Should You Stay in the Medina of Marrakech? Pros, Cons & What to Expect
Should You Stay in the Medina of Marrakech? Pros, Cons & Tips
During my December 2022 visit to Marrakech, Morocco, one of the first questions I had to answer was, “Should I stay in the Medina of Marrakech?” The Medina of Marrakech is the historic center of the city, with origins dating back to the 11th century. It is also one of the most atmospheric, confusing, crowded, and memorable places to stay in Marrakech.
For my trip, I decided to book a room at a riad inside the Marrakech Medina. This gave me easy access to Jemaa el-Fnaa, the souks, restaurants, and the narrow streets that make the medina such a unique place to explore. At the same time, staying inside the medina also meant more walking, limited vehicle access, and the very real possibility of getting lost.
This article covers the pros and cons of staying in the Medina of Marrakech, what my riad was like, what I saw nearby, and what to expect if you are deciding whether the medina is the right place to stay.
Is the Medina of Marrakech a Good Place to Stay?
Yes, I think the Medina of Marrakech is a good place to stay if you want to be close to the souks, restaurants, Jemaa el-Fnaa, and the historic center of the city. Staying inside the medina makes it easy to explore Marrakech on foot and gives you the chance to stay in a traditional riad instead of a standard hotel.
That said, the medina is not the best choice for everyone. The streets are narrow, cars cannot reach many hotels directly, and it can be easy to get lost. Some areas are also noisy at night, especially near the busier parts of the Marrakech Medina.
For my trip, the benefits outweighed the drawbacks. I was glad I stayed inside the Medina of Marrakech, but I would recommend it most to travelers who are comfortable walking, navigating narrow streets, and staying in the middle of a busy historic area.
Should You Stay in the Medina of Marrakech? Pros, Cons & What to Expect - Table of Contents
- Should You Stay in the Medina of Marrakech? Pros, Cons & Tips
- Pros and Cons of Staying in 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
- Tours of the Medina of Marrakech
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- Related Content
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Pros and Cons of Staying in the Medina of Marrakech
There are some clear advantages and disadvantages to staying in the Medina of Marrakech. Before booking a riad or hotel inside the medina, it is worth thinking about how you like to travel.
Pros:
- Many restaurants and shops inside the Medina of Marrakech are within walking distance of the hotels.
- Many of the riads in Marrakech are located inside the medina and offer a more traditional Moroccan experience.
- The Medina of Marrakech is within walking distance of Jemaa el-Fnaa, the souks, and many tourist attractions.
- Staying in the Marrakech Medina feels like going back in time.
- It is a good base if you want to explore mostly on foot.
Cons:
- Many streets inside the Medina of Marrakech are too narrow or impractical for cars.
- Staying in the medina requires a lot of walking.
- For those with a poor sense of direction, it is easy to get lost in the Medina of Marrakech.
- Some parts of the medina can be loud late into the night.
- It may not be ideal if you prefer modern hotels, easy vehicle access, or quieter surroundings.
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.
Staying in the Medina of Marrakech: Riad Dar Hamid Hotel and Spa
Now that I had decided to stay in the Medina of Marrakech, I needed to choose a riad. I picked the Riad Dar Hamid Hotel and Spa because 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.
My stay at Riad Dar Hamid Hotel and Spa is a good example of what staying inside the Medina of Marrakech was like. The riad was quiet and comfortable once I was inside, but getting there required walking through the narrow streets of the medina.
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 narrow streets of the medina and walked me directly to the entrance of the riad.
My room at the Riad Dar Hamid Hotel and Spa was spectacular. The room had a clear Moroccan style, with blue wooden furniture and window covers. In addition to the comfortable queen bed, my room also had a very powerful air conditioner. Within minutes of arriving, I was given a tray of Moroccan cookies with tea and bottled water.
The bathroom had a large soaking tub, sink, and toilet. I really enjoyed the colorful blue clay construction of the tub and sink.
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 feels different. In this section, I highlight a few of the main areas I visited.
Jemaa el-Fnaa: The Main Square in the Medina of Marrakech
The busiest place in the Medina of Marrakech is an area known as Jemaa el-Fnaa, often referred to as the Big Square. This square can only be described as chaotic, with a mix of kiosks, vendors, restaurants, and street performers selling everything from silver to photos with a cobra.
Jemaa el-Fnaa is the main open area inside the medina. For first-time visitors, I highly recommend beginning your sightseeing and shopping at the Big Square and the surrounding Marrakech souks.
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, there are street performers with cobras. The performers play the flute, and the cobras rise and appear to move with the performance. It was a little unsettling walking close to the cobras, so I decided to keep my distance. I took the photo below with a 400 mm zoom lens.
Walking Around 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 denser parts of the medina and the Marrakech souks, the outskirts have 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 to walk between the city center and the medina because 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, known as 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 Koutoubia Mosque, also spelled Kutubiyya Mosque. It is the largest mosque in Marrakech and is definitely worth the short walk from Jemaa el-Fnaa.
Smaller Squares, Souks, and Side Streets
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. I never felt like I needed a guide just to walk around, but I did get turned around more than once. The Marrakech Medina is best explored with patience, especially if it is your first time visiting the city.
Each square is lined with shops selling almost everything imaginable. In addition to shopping, many rooftop restaurants offer traditional Moroccan cuisine.
Shopping in the Medina of Marrakech: Souks, Bargaining, and What to Expect
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 usually have fixed prices. In Morocco, it is part of the shopping 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 nearby in one of the Marrakech 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 items inside the medina were 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 and exploring on my own. That said, I know that some people prefer to be led around by a local guide, especially in a place where the streets can be confusing. A guided tour of the Marrakech Medina may be a good option if you want more context, easier navigation, or help finding specific areas of the souks.
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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