10 major museums and curiosities of Marrakech
Just a few minutes away from the Riad!
Spices square
Medina
2-minute walk
Riad Bab 54 's street begins on this charming and trendy square.
Restaurants, cafes, beanies, basketwork, henna, spices or carpets are the Spices square specialties !
VIf you get lost in the médina, ask for this square and you will find the Riad.
Jemaâ El Fna square
Medina
7-minute walk
It is a square and a market place in the old city center (medina). It is the main square of the city for tourists and for locals. It is classified as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by the UNESCO.
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"Located at the entrance of the Medina, this triangular square, which is surrounded by restaurants, stands and public buildings, provides everyday commercial activities and various forms of entertainment. It is a meeting point for both the local population and people from elsewhere. All through the day, and well into the night, a variety of services are offered, such as dental care, traditional medicine, fortune-telling, preaching, and henna tattooing; water-carrying, fruit and traditional food may be bought."
You will enjoy the square during sun sets, especially on the rooftop of a café.
Souks
Medina
2-minute walk
Located between Jemaâ El Fna square and the medersa Ben-Youssef, the souks are one of the most fascinating attraction of Marrakech.
Organized by trade and specialties (dyers, basket makers, babouche makers...), they overflow with everykind of obkects and their layout, clearly chaotic, is in fact refined and photogenic.
Since the touristic brigade was created a long time ago now, there is no more danger to venture in the souks. Maybe there is still one left : giving in and buying the wonders you will unearth ... And remember, it is usual to haggle over your purchases !
Medersa Ben Youssef
Medina
5-minute walk
This former coranic school could welcome around 900 students. Built in the 16th century, it is a beautiful example of Andalusian architecture at its best. Every element is precious and refined.
We love it!
Marrakech Museum
Medina
7-minute walk
Marrakech museum is located in the Dar M'Nehbi palace, one of the most beautiful built in the 19th century. Discover what a well preserved palace looks like !
Do not miss its great courtyard with fountains, niches, alcoves and archs, the superb tadelakt walls covered in zelliges.
Koutoubia
Medina
10-minute walk
El Badi Palace
Medina
15-minute walk
El-Badi Palace was built in the end of the 16th century for the grand receptions of the rich sultan Ahmed El-Mansour.
Today, the splendour has gone.
The minbar of the big mosque is the work of master cabinetmakers from Cordoba and is definitely worth the detour. Masterpiece of the arabo-andalousian art, it was the pulpit used to preach in the Koutoubia mosque.
Otherwise, from the terraces of El-Badi Palace, there is a very nice view of the city and you can see stork nests.
House of Photography
Medina
9-minute walk
This private collection, gathered by Patrick Manac’h and Hamid Mergani, contains around 3500 photographs and an important set of photographic glass plaques, dated from 1870 to 1950.
The collection illustrates the history, culture, ethnology, everyday life and people of this fascinating country.
Bahia Palace
Medina
15-minute walk
Built around 1880, the Bahia Palace was home to Ba Ahmed, vizir of Morocco from 1894 to 1900.
Masterpiece of Moroccan architecture, it is formed by a set heterogeneous houses, but superbly decorated, leading to flowered patios.
Majorelle Garden
Gueliz
20 to 30 minutes by taxi
Beautiful garden created by the painter Jacques Majorelle who lived in Marrakech from 1924. In 1980, Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé bought it.
There are cactus, bougainvilleas, a bamboo forest and plants from five continents. Colorful and fresh, this garden is full of poetry.
The painter studio, painted in a lively blue-mauve called "Majorelle blue", contrasts with the greenery. It is the shelter for a small musueum.