Theatre Royal Marrakech Planning for the Theatre Royal Marrakech began in the 1970’s, with Tunisian architect Charles Boccara being chosen for the project. Construction took longer than anticipated due to design and budget issues. A full 25 years later, on 19 September, 2001, the exterior, reception and 1200-seat outdoor amphitheatre were completed and inaugurated by […]
Douiria Museum Mouassine Marrakech The Douira Museum in the Mouassine quarter of the Marrakech medina is a stunning example of late 16th century / early 17th century Saadian architecture. Located in close proximity to the Mouassine mosque, at the end of Derb el Hammam just off from the Mouassine Fountain, the building features a house and […]
Le Marché du Mellah is arguably the best covered market in Marrakech (there is also a Marché Central in the new town, Gueliz). Here you can find just about all the fresh produce you need for preparing any meal. There are abundant varieties of fruit, both local and international, vegetables, green salad items, olives, herbs […]
The Ensemble Artisanal (Handicraft Centre) in Marrakech is a government sponsored complex of artisan workshops established to teach their trade to apprentices and who at the same time also sell their creations direct to the consumer at fixed prices that are deemed reasonable. It is located on Boulevard Mohamed V just a few minutes up […]
The Marrakech City Tour Bus, or Bus Touristique, in Marrakech provides a unique way to tour the city and visit some of the sites. Tickets are valid for 24 or 48 hours and you can hop on and off all day long. The tour is accompanied by a pre-recorded commentary available in eight languages: Arabic Français […]
The Lazama Synagogue is one of several synagogues remaining in the Mellah quarter of the Marrakech medina. To our best knowledge it is the main one and the only one that is open daily to the public. It is certainly the most picturesque and is popular for weddings and b’nai mitzvah among foreign visitors. Other […]
Morocco’s rich history includes a long period of Arab and Jewish communities accepting their differences and living and working together to bring success to their respective businesses. The Mellah in Marrakech refers to the area where the Jewish community resided. In cities all over Morocco, Mellahs flourished and became small cities within cities. At its […]
The Jewish Cemetery in Marrakech is located adjacent to the Mellah quarter inside the medina (walled city). Like many places in the medina, there is no hint that behind the fairly anonymous entrance and perimeter walls lies such a vast space and one of such significance. Fascinating and incredibly well preserved, the cemetery is the […]
Bab Agnaou is one of the 19 gates of the Marrakech medina and dates from the 12th century. It gives entrance to the Royal Kasbah neighbourhood in the southern part of the Marrakech medina. Just around the corner from Bab Agnaou is the huge Kasbah Mosque and the Saadian Tombs. The name Agnaou, similar to […]
The Agdal Gardens are gardens of approximately 400 hectares located just south of the Royal Palace and the medina, and include groves of orange, lemon, fig, apricot and pomegranate trees. The name originates from the Berber language, meaning “walled meadow”. The Agdal Gardens were made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. The gardens were […]
The Dar Si Said Museum is actually a sumptuous old palace with stunning Hispano-Moorish ceilings, plaster work and carved cedar woodwork. It’s worth coming to this museum just to see the architecture and interior decoration. It’s really impressive! The Dar Si Said palace houses the Museum of Moroccan Art and the exhibits include clothes, weaponry, […]
The aim of the Musée de l’Art de Vivre is to showcase lifestyle and social history, something not seen in other museums in Marrakech. With its inaugural exhibition the museum is displaying some fantastic kaftans, in homage to the men and women who have, for centuries, handed down the crafts involved in the art of […]
The medina’s walls are over 9 metres high, 2 metres thick and are about 20 kilometres in length. They once provided protection for the inhabitants of the city and up until the early 20th century, the gates were all securely closed at night. Now they loom over the perimeter of the medina and are home to […]
Located in the northeast of the medina, one’s nose will let them know that they are in the right area of this still-functioning hotbed of fabric and leather dying. See workers plying their trade in odorous vats with dyes of all colours, so that they can be prepared for trade in the souks and shops […]
The Bahia Palace is a 19th century palace boasting a large courtyard, beautiful fountains, tiles, ornate wall-carvings and gardens, and is an excellent spot to find tranquility and marvel at traditional Moroccan craftsmanship. This palace was once home to a harem, but now hosts daily tours. This site is occasionally closed to the public when […]
From afar the 12th century Koutoubia minaret gives the impression of being absolutely enormous as it dwarfs all buildings in Marrakech due to a law that forbids any building from being of the same height. Up close, it doesn’t seem so tall, in fact you can be just around the corner and find it is […]
Most people have heard of Jemaa el Fna before they arrive for a holiday in Marrakech, even if they don’t know how to pronounce it! The square is the historical heart of the Marrakech medina and remains the number one landmark of the city. By day it has a somewhat deserted feel to it – […]
The Saadian Tombs in Marrakech were sealed up for centuries until their rediscovery in 1917. Occupying a wonderfully peaceful space in the kasbah district of the Marrakech medina, the tombs are magnificently decorated with colourful tiles, Arabic script and elaborate carvings. Map of Saadian Tombs
The Majorelle Garden, made famous by Yves Saint Laurent, is one place every visitor to Marrakech must experience. Created by Jacques Majorelle, the gardens were first opened to the public in 1947. Purchased by Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé in 1980, the garden was developed further and is now a stunning tropical […]
Essentially, the Marrakech souks are like a giant, Moroccan flea-market. These dark, mostly covered alleyways are broken up into distinct districts, based upon the nature of their wares. Be prepared to bargain hard for purchases, but maintain a good sense of humour and an open-mind, and deals can be found. If you’re just looking and […]
Originally constructed in the 12th century, this exceptionally preserved Koranic school is one of the largest in North Africa. Here too are excellent examples of Moroccan arches, wall carvings, tiles and mosaics. Hundreds of students once studied here, gathered in the large and peaceful courtyard. There is also a small mosque on-site. Map of Ali […]