Medersa Bou Inania
A short walk down Talaa Kebira from Bab Bou Jeloud, the Medersa Bou Inania is the finest of Fez’ theological colleges. It was built by the Merenid sultan Bou Inan between 1350 and 1357. The medersa underwent extensive restoration a few years ago, and the results are amazing: elabor
Kasbah Museum
This museum is perfectly sited in Dar el-Makhzen, the former sultan’s palace (where Portuguese and British governors also lived). The focus is on the history of the area from prehistoric times to the 19th century. Placards are in French and Arabic. Some highlights are pre-Roman too
Jewish Cemetery & Habarim Synagogue
The southwest corner of the mellah is home to the sea of blindingly white tombs that stretch down the hill; those in dedicated enclosures are tombs of rabbis. One of the oldest, high up against the north wall, is that of Rabbi Vidal Hasserfaty, who died in 1600. On the slope below,
Dar Si Said
A monument to Moroccan mâalems (master artisans), the home of Bou Ahmeds brother Si Said is a showcase of regional craftsmanship. It now houses the Museum of Moroccan Arts , starting with the oldest object in Marrakesh: an AD 1002–1007 chest that belonged to a chamberlain of Spain’
Kairaouine Mosque & University
One of Africa’s largest mosques and possibly the oldest university in the world, this mosque complex is the spiritual heart of Fez and Morocco itself. Established in 859 by Fatima el-Fihria, a Tunisian woman refugee, and expanded by the Almoravids in the 12th century, it can accomm
Maison de la Photographie
When Parisian Patrick Menac’h and Marrakshi Hamid Mergani realised they were both collecting vintage Moroccan photography, they decided to open a gallery to show their collections in their original context. Together they ‘repatriated’ 4500 photos, 2000 glass negatives and 80 docume
Bahia Palace
Imagine what you could build with Morocco’s top artisans at your service for 14 years, and here you have it: La Bahia (the Beautiful) has floor-to-ceiling decoration begun by Grand Vizier Si Moussa in the 1860s and embellished from 1894 to 1900 by slave-turned-vizier Abu ‘Bou’ Ahme
Spanish Sidi Ifni
The real draw of Sidi Ifni is its unique atmosphere, which has lured many a passing foreigner to settle. The small old Spanish part of town is one of the main attractions. At its heart is Pl Hassan II (often still called Plaza de España), the colonial centrepiece. The large square
Grand Socco
The Grand Socco (official name Pl du 9 Avril 1947) is the romantic entrance to the medina, a large, sloping, palm-ringed plaza with a central fountain that stands before the keyhole gate Bab Fass. Once a major market, its cobblestone circle is now the end of the line for taxis, the
Heri es
Nearly 2km southeast of the mausoleum, Moulay Ismail’s immense granaries and stables, Heri es-Souani, were ingeniously designed. Tiny windows, massive walls and a system of underfloor water channels kept the temperatures cool and air circulating. The building provided stabling and
Saadian Tombs
Anyone who says you can’t take it with you hasn’t seen the Saadian Tombs, near the Kasbah Mosque. Saadian Sultan Ahmed al-Mansour ed-Dahbi spared no expense on his tomb, importing Italian Carrara marble and gilding honeycomb muqarnas (decorative plasterwork) with pure gold to make
Dar Jamaï Museum
Overlooking Pl el-Hedim is Dar Jamaï, a palace built in 1882 by the powerful Jamaï family, two of whom were viziers to Sultan Moulay al-Hassan I. When the sultan died in 1894, the family fell foul of court politics and lost everything, including the palace, which was passed on to t
Jardin Majorelle
Other guests bring flowers, but Yves Saint Laurent gifted the Jardin Majorelle to Marrakesh, the city that adopted him in 1964. Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé bought the electric-blue villa and its garden to preserve the vision of its original owner, landscape painter J
Chaouwara Tanneries
The Chaouwara tanneries are one of the city’s most iconic sights (and smells). Head east or northeast from Pl as-Seffarine and take the left fork after about 50m; you’ll soon pick up the unmistakable waft of skin and dye that will guide you into the heart of the leather district (t
Dar Taliba
The Berber botany experts aren’t professionals: they’re students at this ground-breaking girls’ secondary school about 7km west of Tnine. Through their school science program, the girls compiled an encyclopaedia of indigenous herbs with University of Marrakesh ethnobotanists. Now t
Association Attadamoun Pour les Handicapés
Afternoon mellah tours and evening musical concerts are arranged through this nonprofit organisation providing schooling, job training and essential life skills to disabled youth. The association’s director, Mr Hassan Khallaf, speaks fluent English and French and is extremely knowl
Doing business & staying in touch while in Morocco
Morocco: Doing business & staying in touch
Morocco Weather, Climate and Geography
Morocco Weather, climate and geography
Morocco History, Language and Culture
Morocco History, Language and Culture
Morocco Travel Guide and Travel Information
Morocco Travel Guide
