Where to stay in Marrakech

Marrakech grew up inside a ring of ochre walls, which is why it's called the Red City. The old walled Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a maze of lanes and covered souks wrapped round Jemaa el-Fna, the big open square that fills with food stalls, musicians and storytellers every evening. Outside the walls are the newer districts built in the 20th century, with wide avenues, cafés and modern hotels.

Most of the places we list are riads: traditional houses built round an inner courtyard, usually with only a handful of rooms and a roof terrace. A dar is a similar house, typically without a garden in the courtyard. There are also budget hostels and a few conventional hotels. Use the filters below to compare them, or read the area guide first to decide between staying inside the walls and outside them.

Nearest airport
Marrakech Menara (RAK), a few kilometres south-west of the Medina
Train station
On the edge of Gueliz and Hivernage, with services north to Casablanca and Rabat
Getting around
On foot inside the Medina; petits taxis for trips across the city
Most comfortable months
Usually March to May and September to November

Places to stay in Marrakech

59 hotels

Hotel in Marrakech

Be Nomad

A landscaped garden and a sociable lounge inside the old city

  • garden
  • air-conditioning
  • free Wi-Fi
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Riad in Mouassine, the souks & Ben Youssef

Dar Habache

A riad-style house within walking distance of Le Jardin Secret and the craft souks

  • garden
  • air-conditioning
  • free Wi-Fi
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Riad in Kasbah, Mellah & Bahia Palace

Dar Jenna-Rose

A hot tub, a rooftop solarium and a peaceful courtyard by the Bahia Palace

  • hot tub
  • rooftop terrace
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Riad in Kasbah, Mellah & Bahia Palace

Dar Suncial

A non-smoking dar with a big roof terrace, close to the Bahia Palace

  • rooftop terrace
  • terrace
  • free Wi-Fi
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Riad in Jemaa el-Fna & the central Medina

Dar T4

A small Medina house close to Jemaa el-Fna, also listed as Riad Tifor

  • free Wi-Fi
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Hotel in Jemaa el-Fna & the central Medina

Hotel Aday

Preserved heritage details and handcrafted decor, a stroll from the main square

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Hotel in Jemaa el-Fna & the central Medina

Hotel Saleme

A straightforward Medina hotel with free Wi-Fi and Moroccan-style rooms

  • free Wi-Fi
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Riad in Jemaa el-Fna & the central Medina

Riad Layla Rouge

Hand-painted colour, a courtyard for morning tea and a roof over the Medina

  • rooftop terrace
  • terrace
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Hotel in Gueliz

Mont Gueliz

Thirty-six rooms with private balconies and a panoramic roof terrace in the new town

  • rooftop terrace
  • terrace
  • air-conditioning
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Riad in Jemaa el-Fna & the central Medina

Riad 112

Free Wi-Fi in a traditional Medina house near El Badi Palace

  • free Wi-Fi
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Riad in Jemaa el-Fna & the central Medina

Riad Allal

A bar for drinks and snacks and a broad roof terrace, a stroll from the main square

  • rooftop terrace
  • terrace
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Riad in Jemaa el-Fna & the central Medina

Riad Anrich

An indoor pool, a solarium and beauty treatments in a quiet Medina riad

  • pool
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Riad in Jemaa el-Fna & the central Medina

Riad Espagne

A budget-minded traditional riad within walking distance of the main square

  • free Wi-Fi
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Riad in Kasbah, Mellah & Bahia Palace

Riad Milouda

Panoramic roof terrace and a shared lounge, 400 metres from the Bahia Palace

  • rooftop terrace
  • terrace
  • free Wi-Fi
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Riad in Kasbah, Mellah & Bahia Palace

Riad New Bahia

A steam room and beauty treatments, seconds from the Bahia Palace gates

  • air-conditioning
  • free Wi-Fi
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Riad in Mouassine, the souks & Ben Youssef

Riad Sijane

Eat in, then head up to a broad roof terrace over the Medina

  • rooftop terrace
  • terrace
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Riad in Jemaa el-Fna & the central Medina

Riad Tawja Marrakech

Air-conditioned rooms round a courtyard, six minutes on foot from the main square

  • air-conditioning
  • rooftop terrace
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Riad in Jemaa el-Fna & the central Medina

Riad Tifor

Climate-controlled rooms and free Wi-Fi, steps from Jemaa el-Fna

  • free Wi-Fi
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Riad in Marrakech

Riad Yenna

A big roof terrace for sun and skyline views, in the middle of the Medina

  • rooftop terrace
  • terrace
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Guesthouse in Jemaa el-Fna & the central Medina

Winarouze House

Traditional spa treatments and wellness packages close to the main square

  • air-conditioning
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"Our order" puts hotels we have fully written up first. Commission doesn't affect the order.

Where to stay in Marrakech, area by area

The big choice is inside or outside the walls. The Medina puts you among the souks and monuments; Gueliz and Hivernage are newer, easier to reach by car and better for restaurants with a modern feel. The Palmeraie and the road to the Atlas are for space and quiet.

Jemaa el-Fna & the central Medina

Best for first visits and evening strolls

The streets around Jemaa el-Fna are the busiest part of the old city. The square is the natural meeting point, the Koutoubia Mosque's minaret makes an easy landmark, and the main souk lanes lead off to the north. Riads here are rarely more than a few minutes from food stalls, cafés and the taxi ranks on the square's edge, which makes this the simplest area for a short first trip. Expect noise and crowds near the square, and calmer lanes once you turn into the residential alleys.

Mouassine, the souks & Ben Youssef

Best for shopping and museums

North of the square, the covered souks give way to quarters such as Mouassine, with its mosque, old public fountain and Le Jardin Secret garden, and the area around the Ben Youssef Madrasa and the Marrakech Museum. It's the place for craft workshops, galleries and small cafés, and it feels a little less hectic than the streets right next to Jemaa el-Fna.

Kasbah, Mellah & Bahia Palace

Best for palaces and historic sights

The southern half of the Medina holds many of the city's historic monuments: the Bahia Palace, the ruins of El Badi Palace, the Saadian Tombs beside the Kasbah Mosque, and the Mellah, the former Jewish quarter with its spice and metalwork stalls. The lanes are a little wider in places and it's usually calmer than the souks, while Jemaa el-Fna is still within walking distance.

Gueliz

Best for modern cafés and the train station

The Ville Nouvelle, laid out under the French protectorate, centres on Avenue Mohammed V. It has shops, galleries, bars and restaurants in a more European style, and taxis can pull up at the door. The Majorelle Garden and the Musée Yves Saint Laurent are on its north-eastern side, and the main railway station is nearby. The Medina is a long walk or a short taxi ride away.

Hivernage

Best for large hotels and nightlife

A leafy district between the Medina walls and Gueliz, known for bigger hotels, clubs and the conference centre. It's convenient for the airport and quieter during the day, though it lacks the character of the old city. The Koutoubia and Jemaa el-Fna are within reach on foot or by taxi.

The Palmeraie

Best for resort-style breaks

The palm grove on the northern edge of the city is home to villas, resort hotels and golf courses spread out among the trees. It's spacious and quiet, but you'll need a taxi or a hotel shuttle to get into town.

Outskirts & the Atlas road

Best for mountain trips and space

South of the city, roads climb towards the High Atlas, through the Ourika Valley and past villages such as Asni on the way to Imlil, a common starting point for treks towards Jebel Toubkal. The stony Agafay plateau lies to the south-west. Places to stay out here suit travellers with a car or a booked transfer who want mountain air rather than city sightseeing.

Questions about staying in Marrakech

Is it better to stay in the Medina or in Gueliz?

For a first visit, most people choose the Medina, because the souks, palaces and Jemaa el-Fna are all on foot and a riad is part of the experience. Gueliz suits travellers who prefer modern restaurants, easy taxi access and a hotel with a lift, and it's handy for the railway station.

What is the difference between a riad and a dar?

Both are traditional Moroccan houses built round a central courtyard. A riad's courtyard traditionally has a garden, often with trees or a fountain, while a dar's is usually paved and smaller. In practice, both names are used for small guesthouses in the Medina.

Can a taxi drop me at my riad?

Often not right at the door, because many Medina lanes are too narrow for cars. Taxis stop at the nearest gate or square, and many riads will send someone to meet you if you share your arrival time. It's worth asking for directions or a pick-up point before you arrive.

How do I get from Marrakech airport to the Medina?

Menara Airport is close to the city, and the drive to the Medina usually takes around 15 to 20 minutes depending on traffic. Taxis wait outside arrivals, an airport bus runs into town, and many riads arrange transfers. Agree the taxi fare before you set off.

When is the best time to visit Marrakech?

Spring and autumn are the most comfortable, with warm days and cooler evenings. Summer is very hot, often well above 35°C, while winter days are usually mild and sunny but nights can be cold, so check whether your riad has heating.