Photo: Petar Milošević · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
A thousand years of imperial history, palaces and gardens, and an energy that never drops: Marrakech is the gate to the south, between the snowy Atlas and the desert. Jemaa el-Fna square is a UNESCO-listed open-air theatre.
Don't miss
Jemaa el-Fna
Storytellers, snake charmers and orange-juice stands by day; smoking street restaurants by night. The beating heart of the city.
Majorelle Garden
Yves Saint Laurent's electric blue, giant cacti and the Berber museum. Book the early-morning slot.
Ben Youssef Medersa
A masterpiece of Merinid art: zellige, carved cedar and stucco that take your breath away.
The souks
Kilometres of workshops: tanners, coppersmiths, dyers. Getting lost is the whole point.
What to eat
Tangia marrakchia (meat slow-cooked in hammam ashes), the square's evening grills, and a sunset coffee on a terrace facing the Koutoubia.
The Veyama tip
See the gardens (Majorelle, Secret Garden) before 10am and the medersa at opening time — heat and crowds arrive together.
Where to eat
Our favourite tables — renowned addresses picked by the team. Want a reservation? Tick “restaurants” when booking your hotel.
Nomad
Modern Moroccan cooking on a rooftop facing the Spice Square.
Al Fassia
The Guéliz classic, run by an all-female kitchen brigade.
Chez Lamine
The king of mechoui (roast lamb), steps from Jemaa el-Fna.
