New York Times Ranks Marrakech’s Medina Among Top Global Urban Wonders

The journey begins on the famous Jemaa El Fna square in Marrakech, described as an open-air "carnival market". There reigns a permanent effervescence, nourished by musicians, performers, fruit juice vendors, restaurants and souvenir shops. At the heart of the medina, a labyrinth of alleys invites disorientation, evoking an urban fabric twice the size of New York’s Central Park. "Nearly twice the size of New York’s Central Park, the medina (of Marrakech) houses a vast web of passages that seem designed to disorient strangers," it is written.

Continuing the itinerary, the Marrakech adventure guides you to historical gems. Between the El Badi Palace, a 15th century monument, a place of tranquility and walks, and the Mellah, the former Jewish quarter with roots dating back to the 16th century, the soul of Marrakech takes shape. The journey is enriched by the discovery of the Slat Al Azama synagogue and the Jewish cemetery, revealing the multiple facets of the ochre city.

The stroll is not only a journey through time, but also a dive into art, indicates the daily. Marrakech is adorned with galleries and design shops, where chic creations rub shoulders. The talents of local artisans are expressed through a multitude of trades: wood carving, metalwork, glassware design. Marrakech shares this spotlight with six other cities, from Paris to Rio via Seoul, also presented by the New York Times as invitations to exploration.