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Jemaa el-Fnaa at sunset, Marrakech

No. 95 Top 100 City Destinations 2025

Marrakech

Morocco

Morocco's Red City: souks, palaces, riads and the endless spectacle of Jemaa el-Fnaa.

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Photo: Herokk, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Marrakech is No. 95 in Euromonitor International's Top 100 City Destinations Index 2025. The city lies at the foot of the High Atlas mountains in central Morocco.

Its walled medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a maze of souks, mosques, palaces and courtyard riads, centred on the great square of Jemaa el-Fnaa.

The Majorelle Garden, Marrakech
The Majorelle Garden, Marrakech. Photo: Haimed mohamed, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Best time to go

March to May and October to November are warm and pleasant.

Summers are very hot, often above 38 °C; winter days are mild but nights are cold.

Top sights

  • 1

    Jemaa el-Fnaa

    The main square, with musicians, storytellers and food stalls in the evening.

  • 2

    The souks

    Covered market lanes north of the square, selling leather, lamps, spices and carpets.

  • 3

    Koutoubia Mosque

    The city's 12th-century landmark minaret, best seen from the gardens around it.

  • 4

    Bahia Palace

    A 19th-century palace of tiled courtyards and painted ceilings.

  • 5

    Majorelle Garden

    A garden of cacti and bright blue buildings, next to the Yves Saint Laurent Museum.

  • 6

    Saadian Tombs

    Richly decorated 16th-century royal tombs in the kasbah.

Getting there

Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) is about 6 km south-west of the medina; buses and taxis take 15 to 20 minutes.

Trains link Marrakech with Casablanca in about 2.5 hours, connecting there with the high-speed line to Rabat and Tangier.

Getting around

The medina is best explored on foot. Petit taxis serve the rest of the city; agree the fare or insist on the meter.

Practical tips

Currency
Moroccan dirham (MAD). Carry cash for the souks and small shops; cards are accepted in hotels and larger restaurants.
Language
Arabic and Amazigh (Berber). French is widely spoken, and English in tourist areas.
Dress & customs
Dress modestly in the medina. Bargaining is normal in the souks.
Safety
Marrakech is generally safe; watch for pickpockets and turn down unofficial guides politely. The emergency number is 19 (police).
Visa & entry
Citizens of many countries, including the US, Canada, the UK, Australia and EU countries, can visit Morocco visa-free for up to 90 days. Your passport should be valid for the length of your stay.
Power
230 V, 50 Hz; plug types C and F.

Official information: Visit Morocco (official tourism website). Check opening hours, prices and entry rules there before you go.

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