Quirky Guide

This ominously named square in Marrakech, at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, has a sinister past. Djemaa el Fna, meaning ‘Assembly of the Dead’ in Arabic, was the site of public executions as far back as the 12th century.

Thankfully, these days it is a rather more upbeat location: bizarre and majestic circus acts, storytellers, sorcerers, dancers, false teeth pedlars, snake charmers and food stalls all entice the visitor to its manic and magical market.

Located in the old city, the souk will exceed your expectations two-fold and will be a highlight of any trip to Morocco. The square transforms throughout the day and is a spectacular place to gaze at life passing you by. A great vantage point is the Café De France, which offers a 270-degree view of the square.

Read more posts about Morocco.