Getting Around Marrakech from the Kasbah: A Practical Marrakech Itinerary

Marrakech’s Kasbah sits within the medina, south of Jemaa el-Fnaa, with the Saadian Tombs and El Badi Palace among its principal historic sights.

Jemaa el-Fnaa is in the medina, where narrow streets are largely pedestrian. Koutoubia is about a 5-minute walk from the square, and the souk entrance opens directly onto its north side. For a closer look at the market lanes, the Medina de Marrakech souks guide covers the souks around the square.

A suggested Kasbah-and-Mellah walking loop covers about 3 km, linking several historic sights before heading toward Jemaa el-Fnaa. You can follow it via Bab Agnaou, the Kasbah Mosque, Saadian Tombs, El Badi Palace, Place des Ferblantiers, the Mellah, Bahia Palace and Rue Riad Zitoun el-Jdid.

The Royal Palace, Dar el-Makhzen, stands on the edge of the Kasbah but is not open to visitors. If you are planning to see the square by car, note that its surrounding medina lanes are largely pedestrian and public car parks sit around the medina’s perimeter.

Petits taxis drop passengers at the edge of Jemaa el-Fnaa, on the Koutoubia or Avenue Mohammed V side. Taxi stations are near Koutoubia, Sidi Mimoun and Bab Doukkala. Airport-to-city-centre taxi fares are 70 dirhams by day and 100 dirhams by night; taxis are available at all hours.

Menara Airport is 3 km from the city centre. For your arrival, the Marrakech train station guide covers another arrival point in the city.

ALSA’s urban bus network charges 4 dirhams per trip, while airport bus 19 runs every 20 minutes between 6:00 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. and costs 30 dirhams per trip. Collective taxis serve surrounding towns and generally depart once the vehicle is full.

ALSA’s Marrakech City Tour offers a hop-on, hop-off option for seeing the city. Its Historical Tour has 18 stops, takes about 1 hour 15 minutes, and lets passengers board or leave at any stop. Seasonal schedules differ, so check the official site before you go.

The Palmeraie Tour has 13 stops and takes about 1 hour. Tourist buses have wheelchair spaces, rear-door ramps, continuous low-floor platforms and a kneeling system.

For a Kasbah-focused day, start with Bab Agnaou and the Saadian Tombs, continue to El Badi Palace, then follow the walking loop through Place des Ferblantiers and the Mellah toward Jemaa el-Fnaa.

For sights farther north in the medina, Dar El Bacha, the Museum of Music, Marrakech Museum and Ben Youssef Madrasa are all options to combine with a city overview. The Historical Tour’s 18 stops let you get on and off along the route.

For the central square and its surroundings, a taxi can drop you at the edge of Jemaa el-Fnaa; from there, Koutoubia is about a 5-minute walk and the souk entrance lies on the square’s north side. The medina’s narrow streets are largely pedestrian, so use a public car park around its perimeter if you arrive by car.

How do you get to Jemaa el-Fnaa by taxi?

Petits taxis drop passengers at the square’s edge, on the Koutoubia or Avenue Mohammed V side. The square is pedestrianised.

How much does the urban bus cost in Marrakech?

ALSA’s urban bus fare is 4 dirhams per trip. Airport bus 19 costs 30 dirhams per trip.

How long is the Kasbah-and-Mellah walking loop?

The suggested loop is about 3 km and runs through the Kasbah and Mellah toward Jemaa el-Fnaa.

How often does airport bus 19 run?

Bus 19 runs every 20 minutes between 6:00 a.m. and 9:30 p.m.