Marrakech is one of those cities that you honestly can't believe is real. The busy souks, the vibrant colors, the wide desserts. You often just read about them in storybooks or watch them in movies or on TV! But in fact, Marrakech is a real city in the beautiful country of Morocco. And yes, it is as exotic, as stunning, and as captivating as you imagine it to be. Though once you learn more about it, especially the many unique and exciting neighborhoods it's made out of, you might have an easier time believing that it is a real place!
Gueliz
One word that can accurately describe the Gueliz district of Marrakech, it's 'cosmopolitan.' Instead of the exotic souks which have long represented the city, you're more likely to see upscale shopping districts and swanky restaurants. Stylish cafes and art galleries are also in abundance here, allowing you to have as many places to go to while you're here. Then, at night, the area goes off with a lively nightlife scene that you probably would have never expected in a place like Marrakech! It seems even this city has its own surprises!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Hivernage
Another more upscale part of Marrakech is Hivernage. A lot similar to the likes of Brooklyn in New York and
Montmartre in Paris, this district is all about the hip and the happening, the young and the young-at-heart. First-class restaurants that serve both Middle Eastern and other countries' cuisines are here for the taking. As are the many bars and nightclubs to look forward to after dark. As for accommodations, you can either go to a five-star hotel or even
rent a luxury home yourself!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Kasbah
Though it's technically part of the Medina district, the Kasbah area is so notable that people tend to regard it as an entirely separate neighborhood. A mix of the old and new, some parts are highly affluent while others look like they've never been touched for centuries. That's the whole charm of the place. The former is where you can stay in terms of accommodations while the latter is mostly for sight-seeing. You remember watching
Disney's 'Aladdin,' or reading about the Middle Eastern folk tales of 'One Thousand and One Nights,' right? Well, Kasbah looks like the type of place where such stories took place.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Kennaria
Marrakech's main square, Djemaa el-Fna, is located in the Kennaria neighborhood. This should already tell you what kind of place it is! busy and bustling, it's where you'll find so many souks, each offering their own unique items for the taking. It can get crowded a lot of times, which is actually its most alluring quality. Sure, other places are more luxurious, more traditional, and more exotic. But if you really want to see the true lifestyle of Marrakech, going to Kennaria is your best bet.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Medina
Medina is probably the district you've seen featured in films, talked about in travel blogs, shown in travel vlogs, and plastered unto millions of postcards. It's not the most modern area by any means, which makes the place even more fascinating. With so many souks on offer, you'll likely spend more than you bargained for while you're here. And who could blame you? From antiques to fashion, there are a lot of exciting and beautiful things in Medina.
Source: AFAR Media/Christopher Rose
Mellah
Unbeknownst to many, Mellah is actually the Jewish district of Marrakech. Well, other cities like Paris and Brussels have one, so it's not far-fetched that Marrakech has one too. Even though Morroco, has a whole, is generally a Muslim country. Nevertheless, the synagogues here are truly amazing. Beautiful traditional places of worship, you'll want to snap a few shots of them while you're here. If you prefer a quieter area, on the other hand, the Jewish Cemetary in the area is a great retreat.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Mouassine
If you ask anyone in the world where the best place to shop is, they'll say either
Paris,
London and the like. And while they're not wrong to answer like that, it's a shame Marrakech is often forgotten. Once you've been to the beautiful Mouassine district, you'll know why. Located within the walled area of the imperial city, the best and probably the only thing to do around here is shop. You won't want to do anything else once you see the beautiful trinkets, exotic antiques, colorful fabrics, and more that are all on offer here!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Palmeraie
Though it's very touristy and stereotypical to a fault, riding camels in Marrakech is an absolute must! You probably won't get this chance again for a long time! And it's only in the beautiful Palmeraie area where you can do it. Though, of course, there's more to this neighborhood than riding camels, you can't deny that these amazing creatures are, without a doubt, the highlight of the place. Majestic and breathtaking, riding them would make you feel that you've really arrived in Marrakech!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Sidi Ghanem Industrial Quarter
Marrakech is a city known for its fashion and art but, more often than not, the rest of the world relate that to the souks and whatnot. However, the Sidi Ghanem Industrial Quarter seeks to change that. Perhaps one of the more contemporary areas on this list, it's become the central artistic hub in Marrakech. Emerging artists showcase their latest works for all the world to see. Moroccan designers set up their shops and display their latest creations here. If you want to see the forward-thinking side of Marrakech, this is the place to be!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Marrakech is more than an exotic Middle Eastern City you've seen in movies or on TV. It's a real place with all the charms, quirks, and fantasy that you've often associated the city with. And seeing and learning more about the many neighborhoods here might just convince you of its reality!
