Marrakesh Nightlife

My first view of Marrakesh was at night, driving from the airport to my hotel.

I love arriving in a new place at night, when everywhere is lit up.

My first memories were of the Koutoubia Mosque, illuminated against the night sky, plus the many fountains we passed at the intersections of Ave Mohammed V.

This fountain was opposite the Koutoubia Mosque, near one of the roads leading to Djemma el Fnaa.

Dress Code: If visiting in Winter, you'll need to wrap up warmly if admiring the night time views!

I loved visiting Djemma el Fnaa at night. My first night in Marrakesh, I headed here first. I'd heard so many reports of this place, mainly good, some were warnings.

I first went to The Argana cafe for mint tea, and a panoramic view of the square, before heading for the food stalls and enjoying my first meal at Aychas Number 1. (see my restaurant tips for more details)

I then strolled around, soaking up the atmosphere and sounds. I felt quite safe wandering by myself. I stopped to watch a few of the musicians and storytellers. While I was watching one group, one of the musicians came over, and led me by the hand to sit at the side of the group. I was made to feel very welcome. Although I didn't understand the stories, I enjoyed this experience, and it made my first night in Marrakesh very special.

I spent most of my evenings enjoying the music and atmosphere of Djemma el Fnaa.

Dress Code: In winter it can be very cold. I was pleased I'd packed my winter coat, gloves and fleece hat. (I wasn't expecting that I'd be wearing them in Marrakesh though!)

Dark clothes are probably best, as eating at the food stalls can result in spilt food..the benches are sometimes a distance from the table..if you're a shorty like me!

djamaa el fna is the place to be at night in marrakesh.
it's beaming with life and has street artists and story tellars everywhere.
there is lot's of food and drink on the square (no alcohol) and the place has a magic feel to it that i have never seen anywhere else in this world.
trust me.
an evening visit to djamaa el fna is a must.

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Peace and chaos.

Peace: the silent alleys of the medina that scream to be walked about at night - the narrower, the better, as there are fewer chances of meeting people.

Chaos: Djema el Fnaa, exciting if taken in small doses, but it drove me nuts after a couple of hours, with its constant sound of drums.

Once it gets too much, a walk in the deserted medina is a great antidote.

Dress Code: Clothes are required - modest clothes are preferred.

Diamant noir, a nice place where to spend a few hours and drink some beer even if drinks are not so cheap.
If you look for a moviment night, you can try the Sherzazed, but check if it is open before letting the taxy go away, it's often closed for weeks after riots and fights, but, if you are not involved in those stuffs you'll join the best moroccan music and drink the cheapest beer.

Dress Code: There is no particular dress code and the entrance is 100 DH.

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Here in this huge square in the medina is the focal point of Marrakech.

Many would agree with Paul Bowles, (probably the bestknown foreign writer who lived in and wrote about Morocco, immersed in Morocco's literary scene for about 50 years) who had said that without this square and the spectacles that go on in it Marrakech would be just another city.

Other than the souks this is where everything happens - not just the tourists here as the majority of the huge and lively crowd drawn here to entertain and be entertained are locals.

Lively at any time of the day it largely comes into into its own from dusk - rows and rows of open air food stalls with cooking aromas and smoke filling the air, attendants jostling for customers.
Here you will also find all sorts of entertainers each surrounded by spectators moving from one group onto the next - jugglers, musicians, story tellers, acrobats, snake charmers, performing monkeys - all trying to earn a few dirham for the show. In amongst this are the water sellers, henna ladies, knick knack sellers.
On the outskirts are the orange juice and fruit wagon stalls, music stalls and the surrounding restaurants and rooftop cafes in which you can retreat to absorb the atmosphere from the distance.

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Set in the heart of the Palmeraie, Nikki Beach is a charming oasis with a relaxed and sophisticated ambience. It’s a place of excellence in the “Red City” where you can spend quality time in a convivial glamorous atmosphere.
Make friends while tanning under the pleasant sun surrounded exotic perfumes and beautiful palm trees. Taste our refined International cuisine with an Oriental touch.
Sip the best cocktails and fine wines as you let yourself be enchanted by the music of our resident Dj. You will want to share the magic spirit of Nikki Beach with all your loved ones.

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Most international lounge lizards have come across a Pacha or two in their time (such as the new Pacha NYC), but who knew there are actually 25 Pachas scattered all over the globe.
One of the most sumptuous is Pacha Marrakech, barely a 2 years old itself but already attracting huge crowds to its sprawling barplex.
In addition to the de rigueur giant club cave and separate chill-out lounge, this Pacha also sports two restaurants and a patently absurd swimming pool (used mostly for its poolside area rather than actual dunking).
Note that the 50,000-watts of DJ power supposedly makes Pacha "the biggest sound in Africa."