When you think of Marrakech, what is the first image that comes to mind? I suspect it is the bustling Jamaa el-Fna Square, full of juice stalls, snake charmers and henna painters… And the best time to visit? Just as sun is setting is when the square starts to really come alive!
in this post we will set the best 10 Place to visit in Marrakech :
It was created by the French Orientalist artist Jacques Majorelle over almost forty years, starting in 1923, and features a Cubist villa designed by the French architect, Paul Sinoir in the 1930s.
The property was the residence of the artist and his wife from 1923 until their divorce in the 1950s.
In the 1980s, the property was purchased by the fashion designers, Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé who worked to restore it.
Today, the garden and villa complex is open to the public.
The villa houses the Amazigh Museum and in 2017 the Yves Saint Laurent Museum opened nearby.
Jemaa el-Fna, located in Marrakesh's medina quarter, is a vibrant square and bustling market that continues to serve as the heart of the city. It attracts both locals and tourists, offering a fascinating blend of sights and sounds.
During the daytime, the square is abuzz with activity. You'll find numerous orange juice stalls, where refreshing beverages are sold. Water sellers with traditional leather water-bags and brass cups can also be seen, adding to the cultural ambiance. Among the vibrant crowd, young individuals can be spotted with chained Barbary apes, while snake charmers captivate onlookers with their mesmerizing performances.
As the day progresses, the atmosphere undergoes a transformation. The snake charmers bid their farewell, making way for a different kind of entertainment. The square becomes increasingly crowded, and you'll be treated to the enchanting melodies of Amazigh singing-boys. Storytellers captivate the audience with tales in Berber or Arabic, offering a glimpse into the local culture. Magicians and vendors of traditional medicines also contribute to the lively scene. As night descends, the square comes alive with the aroma of delicious food emanating from numerous food stalls, attracting a large number of people.
Jemaa el-Fna is flanked on one side by the Marrakesh souk, a traditional North African market catering to the daily needs of locals as well as the demands of tourists. On the other sides, you'll find hotels, gardens, and café terraces, while narrow streets lead you into the charming alleys of the medina quarter.
Beyond its role as a market and gathering place, Jemaa el-Fna holds great significance for the preservation of Amazigh culture. It provides a platform for storytellers to share their tales and helps keep the rich cultural heritage alive. As a result, this vibrant square has garnered international attention, drawing visitors from around the world.
The Menara Gardens are a historic public garden and orchard in Marrakech, Morocco
They were established in the 12th century (circa 1157) by the Almohad Caliphate ruler Abd al-Mu'min.
Along with the Agdal Gardens and the historic walled city of Marrakesh, the gardens have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.
The gardens are laid out around a central water basin and reservoir, next to which is a pleasure pavilion dating in its current form from the 19th century.
The reservoir and its pavilion, often framed in pictures against the background of the High Atlas Mountains to the south, are considered one of the iconic views and symbols of Marrakesh.
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Koutoubia Mosque is the largest mosque in Marrakesh, Morocco
The mosque's name is also variably rendered as Jami' al-Kutubiyah, Kutubiya Mosque, Kutubiyyin Mosque, and Mosque of the Booksellers.
It is located in the southwest medina quarter of Marrakesh, near the famous public place of Jemaa el-Fna, and is flanked by large gardens.
The mosque was founded in 1147 by the Almohad caliph Abd al-Mu'min right after he conquered Marrakesh from the Almoravids.
A second version of the mosque was entirely rebuilt by Abd al-Mu'min around 1158, with Ya'qub al-Mansur possibly finalizing construction of the minaret around 1195.
This second mosque is the structure that stands today.
It is considered a classic and important example of Almohad architecture and of Moroccan mosque architecture generally.
The Ben Youssef Madrasa is an Islamic madrasa (college) in Marrakesh, Morocco
Functioning today as a historical site, the Ben Youssef Madrasa was the largest Islamic college in the Maghreb at its height.
The madrasa is named after the adjacent Ben Youssef Mosque built by the Almoravid Sultan Ali ibn Yusuf in the early 12th century.
The madrasa building which stands today was commissioned by the Sa'di sultan Abdallah al-Ghalib in the 16th century, following a style established during the earlier Marinid period.
The medersa was for four centuries a home for students in various sciences, including theology. It had 132 rooms intended for students not originally from Marrakech.
Its proportions and rich decoration make it a particularly harmonious monument.
El Badi Palace is a ruined palace located in Marrakesh, Morocco.
It was commissioned by the sultan Ahmad al-Mansur of the Saadian dynasty a few months after his accession in 1578, with construction and embellishment continuing throughout most of his reign.
The palace, decorated with materials imported from numerous countries ranging from Italy to Mali, was used for receptions and designed to showcase the Sultan's wealth and power.
It was one part of a larger Saadian palace complex occupying the Kasbah district of Marrakesh.
Today it is a major tourist attraction in Marrakesh as well as an exhibition space; notably, the Minbar of the Kutubiyya Mosque is displayed here.
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The Bahia Palace is a mid to late 19th-century palace in Marrakesh, Morocco
The palace was first begun by Si Musa, grand vizier of Alaouite sultan Muhammad ibn Abd al-Rahman, in 1859 and then continued and expanded by his son Si Ba Ahmed ibn Musa, grand vizier of Sultan Moulay Abdelaziz between 1894 and 1900.
Today it is a well-known historic monument and tourist attraction in the Marrakech city.
The palace is most famous for its decoration.
Its walls feature stucco carved with Arabic inscriptions, geometric patterns, arabesques, and muqarnas.
Its floors are paved with marble and zellij tiles. Among its most famous elements are the cedar-wood ceilings painted with colourful floral patterns, along with the carved and painted wooden canopies of major doorways.
The materials for this decoration were imported by Ba Ahmed from all over Morocco, including marble from Meknes , cedar wood from the Middle Atlas, and tiles from Tetouan.
Artisans from all across the country were also employed for the job.
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The Dar Si Saïd Museum, Marrakech, Morocco
The Dar Si Saïd Museum is a museum located in Marrakech, entirely dedicated to Moroccan wood craftsmanship.
This large residence was built at the end of the 19th century by Si Saïd, brother of Ba Ahmed, chamberlain of Sultan Moulay Hassan I and Grand Vizier of Moulay Abdelaziz, to serve as his residence.
Dar Si Said was converted into a museum in 1932 by the Beaux Arts Administration.
Most of the collections of this regional museum come from Marrakech and the south and particularly from Tensift, Souss, High Atlas, Anti-Atlas, Bani, Tafilalet.
These are homogeneous sets of woodwork, jewelry from the South, pottery and ceramics, weapons, costumes and a rich collection of carpets and weavings from the South, and some archaeological pieces including the marble tank from the beginning of the eleventh century.
The Saadian Tombs are a historic royal necropolis in Marrakesh, Morocco
Located on the south side of the Kasbah Mosque, inside the royal kasbah (citadel) district of the city.
They date to the time of the Saadian dynasty and in particular to the reign of Ahmad al-Mansur (1578–1603), though members of Morocco's monarchy continued to be buried here for a time afterwards.
The complex is regarded by many art historians as the high point of Moroccan architecture in the Saadian period due to its luxurious decoration and careful interior design.
Today the site is a major tourist attraction in Marrakesh.
Souk Semmarine , Marrakech, Morocco
Busy market offering everything from colorful clothes and fabrics to antiques, spices and food.
This is a real must-see during your visit to the souks of Marrakech. The Semmarine souk is where you will find hundreds of models of slippers of all colors, some more fanciful than others.
