Old Medina

Stepping into the old Medina of Marrakech feels like walking through a living museum. Founded in 1070 by the Almoravid dynasty, this walled city has witnessed nearly a thousand years of history — empires rising and falling, caravans arriving from the Sahara, and artisans passing down their craft from one generation to the next.

The Medina’s maze of over nine thousand narrow streets twists and turns in every direction, leading you through bustling souks filled with the scent of spices, the shimmer of brass lamps, and the rhythmic tapping of metalworkers shaping their creations. It’s easy to lose your way here — but that’s part of the charm. Around every corner, you’ll find something unexpected: a hidden riad with a tranquil courtyard, a centuries-old archway, or a small square where locals gather to share stories.

At the heart of it all lies Jemaa el-Fnaa, the city’s legendary square and the soul of Marrakech. As the sun sets, it transforms into a spectacle of color and sound — storytellers, musicians, snake charmers, and sizzling food stalls all competing for attention in a vibrant celebration of Moroccan life. Watching it unfold feels like witnessing the same nightly ritual that’s been happening for hundreds of years.

Above the city rises the minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque, built in the 12th century and still the tallest structure in Marrakech. Its presence, along with the red clay walls that earned the city its nickname “The Red City,” reminds visitors that the Medina is not just a tourist attraction — it’s a living, breathing part of Morocco’s soul, where the past and present meet in perfect harmony.