Marrakech

Koutoubia

Koutoubia Mosque

The 12th-century minaret that still sets the height of the old city. Mosques are closed to non-Muslim visitors, so walk its gardens at dusk, when the stone turns rose and the call to prayer carries over the square.

Evening · ~45 min

Riad Zitoun el Jdid

Bahia Palace

A 19th-century vizier's palace of courtyards, painted cedar ceilings and zellige. Go at opening: by late morning the tour groups fill the main court.

Morning · ~90 min

Medina – Souks

Souk Semmarine

Walk it in the morning before the tour groups, then turn off east at Rahba Kedima. The covered sections make it a fair option on a hot or showery day.

Morning · ~90 min

Gueliz

Amal Women's Training Center

Go for Friday couscous in the garden – arrive at noon – and you are funding the trainees who cook it.

Afternoon · ~75 min

Medina – Bab Jdid

La Mamounia bars (Le Churchill, Bar Majorelle, Le Club)

Dress smartly and go at 18:00 for one expensive, memorable drink at Le Churchill or a sunset glass at Le Club.

Evening · ~75 min

Medina – Koutoubia

Koutoubia minaret from the Koutoubia Gardens at dusk

The cleanest free frame of the minaret: palms and orange trees in the foreground, no traffic, and the floodlights come on just after sunset.

From 20 minutes before sunset to 25 minutes after (blue hour, when the minaret floodlights are on). The west face takes the last direct sun. · from On the garden path south-west of the minaret (towards Lalla Hasna park), looking north-east so the minaret rises above the palms; step back along the path until the whole tower fits with trees framing the base.

Evening · ~30 min

Medina – Jemaa el-Fnaa

Jemaa el-Fnaa from the Café de France terrace

The classic view of the square coming alive: order a mint tea on the top level, and stay as the food stalls light their grills.

30 minutes before sunset until about 30 minutes after, when the stall lights and smoke build against a blue sky. · from Top terrace, at the railing facing south-west across the square; the Koutoubia minaret sits on the right of the frame over the food stalls.

Evening · ~60 min

Medina – Bab Doukkala / Dar el Bacha

Dar el Bacha – Musée des Confluences

Come at opening to see the carved-plaster courtyard before the coffee queue forms, then decide whether to wait for Bacha Coffee. The palace itself is the show.

Morning · ~60 min

Kasbah

Kasbah quarter

Base a morning here: Bab Agnaou, the Saadian Tombs at opening, then El Badi, finishing with lunch on a Kasbah rooftop. Quieter streets than the northern souks.

Morning · ~120 min

Medina – Rahba Kedima

Café des Épices

Take the stairs to the top terrace for a mint tea while the square fills in the morning, or come back around 18:00 for the evening light.

Morning · ~45 min

Medina – Dar el Bacha

Bacha Coffee (Dar el Bacha)

Be at the door at 10:00, take the café ticket with the museum, and order a pot with a pastry under the painted ceilings before the queue builds.

Morning · ~60 min