The 5 Best Places for Travellers to Stay in Marrakech

When it comes to planning where to stay in Marrakech, ask yourself one question – what works for you? Are you intending to stay up until the early hours in buzzy restaurants and glitzy clubs? Are kids part of your travel plan? If so, how will you keep little minds occupied? Are you intending to go on sightseeing sprees, or would you prefer to graze the food stalls of sprawling Djemma el-Fna square in the Medina? Thinking about what style of holiday you require will help narrow down the best places for you to stay in Marrakech, whether it’s your first trip or you’re a repeat visitor looking for a stylish new district in which to lay your head. Read on for guidance on choosing the best Marrakech neighbourhoods and hotels for you.

Thanks to its compact size, all the best places to stay in Marrakech are within easy reach of the city’s spectacular and historic attractions, either by public transport, by taxi or on foot. Wherever you choose to stay, do remember that Morocco is an Islamic country and while there is no fixed dress code for visitors, dressing modestly – think loose clothing with shoulders and knees covered, for both men and women – shows respect to the local culture.

If you’re hitting gorgeous Marrakech for the first time, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Medina is absolutely the place to stay. Behind its 16-km circle of walls, it’s home to iconic landmarks such as 14th-century Medersa Ben Youssef Islamic school, Djemma el-Fna, mosques and palaces, and can easily be explored on foot. Best of all, however, you have the chance to stay in charming riad hotels, former Medina residences traditionally built around a series of leafy inner courtyards and known for their lavish wood carvings, ornate tiling and mosaics. These romantic little boltholes lend themselves to couples looking for luxury downtime in extra-special and exotic sanctuaries.

The winding lanes of the Medina offer a true slice of a timeless Moroccan way of life, with vibrant markets at every twist and turn. You can join a walking tour of the souks or strike out on your own to discover stalls piled high with herbs and spices, fresh produce, meat and fish. Part of the fun of visiting a souk is bargaining for souvenirs such as leather handbags or cheerfully decorated ceramics; don’t be bashful as the vendors expect and enjoy the game.

Budget is usually a consideration when you’re travelling with family. Immediately south of the Medina, Agdal is one of the best places to stay in Marrakech for affordable and comfortable accommodation without missing out on an authentic Red City experience. Partly residential, the district has a range of well-priced, all-inclusive hotels and is connected into the public transport system, allowing you to explore the city without breaking the bank. Many of the city’s 30 or so bus lines end in the gigantic Djemma el-Fna square, from where you can make your way throughout the Medina.

However, Marrakech taxis are reasonably cheap too, and if you stay in the northern reaches of Agdal, it’s only around 10 minutes by cab to the tranquil water gardens of El Badi Palace and the sublimely beautiful Bahia Palace. Agdal is also within 10 minutes’ drive of Marrakesh Menara Airport, so if you are holidaying with kids, you can enjoy a quick transfer to your chosen hotel.

First developed in 1912 outside the Medina as the glittering face of Marrakech’s Ville Nouvelle, the eclectic enclave of Guéliz blends Art Deco and modernist architecture with Moroccan tradition. Putting visitors right in the heart of the city’s cultural life, its buzzy tree-lined boulevards are packed with sleek boutique hotels, art galleries, theatres and trendy dining choices. It’s also home to the Palais des Congrès – useful to know if you’re travelling to Marrakech on business – and two of the city’s biggest-hitting attractions, the exquisitely planted Jardin Majorelle and the curvaceous neighbouring Musée Yves Saint Laurent.

If you’d like to hang out with entrepreneurial young locals in stylish cafés, this is the district for you – with the added advantage that Guéliz is only a half-hour’s stroll from the soaring 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque and the gentle, colourful chaos of the Medina.

For night owls looking for an on-trend alternative to staying in the charismatic Medina, chic Hivernage sits just outside the pink city walls and is adjacent to urbane Guéliz. This burgeoning contemporary district is known for elegant hotels, pricey shopping in designer stores and upscale restaurants, so pack your outsize sunnies and get ready for some serious people-watching and posing.

An aspect of Hivernage that makes it one of the best places to stay in Marrakech is its thrumming nightlife, which is dressy and gets going around midnight in classy venues from big-name international clubs like Pacha to DJ bars and cocktail lounges. By day, however, if you should feel up to sightseeing after a (very) late night, the Dar El Bacha Palace at the Musée des Confluences and the charming alleys of the Medina souks are about 20 minutes away on foot.

Want to stay in Marrakech hotels far from the madding crowd, and with a spectacular backdrop of the Atlas Mountains? Escape the bustle of the Red City with a stay in the Palmeraie, an historic palm oasis 20 minutes north of the Medina and thought to date back to the 11th century. It’s a district of upscale hotels and exclusive villas owned by Moroccan celebrities – locals refer to it as Marrakech’s “Beverly Hills” – tucked into a leafy oasis scattered with around 250,000 palm, olive and fruit trees and known for its abundant fauna; some 50 bird species including storks, hoopoes and herons call the oasis home.

Should you decide to leave the serene confines of your splendid hideaway for a spot of sightseeing, it’s well worth touring the Musée de la Palmeraie nearby, a fascinating combination of Andalusian-style water gardens and pavilions displaying the city’s best contemporary art. You can also explore the Palmeraie on a camel safari, by quad bike or on horseback, play golf on a 27-hole course or visit a Berber village to take mint tea with the residents.

Inspired by what you’ve read? All that's left is to choose when to go to Marrakech, decide on where to stay and get packing!