Marrakech is without doubt the premier tourist destination in Morocco and many of the best places to stay have become destinations in their own right. The city offers more than a touch of exoticism and romance, with old souks, fascinating Medina and ancient buildings — many of which have been converted into atmospheric riads and hotels.
The best places to stay in the city itself are located either in or in close proximity to the Medina. There are also some lovely hotels just outside the city some of which are included in our list.
For luxury and 4/5 star comforts and facilities you will probably end up staying in one of the hotels outside the Medina or in the Palmerie, but it you want to get the real Marrakech experience, book a riad inside it, because these are the most exciting and atmospheric places to stay. For a full listing of Medina hotels check out our Ultimate Guide.
Some of our Marrakech Collections:
Mysterious and welcoming, Marrakech has been a medina town for as long as it can remember. A place desert caravans converged upon bringing in wonders from all over Morocco and the world beyond. The flavours of the spices and the recipes brought in off the desert, are one kind of wonder and one of the reasons Marrakech is considered a heaven for foodies.
Marrakech has no shortage of choice when it comes to eating with everything from street food to sumptuous feasts. The very best meal you have here may not be from a world renowned tasting menu or even a perfectly tender teyhan (spleen) kebab in the medina, but something home cooked and served on the rooftop of your riad. Whichever of our foodie favourites you choose, it's worth giving the staff plenty of notice about any dietary requirements, as they'll more than likely tailor a menu to your needs.
Wherever you're dining the traditional way to enjoy your food is with your bare right hand - use breads to scoop - and plenty of gusto!
Shopping is done with a similar level of energy and gusto. You can buy almost anything in The Souk adjacent to the Place Djemaa El-Fna. Haggling is what people do here and people are expecting it. It’s unlikely you’ll get the same prices as a local would but you should definitely give it a go!
Once you've been out in it for a couple of hours the sun may begin to feel relentless and the crowds and dust of the medina are easy to become lost in. Of course it begins to feel as if everyone is trying to sell you something, because, well, everyone is trying to sell you something. But Marrakech has the perfect answer to the problem of Marrakech, a glorious tradition of pampering spa treatments - the hammam, or Turkish bath. The hammams work on the principle that if you've come in off the desert you'll need a good steam followed by a darn good scrub.
What not to Miss
- Explore the frenetic streets and alleyways leading towards Djemaa el-Fna Square, which are filled with people finishing long journeys - some off buses, some have carts. Tuareg, Berbers and other tribesmen come in off the Sahara to trade amongst mysterious herbs drying in the sun, heaped piles of colourful spices and air thick with the smell and smoke of cooking.
- You cannot visit Marrakech without a trip to the souk - but be prepared to haggle!
- You also cannot visit the city without experiencing a hammam.
- Visit the Palmeraie, a real oasis on the outskirts of the city;
- The Koutoubia Mosque, which is like Marrakech’s Eiffel Tower;
- the beautifully decorated Saadian Tombs;
- the Dar Is Said Museum,
- the El Bahia Palace
- and the Ben Youssef Madrassa.
There is plenty of choice of accommodation so selecting one of the best places to stay in Marrakech shouldn't be a problem. Choosing just depends on your preference and budget.