Tourist map of Marrakech: the zones to know and where to find a map

Marrakech fits on a simpler map than you might expect: a walled medina in the middle, a new town to the north-west, a few large gardens and the Palmeraie on the outskirts. This guide describes each zone as you would on a plan, with approximate walking times, the pages of this site that cover the places, and ways to get a usable map, including without a connection. It does not reproduce a map: the medina's maze reads poorly on a fixed plan, and an online map is more reliable. The times given are walking estimates, as checked in October 2026.

The medina, in the centre

Surrounded by a circuit of ochre rammed-earth ramparts, the medina holds most of the monuments and souks. It splits into three sectors:

The centre, around Jemaa el-Fna square and the Koutoubia Mosque, about ten minutes' walk from each other. Jemaa el-Fna is the main landmark: everything starts there, and most taxi drivers know it.
The northern medina, between the square and the Ben Youssef Madrasa: the souks spread out here, with the tanneries far to the east. It is the densest and most disorienting part.
The southern medina, with the Kasbah, the Saadian Tombs, the El Badi Palace, the Mellah and the Bahia Palace. The streets are wider; the walk is a loop of about three kilometres (see Kasbah and Mellah).

Ramparts of the Marrakech medina

For the old town's landmarks, also read our medina guide.

Guéliz and Hivernage, the new town

North-west of the medina, the new town dates from the protectorate. Guéliz is organized around Avenue Mohammed V, which links the Koutoubia to the heart of the district in about half an hour on foot: shops, cafés, galleries and restaurants. Further south, Hivernage is a quiet residential and hotel district with the big hotels and the Royal Theatre. The railway station sits on the boundary between the two. The Majorelle Garden is in northern Guéliz, about ten minutes by taxi from Jemaa el-Fna. Our Guéliz and Hivernage guide covers this zone.

The gardens and the outskirts

The Menara (west) and the Agdal (south) are two large gardens of olive trees and basins, about 15 minutes by taxi from the centre: Menara Gardens, Agdal Gardens. Our Agdal and Menara guide describes them.
The Palmeraie stretches to the north, about ten kilometres away: you need a taxi or a transfer. See Marrakech Palmeraie.
The airport is to the south-west: our airport to city centre guide gives the options.

Table of zones

Zone	Why go	From Jemaa el-Fna
Square and Koutoubia	Central landmark, evenings	10 min on foot (Koutoubia)
Northern medina	Souks, Ben Youssef, tanneries	10 to 25 min on foot
Southern medina	Palaces, Kasbah, Mellah	15 to 25 min on foot
Guéliz	Cafés, galleries, shopping	10 to 15 min by petit taxi
Majorelle Garden	Garden, YSL and Berber museums	10 to 15 min by petit taxi
Hivernage	Hotels, nightlife, station	10 min by petit taxi
Menara, Agdal	Gardens, rest	15 min by petit taxi
Palmeraie	Pools, walks, quad biking	20 to 30 min by taxi

Indicative times, depending on traffic.

Where to find a map

Offline on your phone: download the Marrakech area in a mapping app before you leave, and mark Jemaa el-Fna and your riad. GPS often works without a network, but narrow derbs lose the signal: rely on landmarks (gates, mosques).
Paper map: your hotel or riad hands one out free, with its address written in Arabic for drivers. A paper map is only for locating zones, never for following the derbs.
"Official" maps sold in the street or offered by a passer-by are rarely reliable. Our guide to scams to avoid explains why a "helpful" stranger may lead you to a shop.

Finding your way without getting lost

Most visitors get lost in the northern souks, rarely elsewhere. A few tips: memorize the direction of the Koutoubia minaret, visible from afar, note the name of the gate closest to your riad, and ask a shopkeeper for directions rather than a young man who offers to "guide" you. For the night, see Marrakech at night; for travel times, our guide to getting around Marrakech.