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Tour One: Medina North of Jemaâ El Fna
The starting point for this tour is Marrakech's lively town square, Jemaâ El Fna. It is a place where merchants set up spice stalls and food carts, and where snake charmers, singers, dancers and musicians perform for tourists and locals alike. You'll be sure to find something interesting here, whether you browse the square for a few hours or just a few minutes. Then head towards the street of Souk Semmarine, a cross street of the Bab Fteuh Square. Souk Semmarine will become Souk Nejarine Street and then Souk El Kebir Street, but will remain the main axis until Ben Youssef Square. This will be your fixed point during the visit of the Souks quarter, a must-see of any visit of the medina. After crossing the Souks, you reach Ben Youssef Square. East of the square is the Musée de Marrakech, which occupies the beautiful former palace of 19th century defense minister Mehdi Mnebhi. To the northeast lies one of Marrakech’s most interesting landmarks, the
62096>Médersa Ben Youssef, whose courtyard is a true architectural jewel.
A few steps north to Ben Youssef Medersa, you will reach the Fondation Culturelle Dar Bellarj, which is the perfect place to pause and have a mint tea while discovering the fine craftsmanship of various artists. West of Ben Youssef Square you will find Mosquée Ben Youssef, which faces the oldest monument in Marrakech, the Qoubba Ba’adiyn. Take Baroudienne Street, northwest of Ben Youssef Square, and then turn left onto Mouassine Street. Go down the street until you cross Sidi El-Yamani, then turn right and you'll see the big Fontaine El-Mouassine. You are now close to the Dyers Souk. If you are a lover of architecture and design, backtrack and continue down Sidi El-Yamini where you'll find the Ministero Del Gusto hidden in the Derb Azouz alleyway. Then walk back to Mouassine Street where you will see the big Mouassine Mosque with its beautiful minaret. The whole mosque complex was built in just ten years, during the second half of the 16th century. Follow Mouassine Street to reach Bab Fteuh Square. You are almost back to your starting point, the Jemaâ El Fna Square. You will appreciate resting and enjoying a light lunch as you take in the vibrant activity of the square from the terrace of one of the many coffeehouse, such as the Café de France.
Tour Two: South of the Medina
This tour might take about 3 hours, or more. Start in front of the Remparts de Marrakech, and admire the Bab Agnaou gate. Behind the gate, head toward the Kasbah Mosque also known as Mosquée Aux Pommes D’Or. The Tombeaux Saâdiens, behind the mosque, are a mark of the Saadian dynasty in the 16th century. The next stop is the Palais El Badi, whose vestiges are just a hint of its former glory. To get to it, you will have to reach Bab Berrima by coming back to Bab Agnaou and then turning right on the street Arset El Maâhl, up to Place des Ferblantiers (the Tinsmiths Square) which is the entrance to the historic Jewish Quarter of Marrakech, the Mellah. After a visit to the Badi Palace don’t hesitate to explore the shops and restaurants of this popular quarter. Then come back to Place des Ferblantiers and follow the signs that lead, by turning right, to the Palais de la Bahia, a vast 19th century palace. Head back to Riad Ez-Zitoun El-Jedid, which is overflowing with beautiful gift and craft shops. Then turn right in Bahia Street to visit the ethnological collections of Maison Tiskiwin (Musée Bert Flint). Follow Bahia Street and cross the little street that leads to Dar Si Said. It is worth visiting both for its architectural beauty and its collections of ancient woodwork items. From here, you can follow Riad Ez-Zitoun El-Jedid Street up to Jemaâ El Fna where you can rest on a coffeehouse roof terrace. Or you can go back to Place des Ferblantiers to have a meal or a drink at the KosyBar, there is a nice view of the square from the terrace.
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