Medina & Souks

The largest traditional public square in Africa and a UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity since 2001. By day, orange juice vendors, henna artists, and snake charmers dominate. By night, it transforms into an open-air food market with over 100 stalls serving harira, grilled meats, snails, and sheep's head. The square has been the heart of Marrakech since the city's founding by the Almoravids around 1070. The name may mean 'assembly of the dead' — it was once an execution ground. Storytellers (halqas) have performed here for centuries, though their numbers are dwindling.

The Cafe de France and Grand Balcon du Cafe Glacier terraces offer the best aerial views of the square — go at sunset when the smoke from food stalls creates a magical haze.

The largest mosque in Marrakech, built by the Almohad dynasty in the 12th century. Its 77-meter minaret is the city's most recognizable landmark and served as the architectural model for the Giralda in Seville and the Hassan Tower in Rabat. The name comes from 'kutubiyyin' (booksellers) who once surrounded it. The minaret's proportions — height equals five times its width — established a standard for Moroccan Islamic architecture. Four copper globes crown the top; legend says the largest was originally gold, donated by the wife of Sultan Yacoub el-Mansour as penance for breaking her Ramadan fast.

Non-Muslims cannot enter the mosque, but the gardens surrounding it are open and beautiful. The minaret is best photographed from the gardens at the south side with the Atlas Mountains behind on clear days.