Marrakech: Jemaa el-Fna Square and the Secrets of the Medina

Marrakech, nicknamed the 'Red City' for its ochre pisé ramparts, is one of Africa's most enchanting destinations. Dive into the heart of this thousand-year-old city, between fragrant souks, sumptuous palaces and the legendary Jemaa el-Fna square.

A thousand-year history: birth of an imperial capital

Marrakech was founded in 1070 by Abu Bakr ibn Umar, leader of the Berber Almoravid tribe, who made it the capital of an empire stretching from present-day Morocco to Andalusian Spain. The name 'Marrakech' comes from Berber and means 'Land of God' or 'Fast Land'.

For several centuries, the city was a crossroads of civilisations, hosting scholars, poets and merchants from the Orient, sub-Saharan Africa and Europe. Successive dynasties — Almoravids, Almohads, Merinids, then Saadians — each left an indelible architectural mark on the city.

The Marrakech Medina: a UNESCO-listed labyrinth

The Medina of Marrakech, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1985, is a fascinating labyrinth of alleyways, souks and mosques. Its terracotta-coloured pisé ramparts, stretching for nearly 19 kilometres, mostly date from the 12th century.

Within these walls, more than 150,000 people still live according to a traditional way of life, while craftsmen perpetuate thousand-year-old trades: tanners, blacksmiths, weavers and potters. Getting lost in its alleyways, fragrant with spices and cedar, is one of the most authentic experiences of travelling in Morocco.

Jemaa el-Fna: Marrakech's living theatre

Jemaa el-Fna square is the beating heart of Marrakech, proclaimed a UNESCO Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage in 2001. In the morning, orange juice sellers and spice vendors set up their colourful stalls.

In the afternoon, snake charmers, acrobats and traditional storytellers (called Hlayqiya) captivate the crowds. At nightfall, the square transforms into a huge open-air restaurant where dozens of food stalls offer harira soup, merguez sausages, snails and steaming tagines — a feast for the senses that lasts until dawn.

Must-see monuments: Koutoubia, Bahia and Ben Youssef

The Koutoubia is the largest mosque in western Morocco. Its 70-metre minaret, erected in the 12th century, served as a model for the Giralda in Seville and the Hassan Tower in Rabat. Visible from almost anywhere in the city, it is the undisputed symbol of Marrakech.

Nearby, the Bahia Palace spreads its interior courtyards adorned with zelliges and shaded gardens. The Ben Youssef Madrassa, a former 16th-century Quranic school, dazzles with the perfection of its stucco, zelliges and sculpted cedar woodwork — an absolute masterpiece of Moroccan art.

The souks and the Mellah: the trading soul of Marrakech

The souks of Marrakech are organised by trade, as in medieval times. The dyers' souk (Souk Sebbaghine), with its vats of vivid colours, borders the babouche makers' souk (Souk Smarine) and the spice souk, in a heady, fragrant labyrinth.

Further north, the Mellah quarter, the city's former Jewish neighbourhood, bears witness to the long coexistence of Moroccan communities with its whitewashed synagogues and houses with wrought-iron balconies. A poignant district not to be missed.

The Majorelle Garden and the New Town (Guéliz)

The Majorelle Garden, created in 1924 by French painter Jacques Majorelle and later bought by Yves Saint Laurent in 1980, is a tropical haven in striking colours: intense cobalt blue, sun yellow and emerald green. It also houses the Berber Museum, a treasure trove of Morocco's Amazigh cultures.

Outside the ramparts, the New Town (Guéliz) offers a striking contrast with its wide avenues lined with orange trees, lively café terraces and 1930s Art Deco architecture inherited from the French Protectorate.

Practical tips for your visit to Marrakech

The best time to visit Marrakech is spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November), when temperatures range between 20 and 30°C. In summer, thermometers can exceed 40°C. To explore the medina peacefully, get up early: before 9am, the alleyways are almost deserted and the morning light is superb.

From Marrakech, many day trips are possible: the Ourika Valley at 60 km, the Ouzoud waterfalls at 150 km, or the Berber fortified city of Aït Ben Haddou at 190 km. Tour Come Morocco offers private transfers and tailor-made excursions to discover all these treasures in complete serenity.