Morocco: the most beautiful Medinas

© Chris Zielecki / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Much of the magic of the medina in Morocco due to the pleasure of getting lost in a maze of alleys seeming escape logic. So please ignore your sense of direction and predictability and go on an adventure. You will be rewarded.

1 Medina of Marrakech

Huge open-air stage, Djemaa el Fna is the vibrant heart of the medina of Marrakech , surrounded by 19 km of walls. According to its streets, you will discover wonders such as the Bahia Palace. Animations and halqa (street theater) have never ceased since the 1050s, when the square was the site of public executions - hence its name, which means "assembly of the dead." From 10am snake charmers blow into their flutes to appease the cobras, disturbed by the roar of scooters. Henna tattooists, passersby to approach and water sellers, wearing a hat with fringes, their cup clash copper to attract the thirsty barge.

For the daily rebirth of urban legends and Moroccan oral tradition, UNESCO declared Djemaa el-Fna "masterpiece of world intangible cultural heritage" in 2001, in all weathers and all political climates, the show continues on Djemaa el-Fna.

2 Medina of Chefchaouen

High into the Rif, the terracotta tiles add Andalusian touches in bright blue buildings of the beautiful Medina of Chefchaouen. Impossible to get lost altogether in this mini-maze. The main square of the medina, the Plaza Uta el-Hammam, is lined with cafes and restaurants. This is the ideal place to pause, especially after a day of exploring. Shaded, cobbled square is dominated by the red walls of the kasbah and the amazing Grand Mosque. Remarkable for its octagonal tower, the Great Mosque was built in the fifteenth century by the son of the founder of the city, Ali bin Rashid. Non-Muslims do not have access.

The Casbah (museum entrance and gallery included: 10 Dh; 9h-13h and 15h-6:30 p.m. Wed-Mon, 9am-12 noon and 6:30 p.m. Fri-15h), a heavily restored fortress surrounded by ramparts, houses a beautiful garden, a modest museum Ethnography and a small art gallery.

3 Fes el-Bali

With around a thousand years of history, the old Fez is a maze of souks and tanneries where stray and stumble upon a craft museum or madrasah fourteenth century. In nearly a millennium, the essential character of the medina has not changed because the surrounding hills have prevented its expansion - the last major expansion dates from the thirteenth century, with the construction of Fez el-Jdid city news. Today, some 150,000 Fassis live in this maze of winding streets, blind alleys and bazaars, where tourists invariably lose.

Move is not easy, but losing is part of the adventure. A good way is to identify the "main" streets that lead to a door or a landmark; follow the general movement of passersby. Ask your way traders or let yourself be guided by children, excited to save strangers lost through one or two dirhams.

Tangier Drew Leavy, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

4 Medina of Tangier

Europe, yet so close, seems light years away from the Kasbah and Tangier souk. The crisp facade of the Petit Socco were repainted as part of a beautification program for the city. Medina has a maze of commercial and residential streets contained in a Portuguese fortress of XV century enclosure. Clean and well lit, it holds treasures of the past and souks quick to seduce the traveler. The best is to get lost for several hours, while taking care to visit places of interest. Get close as possible to your destination, then ask your route in case of difficulty. Young people will be happy to lead you through a few dirhams.

Grand Socco, you enter the medina opposite the garden by the street Mendoubia did Siaghin that widens at the Café Central on the left to form the Petit Socco. This discreet little place now was once the mecca of drug trafficking and prostitution of all kinds. Today the walls are freshly painted, tourists abound and this is the perfect place to sip a mint tea while watching the world go by.

5 Medina of Meknes

It is a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad who built the nearby Medina - underestimated - Fes. Admire the houses with balconies typical of the Mellah (Jewish Quarter) and join the site el-Hedim, local equivalent instead Djaema el-Fna square in Marrakech. On one side, the square is lined with cafes and restaurants. Excellent cover food market is located behind. To the south, the monumental gate of Bab el-Mansour leads to the imperial city of Moulay Ismail. The streets of the old Jewish quarter gather in the west of the medina; notice the old houses with balconies, typical of the Jewish quarter. The easiest access to the souks is the ark left Dar Jamai museum, north of el-Hedim instead. Head north and you'll soon find among the souvenir stalls and shops carpet.

Heart of the medina, instead el-Hedim faces Bab el-Mansour. Built by Moulay Ismail and originally used for royal announcements and public executions, this place is a good place to sit and watch the kids play ball, peddlers sell miracle cures and families walk.