Bucketlist Travels logo

Travel bucket list idea:

Jemaa El Fna

  • Marrakech, Marrakech-Safi, Morocco

Last updated: 24 July, 2024

Marrakech’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed central square epitomises the exotic allure of the city. From dawn until well after dusk it hums with activity, like an open-air theatre.

The scene here has changed little down the centuries; snake charmers, Gnaoua musicians, magicians and myriad other performers congregate here, mainly for local audiences – though at peak times it’s very touristy.

By early evening part of the square becomes a giant open-air kitchen and is given over to countless food stalls serving local specialities. The Medina’s famous souks start on its fringes.

Recommendations

1

Street food in Jemaa el Fna

  • Marrakech, Marrakech-Safi, Morocco

A street food stall in Jemaa El Fna square full of people dining at dusk

Experience

Smoky grills and lively stalls serve up mouth-watering delicacies including seafood, snails, offal and bowls of harira soup nightly from 6 pm – just pull up a stool and point at what you want. Standards vary hugely though; a good rule of thumb is to go to whichever is busiest – or check out local foodie blogs to find which are recommended.

Good for age: 13+

Duration: Any

Logistics

Price: Free
Minimum age: 0
Age suitable: 8+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

Just stroll around and soak up the sights and sounds. In the evening the smoke billows up from the food stalls, the entertainers and musicians are out in force and the square pulses with people and atmosphere.

Many of the food stalls wash their dishes and cutlery in the same, untreated water. Bring your own cutlery and eat off a paper plate or napkin – or play safe and eat elsewhere. Forgo ice in your drink.

When to do it

There’s usually not a whole lot going on in the daytime (due to the heat, amongst other things). The action really starts from dusk.

Who to go with: organised tours

1

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

  • Marrakech

Indulge in exotic Moroccan foods and feast your senses on the spectacle of Marrakech’s chaotic main square, Djemaa El Fna, during this unforgettable walking tour. With the help of your local guide, learn about Morocco's vibrant spices, witness the art of haggling at a local meat market, and sample local delicacies including cow’s hoof, sheep’s head and ghoulal, a snail soup. Your gastronomic adventure culminates with a traditional Moroccan dinner amid the snake charmers, henna artists and fortune tellers in eye-popping Djemaa El Fna. This small-group tour is limited to 12 people to ensure more personalized attention from your guide.

Price €40

Min age 0

Rating 4.67 / 5 [273 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
Website >