Marrakech by night is magical – and as the sun begins to set over the medina, the night-time entertainment turns the atmosphere electric. You'll enjoy your own magical experience with a horse-and-carriage tour, and time to soak up the heaving Jemaa el-Fnaa square in the evening. Fatima, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘My family owns a riad in the medina and I would often go by horse and carriage to get to school. Horses, donkeys and mopeds are the only means of transport to traverse the narrow alleys of the medina – if you're in a rush, too bad.'
Start your evening by hopping on to your horse-drawn carriage to tour the main sights in and around the medina. You'll trot along the 12th-century ramparts and down the main avenue. Then take in the views from the Hivernage district, and ride through Bab Jdid and Bab Ighali, two of Marrakech's imposing city gates. Next, you'll tour Mechouar – the Royal Palace district – and continue towards La Kasbah Mellah and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jemaa el-Fnaa. At this time of day, it's less crowded.
The square is the life and soul of the city. By day, it's a space for vendors to sell their fresh produce, but by night it takes on a completely different air and the show begins to unfold. As the sun sinks low, stallholders begin to set up for the evening. Acrobats perform, storytellers sit cross-legged as crowds gather round, fortune-tellers proffer their wisdom. And cooks' grills sizzle with various street food staples – an absolute must-do in Marrakech.
