Regions of Marrakech
Regions of Marrakech
For many of us, Marrakech or the Rose City, is a revelation - a city so close to the UK and Europe yet seemingly from a different world. Exotic, eccentric, colorful and life-affirmingly chaotic.
Founded in 1062, Marrakech found itself over the years under the control of a procession of rulers, pashas and their dynasties (see our history section). More recently, the City was taken over by the French in 1916 who have since left their mark with the gifted renovation of many of the city’s hotels and riads. And in the 1950’s and 60’s Marrakech also gained a name as a pleasure capital with the regular visits by the likes of Paul Getty, Winston Churchill and the Rolling Stones, a reputation for enjoyment which continues to be well-earned.
Within Marrakech’s ancient red walls is the City’s epicenter, the Djemaa el-Fna square. Here, you find snake magicians, acrobats, charmers, herb and potion vendors, jugglers, storytellers and row on row of food stalls, all vying for the attentions of buyers and lookers. It is a human cacophony, seething with life. And leading off from the Djemaa el-Fna are the Souks, a mazy labyrinth of alleys where small stalls are clustered together by trade - textiles, woodwork, leatherwork, babouches (slippers), rugs, jewellery and spice stalls. A shopper’
There are broadly four areas to the City: North Medina, South Medina, Gueliz and Palmeraie. Each of these areas has its own different character to consider when selecting your riad or hotel.
North Medina
The North Medina, the home of the Djemaa el Fna and the Souks, is the most energetic of Marrakech’s four areas. Staying here offers visitors a walkable proximity to the heart of the City that is valuable for many shorter stays.
The North Medina gave birth to the culture of the riad hotel - small, renovated townhouses, now intimate hotels in court yarded buildings, offering an almost otherworldly insulation from the noise of the streets. As a result, the North Medina offers some of Morocco’s best value accommodation.
South Medina
The South Medina is the more refined sister of the North Medina. Central but less hectic, it draws visitors more interested in history and architecture. At the heart of the South Medina, the Place des Ferblantiers is edged with small studios selling lamps, wall hangings, picture frames and mirrors. Close by are the stucco archways and painted ceilings of the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, and the imposing, ruined Badii Palace.
Gueliz
Gueliz, with its broad, European-styled avenues, is Marrakech’s new city built in 1910’s. It borders the financial district, which has led to the creation of a number of more modern, luxurious hotels as well as a thriving choice of restaurants, bars and clubs.
While many travelers instinctively opt to stay in the Medina and its traditional hotels over Gueliz, many people enjoy staying here on account of its on-the door-step restaurants, night-life and entertainment, not to mention its contrast to the Medina. And of course, the Medina is only a short, cheap taxi ride away anyway.
La Palmeraie
La Palmeraie is a luxurious and peaceful district of Marrakech, characterized by its palm trees, wealthy villas, golf courses, and range of old and modern hotels. Compared to the North and South Medina, La Palmeraie is further away from the centre (10-20 mins by taxi depending on where exactly in La Palmeraie your hotel is located). However, it is often this short, dividing distance from Medina life which is exactly why many people choose to stay here.
So if you are looking to combine busy city visits with a more relaxing and luxurious mission to your stay (this contrast really works very well for many people), then La Palmeraie may be right for you.