The historic heart, its riads and souks
The Medina is Marrakech's old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Staying in a riad means sleeping behind high ochre walls, around a cool patio, a few minutes' walk from Jemaa el-Fna square, the souks and the palaces.
Couples, curious travellers, lovers of architecture and food. The alleys are pedestrian: you arrive by car at the nearest gate, then walk with a porter.
Riads are quiet at night but the Medina lives early and late. There is no parking inside the walls. Families with a stroller may prefer Guéliz or Hivernage.
Ask for a riad with a sunny terrace for breakfast and a pool or plunge pool for the hot months. Mouassine, Bab Doukkala and Riad Zitoun are the most sought-after areas.
Medina
Private riad with four queen en-suite bedrooms for eight guests, 5 minutes on foot from the Jardin Secret and the Ben Youssef madrasa: patio pool, kitchen open to the courtyard, lounges under the galleries, roof terrace with lounge and dining corner, air conditioning. Brand new, pets welcome.
Medina
Private riad with 6 en-suite bedrooms for 13 guests in Sidi Mimoun, 10 minutes from Jemaa el-Fna: patio pool, lounges, equipped kitchen, large roof terrace with pergola and Atlas views. Breakfast and housekeeping included, air conditioning and heating. Superhost, 4.99 over 162 reviews.
Medina
Fully private traditional riad with 5 king en-suite bedrooms for 12 guests in the Kasbah: two lounges, one with a fireplace, equipped kitchen, large roof terrace with daybeds, pergola and shower. Daily housekeeper, breakfast and fibre Wi-Fi included. Guest favourite, 4.89 over 159 reviews.
Medina
Fully private riad with 4 en-suite bedrooms for 8 guests in the Kasbah, near Bab Ksiba: white arcaded patio, equipped kitchen, rooftop with plunge basin, loungers, summer lounge and outdoor kitchen. Air conditioning, high-speed Wi-Fi, Netflix. Breakfast included. Drop-off point 20 m away.
Medina
Whole riad with 4 bedrooms and 11 beds for 14 guests near the Ben Youssef Medersa: three double rooms, one with a mezzanine, and a large family dorm with 8 bunk beds, four bathrooms, roof terrace with dining corner, loungers and outdoor shower. Moroccan breakfast and housekeeping included.
Medina
Upscale, fully private riad with 5 air-conditioned en-suite bedrooms for 10 guests, deep green zellige basin in the patio, rooftop solarium facing the ramparts, breakfast and daily housekeeping included. Kasbah, 10 minutes on foot from Jemaa el-Fna. 5.0 over 18 reviews.
Medina
Freshly renovated, entirely private riad with 5 air-conditioned en-suite suites for 10 guests, heated green zellige pool under the patio skylight, furnished rooftop with views of the Koutoubia, complimentary daily breakfast, housekeeper present every day. Superhost, 4.97 over 90 reviews.
Medina
Elegant, entirely private riad with 5 en-suite suites for 10 guests, 6.5-metre pool at the centre of the patio, terrace with independent suite and summer kitchen, housekeeper, breakfast and daily cleaning included. Kasbah, 5 minutes from the Saadian Tombs. Superhost, 5.0 over 29 reviews.
Medina
Brand-new, 100% private 4-bedroom riad, lit patio with mini pool, intimate rooftop, three zellige shower rooms, equipped kitchen. Moroccan breakfast included, on-site concierge. 10 minutes on foot from Jemaa el-Fna.
Medina
Contemporary riad with 6 air-conditioned en-suite bedrooms, up to 13 guests, glass-roofed patio with heated basin, décor by local artisans, furnished terrace. Breakfast and daily housekeeping included. Sidi Mimoun, Medina.
Medina
3-bedroom riad with queen beds and en-suite bathrooms in the Kasbah, 10 minutes on foot from Jemaa el-Fna and 2 minutes from the Saadian Tombs. Private pool, dining area and loungers on the roof. Daily cleaning and breakfast included. Superhost, 613 reviews.
No, the alleys are pedestrian. A taxi or our transfer drops you at the nearest gate, 2 to 8 minutes away on foot. A porter carries your luggage.
Riads are built around a closed patio and are surprisingly quiet. The morning call to prayer can still be heard.
