Marrakesh medina and Jemaa el-Fnaa
Jemaa el-Fnaa · Marrakesh medina, Morocco
UNESCO Oral and Intangible Heritage — a thousand-year-old open-air theatre of storytellers, snake charmers and Gnawa musicians.
Know before you go
- Photographing street performers usually requires a tip, so agree the price first
- during Ramadan avoid eating and drinking in public by day
- don't heckle the snake charmers or startle the snakes.
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
Jemaa el-Fnaa is the heart of Marrakesh's medina: by day it belongs to orange-juice stalls and snake charmers, and at night it becomes an open-air eatery for thousands, with hundreds of grills fired up at once. Storytellers tell thousand-year-old tales in Arabic, and Gnawa music blends African rhythms with Sufi chant. In 2001 it was proclaimed a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity (moved to the Representative List in 2008). The minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque beside the square is the city's landmark.
Local customs
- The square is Marrakesh's living room: in the evening whole families come out for snacks and shows
- mint tea and lamb tagine are night-market staples.
Religion & beliefs
- Islam (Sunni, Maliki school) is Morocco's state religion
- non-Muslims may not enter the Koutoubia Mosque but can admire it from outside. During Ramadan the night market is even livelier, peaking after the fast is broken.
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
Morocco: don't proselytise
- Respect the local Islamic faith
- Trying to convert Muslims to another religion or handing out missionary material
- Publicly criticising Islam (including online)
Proselytising can mean a fine or up to 3 years in prison; publicly criticising Islam can mean up to 2 years.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Morocco travel advice
Morocco: avoid public displays of affection
- Show restraint near religious sites and in tourist areas
- Kissing or hugging in public
It causes offence; same-sex intimacy can be prosecuted in Morocco.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Morocco travel advice
Morocco: during Ramadan, don't eat or drink in public by day
- Check opening hours during Ramadan
- Dress according to local custom
- Eating, drinking, smoking, chewing gum or swearing in public during the day
It offends people who are fasting.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Morocco travel advice
Don’t DON'T
- Photographing street performers usually requires a tip, so agree the price first
- during Ramadan avoid eating and drinking in public by day
- don't heckle the snake charmers or startle the snakes.
Locals appreciate DO
People in Marrakesh are warm and outgoing, stallholders love joking with visitors, and they are very proud of the square's UNESCO status.
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- At the night market, choose busy stalls with quick turnover for better hygiene
- snail soup and sheep's head are for the brave. Terrace cafés around the square are a good place to look over the whole night market — order a mint tea and you can stay as long as you like. Beware of 'free' photos followed by demands for big tips.
Eat nearby
What to eat nearby
Must-try
- Tagine
- Tanjia
- Brochettes (kebabs)
Tagine (chicken with preserved lemon and olives / beef with prunes), tangia (Marrakech beef slow-cooked in a clay jar), brochettes (skewers), harira soup, snail soup (square stalls — try with caution) + mint tea
| Where to eat | The numbered night-market stalls on Jemaa el-Fnaa, Mechoui Alley (whole roast lamb), small places in the medina |
|---|---|
| Dining etiquette | Moroccans are Muslim: pork is avoided, alcohol is rare and shouldn't be flaunted near mosques or during Ramadan, and eating in public then should be discreet; scooping tagine with bread in your right hand is the local way |
| Typical price per person | MAD 60–120 ≈ CNY 43–85 |
| Tips | At night-market stalls, confirm the price and whether bread and tea are included, and choose stalls busy with locals. |
Prices are typical rates as of October 2026, not exact quotes; CNY equivalents are approximate where exchange rates fluctuate.
Kim sosita · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photos
Photos
Dahbi fatima zahrae · CC BY-SA 4.0
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Jorge Láscar · CC BY 2.0
Elgaard · CC BY-SA 4.0
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