Marrakech is a fun and beautiful city to visit. There’s lots to see and do, but something no one shouldn’t miss is a visit to Jemma el-Fnaa (a.k.a: “Djema el-Fna” or “Jamma el-Fnaa”). It has been around for at least a thousand years and is Marrakech’s top attraction. As a witness to its unique nature, it was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2008.
Jemma el-Fnaa is part of the city’s medina and is its main square. The nature of this square changes dramatically, depending on when you visit. During daylight hours it’s not that crowded (though still busy), and there is always some entertainment about — snake charmers, perhaps someone with a monkey, story tellers, henna artists, and more. There are vendors selling juice (especially famous for their orange juice) and assorted dried foods and spices. And there are always tourists and locals wandering about.
(At dusk massive crowds arrive in Jemaa el-Fna)
(Minaret of a mosque within the medina’s souk, just outside Jemaa el-Fnaa)
Jemma el-Fnaa comes to life when the sun goes down. What was a mostly vacant square quickly is filled with dozens of small restaurants — mobile kitchens, tables and chairs, and more.
The photo below was used as last weekend’s one clue mystery photo. Congratulations to George G, the only one who recognized where we were.
The square fills with smoke and tantalizing smells from the grilled food being prepared. It’s largely for this reason that most people come here — to enjoy reasonably priced traditional food and visit with friends. The market is fairly tightly controlled, so it is clean and safe (though I would avoid uncooked food). Below are photos of some of the food items you can purchase, which would then be prepared for you.
A few of the vendors sell cooked sheep heads. I never tried sheep head and have no desire to (especially would avoid the brains which are prone to prion infections). But they make an interesting display….
(cooked sheep heads for sale — considered a local treat!)
Our guide led us to a restaurant run one of his friends, which was a good choice. The food was very good and service excellent. Below are photos of some of what we enjoyed that evening. The meal usually starts with fresh bread, which is delicious….as well as a plate of olives….
….followed by a plate of roasted vegetables….
…and then roasted kebobs of different types (chicken, turkey, lamb but no pork, of course)
One person in our group ordered slow roasted goat….
The evening also brings out lots of other vendors selling things like medicinal goods, clothes, lamps, and much more. There are musicians and entertainers about. The crowd is massive yet somehow between all these people zip dozens of motor scooters, miraculously making their way through the throng without killing anyone.
(Fresh juice vendors, trying to hustle some business)
I visited the square twice in the afternoon and once at dusk, and if you have to choose just one, definitely go there in the early evening. I enjoyed wandering around the square, snapping photographs and taking in the show. Or you can go to restaurants on the roofs of the buildings surrounding the square where you can order a drink or snack and take in the sights from a distance. Either way you’ll have a wonderful people-watching experience.
(The lamp displays at night are especially engaging)
