Where to Stay in Marrakech, Morocco: 14 Riads & Safe Areas for 2026

Marrakech in Morocco is a city that either completely sweeps you off your feet or has you wanting to flee after just a few hours. When Lukáš and I set off here in December on our big Moroccan road trip, it threw us straight into unbelievable chaos. Exotic spices scent the air everywhere, vendors call out to you from every corner, and scooters weave through the narrow alleys so tightly that you have to keep jumping out of the way.

Choosing the right accommodation is absolutely key here, because after a day packed with impressions you need a calm refuge. Back then, as backpackers, we went for the budget Riad Sijane. Today the choice of riads is far wider, though, and for reasonable money you can even get a quieter spot with a little pool. In this article I’ll show you in detail which neighbourhoods make sense for different types of travellers, and together we’ll pick out the most beautiful riads, from cheap to genuinely luxurious.

If you’re planning to rent a car right at the airport, let me honestly warn you that driving in the centre really is a test of nerves. We handled traffic in Uganda and Thailand without a scratch, but this one gave us a serious run for our money. So consider staying somewhere on the edge of town instead, because untangling yourself from the historic centre can easily take an hour.

TL;DR

💡 Tip: You can compare accommodation in Marrakech all in one place — check availability and prices in Marrakech. It pays to book well ahead, as the best value-for-location spots disappear first.

• Best luxury experience for the demanding: El Fenn
• Best choice for a romantic getaway for two: Riad Yasmine
• Best value with a breathtaking interior: Riad BE Marrakech
• Great, spacious choice for families with kids: Riad Shama Suites
• Best budget stay right in the heart of the action: Riad Bibazia
• Ideal for travellers with a car, away from the crazy traffic: Hôtel Toulousain
• For no-frills backpackers and solo travellers: Riad Sijane

Which area to choose

Marrakech is split into several very different parts, and each one offers a completely different experience. Inside the old walls you’ll travel back several centuries in time, while just outside them you’ll find modern cafés and wide boulevards. Your choice of neighbourhood will shape your whole holiday, so it’s worth thinking it through carefully.

The Medina (old town) is the most classic choice for a first visit, because this is where you’ll find the famous Jemaa el-Fnaa square, the Koutoubia Mosque and endless souks full of colourful goods. Life here plays out on rooftop terraces over sweet mint tea rather than in noisy bars, which has an incredible charm. But I have to warn you firmly that the medina is dangerous for tourists at night. After dark it’s best to stick to the main routes, and women should definitely not walk here alone at night.

Guéliz (the new town) was built by the French during the colonial era and at first glance feels more like southern Europe. You’ll find wide tree-lined avenues, modern shops and upscale restaurants with a Western standard. It’s a great choice for those who don’t want to step out of their comfort zone or simply worry about getting lost in the tangled old town. The downside is that, compared to the medina, this quarter lacks a bit of that true oriental soul, and you won’t experience that typical Moroccan chaos here.

Hivernage is the absolute byword for luxury resorts and elegant nightlife. During the day it’s perfectly peaceful for relaxing by the pool, but in the evening the whole quarter comes alive with music and lights from its famous venues. It’s the ideal compromise, because you’re still very close to the old town while enjoying every conceivable comfort.

Palmeraie lies a short drive out of the city and works as a huge oasis full of towering palm trees. It’s home to the most luxurious palace resorts, though prices here far exceed the level of a lovely riad in the centre. If you’re after absolute privacy, golf courses, and don’t mind commuting into the centre by taxi, you’ll be thrilled here.

When to go and when to book — Marrakech Morocco weather

Marrakech is undoubtedly a year-round destination, but spring and autumn mark the absolute peak of the tourist season. In March, April, October and November the temperatures are at their most pleasant, around 25 degrees, so you can stroll among the sights beautifully without dripping with sweat after five minutes of walking. In these months, however, you need to book accommodation at least three months in advance, because the best and most photogenic riads vanish at incredible speed.

Lukáš and I set off to Morocco in December, and you have to reckon with fairly big temperature swings. During the day it was a lovely 18 degrees, absolutely ideal for sightseeing, but at night temperatures dropped to around 5 degrees. If you travel in winter as we did, definitely check in advance that your riad has working heating in the room, or air conditioning with a heating function. Old Moroccan houses work like a fridge.

As for a rough budget for 2026, the price differences here are absolutely enormous and there’s genuinely something for everyone. A bed in an ordinary hostel in the medina will cost you roughly €12 to €18 a night. A small, simple riad will set you back €40 to €70 and give you a lovely private room. For a really nice riad with a little pool you’ll pay €50 to €120, while premium mid-range runs between €80 and €220. The most luxurious riads with views of the Atlas Mountains then start at €300 and climb easily to €700 a night.

Our eight-day Moroccan road trip cost the two of us a total of around €950, though it’s true we stuck mostly to the cheaper accommodation options.

Accommodation	Area	Category	Price/night	What stands out
El Fenn	medina	Luxury	€400–700	Connected riads, pools, art, rooftop breakfast with Atlas views
La Sultana Marrakech	medina	Luxury	€300–600	Next to the Saadian Tombs, 28 rooms, spa, rooftop restaurant
Angsana Heritage Collection	medina	Luxury	from ~€250	Restored historic buildings, top-notch service and spa
L’Hotel Marrakech	medina	Luxury	from ~€300	19th-century house, Jasper Conran design, 6 suites around the pool
Riad BE Marrakech	southern medina	Mid-range	€120–220	Sensitive renovation, quiet location
Riad Yasmine	medina	Mid-range	€80–150	Green pool with an orange tree, just 10 rooms
Riad Shama Suites	medina	Mid-range	€80–160	Spacious rooms, peace and quiet, and a pool
Riad Dar El Bahja & Spa	medina	Mid-range	€60–120	Close to the main action, good value for money
Riad Alia	medina	Mid-range	€60–120	Traditional riad within reach of Jemaa el-Fnaa
Maison Dar Saada	medina	Budget	€40–70	Authentic and cosy, right in the heart of the action
Riad Bibazia	medina	Budget	€40–70	Safe alley, welcoming staff
Riad Dada Massouda Spa	medina	Budget	€40–80	Above-standard for reasonable money
Hôtel Toulousain	Guéliz	Budget	€40–70	Quiet choice in the new town, good for road trips
Riad Sijane	medina	Cheapest	from ~€18	Hostel option, bring your own towel

14 best hotels and riads in Marrakech, Morocco

Let’s take a look at specific tips on where to rest your head. We’ve carefully mapped the market for you and picked the most interesting options for every conceivable budget.

1. El Fenn

This boutique riad ranks among the absolute best of what you can experience in Marrakech, and if you have an unlimited budget it definitely won’t disappoint. It’s a complex of several connected historic houses that together form a huge labyrinth full of amazing art and gorgeous rich colours. There are several pools tucked away in the shade of exotic plants, where guests enjoy complete calm far from the noisy markets. Every room is a total one-off, and inside you’ll feel like you’re in a luxury gallery.

In their reviews, guests most love the amazing rooftop terraces, where fantastic, generous breakfasts are served. The view from the terrace straight onto the snowy peaks of the Atlas Mountains is said to be absolutely breathtaking, and towards evening it turns into pure romance. Price-wise you’re in the highest luxury category here, so count on roughly €400 to €700 a night, and it’s often sold out months ahead.

💡 Tip: If you’re not actually staying here, at least try to book a table at the rooftop bar, where they serve great drinks at sunset.

2. La Sultana Marrakech

Right next to the famous Saadian Tombs hides this incredibly luxurious palace with 28 uniquely furnished rooms. La Sultana offers stunning architecture full of carved wood and intricate multicoloured mosaics that instantly transport you into the tales of the Arabian Nights. The whole property is designed to offer maximum privacy, which makes it a very sought-after place for a peaceful holiday. The rooms are huge and full of antique furniture from local workshops.

Inside the palace you’ll find a first-class spa where you can treat yourself to a traditional Moroccan hammam at the very highest level. The rooftop restaurant offers a beautiful panoramic view over the whole city, which you’ll appreciate especially at romantic dinners under the stars. The price level for this five-star experience runs between €300 and €600 a night.

💡 Tip: This hotel is reportedly ideal for honeymooning couples, because the staff can arrange incredibly romantic surprises with rose petals right in your room.

3. Angsana Heritage Collection

If you love deep history combined with top-notch Asian service, this collection of restored historic buildings from the Banyan Tree group will completely win you over. Each house in the collection has its own unique story and has been very sensitively renovated by local craftsmen to keep its authentic soul. The buildings are scattered across the medina, so you can stay in exactly the part of the old town that suits you best.

The rooms are decorated in a darker, very elegant traditional style with heavy curtains and wrought-iron lamps. Guests especially appreciate the incredible calm that reigns here even though you’re just a short walk from the busy markets and honking scooters. For a night in this quiet luxury you’ll pay from €300 upwards, with flawless personal service included.

💡 Tip: Be sure to try their renowned massages, as the therapists are trained directly at Banyan Tree’s Thai academies and blend Moroccan traditions with Asian techniques.

4. L’Hotel

Behind this incredibly stylish 19th-century project stands British designer Jasper Conran, who created a true oasis of taste here. L’Hotel offers just six exclusive suites, laid out around a beautiful central courtyard with a large heated pool. Thanks to such a small number of rooms, the atmosphere is wonderfully intimate, and you often have the whole pool to yourself, which is a huge luxury in Marrakech.

The interiors masterfully combine genuine Moroccan craftsmanship with antique furniture brought in from all over Europe, creating a very sophisticated atmosphere. It’s a perfect choice for lovers of refined design who are after a calm setting without crowds of other tourists. Prices match this high exclusivity and start at roughly €400 a night.

💡 Tip: On cooler autumn and spring evenings you can have a fire lit in a classic fireplace, which is part of some of the more luxurious suites.

5. Riad BE Marrakech

This riad in the southern part of the medina is one of the most photographed places on the entire internet, and you’ve surely seen it somewhere already. It went through a very sensitive and incredibly colourful renovation that leaves it feeling amazingly fresh, clean and youthful. The green turquoise tiles around the main plunge pool are simply iconic and contrast beautifully with the surrounding plants and clay walls.

It’s an absolutely fantastic choice for travellers looking for affordable luxury and a gorgeous setting for their photos. Breakfast is served on the amazing rooftop terrace and, according to many reviews, it’s huge, varied and utterly delicious. Price-wise you’ll comfortably fit into a very reasonable €120 to €220 a night.

💡 Tip: The riad even runs its own yoga studio, so you can start your day full of walking with a morning stretch and a breathtaking view over the waking city.

6. Riad Yasmine

Another internet legend, made famous by its gorgeous emerald-green pool with a large painted symbol on the bottom. This boutique riad offers just ten cosy rooms, which guarantees guests a very personal, friendly approach from the welcoming owners. Each room is named after a different Moroccan region and has its own specific colour palette, so you can keep coming back and experience something a little different each time.

The atmosphere is beautifully rounded out by mature orange trees and comfy padded loungers set around the water. It’s an absolutely ideal spot for couples in love looking for a romantic hideaway from the bustle and dust of the noisy medina. A night here will cost you roughly €80 to €150, which is a very fair price for such beauty.

💡 Tip: They have an adorable cat called Bowie who reportedly loves to get cuddles from guests over the morning coffee.

7. Riad Shama Suites

If you’re travelling with kids or in a larger group of friends, this riad is an absolutely fantastic and practical choice. The rooms here are unusually generous and spacious, which is certainly not the rule in the medina’s cramped old buildings. Families will appreciate that a cot fits comfortably in the rooms, with plenty of space left over for all your suitcases and toys.

In the middle of the large, bright courtyard there’s a beautifully clean pool you can happily plunge into after a full day of walking. The whole place is very calm and pleasantly quiet, so you and your kids will sleep wonderfully after a demanding day. Price-wise this spot falls into the mid-range with very good value for money.

💡 Tip: The staff are reportedly very accommodating when it comes to special kids’ meals and will gladly help you organise family day trips to the surrounding area.

8. Riad Dar El Bahja & Spa

This traditional riad sits in a very strategic location, with all the main sights relatively close by. It offers a very authentic and warm Moroccan experience with beautiful carved doors, wrought-iron chandeliers and colourful mosaics at every turn. From the outside it looks like an ordinary wall, but as soon as you step inside, a calm space full of greenery opens up before you.

The riad also includes a small but very pleasant spa where you can rest after a long day of walking on the paving. Guests particularly praise the very clean rooms and the ever-smiling staff, who are happy to help you find your way through the winding alleys of the old town. Price-wise it’s a very comfortable middle ground.

💡 Tip: Be sure to order the traditional super-sweet mint tea as soon as you arrive; it’ll help you switch beautifully into slow Moroccan mode.

9. Riad Alia

A beautiful and reliable choice in the mid-price category that certainly won’t let you down with its service. Riad Alia cleverly combines traditional Moroccan architecture with modern amenities, so you won’t be missing anything from the usual European standard you’re used to. The walls are decorated with traditional stucco and the floors are covered with hand-woven Berber rugs that lend the place warmth.

The inner courtyard is full of lush greenery and hides a small plunge pool that literally saves lives on scorching summer afternoons. The breakfasts served here are fresh and incredibly generous, full of warm homemade pastries, jams and fresh fruit bought at the morning market.

💡 Tip: Rooms on the upper floors get a bit more daylight than those on the ground floor, so when booking try asking for a room upstairs.

10. Maison Dar Saada

For travellers on a tighter budget, this cosy accommodation is a real hidden gem. Maison Dar Saada lies right in the very heart of all the action, so the main Jemaa el-Fnaa square and the best-known sights are just a few minutes’ walk away. That means you don’t have to spend money on taxis and can explore most of the city comfortably on foot.

Despite the significantly lower price, the house keeps a wonderful authentic atmosphere and the owners look after it with love and care. There’s no unnecessary luxury or big pool here, but you’ll find comfortable beds, clean, well-kept bathrooms and a huge dose of genuine Moroccan hospitality.

💡 Tip: An excellent choice for those who want to spend most of the day exploring the city and soaking up the atmosphere, and only come back to their accommodation to sleep.

11. Riad Bibazia

This cheaper riad is a huge surprise, because for little money you get a lot of bang for your buck and great service. It sits in a very safe and quiet alley, so in the evenings you don’t have to worry about street noise or pushy vendors disturbing your sleep. The interior is bright, clean and very tastefully furnished with respect for local traditions.

The biggest asset of this place is the incredibly welcoming staff, who will happily help you with everything and even arrange an airport transfer. The riad is smaller but very cosy, and they even have a lovely little rooftop terrace for evening lounging under the stars. In Morocco we followed a rule from the English-language travel forums and ate where the locals eat, which guaranteed us great food.

💡 Tip: Ask the staff to recommend where to eat well and cheaply nearby; they have great tips for local spots away from the pricey tourist traps.

12. Riad Dada Massouda Spa

A great compromise for those who want to save on accommodation but also like to treat themselves to a little relaxation and pampering. Despite its low price, this riad offers its own spa facilities, which is a huge and very welcome rarity in this affordable price category. You can enjoy traditional treatments without ever leaving the comfort of your hotel.

The rooms are furnished fairly simply but very tastefully, with a huge emphasis on everyday cleanliness. The atmosphere here is more homely and relaxed, so you’ll quickly feel like you’re visiting distant relatives rather than staying at an impersonal hotel chain.

💡 Tip: Book a relaxing hammam with them for your very first evening; it’ll help you beautifully wash away the fatigue of the journey and all the stress from the airport.

13. Hôtel Toulousain

If you’re travelling around Morocco by car, give the medina a wide berth and stay here instead. This hotel is in the modern Guéliz quarter, which means you can drive here in peace without losing your mind in the narrow alleys between donkey carts. We had a little rented Fiat Panda and got pretty sweaty in the traffic. Over five days, by the way, the police stopped us something like twenty times, so be ready for frequent checks and arm yourself with patience.

Hôtel Toulousain offers a very pleasant standard, a beautiful tropical garden and, above all, the calm you need from the street chaos. You’ll be a short walk from modern cafés and the big shopping avenues, while the old town is a pleasant stroll of about twenty minutes away.

💡 Tip: An ideal base if you want to set out from Marrakech on day trips towards the Atlas Mountains or the Ouzoud Waterfalls. When we headed to the waterfalls, we found that the classic tourist route is actually calmer than the “non-touristy” one people try to push on you.

14. Riad Sijane

Our own personal pick from the days when we travelled through Morocco on a very tight belt, counting every dirham. It’s a classic hostel right in the busy medina, offering bunks in shared rooms at truly unbeatable prices in the range of €12 to €18. The location is absolutely fantastic, because the famous Jemaa el-Fnaa square is just a stone’s throw away and you can wander there until late.

The facilities here are very simple and you have to be ready for the typical backpacker buzz and a little less privacy. Don’t forget to bring your own towel, because it definitely isn’t included in the cheapest beds and you’d have to rent one for a fee. But the rooftop atmosphere is absolutely great and you’ll meet interesting travellers from all over the world.

💡 Tip: At reception they’re brilliant at advising on cheap buses to other Moroccan cities, which comes in super handy if you’re not travelling by your own car.

How to choose the right hotel

When choosing accommodation in Marrakech you’ll run into a fundamental difference between a classic hotel and a traditional riad. A riad is a historic house with no windows facing the street; instead, all the rooms face an inner open courtyard, which often has a fountain or a small pool. It’s beautifully authentic and photogenic, but bear in mind that inside you can hear a bit more noise from the other rooms, and less daylight reaches the ground floor.

If you fly to Morocco in the winter months, be really careful when booking. The nights here can be unexpectedly freezing, so always check whether your chosen riad has heating or air conditioning with a heating function. Old houses have thick walls that keep things pleasantly cool in summer, but in December they turn into a fridge, and you probably don’t want to sleep in a jacket. 😅

Families with small children should consider staying on the edge of the centre instead. Getting through the medina with a stroller is a total extreme, because the alleys are narrow and full of people, honking scooters and animals. It’s better to pick a more spacious hotel in the Hivernage quarter, where the kids will have peace and a big pool, and just take a taxi into the centre for sightseeing.

Let me mention safety and getting around town one more time, because it’s crucial for your peace of mind. In the centre absolutely nobody carries a classic backpack on their back, even though they’re sold on every corner at the markets. We ourselves used a small padlock on our backpack and, to be safe, kept nothing valuable in the front pocket. If you arrive from the airport by car, really don’t book a riad deep in the medina, because you simply can’t drive there and you’ll drag your suitcases through a maze of people on foot.

Where to go next

• What to see in Marrakech
• Morocco road trip: a 7–9 day itinerary
• Morocco safety: 18 things to watch out for

Frequently asked questions