Marrakech Insider

Marrakech is a city of contrasts: a walled medieval Medina next to a French-built modern town, mountains visible from rooftop bars, and a desert an hour from your hotel. Here’s how it fits together.

How the city is laid out

The Medina is the historic walled old city, and the reason most people visit — Jemaa el-Fna, the souks, most of the palaces. West of the walls, Gueliz and Hivernage make up the modern city, built from the French colonial period onward, with wide boulevards, restaurants and nightlife. The Kasbah sits at the Medina’s southern end, quieter and more residential. The Palmeraie, a palm grove on the city’s edge, holds most of Marrakech’s resort hotels. See our full neighbourhood breakdown to decide where to base yourself.

When to visit

• March–May: Warm, comfortable, gardens in bloom — arguably the best window.
• June–August: Very hot (often 38–42°C). Manageable if you pace your days around the heat, but not ideal for heavy sightseeing.
• September–November: Warm and dry, second high season.
• December–February: Mild days, cool nights — good for city sightseeing, cold for desert camping.

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