DESTINATION

As its name suggests, the Marrakech Folklore Days festival takes place in the famous Red City of Marrakech.

There are countless ways to experience this fascinating city. However you choose to explore it, you will certainly take a piece of Marrakech with you—it is a place full of surprises. With its vibrant markets, lush gardens, majestic palaces, and historic mosques, Marrakech offers a breathtaking cultural experience. Known as the Red City, it is the fourth largest city in the Kingdom, after Casablanca, Fez, and Tangier, and remains the country’s leading tourist destination. More than just a city, Marrakech is a jewel shaped by history and a deep-rooted culture of hospitality, welcoming visitors from around the world for centuries.

The city is divided into two distinct parts:

• The New City (modern Marrakech)

This area features numerous hotels, luxury boutiques, banks, tea salons, and lively café terraces, reflecting the city’s modern and cosmopolitan atmosphere.

• The Medina (historic city)

Surrounded by nearly ten kilometers of ancient walls, the Medina evokes the era of caravan traders who once loaded their camels with goods, tools, and handcrafted treasures. Its bustling souks offer everything travelers seek—colors, aromas, vibrant atmospheres, and the warm smiles of welcoming locals.

Famous worldwide for its palm groves and iconic minaret, Marrakech is a living spectacle where people and local folklore come together in a beautifully preserved medieval setting. The city boasts an impressive cultural heritage, with numerous monuments and remarkable museums that reflect its rich history.

Quite simply, it is magical.

Marrakech’s economy is largely driven by tourism, commerce, and craftsmanship. In recent years, its hotel infrastructure has experienced rapid growth, increasingly positioning the city as a destination for luxury tourism.

Known for the legendary Jemaa El-Fna Square, the city—founded around 1070 during the Almoravid dynasty—has also become famous for hosting major cultural events and festivals, such as the Marrakech Popular Arts Festival, the Marrakech International Film Festival, Arts in Marrakech, the Samaa Festival of Sacred Music, contemporary dance festivals, and the Sun Festival, a national festival celebrating youth and music.

Today, Marrakech has become one of the favorite destinations for international celebrities who are captivated by its unique charm—where luxury, refinement, and authenticity blend harmoniously. The city was once described by Arielle Dombasle as a “dream from the Arabian Nights.” Marrakech continues to inspire artists from around the world with its culture, arts, traditions, and extraordinary architectural heritage.

At the heart of Marrakech lies Jemaa El-Fna Square, a vibrant and iconic gathering place where the city’s cultural life unfolds. Here, visitors encounter musicians, dancers, fortune tellers, henna tattoo artists, snake charmers, monkey handlers, acrobats, jugglers, fire breathers, traditional water sellers, and vendors offering orange juice, snails, and many other local specialties. The square also hosts talented storytellers who enchant both Marrakchis and visitors from around the world with tales that inspire laughter and wonder.

Every evening from around 5 p.m., the square transforms into a lively open-air restaurant as street food vendors set up their stalls. Tables and benches quickly fill with guests eager to enjoy this unique atmosphere, creating a giant communal feast under the open sky. Jemaa El-Fna truly captures the spirit of Marrakech—a place where culture, tradition, and everyday life blend into an unforgettable experience.