The Medina of Marrakesh, founded in the 11th century, has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and has preserved its medieval urban layout to this day. Interestingly, the Medina of Marrakesh is the second-largest historic medina in the world, surpassed only by the medina of Fez.
The Medina of Marrakesh is a place where time seems to flow at a different rhythm. A labyrinth of narrow alleyways, intense aromas of spices, an incredible variety of vendors, and the sounds of muezzins create an extraordinary mosaic of sensations unlike anywhere else in the world. This is where the historical heart of Marrakesh beats, a city known as the “Red Pearl of Morocco.” Interestingly, within its walls there are over 20,000 alleyways, many of which have no names, and finding your way without a map or a local guide can be a real challenge. This, however, is part of its charm. Getting lost in the medina often leads to the discovery of hidden riads, craft workshops, or small cafés rarely visited by tourists.
In this article, I will take you deep into the medina of Marrakesh, showcasing its most important places, practical tips for visitors, and the stories hidden behind the walls of one of the most fascinating cities in North Africa. We managed to see most of the medina, as we spent over five days there, exploring almost every alleyway.
BOUNDARIES OF THE MEDINA IN MARRAKESH
WALLS OF THE OLD CITY
The characteristic brick-red walls of the Marrakesh medina are one of the city’s most recognizable symbols. They were built in the 12th century, during the reign of the Almoravid and Almohad dynasties, and to this day they almost entirely encircle the historic center. Their total length is about 19 kilometers, making them among the best-preserved defensive walls in North Africa. The walls were constructed from local clay mixed with lime, a material known as pisé. Thanks to this, they blend perfectly into the landscape and change color depending on the time of day—from light pink in the morning to deep red at sunset. It is this hue that earned Marrakesh the nickname “the Red City.”
The medina is accessed through several monumental gates (babs), each with its own history and significance. Bab Agnaou, considered the most beautiful, once served as a ceremonial entrance for rulers and royal guests. Bab el-Khemis functioned as a market gate, while Bab Doukkala was an important communication point for caravans arriving from the north. Interestingly, many of the gates were designed with bends and corridors, intended to slow down potential invaders.
Today, the walls no longer serve a defensive purpose, but they still clearly mark the boundary between the chaotic, vibrant world of the medina and the modern districts of Marrakesh. A walk along the walls, especially at sunset, is a perfect way to sense the scale and power of the old city and to understand the important role the medina played in the region’s history.
INNER GATES
Although the monumental gates leading into the medina attract the most attention, the inner gates also played an important role in its functioning. They primarily marked the boundaries between districts, souks, and religious and residential areas. This allowed the vast medina to operate like a well-organized, self-contained city. Moreover, these gates were often closed at night, enhancing security and controlling movement after dark. Passing through them signified a change of space—from the bustling market to a quiet residential area. Today, the massive wooden doors and traces of their old locking mechanisms are still visible.
Although more modest than the outer babs, the inner gates are often adorned with horseshoe arches and geometric ornaments. Interestingly, some of them were associated with specific crafts, such as tanners or dyers. Today, it’s easy to overlook them in the maze of alleyways, but it’s worth slowing down. They serve as a reminder that the medina was a carefully designed and logically planned space, not a chaotic one.
DOORS IN THE MEDINA
Speaking of gates, it’s worth mentioning the entrance doors to buildings, which are one of the most characteristic features of the Marrakesh medina. From the outside, houses and riads often appear modest, with facades almost devoid of windows. It is the doors that serve as the main decorative element and a showcase of the residents. Traditional Moroccan doors are made of thick wood and richly decorated with carvings, metal fittings, and geometric patterns. They are often painted in vibrant colors—blue, green, or brown—and feature two knockers of different shapes. Interestingly, each knocker produces a distinct sound, signaling to the household whether a woman or a man is at the door.
Doors in the medina serve not only a practical purpose but also a symbolic one. They emphasize the idea of privacy, so important in traditional Islamic architecture, and separate the bustling streets from the quiet life inside the homes. While walking through the medina, it’s worth slowing down and paying attention to them. It is in these details that the authentic character of Marrakesh is revealed.
JAMAA EL-FNA SQUARE
Jemaa el-Fnaa is the most famous square in Marrakesh and the vibrant heart of the medina. For centuries, it has been the center of the city’s social, commercial, and cultural life. During the day, the square is filled with juice vendors, souvenir sellers, and snake charmers, while in the evening it transforms into a huge open stage full of sounds, scents, and lights. Importantly, Jemaa el-Fnaa has been inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List as a unique example of a living tradition. Here, one can encounter storytellers passing tales down through generations, Gnawa musicians, acrobats, and fortune tellers. Interestingly, the name of the square means “assembly of the dead,” as it was once a site for public executions.
For us, the square didn’t make a positive impression. It’s a large concrete expanse with no shelter from the scorching sun. Mostly empty, and partially blocked off with some fencing, presumably due to renovation.
MEDINA IN MARRAKESH – SOUKS
The souks in the Marrakesh medina are among the most colorful and characteristic elements of the old city. It is within this dense network of partially covered streets that daily life has unfolded for centuries. Each souk has its own specialty—from spices and herbs to ceramics, lamps, leather goods, fabrics, jewelry, and traditional clothing. Importantly, the layout of the souks is not random. Artisans belonging to the same guild worked in the same area of the medina, which kept trade organized. Even today, the differences between the zones are evident, both in terms of merchandise and atmosphere. The souks are not only places for shopping but also spaces for social interaction and negotiation. Haggling is a natural part of the local culture and a form of conversation. Walking through the souks allows visitors to better understand the daily life of the medina and its artisanal heritage, which, despite its popularity among tourists, has retained its authentic character.
In a separate article > MARRAKESH – PRACTICAL GUIDE > I will show and describe in detail exactly what you can buy in the Marrakesh souks. From local products and handicrafts to souvenirs worth paying attention to, as well as those better to avoid. This will help you plan your shopping and navigate one of the most fascinating markets in the world.
MEDINA IN MARRAKESH – STREETS
The streets of the Marrakesh medina form a dense, multi-level labyrinth, which for many visitors is one of the most fascinating yet also most overwhelming elements of the old city. The narrow alleys, often only a few steps wide, were established in the medieval period and have preserved their original layout to this day. Importantly, the lack of a conventional street plan is not accidental—it was designed to protect residents from the heat, wind, and uninvited guests.
Walking through the medina, it’s easy to notice that the streets change according to the function of each part of the city. Near the souks, they are loud, crowded, and filled with the scents of spices, while just a few steps away, they turn into quiet alleys leading to riads and residential homes. These contrasts best reflect the rhythm of life in the medina. Interestingly, many streets have no names or signs, and orientation relies on landmarks such as mosques, fountains, or inner gates.
TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION IN THE MEDINA
Getting around the Marrakesh medina is a unique, but sometimes exhausting experience. The narrow streets and maze-like alleys require visitors to have a bit of orientation and patience. Cars only navigate a few of the wider streets, as the rest are simply too narrow, so the main modes of transport are walking, scooters, bicycles, and traditional donkeys and carts used for transporting goods. The most challenging are the scooters and motorcycles—they require constant attention, and their noise carries through the highly resonant medina late into the night.
Near the main square, colorful horse-drawn carriages are stationed, specially arranged for tourists.
WORKSHOPS
The medina in Marrakesh is not only about streets and souks but also the heart of traditional craftsmanship. In its narrow alleys, hundreds of workshops operate where artisans have been creating goods using ancient techniques for generations ranging from tanners, blacksmiths, and carpet weavers to potters, sculptors, dyers, as well as modern automotive and bicycle workshops that showcase the contemporary side of medina life. Visiting a workshop allows you to see the production process and learn about local traditions. Many have operated in the same location for centuries, and proximity to the souks made selling their products easier. While exploring the medina, it’s worth paying attention not only to the colorful stalls but also to hidden workshops, which silently testify to Marrakesh’s artisanal heritage.
HISTORICAL SITES OF THE MEDINA
Most of the historical sites and museums of the medina are described in a separate guide > SIGHTSEEING IN MARRAKESH : MUSEUMS, PALACES AND NECROPOLEIS >. The ones covered in that guide are:
- MEDRESA BEN YOUSSEF – KORANIC SCHOOL
- MARRAKESH MUSEUM
- BAHIA PALACE
- EL BADI PALACE
- SECRET GARDEN
- PERFUME MUSEUM
- SAADIAN TOMBS
However, within the medina, you can also find several other noteworthy sites:
ALMORAID KOUBBA
The Almoravid Koubba (Koubba Ba’adiyn) is one of the oldest and most valuable monuments in the Marrakesh medina, and the only surviving structure from the Almoravid dynasty. It was built in the 12th century and rediscovered only in the 1940s, when it was partially below ground level. The building served as an ablution pavilion, associated with ritual washing before prayer. Its interior impresses with rich decoration: intricate vegetal motifs, geometric patterns, and a dome with characteristic ribs, which foreshadow the later Almohad architecture. It is a rare example of early Islamic architecture in Morocco and provides insight into the beginnings of Marrakesh as an imperial city.
LIBRARY
In the heart of the medina, near the Ben Youssef Madrasa, is the Ben Youssef Library. It is one of the lesser-known yet extremely important sites on the city’s historical map. For centuries, it served as a center of learning and education, closely connected to the nearby Koranic school and mosque. The library was established in the 16th century and housed valuable manuscripts, religious texts, scientific works, and literary books, including some of the oldest texts in Morocco.
KASBAH MOSQUE
The Kasbah Mosque is one of the most important religious monuments in the medina of Marrakesh, located in the historic Kasbah district, south of Jemaa el-Fnaa square. It was built in the 12th century by the Almohad caliph, Yaqub al-Mansur, as the main mosque of the royal district. Its most distinctive feature is the minaret, considered the prototype of the famous Koutoubia. Its simple, harmonious form, along with decorative bands and arches, became a model for later Almohad architecture in Morocco and Andalusia. Although the mosque’s interior is not accessible to non-Muslims, even a walk around the building allows visitors to appreciate its scale and significance. Today, it is one of the best-preserved examples of medieval Islamic architecture in Marrakesh.
WESTERN MEDINA – PARKS AND MONUMENTS
The western part of Marrakesh’s medina stands out for its greater greenery and a calmer atmosphere compared to the crowded souks in the city’s historic center. Here you can find some of the most important parks and landmarks, offering a moment of respite from the intense rhythm of the medina.
CYBER PARK
The Cyber Park Arsat Moulay Abdeslam is one of the most unusual spots in the western part of Marrakesh’s medina, combining history, greenery, and modernity. The park was established on the site of an 18th-century sultan’s garden, which, after renovation, became a public recreational space.
KUTUBIYYA MOSQUE
The Kutubiyya Mosque is one of Marrakesh’s most recognizable landmarks and a symbol of the entire medina. It was built in the 12th century during the Almohad dynasty and has served as the city’s main place of worship since its inception. Its most distinctive feature is the 77-meter-high minaret, visible from almost every corner of the medina. Its simple, harmonious form and Almohad-style decorations became a model for later Islamic architecture in Morocco and Andalusia.
EL-KOUTOUBIA GARDEN
Jardin el-Koutoubia is one of the most famous gardens in Marrakesh, located right next to the renowned Kutubiyya Mosque in the western part of the medina. It serves as a green oasis of calm amid the bustling old city and is a popular spot for both locals and tourists to stroll. The garden features well-maintained pathways, palm trees, orange trees, and flowerbeds, which contrast beautifully with the red hues of the mosque walls and minaret. The open space of Jardin el-Koutoubia provides some of the best views of the Kutubiyya minaret, particularly striking at sunset.
KUBBA FATIMA ZOHRA MAUSOLEUM
Kubba Fatima Zohra is a lesser-known but interesting site in the western part of Marrakesh’s medina. This small kubba, or mausoleum, is linked to local traditions and the veneration of saints, which has played an important role in the city’s religious life for centuries. The building features a simple form with a characteristic dome, typical of Moroccan kubbas. For locals, it serves as a place of prayer, reflection, and a symbol of the medina’s spiritual continuity.
CRAFTS HALL
The Crafts Hall is a modern building and one of the few of its kind within the medina. It symbolizes the continuity of Marrakesh’s artisanal traditions. This site is an important reference point for understanding how the medina functioned as a guild city. Craftsmanship here was not only a profession but also an element of identity and culture. One striking feature of the building, which also caught my attention, is its fantastic mosaics.
STORKS
One of the most surprising sights in the medina of Marrakesh is the storks. These birds especially favor the city’s defensive walls, minarets, and tall buildings, where they build their large, characteristic nests. Storks in Marrakesh are treated with great respect and affection. In local culture, they are considered a symbol of happiness and positive energy. Interestingly, some of the nests are located on historic monuments that are hundreds of years old, creating a unique blend of nature and architecture. The best places to observe storks are around the medina walls, the Kasbah, and the Kutubiyya Mosque.
ACCOMMODATION IN MARRAKESH
We spent a week staying in the old Medina of Marrakesh. We highly recommend our Riad, but I will describe it in the practical guide. If you decide to book accommodation in Marrakesh, I recommend using the Booking.com platform, which we have used successfully dozens of times. Through this link, you can book accommodation with a 15% discount!
Enter your desired dates and book safely:
MOROCCO – COUNTRY GUIDE > in preparation
MARRAKESH AND SURROUNDINGS:
- TOUBKAL – 4167 M – IN 2 DAYS >
- SIGHTSEEING IN MARRAKESH : MUSEUMS, PALACES AND NECROPOLEIS >
- MEDINA IN MARRAKESH
- MARRAKESH – PRACTICAL GUIDE > in preparation