Jema a El-Fna Square (Marrakech)

The Jema'a El-Fna Square is without doubt the beating heart of Marrakech and the hub of daily life in the city. Loosely translated as ‘place of the dead’ it is anything but. It is a dynamic hive of feverish commercial activity, with a vibrant café culture and more than a little chaos thrown in for good measure. The Jema'a El-Fna Square will win few awards for its aesthetic appeal but as those on Marrakech cheap city breaks will find out, it is all about spectacle. It is often reminiscent of a quintessential medieval scene of street acrobats, snake charmers, artists, storytellers and no shortage of exotic wares, souvenirs and tempting snacks to catch your eye.

 

A day in the life of Jema'a El-Fna Square begins at first light as a haphazard collection of food stalls serve up hot Riifa pancakes and fresh juices. Browse the souvenir stands for elegant textiles, snakeskin fashion accessories and cheap jewellery and soak in the whole scene in one of the historic rooftop cafes which surrounds the square. The best photo opportunities arrive in late afternoon, as those on short breaks in Marrakech will encounter a smattering of exotic animals, performing monkeys, musicians, acrobats and eccentric fortune tellers, all accompanied by a cacophony of noise and colour.

 

Touristy it may be, but it is also a rich hunting ground for exotic food lovers and a place where you will find locals sipping tea and snacking on beef brochettes all day long. The sheer variety of food is staggering and surprisingly decent value too. It is a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach with rows of tagine stalls filled with mountains of couscous, exotic fruits, herbs and spices. Marrakech weekend breaks will see only a limited number of cafes serving alcohol here but the spectacle and atmosphere is all the intoxication you need.