Where should you stay in Marrakech? The question seems to be only about the hotel, but it decides a lot: the time you spend in taxis, the noise at night, how easy it is to reach your room with your suitcases, and even the feel of your stay. Every day we drive travellers to every part of the city, from riads at the end of narrow lanes to resorts in the Palmeraie. Here is what to know about each area to make your choice, and how the arrival from the airport works.
The medina: staying in a riad
The medina is the walled old city, with its souks, palaces and hundreds of riads, traditional houses built around a courtyard. Staying there means having Jemaa el-Fna, the souks and the monuments on foot, and living to the rhythm of the city, from the morning call to prayer to the calm of the rooftop terraces in the evening.
Not every part of the medina is the same:
- Around Jemaa el-Fna and Riad Zitoun: central and very lively, ideal for doing everything on foot, noisier in the evening.
- Mouassine and Bab Laksour: west of the souks, with good restaurants, designer shops and a slightly calmer atmosphere.
- The Kasbah: to the south, near the Saadian Tombs and El Badi Palace, more residential, with easier car access and the airport a quarter of an hour away.
- Bab Doukkala and the north of the medina: more local and less touristy, for those who want a lived-in neighbourhood.
What to know: most lanes are too narrow for cars. The driver drops you at the nearest accessible point, then you walk anything from a few metres to ten minutes, with your bags carried by a porter with a handcart. Rooms are often upstairs, up steep stairs, and riad pools are small courtyard plunge pools, not pools for swimming.
Gueliz: the modern city
Built during the protectorate, Gueliz is the heart of the new town: avenues, cafés, art galleries, restaurants and apartments. Hotels are often cheaper than in the medina, supermarkets and pharmacies are close at hand, and getting around by car is easy. Allow ten minutes by taxi or half an hour on foot to Jemaa el-Fna. It is a good choice for long stays, smaller budgets and those who want a conventional hotel.
Hivernage: the big hotels
Between Gueliz and the medina, Hivernage is home to large hotels with pools and gardens, upmarket restaurants and part of the nightlife. The ramparts and the Koutoubia are 15 to 20 minutes’ walk away, and the airport a quarter of an hour. Families find what riads lack: big pools, connecting rooms and easy car access.
The Palmeraie: resorts and villas
North of the city, the Palmeraie has resorts, villas with private pools and several golf courses among the palm trees. It is the ideal place to rest, in a group or as a family, but you depend on a car: the medina is about twenty minutes’ drive away, and there is nothing to do on foot outside the hotel. Many places offer a shuttle into town; check the times.
Agafay and the Atlas valleys: staying outside the city
A night or two at a camp in the Agafay desert or a lodge in the Atlas combines very well with a city stay. These places are 45 minutes to an hour away, and the access tracks can be hard to find at night: our guide to getting to your Agafay camp explains how to organise it.
The areas compared
| Area | Atmosphere | Best for | Jemaa el-Fna | Airport |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medina | Riads, lanes, local life | First visit, couples | 0 to 15 min on foot | 15 to 25 min, then on foot |
| Gueliz | Modern city, restaurants | Smaller budgets, long stays | 10 min by taxi | 15 to 20 min |
| Hivernage | Big hotels, pools | Families, comfort | 15 to 20 min on foot | 10 to 15 min |
| Palmeraie | Resorts, villas, golf | Rest, groups | 20 min by car | 25 to 35 min |
| Agafay, Atlas | Camps, lodges | Peace, nature | 45 to 60 min | 45 to 60 min |
Arriving from the airport: how it works
Marrakech Menara airport is only six kilometres from the medina. With a private transfer, your driver waits in the arrivals hall with a sign bearing your name, even if the flight is late. For a hotel in Gueliz, Hivernage or the Palmeraie, the driver drops you at the door.
For a riad, the driver takes you to the nearest point reachable by car, calls the riad and walks with you to the door, often with a porter for the suitcases. This is especially valuable on a first arrival at night, when every lane looks the same. Our Marrakech airport transfer guide covers all the options, from the bus to taxis.
A few tips before you book
- Noise: in the medina the call to prayer starts before dawn. Bring earplugs if you are a light sleeper.
- With children or a pushchair, Hivernage or the Palmeraie are more practical; in the medina, choose a riad close to a gate reachable by car. See also our article on family travel in Morocco.
- With reduced mobility, avoid riads deep in the lanes and check there is a ground-floor room.
- To get around afterwards, petits taxis are handy in town: our article on taxis in Marrakech explains how to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Once you have settled in, our list of things to do in Marrakech helps you plan your days.
Book your arrival
Our Marrakech airport transfer runs 24 hours a day to every area, at a fixed price per vehicle, with an escort to the door of your riad. If you land in Casablanca, the Casablanca airport to Marrakech transfer takes you straight to where you are staying, with no change of train.
