Jemaa El-Fnaa Market - Marrakesh, MoroCco
Traditional Moroccan market with a massive variety of goods!Jemaa El-Fnaa Market Snapshot
Location
For the people of Morocco, the Jemaa el-Fnaa market is one of the most significant places in Marrakesh. It’s located right in the heart of town in the central area of the old Medina.
Hours
The main square is open 24 hours, although the hub of activity varies from morning through night. Things really come alive in the evening as restaurants fire up the grills and musicians come out even more.
What You'll Find
Everything from hype brands to traditional spices, food, and everything in between! I’d recommend getting some souvenirs for sure! They’re a must. Also, shirts and watches aplenty. If you go into the middle of the market, you will find some nice shoes shops as well!
Jemaa El-Fnaa Market Video
Morocco Fake Market Spree!
We’re out in Marrakesh, Morocco exploring the famous Jemaa El-Fnaa market, which is in the historic Medina area in the heart of town. You definitely need to bring your game here, because the bargaining is MAD!
In this video we’re bargaining for all the hottest gear and we get some great deals on Louis Vuitton, Yeezy shoes (700), Kenzo, Hublot, Rolex, Gucci, Goyard and much more! So come along and enjoy the hustle!
Everything to Know About the Jemaa El-Fnaa Market in Marrakesh
How to Get to the Jemaa El-Fnaa Market in Marrakesh?
The central part of the Medina is home to Jemaa el-Fnaa market. Everyone knows where the market is, and if you head toward the central area of town it’s hard to miss.
Walking is the best and fastest option, believe it or not, in Marrakesh. If you need to take another mode (we didn’t) I’d just recommend having the place you’re staying at call you up a taxi.
Getting to Marrakesh from Casablanca
If you’re coming from Casablanca, you can take a train from the city that leads directly to Marrakesh. This ride may take more than two to three hours. Once you get into town, you can take a short bus ride that will lead you to Jemaa el-Fnaa in the central area.
Alternatively, you can take a bus from Casablanca too. However, this would take much longer (almost four hours), and you will arrive at the same station as if you took the train.
Shopping at the Jemaa El-Fnaa Market in Marrakesh
For clothes, the market has many stalls and shops that sell both western-style clothing as well as traditional Moroccan clothes. You’ll also find a lot of fake brand names around here as well. The same goes for other items like bags, socks, and shoes.
This market is also where you can find souvenirs, keychains, jewelry and fragrances! The market is also home to excellent quality leather, so keep watch for that.
In the areas of the market with bazaars, you may come across electronic devices as well. Just make sure to inspect the quality and build before you purchase so that you can get the most value for your money.
Where to Stay in Marrakesh, Morocco?
Marrakesh is a bustling city in Morocco with a number of accommodation options for visitors. You could choose a traditional hotel, but as with other cities in Morocco, I find that some of the coolest places are Airbnbs as well as riads. Riads give you that local feel with an iconic courtyard, rooms throughout and sometimes even a great rooftop terrace.
Places to Visit in Marrakesh
Marrakesh is a popular city for visitors to Morocco. Tthe WHOLE city is one huge maze. I’d venture through it and get lost for a day. However, don’t get TOO lost as there are some people who will try to lead you astray by saying “GPS doesn’t work here”
What they do next is try to lead you somewhere to do who-knows-what. Seriously, it’s pretty easy to get caught into it so make sure NEVER to follow anyone, this needs to be said. Other than that, you’ll be fine.
Beyond The Old Medina
After exploring the old Medina area and doing some shopping at the Jemaa el-Fnaa market, you can also immerse yourself in the culture through food, music, drink and performances from the locals.
For religious and cultural hallmarks, the Koutoubia Mosque is a popular place to visit. The very tall building is the setting of many urban myths and legends.
The Saadian Tombs is another good spot to add to your itinerary. This place has tombs of members of Al-Mansour’s bloodline and is a very immersive place with a unique ambiance.
For those looking into the arts, the Marrakesh Museum is home to an impressive range of artwork, sculptures, and others. They have everything from religious to aesthetic creations.
Lastly, the Manara Gardens is a very atmospheric tourist spot. It is a sprawling garden located in the center of Marrakesh and is a peaceful escape from the busy city. Olive trees line the place, and there is a scenic lake. For couples or friends who want to have a picnic, the Manara Gardens may be the perfect spot.
Food in Marrakesh & Morocco
The cramped areas may be a bit of an inconvenience for some, but that’s a part of the experience. You can get seafood, including calamari and fish combined with vegetables. If you like meat, the merguez sausages are excellent, and the grilled dishes have smoky goodness to them. You can even find potato cakes if you want to try a hearty alternative to dessert.
Moroccan Cuisine
Morocco is home to a variety of fruits and vegetables. In terms of meat and poultry, significant cuts serve as the centerpiece of many recipes. Cooks infuse dishes with lemon, oil, butter, and fruits. One of the most famous dishes in Morocco is couscous, composed of tiny steamed balls of wheat with a healthy coating of stew.
About the Jemaa El-Fnaa Market in Marrakesh, Morroco
Marrakesh has been around for more than a millennium, and so has the Jemaa el-Fnaa market. The market has been a cultural hotspot for people from all walks of life. People can have their fortunes read, enjoy a performance from dancers or charmers, listen to preachers-somebody can find almost any form of entertainment in the area. Not only is this market a hub of activity for the town, but it’s connected to a lot of history.
This liveliness can be traced back to 1062 when the Almoravids established the city. Even as the Almohads seized the land and renovated it, trade and activities flourished in the area. However, the square of the place also became a symbol of fear. Centuries ago, people of power used to conduct public executions to demonstrate their reach and status.
Fast forward to today, and the Jemaa el-Fnaa retains its place as a cultural hotspot. People from different social classes take part in breathing life to the area, enjoying food, performances, and essential human services. As musicians and dancers give their all in entertainment shows for locals and tourists alike, the nightlife is bustling.
The Moroccan cultural legacy is alive and well, too, carried on by poets and artists that uphold their heritage through their craft.
Introduction to Morocco & Marrakesh
Before focusing on a specific part of an important city, it pays to know a little about the country you’re visiting. Geographically, Morocco is located across from Spain. The land was formerly French and Spanish-controlled, with two key areas still under the latter’s jurisdiction. In terms of wildlife, the country is home to a vast population of reptiles. Expect to see giant lizards and snakes in rural places, but keep watch for a few small mammals like primates too. As for the greenery, olive trees are abundant while conifers and oaks cover mountainous regions.
The government is a form of monarchy, and King Mohammed VI serves as the head of state. The leader asserts that he is a legacy of Muhammad. He has been in the position since the 90s.
About Marrakesh
Now that we know a bit of Morocco, let us get into the history of Marrakesh. The city began in the 11th century when Yusuf ibn Tashfin established a brand new government focused on Islam. The city became home to several religious sites, many of which are still standing today. Marrakesh served as the empire’s capital and became the subject of many attacks from both local and foreign rivals.
These resulted in an invasion of the place, and other countries exploited natural resources in Marrakesh. Today, Morocco and Marrakesh are independent. While the capital has moved to Rabat, Marrakesh is the biggest commercial hotspot in the country and transports several essential mining products.
History of Trade & Producing Goods in Marrakesh, Morocco
Marrakesh is one of the most economically significant places in Morocco. Accessibility initially limited trade routes, but improvements to roads opened up avenues for a better exchange. The city is home to over forty thousand merchants that sell forms of pottery, leather products, memorabilia, and others.
Many of these products come from foreign countries like China and India, two of the biggest importers in the world trade. However, many local shops infuse Western fashion with a Moroccan flavor. People that are selling self-made clothing use in-house materials to create a semblance of their brand.
Traders also specialize in other products, including poultry and meat butchers. Unfortunately, Marrakesh is a breeding ground for animal traders, which are often unsanctioned and unmoderated. The city is also the site of many industrial factories, particularly in the cement business. Workers turn to these for sources of income.