MARRAKECH
Morocco
QUICK TAKE
Morocco rewards the riad experience — traditional houses with interior courtyards that block out the medina chaos. The souks are intense and the hustle is real, but behind unmarked doors are some of the most beautiful boutique hotels anywhere. Book a riad, hire a guide for day one, and lean into the sensory overload.
WHERE TO STAY
FOR THE FIRST-TIMER
STAY IN
Medina (near Jemaa el-Fnaa or Mouassine)
WHY
The medina is the point — you want to be in the maze of souks and riads, not outside it. Stay near the main square for orientation, or in Mouassine for a slightly calmer but still central experience. Walking out your door into the ancient city is the whole experience.
OUR PICK
Riad Yasmine or El Fenn
~$150-350/night
FOR THE LUXURY ESCAPE
STAY IN
La Mamounia or Palmeraie
WHY
La Mamounia is the legendary palace hotel — Winston Churchill's favorite, gardens designed by Jacques Majorelle. If you want Moroccan grandeur with world-class service, this is it. The Palmeraie has villa resorts outside the city for pool-and-quiet seekers.
OUR PICK
La Mamounia or Selman Marrakech
~$500-1,500/night
FOR THE DESIGN/CULTURE SEEKER
STAY IN
Dar el Bacha area or Kasbah
WHY
Dar el Bacha is the emerging cool neighborhood — Musée Yves Saint Laurent nearby, design-forward riads, serious restaurants. The Kasbah (near the royal palace) is quieter, with artisan workshops and the mellah (old Jewish quarter) to explore.
OUR PICK
Riad Goloboy or Dar Darma
~$200-400/night
SKIP THESE
- × Hotels in Gueliz (new city)
The French colonial district has some decent restaurants but no soul. You came for the medina — stay in the medina.
- × Budget riads with no reviews
Riad quality varies wildly. A bad riad means cold showers and noise bleeding through walls. This isn't the place to gamble on price.
- × Staying only in Marrakech
The desert (Merzouga), Atlas Mountains, and coastal Essaouira are all doable as day trips or overnights. Marrakech alone isn't Morocco.
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TEXT US YOUR DATESLast updated: January 2025 · Prices are approximate