Should You Stay in the Medina of Marrakech? Pros, Cons & Tips
Should You Stay in the Medina of Marrakech? (Pros, Cons & What to Expect)
During my December 2022 visit to Marrakech, Morocco, the first question I asked myself was, “Should I stay in the Medina of Marrakech?” The Medina of Marrakech is the historic Islamic capital and the oldest part of the city, dating back to the 11th century. There are some clear pros and cons of staying in the Medina of Marrakech.
Pros and Cons of Staying in the Medina of Marrakech
Pros:
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Many restaurants and shops within the Medina of Marrakech are within walking distance of the hotels.
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Many of the riads are located inside the Medina of Marrakech and offer a true Moroccan experience.
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The Medina of Marrakech is located within walking distance of many tourist attractions.
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Staying in the Medina of Marrakech feels like going back in time.
Cons:
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The streets of the Medina of Marrakech are largely closed to cars.
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Staying in the Medina of Marrakech requires a lot of walking.
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For those with a poor sense of direction, it is easy to get lost in the Medina of Marrakech.
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There are parts of the Medina of Marrakech that are quite loud late into the hours of the night.
After taking all of this into consideration, I decided to book a room at the Riad Dar Hamid Hotel and Spa, which was located deep inside the Medina of Marrakech.
Should You Stay in the Medina of Marrakech? Pros, Cons & Tips - Table of Contents
- What are the Benefits of Staying Inside the Medina of Marrakech?
- Staying in the Medina of Marrakech – Riad Dar Hamid Hotel and Spa
- What To See – The Medina of Marrakech
- Shopping in the Medina of Marrakech – Be Prepared to Bargain
- Tours of the Medina of Marrakech
- Support Buzzin’ Around the World – Visit Our Affiliates
- Earning Points and Rewards
- Related Content
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Staying in the Medina of Marrakech – Riad Dar Hamid Hotel and Spa
Now that I had decided that I was going to stay in the Medina of Marrakech, I needed to figure out at which riad I was going to stay. I chose the Riad Dar Hamid Hotel and Spa, as it was highly rated and under $100 per night. I had also corresponded with a representative from the hotel who told me they would be able to store my luggage during my three-day tour of the Sahara Desert.
When I arrived in Marrakech, a representative from the Riad Dar Hamid Hotel and Spa met my transfer vehicle at the entrance to the Medina of Marrakech. He helped me navigate the streets of the medina and walked me to the entrance to the riad.
My room at the Riad Dar Hamid Hotel and Spa was spectacular. The room definitely had a Moroccan feeling with the blue wooden furniture and window covers. In addition to the comfortable queen bed, my room at the Riad Dar Hamid Hotel and Spa also had a very powerful air conditioner. Within minutes of arriving, I was given a tray of Moroccan cookies with tea and bottled water.
My room at the Riad Dar Hamid Hotel and Spa had a large soaking tub, sink, and toilet. I really enjoyed the colorful blue clay construction of the tub and sink.
Most of the rooms at the Riad Dar Hamid Hotel and Spa overlook the riad’s courtyard. The courtyard has an open roof that features a beautiful view of the blue sky. During my visit, I sat in the courtyard and worked on editing my photos.
Below is the narrow street where the Riad Dar Hamid Hotel and Spa is located. This hotel’s location is away from the crowds and offers a quiet stay in the Medina of Marrakech.
What To See in the Medina of Marrakech
During my stay in the Medina of Marrakech, I spent a few hours each day walking around the narrow streets of the medina. There is so much to see, and each street is a unique experience. In this section, I highlight a few of the top attractions.
Jemaa el-Fnaa – The Big Square of Marrakech
The busiest place in the Medina of Marrakech is an area known as Jemaa el-Fnaa (the Big Square). This square can only be described as chaotic, as there is a mix of kiosks, vendors, and street performers selling everything from silver to photos with a cobra.
The Big Square of the Medina of Marrakech is the main open area inside the medina. For those visiting the Medina for the first time, I highly recommend beginning their sightseeing and shopping at the Big Square and the surrounding souks (traditional Moroccan markets).
There are areas to shop all over the Big Square. In the photo below, multiple vendors are selling freshly squeezed fruit juices.
There are also many restaurants located inside the Big Square of the Medina of Marrakech. I highly recommend visiting one of the restaurants that serve Moroccan kebabs.
Throughout the Big Square of the Medina of Marrakech, there are street performers with cobras. The performers play the flute, and the cobras rise and appear to be hypnotized. It was a little bit unsettling walking close to the cobras, so I decided to keep my distance. I took the photo below with a 400 mm zoom lens.
Exploring the Outskirts of the Medina
For those visiting the Medina of Marrakech, you will likely want to explore the outskirts of the medina as well. This area is also lined with shops, restaurants, and street vendors. Unlike the medina and the denser Marrakech souks, the outskirts have much wider streets and more modern buildings.
Multiple pedestrian paths connect the City Center of Marrakech to the Medina. The tree-lined path below was my favorite way between the City Center and the Medina, as the trees provided shade from the hot sun.
Near the entrance to the Medina of Marrakech, close to Koutoubia Mosque and Jemaa el-Fnaa, you’ll see a long line of horse-drawn carriages (calèches) waiting to take visitors on rides around the city. I did not rent a horse carriage during my time visiting Marrakech.
Just past the entrance to the Medina of Marrakech is the Kutubiyya Mosque. This mosque is the largest in Marrakech and definitely worth the ten-minute walk from the Big Square.
Smaller Squares and Hidden Corners of the Medina
Throughout the Medina of Marrakech, there are a variety of smaller squares. Part of the fun of visiting the medina is getting lost in the narrow streets and exploring the various squares and smaller souks.
Each square is lined with shops selling everything imaginable. In addition to shopping, many rooftop restaurants offer traditional Moroccan cuisine.
Shopping in the Medina of Marrakech – How to Bargain
For those who are going to shop inside the Medina of Marrakech, you will need to bargain. The shopkeepers will typically name an initial price several times higher than what they are actually willing to accept for an item. Bargaining can be uncomfortable for some people, especially those coming from countries where items have fixed prices. In Morocco, it is part of the culture. Have fun with the bargaining process and do not be afraid to walk away if the price is not right. Chances are you will be able to find a similar item close by in one of the nearby souks.
There are hundreds of vendors inside the Medina of Marrakech selling jewelry. Be sure to shop around and know ahead of time what you are willing to pay.
Lanterns, Moroccan ceramics, and silver items are also very common inside the Medina of Marrakech.
My favorite item inside the Medina of Marrakech was the spices. Although I didn’t purchase any, it was fun to walk around and look at the various spices and seasonings that were for sale.
I was amazed at how multiple kiosks were selling the same items next to each other. Despite their proximity, they all seemed to be crowded and had plenty of business, which shows just how busy the Marrakech souks can be.
For those interested in purchasing clothing, either western or traditional Moroccan, there are plenty of opportunities. Be careful with sizes, as it appeared to me that Moroccan clothing ran extremely small.
Leather goods were another common product available for sale in the Medina of Marrakech.
The Medina of Marrakech isn’t just for tourists. There were a variety of household products available for sale as well.
Guided Tours of the Medina of Marrakech
I did not take a tour of the Medina of Marrakech. To me, part of the fun was getting lost in the narrow streets. I know that some people prefer to be led around by a local guide. The tours below all feature the Medina of Marrakech. Please note that I am an affiliate of Viator. If you purchase a package using one of my links, I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no additional cost to you.
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