Square & street · Medina centre

Jemaa el-Fna

Must-see

The great square at the heart of the Medina: musicians and juice stalls by day, a vast open-air kitchen at night.

Opening hours: Always open
Ticket: Free
Time needed: 1 h 30
Best time: Evening
Jemaa el-Fna: 5 min on foot

Why go

Jemaa el-Fna has been the city’s meeting place since the 11th century, and UNESCO lists its storytellers, musicians and healers as world heritage. By day it is a wide, sunny crossing point with orange juice carts, henna artists and snake charmers.

The square changes at sunset: food stalls go up in minutes, smoke rises from the grills and crowds gather around musicians and gnawa groups. Come at least once in the evening, then watch it again from a rooftop.

Tips

Agree a price before any photo of a performer or an animal, or keep your camera down.
At the food stalls, pick a busy one and check prices on the board before you sit.
Hold on to bags in the evening crowd; pickpockets work the busiest circles.
Photo tip: From a café terrace on the south side at blue hour, with the Koutoubia minaret behind the smoke of the grills.