Nightlife · Marrakech · Morocco
Marrakech nightlife
Where the evenings happen in Marrakech, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Val Traveler, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Marrakech nightlife is split in two: evenings in the medina revolve around Jemaa el-Fnaa, rooftop dinners and live Gnaoua music, while bars, lounges and nightclubs are concentrated in Gueliz and Hivernage. Alcohol is served only in licensed venues. The main areas are Jemaa el-Fnaa, Gueliz, Hivernage and Medina rooftops.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 4
- Stay near the action
- Gueliz
- Local drink
- Mint tea
Where to go out
Jemaa el-Fnaa
Musicians, storytellers and food stalls fill the square every evening until late.
Gueliz
Wine bars, cocktail lounges and restaurants around Avenue Mohammed V.
Hivernage
Large nightclubs, hotel bars and dinner-show venues that stay open well past midnight.
Medina rooftops
Licensed rooftop bars and restaurants with views over the square and the Koutoubia.
Nightlife tips
- Take a petit taxi between the medina and Hivernage or Gueliz at night rather than walking the long avenues.
- Some bars close or stop serving alcohol during Ramadan, so check before planning a night out.
- Dress up a little for Hivernage clubs, which have door policies.
Evening sights
Landmark · Medina
Jemaa el-Fnaa
Watch the evening transformation from a rooftop café, then eat at a busy numbered stall; expect to pay performers if you photograph them.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours, best at dusk
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- After dark
- Food
- Kids
- Photo spot
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Religious site · Medina
Koutoubia Mosque
Walk through the rose gardens behind the mosque at sunset, when the call to prayer carries across the square.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- After dark
What to drink
- Mint tea — Green tea brewed with fresh mint and plenty of sugar, poured from a height to raise a foam and offered as a sign of hospitality in homes, shops and riads.
- Fresh orange juice — Morocco grows abundant oranges, and a glass of freshly squeezed juice is one of the city's simplest pleasures.
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. July has the warmest evenings, with lows around 21°C (70°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 18:50 | 6°C (43°F) | 4 |
| April | About 20:00 | 12°C (54°F) | 4 |
| July | About 20:38 | 21°C (70°F) | 0 |
| October | About 18:00 | 15°C (59°F) | 3 |
Getting home late
- Walking — Download an offline map, note your riad's nearest landmark and decline offers of directions from strangers.
- Taxi — Ask for the meter or agree the fare before getting in, and carry small notes.
- Bus — City buses link the medina, Gueliz, the train station, Jardin Majorelle and the airport, and a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus loops the main districts.
Late-night bites
- Snail soup — Snail carts in Jemaa el-Fnaa, especially in the cooler months.
- Amlou — Riad breakfasts, argan shops and spice stalls in the souks.
Staying safe at night
The most common problems are persistent touts, unofficial guides who claim a lane is 'closed' to steer you to a shop or tannery, and pickpocketing in Jemaa el-Fnaa and the souks. Scooters speed through the medina lanes, and summer heat can be extreme, so carry water and rest at midday.
- Emergency number
- 19 police, 15 ambulance and fire
Where to stay for nightlife
$$ · Best for solo travellers, nightlife, shopping and budget
Gueliz
Laid out under the French protectorate in the early 20th century, Gueliz is Marrakech's modern centre, with Avenue Mohammed V, café terraces, art galleries, wine bars and supermarkets. Jardin Majorelle and the YSL Museum are on its edge, the train station is nearby, and the medina is a 20–30 minute walk or a short taxi ride away.
- Good
- Easy to navigate, with fewer touts; Bars and modern restaurants; Close to Majorelle and the station
- Watch out
- Less atmosphere than the medina; Taxi needed for the main medina sights
- Nearby
- Jardin Majorelle, Musée Yves Saint Laurent, Marrakech train station, Avenue Mohammed V
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in Marrakech?
Jemaa el-Fnaa, Gueliz and Hivernage. Musicians, storytellers and food stalls fill the square every evening until late.
+Which area of Marrakech is best for nightlife?
Gueliz: French-built new town of cafés, galleries and modern hotels.