Marrakesh is a city of red walls and ochre buildings, wrapped around a dense old medina full of souks, historic sites and the Jemaa el-Fnaa square. It is the most visited city in the country, and property and hotel development have grown dramatically in the 21st century, so the choice of where to base yourself is wide.
For a visitor, the city divides into three practical zones: the Medina, the fortified old city; Guéliz, also known as the Ville Nouvelle; and the surroundings beyond the city. This guide covers what each zone is like to stay in, who it suits and how it connects to the rest of Marrakesh. It does not recommend individual properties.
Best areas to stay in Marrakesh
1. The Medina
The Medina is the old fortified city, packed with vendors and their stalls, and it contains the Jemaa el-Fnaa square, a large number of souks, the Kutubiyya Mosque and many other historic and cultural sites. It has the highest concentration of very cheap hotels and riads — the traditional garden-courtyard houses, along with dars, the old grand houses converted into hotels and inns. Staying here puts you inside the historic fabric of the city and gives you a feel for life in Marrakesh.
It suits first-time visitors who want the sights on their doorstep, and budget travellers, since the cheapest rooms in the city are here. The trade-offs are practical: the medina is dense and easy to get lost in, so if you arrive by car, ask your hosts to help you find your way from the parking lot. Some riads can also be difficult to find on foot.
2. Guéliz (Ville Nouvelle)
Guéliz is the new town, and it is much quieter than the medina. Most of the hotels here are mid-range, typically including showers in the room and breakfast service. It suits travellers who prefer calm surroundings and more conventional hotel comforts over the intensity of the old city.
The main practical point is distance: getting from Guéliz to the Medina by taxi costs about 10–15 dirham and can take a long time at busy periods, especially evenings and weekends. Budget for that time and cost if you plan to spend your days in the old city.
3. The surroundings of the city
Outside the city proper you find the huge tourist hotels, the kind usually offered by travel agencies. They can be further away from the medina and the rest of the city, but they come with big swimming pools, restaurants and many services.
This zone suits travellers who want resort-style facilities and are happy to travel in for the sights, as well as families who value on-site space and services. The distance from the medina is the factor to weigh against the facilities.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: the Medina has the highest concentration of very cheap hotels, and there are cheap hostels and hotels that can be charming or seedy. Dorm beds and simple riad rooms are part of this range.
- Mid-range: Guéliz holds most of the mid-price hotels, typically with showers in the room and breakfast service. The Medina also offers riads and dars at moderate prices.
- Splurge: luxurious kasbahs in luxurious gardens, traditional riad hotels, and the huge tourist hotels in the surroundings with big swimming pools, restaurants and many services.
Best area for a first visit
For a first visit, base yourself in the Medina. It contains the Jemaa el-Fnaa square, the souks, the Kutubiyya Mosque and many other historic and cultural sites, so the main sights are within the old city rather than a taxi ride away. Staying in a riad or dar here also gives you a feel for life in Marrakesh, which is harder to get from the newer parts of the city.
Frequently asked questions
How many main zones are there to sleep in Marrakesh?
There are three: the Medina, Guéliz (also known as the Ville Nouvelle), and the surroundings of the city.
How do I get from Guéliz to the Medina?
By taxi, which costs about 10–15 dirham and can take a long time at busy periods, such as evenings and weekends.
What is the difference between a riad and a dar?
Traditionally, riads should have gardens, while smaller dars have open courtyards. The term riad is now used loosely to describe any house with an internal open-air centre.
Can I visit a riad if I am not staying in one?
It is worth visiting one to see the style of architecture. Most riad managers will show you around if they are not too busy, and in some riads you can book lunch or dinner without being a resident, provided the riad is not privately rented.
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