Price band $$.
- Jemaa el-Fnaa and Koutoubia (جامع الفنا): The square is a meeting point, not a bed: loud, crowded, hustled. Koutoubia gardens are the calm corner. Suits: One evening, orientation.
- Mellah (الملاح): The old Jewish quarter next to Bahia Palace; markets are more local than the tourist souks. Suits: Spice market, cemetery, synagogue.
- Gueliz: French-built new town; wide pavements, cars, a modern grid. 15–25 minutes by taxi from the square. Suits: Restaurants, cafés, cash machines, the train.
- Hivernage: Between the medina and Gueliz; comfort over character, and every outing is a taxi. Suits: Big hotels with pools, casinos, nightclubs.
- Palmeraie: Palm grove 10 km north; car needed for everything.Palm grove 6.2 mi north; car needed for everything. Suits: Resorts and villas with gardens.
- Sidi Ghanem: Industrial zone north-west with furniture, lamps and ceramics at fixed prices; only for a shopping trip. Suits: Design and craft showrooms.
- Sleep area Kasbah — Riad Zitoun (riad): suits Palaces at opening, quieter nights, price band $$.
- Sleep area Medina — Mouassine (riad): suits First visit, 2–4 nights, shopping and courtyards, price band $$.
- Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK), 20–40 min by the usual route.