Djema El Fna and other Marrakesh, Morocco Things to Do Tips

Djema El Fna is the main market square in the "medina", the old town. During the day, you can see a lot of orange juice stalls, fresh date and nut sellers, henna tattooists, fortune tellers, acrobats, water sellers or snake charmers. But it is at night that the square comes more to life with all its food stalls trying to attract as many customers as possible (see my restaurant tips), its dancers, musicians, story-tellers (unfortunately only in Arabic), herborists ... No wonder that Djema El Fna was proclaimed "masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity" by Unesco (the medina is also a Unesco World Heritage site). I read that in the past, most of the Moroccan cities had such a market square but unfortunately, they didn't survive modern life and television. Djema El Fna itself would be a parking now if the authorities hadn't disagreed. This would have been a pity.

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This is an example of what you can see on Djema El Fna during the day. It's nice to see but I didn't know where to put it : in the "must see activities" because it's not something you can see everywhere and it's part of the old tradition or in the "tourist traps" because they actually don't do anything except trying to take as much money as they can from the tourists in exchange of a mere picture.

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Address: on Djema El Fna

You can't miss them on Djema El Fna. There are lots of them. Perfect to start the day with all necessary vitamins ;-)

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Address: Djema El Fna

This mosque is the higher one in Marrakesh (70m), you can't miss it ! It's even nicer during the night when the minaret is all lit up. Unfortunately, you can't enter it if you're not a Muslim but you can admire its simple but nice Hispano-Moorish architecture from the surrounding gardens smelling of roses.

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This wonderful garden was created by French painter Jacques Majorelle (1866-1962) in 1924 and opened to the public in 1947. It was then bought and renovated by designer Yves Saint Laurent who founded a small Islamic art museum on site and established a trust to ensure the garden's future existence.

The garden is so peaceful, it contrasts a lot with the rush and bustle of the city streets ! It is very pleasant to walk through the various pathways and viewing areas and admire the palms, cacti, bamboo, bougainvilleas and other exotic plants that were collected throughout the world by J. Majorelle, one of the most important plant collectors of his time. It's really stunning but much of the impact is created by the vivid colour of its structures known today as "bleu Majorelle" which contrasts with the green of the plants.

Garden/museum : +/- 2 euros
Open everyday from 8 a.m. to 12 and from 3 to 7 p.m. in summer, from 8 a.m. to 12 and from 2 to 5 p.m. the rest of the year.

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Directions: In the new town, just outside the walled medina.

Don’t miss this beautiful palace. It’s another good example of Moroccan architecture (decoration with tiles, fountains, carved-ceddar ceilings, gardens).

Entrance fee : 10 Dh (+/- 1 euro)
Sat.-Thur. : 8:30-11:15 a.m. and 2:30-5:45 p.m., Fri : 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 3:00-5:45 p.m.

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Address: Rue Riad Zitoun Djedid

This was originally one of the most beautiful palace in the world. But now, it's only ruins since the materials were used to build Moulay Ismail's own palace in Meknes.
You can explore the underground corridors and go on top to admire the view (mainly on the storks). At the entrance, guides will propose you a guided tour of the ruins but according to me, it's not necessary since there is nothing special to see.
Entrance fee is 10 Dh (1 euro) but if you don't have much time, forget about this place ;-)

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Address: near Place des Ferblantiers

A famous image of Marrakesh.
Located a bit outside the city (may be 2km from the Koutoubia), this is the perfect place to escape noisy Marrakesh for a while. The gardens are planted with palm and olive trees and behind the pavilion, there is an artificial lake which is used to irrigate the surrounding gardens.

Entrance is free. Spectacles sometimes take place on the water in the evening (entrance fee : 20-45 Dh)

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Address: Avenue de la Menara

The Marrakesh Museum gives a good example of the Moroccan architecture and decoration. This old palace (riad) from the 19th century was restored and really worths a visit to see its wonderful Moorish style tiles called "zelliges" on the walls and floors, its warm atmosphere, its old hammam, its art as well as its temporary exhibitions.

Open everyday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Entrance fee : 30 Dh (+/- 3 euros) for adults and +/- 1 euro for children

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Phone: + 212 (0)44 39 09 11/12
Address: Place Ben Youssef

Moorish-style tiles ("zelliges") on the walls in the museum. Typical of the Moroccan houses' interior. Our friend Kamal also had some in his appartement. Very nice, isn't it ?

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Phone: + 212 (0)44 39 09 11/12
Address: Place Ben Youssef