"Marrakech assaults every sense simultaneously — and you love it for that."
The Red City — named for the rose-pink walls of its ancient medina — is one of Africa's great travel destinations. It is a city of contrasts: the chaos of the souks against the serenity of a riad courtyard; the noise of Djemaa el-Fna against the silence of a hammam; the heat of the day against the cool of a tiled fountain. Marrakech rewards those who slow down and look beyond the obvious.
The medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved medieval city centres in the Arab world. The riads — traditional courtyard houses converted into boutique hotels — are the finest accommodation in the city, and staying in one is essential to understanding Marrakech's character. The best are hidden behind unmarked doors in the medina's narrowest streets.
"Dinner in a riad courtyard — tagine, bastilla, and mint tea served under the stars."
TastesOf Editorial
At a Glance
What Not to Miss
Djemaa el-Fna at Dusk
The great square at the heart of the medina transforms at sunset — snake charmers, storytellers, acrobats, and dozens of food stalls materialise from nowhere. Climb to a rooftop café for the full panorama, then descend into the chaos.
The Souks of the Medina
The labyrinthine souks of Marrakech are organised by trade — spice sellers, leather tanners, metalworkers, carpet weavers — each in their own quarter. Hire a guide for the first visit; the medina is genuinely easy to get lost in, and a good guide will take you to workshops the tourist trail misses.
Hammam at a Traditional Riad
A traditional Moroccan hammam — steam room, black soap scrub, and kessa exfoliation — is one of the most restorative experiences in travel. The hammams at the finest riads are exceptional; avoid the tourist hammams near Djemaa el-Fna.
Jardin Majorelle
The electric-blue garden created by Jacques Majorelle and later restored by Yves Saint Laurent is one of the most beautiful in Africa. The Berber Museum within the garden is also excellent. Go early morning before the tour groups arrive.
Day Trip to the Atlas Mountains
The High Atlas rises dramatically just 45 minutes from Marrakech. A day trip to the Ourika Valley or the village of Imlil — with its views of Jebel Toubkal, North Africa's highest peak — offers a complete contrast to the medina's intensity.
Dinner at a Riad Restaurant
The finest dining in Marrakech happens behind unmarked doors in the medina. A candlelit dinner in a riad courtyard — tagine, bastilla, and mint tea served under the stars — is the defining Marrakech meal.
Where to Stay
La Mamounia
IconicThe grande dame of Marrakech — a palace hotel operating since 1923, with three pools, four restaurants, and gardens that Winston Churchill painted. Restored to extraordinary standard; the finest address in the city.
Royal Mansour
Ultra-LuxuryA private medina within the medina — 53 individual riads connected by underground passages, built by royal commission. The most extraordinary hotel in Morocco.
Riad Farnatchi
Boutique LuxuryA beautifully restored riad in the heart of the medina with nine suites, a rooftop pool, and service that rivals the city's grande hotels. Intimate and impeccably run.
The Verdict
Africa's most intoxicating city — stay in a riad, hire a guide for the souks, and surrender to the chaos.