In Marrakech, you can start the day with mint tea in a quiet courtyard and, minutes later, find yourself among scooters, spice stalls and traders in the medina’s narrow streets. Outside the city walls, there are wide avenues, larger hotels and gardens with room for a long afternoon by the pool.
But where should you stay in Marrakech? The main choice is between a riad close to the city’s street life and a hotel with more facilities. I’ve chosen five areas and good places to stay to help you find a base that suits both your outings and the breaks between them.
Contents
The Best Areas to Stay in Marrakech
- The Medina - the best area for first-time visitors
- Kasbah - the best area for a quieter base in the medina
- Guéliz - the best area for city hotels, cafés and shopping
- Hivernage - the best area for luxury hotels and pools close to the city
- Palmeraie - the best area for a resort holiday with gardens and pools
Below, I’ll go through the five areas and recommend riads and hotels at different price points. I’ll also help you choose between a central address, a larger city hotel and a resort outside the centre.
1. The Medina - the best area for first-time visitors 🕌
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Jemaa el-Fna is a useful landmark. The medina is large, so check the actual walk from your hotel.
- 🚕 Transport: You’ll get around many of the narrow streets on foot. Taxis cannot reach the door of every riad.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: Allow around 20 to 35 minutes by car from Marrakech Menara Airport, possibly followed by a walk.
- 💰 Price range: € to €€€. Options range from small, simple riads to hotels with spas and pools.
- 👮 Safety: Keep an eye on your bag in crowds and watch for scooters in the alleyways. Agree on a clear meeting point with your hotel for arrival.
The medina is my first choice for a first trip to Marrakech. Markets, small places to eat and Jemaa el-Fna are close by, and you can step straight into the street life that brings many people here. I’d look here particularly for three or four nights focused on the city itself.
A riad is traditionally a house built around an internal courtyard, and many now operate as small guesthouses. It can be a lovely way to stay, with a more intimate setting than a large hotel. However, choose according to the actual layout and facilities: the word riad does not promise luxury.
I’d prioritise a straightforward walk to Jemaa el-Fna and clear arrival instructions. A location deep among the alleyways can be fine once you know the route, but it won’t necessarily make your first evening easier. Ask the hotel to explain where a taxi can drop you off and how to continue with your luggage.
See hotels and riads in the medina here
The medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and both its walls and historic buildings are part of the experience. I’d leave some walks free of a packed itinerary. You’ll also want time to sit down and take a break from the traffic and trading.
Courtyards can be peaceful, but sound can also travel between rooms. Read recent reviews about sleep quality and check the stairs if you need easy access. A small courtyard pool isn’t necessarily large enough for swimming lengths, either. Look at the photos before making the pool your reason for choosing a particular riad.
The medina works best when you want to go out every day and enjoy walking. If you mainly want to relax beside a large pool and visit the city occasionally, I’d choose Hivernage or Palmeraie.
Places to Stay in the medina
Les Jardins de la Koutoubia - the best luxury choice with a pool close to Jemaa el-Fna
Les Jardins de la Koutoubia is around a two-minute walk from Jemaa el-Fna and has an outdoor pool and spa. It’s an unusually practical combination if you want both a central location and space to relax at the hotel.
I’d choose it for a city break where you also plan to use the pool every afternoon.
A guest on Booking.com says: “It was very quiet despite the central location.”
See photos and book Les Jardins de la Koutoubia here.
Riad Palais Sebban - a beautiful riad in a 19th-century building
Riad Palais Sebban combines Moroccan and Andalusian architecture in a 19th-century building. You’re around a five-minute walk from Jemaa el-Fna and the Koutoubia Mosque.
It’s my choice if you want the building and interiors to be part of the stay. A guest praises the breakfast, so check whether it’s included in your booking.
One guest review on Booking.com says: “The breakfast was fantastic.”
See photos and book Riad Palais Sebban here.
Riad Bab Nour - a good smaller option with hammam facilities
Riad Bab Nour has air-conditioned rooms, a hammam and spa facilities in the medina. It’s worth comparing with more expensive riads when you want a central place to stay.
A guest highlights the help they received finding their airport transport. This kind of practical assistance can make arrival and departure easier in the medina’s small streets.
A previous guest describes their stay: “They helped us find our way to the airport bus.”
See photos and book Riad Bab Nour here.
2. Kasbah - the best area for a quieter base in the medina 🌿
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Kasbah is the southern part of the medina. From many addresses, the walk to Jemaa el-Fna takes around 15 to 25 minutes.
- 🚕 Transport: Several historic sights are within walking distance. Ask your riad where a taxi can reach.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: Allow around 15 to 30 minutes by car from Marrakech Menara Airport, possibly with a short walk at the end.
- 💰 Price range: € to €€€. There are small riads as well as more expensive hotels with gardens and pools.
- 👮 Safety: Check your actual route home in the evening and arrange help on arrival if the address is in a narrow alleyway.
Kasbah is part of the medina, but I’ve given it its own section because its southern location offers a slightly different base. I’d look for a riad here if I wanted to stay inside the city walls without the busiest market streets right outside the door. You’re still in the city, just a little removed from its most visited gathering place.
That doesn’t mean every address is quiet. There’s still traffic, shops and everyday life, so choose according to reviews and the precise location. The main difference is which streets you step into and how far you walk to Jemaa el-Fna. For me, a little extra walking can be a fair trade for a hotel where I can relax.
The area is good for historic sights. The Saadian Tombs are in Kasbah, so you can visit without first crossing a large part of the city. I’d plan one or two sights in the morning and leave the rest of the day for walks, lunch and a break back at the hotel.
See hotels and riads in Kasbah here
Kasbah also gives you the option of a riad with a courtyard or a hotel with more green space. I’d pay extra for a garden or pool on a stay of several days. For a short trip with a busy itinerary, a smaller place with a good room can make just as much sense.
If you’re travelling with children, check the hotel’s age policy and access. Some smaller places are adults-only, and stairs or an unprotected pool can matter more than the décor. The same practical questions are relevant if you want to reach your accommodation with a suitcase without help.
Kasbah suits couples who want to combine a riad stay with sightseeing. If you’d prefer wide pavements and a conventional city hotel, Guéliz is a more obvious choice.
Places to Stay in Kasbah
Les Jardins de la Médina - the best luxury choice with a garden and pool
Les Jardins de la Médina has a garden, outdoor pool and spa with a hammam in the historic part of Marrakech. It’s my choice if you want more space to relax without moving out to a resort.
I’d particularly consider it for a longer stay where you also want to spend afternoons at the hotel.
A guest on Booking.com says: “A peaceful place to retreat to.”
See photos and book Les Jardins de la Médina here.
Riad Palais Calipau - a good choice with a pool and spacious rooms
Riad Palais Calipau is in a traditional building in Kasbah. A guest highlights both a spacious room and the pool area, with plenty of space to sit.
That’s a combination I’d compare with more expensive riads. Look at photos of the specific room type so you know how much space you’re paying for.
One guest review on Booking.com says: “The pool was perfect, with plenty of seating for guests.”
See photos and book Riad Palais Calipau here.
Riad Le Petit Joyau - a smaller adults-only riad
Riad Le Petit Joyau is adults-only and has an indoor pool, garden and bar. It suits couples who want to stay in Kasbah and return to somewhere smaller after a day of walking.
I’d choose it for its size and location, and spend the price difference on meals and experiences in the city.
A previous guest describes their stay: “The location was good and quiet, close to the markets.”
See photos and book Riad Le Petit Joyau here.
3. Guéliz - the best area for city hotels, cafés and shopping ☕
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Guéliz is northwest of the medina. Allow around three kilometres to Jemaa el-Fna from its central parts.
- 🚕 Transport: Many cafés and shops are within walking distance of one another. Taxis are useful for the medina and longer journeys across the city.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: Allow around 20 to 35 minutes by car from Marrakech Menara Airport.
- 💰 Price range: € to €€€. Apartments and conventional city hotels give you more options for managing your budget.
- 👮 Safety: Take care at large junctions and choose your room with reviews about traffic noise in mind.
Guéliz is my choice if you want a conventional city hotel with easy access to cafés, shops and restaurants. Streets are wider than in the medina, and you can usually be dropped closer to the hotel entrance. That’s useful when you arrive late or don’t want to find your way through alleyways with luggage.
You’ll see a different side of Marrakech here. Along the larger streets are shops and places to stop for coffee or lunch, with more of the everyday city around you. The official tourist organisation describes Guéliz and its shopping streets if you want a closer look at the area.
I’d choose a hotel close to the places I wanted to use in the evening. Guéliz isn’t one small square with everything grouped together, and a cheap address on its edge could mean more taxi journeys than expected. Check the map and compare the actual walk to restaurants before choosing by a hotel’s star rating.
It’s still easy to plan a visit to the medina, but I wouldn’t expect to walk back and forth several times a day. A taxi can be worth the money, particularly in the heat. Guéliz works best when you want to choose when to head into the markets, then return to a different kind of base.
You can also plan a visit to Jardin Majorelle, north of central Guéliz. Check visiting arrangements and tickets in advance. I’d set aside a morning and leave the rest of the day open, rather than squeezing in several major sights immediately afterwards.
On a longer stay, an apartment can make breakfast and small meals easier. For a short holiday, I’d prioritise a good room close to the cafés.
Places to Stay in Guéliz
2Ciels Boutique Hôtel - the best choice with both a roof terrace and a pool
2Ciels is around 400 metres from Marrakech Plaza and has air-conditioned rooms. A guest describes both a smaller rooftop pool and a larger pool on the ground floor.
That’s a good combination of city hotel and relaxation. I’d use the roof terrace for a break and check the pools’ size if I wanted to swim lengths.
A guest on Booking.com says: “The room was spacious and spotless.”
See photos and book 2Ciels Boutique Hôtel here.
Ari Boutique Hôtel - Adults Only - a good adults-only hotel with a pool
Ari Boutique is an adults-only hotel with an outdoor pool in Guéliz. It’s a good option to compare for a holiday for two if you want the area’s cafés and a hotel where you can take a dip.
I’d assess the total cost, including breakfast and transport to the medina, before booking.
One guest review on Booking.com says: “It was very clean and comfortable, with lovely décor.”
See photos and book Ari Boutique Hôtel - Adults Only here.
Residence Eden Marrakech - the best choice for an apartment with a kitchen
Residence Eden offers apartments, a rooftop pool and free parking. A guest highlights a two-bedroom apartment with an equipped kitchen and hotel-style housekeeping.
It’s my choice for more space and the option of eating in. Check the number of bedrooms in your booking, as the guest’s description does not apply to every apartment.
A previous guest describes their stay: “The kitchen was well equipped.”
See photos and book Residence Eden Marrakech here.
4. Hivernage - the best area for luxury hotels and pools close to the city 🏊
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Hivernage is west of the medina. The distance to Jemaa el-Fna varies but is often around two to three kilometres.
- 🚕 Transport: Taxis are useful for the medina. Depending on your address, you can walk between several restaurants and hotels.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: Allow around 15 to 30 minutes by car from Marrakech Menara Airport.
- 💰 Price range: €€ to €€€. The area is particularly suited to larger hotels and luxury stays.
- 👮 Safety: Check for noise from bars, music and traffic if you want early nights. Agree on the fare before a taxi journey.
Hivernage is my choice when the hotel should play a larger part in the holiday, while keeping the city close. Several of the larger hotels are here, and you can combine sightseeing with a pool, garden and long lunch. It works well for couples who want a city break with time to relax.
I’d choose the area for four or five nights where every day needn’t start with a strict schedule. You can visit the medina in the morning and return when the heat and impressions call for a break. A hotel with good outdoor space makes that part of the trip more comfortable, provided you actually use it.
Hivernage also has restaurants and nightlife, which you can read about in the tourist organisation’s guide to the area. That’s useful if you want to go out in the evening, but it also means the area isn’t automatically quiet. I’d read reviews about music and request a room away from the noisiest shared areas.
The hotel’s address matters here, as the area covers more than a few streets. A hotel closer to the medina gives you a different daily routine from one further west or by the railway station. I’d check the journeys I wanted to make and include taxis in the budget, rather than comparing room rates alone.
Hivernage is rarely my first stop when looking for the cheapest bed. It makes more sense to compare the quality of the room, pool and garden here. If you want a private pool, it must be specified in the actual room type. A photo of the hotel’s most expensive suite tells you nothing about the room you’re booking.
Pack for both city walks and time by the water. I’d choose Hivernage for a combination of hotel time and city outings, and the medina to have the markets close by.
Places to Stay in Hivernage
Four Seasons Resort Marrakech - the best luxury choice with generous outdoor space
Four Seasons has an outdoor pool surrounded by palm trees, wellness facilities and a roof terrace. It’s my choice for a stay where you want to prioritise the hotel and take taxis to parts of the city.
A guest highlights a suite with a small private pool. Choose the precise room type if that option is your reason for booking.
A guest on Booking.com says: “The small pool in the suite was fantastic.”
See photos and book Four Seasons Resort Marrakech here.
Dar Rhizlane - a good choice with a garden and spa
Dar Rhizlane has a garden, outdoor pool and spa around two kilometres from Jemaa el-Fna. It lets you stay somewhere with more greenery without choosing a resort far outside the city.
I’d compare it for a stay for two where you plan to use the pool daily but also want to spend evenings in the medina.
One guest review on Booking.com says: “It was a fantastic experience.”
See photos and book Dar Rhizlane here.
Longue Vie Hotels - a practical choice by the railway station
Longue Vie is by the railway station, on the edge of the area towards Guéliz, and has a pool, restaurant and wellness facilities. It’s a practical choice if you arrive by train and want a conventional city hotel.
You’re not right by the medina. I’d factor in transport when comparing it with hotels closer to Jemaa el-Fna.
A previous guest describes their stay: “It was close to the railway station and good for a train journey.”
See photos and book Longue Vie Hotels here.
5. Palmeraie - the best area for a resort holiday with gardens and pools 🌴
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Palmeraie is outside the central city. Allow roughly 20 to 35 minutes by car to the medina in many cases, depending on the hotel and traffic.
- 🚕 Transport: You’ll need a taxi, transfer or hotel transport, if offered. Check prices and departure times.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: Allow around 30 to 45 minutes by car from Marrakech Menara Airport.
- 💰 Price range: €€ to €€€. Include hotel meals and transport when comparing the total cost.
- 👮 Safety: Plan your journey back after dinners in the city. Choose shade and take breaks from the sun on hot days.
Palmeraie is my choice for a holiday where the hotel is a large part of the reason for travelling. You stay outside central Marrakech, with the possibility of gardens, more space and long days by the pool. It works well if you want to see the city a few times and spend the rest of your stay relaxing.
The name covers a large area, so hotels can be in quite different locations. The tourist organisation’s description of Palmeraie and the palm grove gives an idea of the surroundings, but you still need to check the precise address. A resort in the further reaches means more travelling than a hotel closer to the city, even if both use the same area name.
I’d first investigate how you’ll get to the medina and back. Some hotels offer transport, but check times, prices and whether you can return after dinner. If you pay for every journey separately, a cheap room can soon look less cheap once you add up the whole stay.
Meals are part of the decision too. You can’t expect the same choice of restaurants within walking distance as in Guéliz or the medina, so look at the hotel’s menus and prices. That matters particularly on a stay of several nights, when you may prefer to stay in some evenings rather than order another taxi.
For a pool holiday, I’d check whether the water is heated at the time of year you’re travelling and how large the pool actually is. Ask about access rules and the hotel’s age policy if you’re bringing children. A lovely garden and private terrace can be wonderful, but they should suit the way you want to spend your days.
I’d rarely choose Palmeraie for two nights focused on sightseeing. On a longer trip, you can combine the medina with a few days here and do your city exploring at the start.
Places to Stay in Palmeraie
Palais Ronsard Relais & Châteaux - the best luxury choice for enjoying time at the hotel
Palais Ronsard has an outdoor pool, garden, fitness facilities and restaurant. I’d choose it because the stay itself should be part of the holiday, rather than simply as a base for days in the medina.
Compare room types and meals before booking. Here, the overall cost can matter more than the cheapest nightly rate on the search page.
A guest on Booking.com says: “One of the most beautiful hotels in Marrakech.”
See photos and book Palais Ronsard Relais & Châteaux here.
Les Deux Tours - a good choice with a large garden and heated pool
Les Deux Tours sits in around three hectares of parkland and has a heated outdoor pool. It’s my choice for green surroundings and room to find a quiet corner between visits to the city.
A guest praises the garden, pool and service. Confirm pool heating for your travel dates if it’s essential to your stay.
One guest review on Booking.com says: “The garden was lovely, the outdoor pool was heated, and the service was good.”
See photos and book Les Deux Tours here.
Villa Al Assala Palmeraie - a smaller alternative with a garden and pool
Villa Al Assala is set in green surroundings and has a heated pool. It’s a smaller alternative to compare with the area’s larger luxury hotels if you want time to relax on site.
I’d investigate transport and meals before booking. The location works best for a stay where you’ll also use the hotel during the day.
A previous guest describes their stay: “The staff were very friendly and helpful.”
See photos and book Villa Al Assala Palmeraie here.
Where should you avoid staying in Marrakech?
I’d avoid Palmeraie for a short trip where you want to head into the medina several times a day. It comes down to travelling time and the kind of holiday you want. A good resort doesn’t become a good city base just because its address says Marrakech.
Don’t choose a riad deep among the alleyways without checking access and stairs if you have difficulty walking or are travelling with lots of luggage. Ask the place you’re considering for a specific description, rather than guessing from the map.
I’d also avoid a hotel with repeated recent complaints about night-time noise if sleep is a high priority. Both central riads and larger hotels can be close to music or traffic. An area’s name alone doesn’t determine how quiet your room will be.
For a first trip, I’d start with the medina and find a well-located riad with clear help for arrival. Kasbah is my alternative if you’d like to stay a little away from the busiest market streets. Guéliz makes it easy to choose a city hotel, while Hivernage suits more time by the pool and short trips into the city.
I’d save Palmeraie for a holiday where the hotel can be the main plan for the day. Take time to choose the base you’ll actually enjoy, and compare the full cost including transport and meals. That makes the choice between a small riad and a larger resort much easier.
If you’re still choosing a destination for a city break with sunshine, food and historic neighbourhoods, you can also read my guides to the best areas in Seville and where to stay in Malaga. If you choose Marrakech, I’d leave some space in your itinerary. There’s plenty to take in, and a proper break at the hotel can be a good part of the trip.
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