place Jemaa el Fna, Marrakech

Over 30 reviews, and I am sure the main points have all been covered! This was probably one of the highlights of or Moroccan trip, and we spent many nights here having food and orange juice.

Just a few tips for those going for the first time:

The best time to go is at night, as that is when all the stalls are set up, and there will be lots of entertainment from storytellers, snake charmers, monkey handlers, etc etc.

Prices are displayed on boards in front of each shop. It is illegal for them to charge you more.

Bring a pack of tissues or wipes, as the stalls don’t provide them.

If hygiene is of utmost importance to you, bring along your own glass/empty bottle to have the orange juice in the square. The stallholders all wash their glasses in the same bucket of water all night long! Also bring along some cutlery as some of the stalls don’t provide them (you’re meant to use your fingers and the bread, Moroccan style).

When you walk around, you will definitely be ambushed by all the promoters wanting you to eat at their stall! Although they all have the same foods and charge roughly the same prices, don’t feel bad to give them the cold shoulder and take your time to decide.

The snake-men will try to put snakes around girls’ necks to scare them, and then try to get some money to take it off. Just don’t walk near them, and if they do try to put the snake around you, remember that they are not poisonous and are tame.

This will be your central point in Marrakesh, everything is around here. First, in the morning its home to cheap breakfast. You don’t know what that breakfast is until you actually get it, but its 20 dirhams and you get juice and coffee/tea.

While sitting in the morning you can watch all the locals getting set up for the day and the tourists leaving/arriving then as it gets later you can head off into the winding maze that is the Souks. My hint to you is, whatever price they tell you something is, offer them one third and do NOT pay over two thirds of the original asking price. Don’t be scared to walk away, the guy three stalls down will be selling the same stuff!! I got a moroccan lamp, a proper big glass one (that was a pain getting home!!) and he wanted 1200 dirhams for it and i paid 300.

If you manage to not get completely lost in the souks then try and find yourself some lunch, by this point the square is busier and there are food places set up and JUICE lots of juice!! And snake charmers - but i stayed away from them. The henna ladies will chase you, telling you that you have beautiful eyes even though you’re wearing sunglasses. If you’re not interested and don’t want to get into a debate with them, its best if they don’t know which language you speak. So either ignore them or give them a swift “la shokran” which means no thank you in arabic. If you speak french they’ll think you’re French, if you speak german they’ll speak german and so on. So best not to give it away ;)

Walk along the main street once its dark and go for a horse and cart ride through the city, but make sure that you end your day as high up as you can get in one of the rooftop cafes so that you get the most gorgeous view of the square you’ll ever see.

You’re going to find your way here, no two ways about it - if you’re in Marrakech then you’re sure to end-up in the big square (that’s what the local youth are calling it cos we make such a hash of pronouncing it). In the daytime it’s an important part of the market but at night… that’s when it’s special.

You’ll have to be there to even get a whiff of what everyone’s telling you. My only advice is get stuck in. Eat here (highly recommend table number 1) at least once - you’ll get badgered by every stall holder sure but it’s all good natured. Just tell them you’ve already eaten, walk round once then choose a stall and order away - cheaper than chips.

What a place, you can love it and go mad at the same time!
Needs to be seen during the night and day, different things going on.
Be sure to take in the story tellers , you won’t understand it, but the residents love it.Drink the fresh Orange juice, you might even eat at the evening food stalls, lots of people do… and Are probably OK, but there must be some risk.
And the constant drums and pipes, it’s sometimes good to go somewhere quiet for a break, after a few days you can take it all in your stride… and it’s then off to the Souk.
There are plenty of Cafe’s with good views of the Square.

A bustling, lively square set in the Medina of Marrakech. Lovely to visit either in the heat of the day or in the evening, though there is often more entertainment at night.
Snake charmers, dancers, story-tellers, henna artists - the list goes on. Definitely a must for all tourists to Morocco, and often useful as a starting point for entering the surrounding Souks. There is an abundance of restaurants and places to eat, including tables and stalls where your food is made in front of you. Jemaa El Fna is a great place to eat good food, cheaply. Perfect for anyone on a budget.
Overall a great place for entertainment and a memorable night or two!

This place is rather special, however if it is your first few days in Morocco go easy on the variety’s, you might end up on the toilet for a couple of days. Also it is a rule that you will get over charged, except if you have a beard and speak Arabic you might not. So first rule, always bargain and never pay more the 75% of what someone is asking for. That rule is for any purchase in Morocco especially Taxis. I took a taxi all the way to Esauria at the Atlantic for £7.5. This place by the way is a good escape from the hustle and bustle of Marrakesh.

The craziest market square you will probably ever experience. Snake chamers and monkeys, afrodisiaks and food stalls. The smells are awesome and the whole market becomes engulfed in a cloud of smoke from the cooking. If you go to Morrocco this has to experienced to see the true culture which Morrocco can offer. Many cafes and restuarants are situated around the market which are perfect just to sit with a coffee and take it all in.

Everyone who’s stayed in Marrakesh will have been here, and you should go too. The Jemaa el Fna or “Assembly of the Dead” is the main square and centre of a lot of the action here. Stepping off a short flight from Europe into this is a bit like walking into an Indiana Jones film… there are snake charmers, monkeys, story tellers, artists, hawkers, tortoise-sellers… people from all walks of life who will hassle and entertain.

It really comes alive at night when you can witness the smoke rising, the drums beating and the wafts of incense drifting on the air.

Best taken in at first hand, but when you tire of the crowds you can retreat to one of the many elevated bars and observe from a distance…