Private Marrakech medina and palaces tour

Marrakech’s medina is a maze of almost 6 km² where it is easy to get lost — and easy to miss what matters. With a licensed guide (the only people legally allowed to guide in the city), the visit takes on a whole new meaning.

The route

We start below the Koutoubia, whose 12th-century minaret inspired Seville’s Giralda. We cross the old Jewish quarter, the Mellah, to the Bahia Palace, built at the end of the 19th century for the grand vizier: orange-tree gardens, painted cedar ceilings, zellige and stucco.

Then we head north through the souks — dyers, metalworkers, babouche makers — to the Ben Youssef Madrasa, a restored Koranic school and one of the finest examples of Marinid and Saadian architecture.

Why go private

Your guide sets the pace, answers questions and shows you the fondouks (old caravanserais), the communal bread ovens and neighbourhood fountains. No compulsory shop stops: if you want to buy, your guide will tell you the fair price.

The Majorelle option adds the garden and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum at the end (tickets not included, timed booking required).

Your guide meets you at your riad or hotel (medina, Guéliz, Hivernage) or at the meeting point on Jemaa el-Fna square.

• Bahia Palace and the Madrasa occasionally close for works; your guide will suggest an alternative (El Badi Palace, Saadian Tombs).
• Mosques in Morocco are not open to non-Muslims.