Stories from the Medina.
Honest writing about Marrakech. No sponsored content. No affiliate links. Just the truth.
The Complete Guide to Jemaa el-Fna Food Stalls
Every numbered food stall in the square, what to order at each one, real prices, and how to eat safely. The only guide you need for Jemaa el-Fna's legendary night market.
Best Rooftop Cafes Overlooking Jemaa el-Fna
We drank mint tea on every rooftop terrace surrounding the square so you don't have to guess. Here's where to go for the best views, and where to avoid the overpriced tourist traps.
Self-Guided Street Food Walking Route Through the Medina
Eight stops, three hours, roughly 120 MAD total. A self-guided food walk from Jemaa el-Fna through the Medina's best eating streets, with exact directions and what to order.
Where Locals Actually Eat in the Medina
The restaurants where Marrakchis eat bear no resemblance to the ones in your guidebook. No English menus, no Trip Advisor stickers, and tagines that cost 35 MAD instead of 150.
Moroccan Breakfast in the Medina: Msemen, Baghrir, and Where to Find Them
Moroccan breakfast is the meal tourists miss. Here is everything you need to know about msemen, baghrir, harcha, and the morning cafes that serve them.
Getting Lost in the Medina and How to Always Find Your Way Back
You will get lost in the Medina. It is a mathematical certainty. But getting lost does not have to mean getting stressed. Here are the navigation strategies that actually work.
Jemaa el-Fna at Night: What Happens After Dark
The square during the day is a parking lot with orange juice stalls. At night it becomes something else entirely. Here is what to expect, what to watch, and what to watch out for.
First-Timer Mistakes in the Medina (and How to Avoid Them)
Every traveler makes the same mistakes their first time in the Medina. Here are 15 of them and exactly what to do instead.
12 Unwritten Rules of the Medina That Nobody Tells You
The Medina has rules that aren't posted anywhere. Break them and you'll get cold stares, inflated prices, or worse. Here are 12 rules the locals wish you knew.
Fixed-Price Shops in the Medina: Where Haggling Isn't Required
Not everyone enjoys haggling. These fixed-price shops in the Medina let you buy quality goods at fair prices without the negotiation dance.
The Complete Guide to Buying Leather in Marrakech's Medina
Marrakech leather can be incredible or terrible. Here's how to tell the difference, what to pay, and where the best workshops are hiding.
Spice Shopping in Marrakech: What to Buy, What to Skip, and Fair Prices
The spice souks smell incredible and the sellers are persuasive. Here's how to buy real spices at fair prices and avoid the overpriced fakes.
Your First 24 Hours in the Medina: What No One Tells You
The sensory overload is real. Here's how to survive your first day in Marrakech's old city without getting lost, scammed, or overwhelmed.
Buying a Carpet in Marrakech: The No-Nonsense Guide
Carpet buying in the Medina is an art form on both sides of the transaction. Here's how to navigate the process and walk away with a rug you love at a price you can live with.
The History of Jemaa el-Fna: A Thousand Years in One Square
Jemaa el-Fna has been the beating heart of Marrakech for nearly a thousand years. Here's how a public execution ground became a UNESCO-protected cultural space.
Snake Charmers, Monkey Handlers, and Storytellers: The Performers of Jemaa el-Fna
The performers of Jemaa el-Fna have entertained crowds for centuries. Here's what to expect, what it costs, and the ethical questions you should consider.
Your First Hammam in the Medina: A Complete Guide
A Moroccan hammam is one of the most disorienting and rewarding experiences in Marrakech. Here's how to navigate your first visit without embarrassment.
The Real Price of Everything in Marrakech (2026 Update)
Orange juice should cost 5 MAD, not 20. A babouche should be 60, not 400. Here's our complete price guide so you never overpay again.
Henna in Jemaa el-Fna: Beautiful Art or Expensive Trap?
Henna is one of Jemaa el-Fna's most popular experiences and one of its most common scams. Here's how to get beautiful henna without the drama.
Fake Guides in the Medina: How They Work and How to Say No
Fake guides are one of the most persistent hassles in the Medina. Here's exactly how the faux guide system works, and how to handle it.
How to Pick the Right Riad: A Neighborhood Guide to Medina Accommodation
Not all riads are equal, and location matters more than you think. A neighborhood-by-neighborhood guide to choosing where to stay in the Medina.
Ramadan in the Medina: Why You Should Visit and What to Expect
Ramadan changes the Medina's rhythm completely. Most tourists avoid it. They're missing out.
How to Eat in the Medina Without Getting Sick
Street food is safe if you know what to look for. We break down the food stalls at Jemaa el-Fna, the best tagine spots, and the one rule that matters.
The Souks Map: Which Souk Sells What
Souk Smarine for textiles, Souk Haddadine for metalwork, Souk des Teinturiers for dyed goods. Navigate the souk labyrinth with this visual guide.
Why You Should Learn 10 Words of Darija Before You Go
Speaking even a few words of Moroccan Arabic changes everything. Prices drop, smiles appear, and the Medina opens up. Here are the only words you need.