Where is Marrakech? Location, map and how to get there
Marrakech is a city in central-west Morocco, in the north-west corner of Africa. It sits on the Haouz plain at the foot of the High Atlas mountains, about 240 km by road south of Casablanca, at an altitude of around 450 m. With about one million residents (2024 census) it is Morocco’s fourth-largest city, and its own airport, Marrakech Menara (RAK), has direct flights from most of Europe.
What country is Marrakech in?
Marrakech is in Morocco, a kingdom on the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts of north-west Africa. Morocco is not in Europe, although Spain is only 14 km away across the Strait of Gibraltar, and it is not in the Middle East either. It belongs to the Maghreb, the western part of the Arab world, and most people here speak Moroccan Arabic (Darija) or Amazigh (Berber), with French as the common second language.
The capital of Morocco is Rabat, not Marrakech and not Casablanca. Marrakech was a royal capital under several dynasties, which is why it has so many palaces and gardens.
If you want to see where it sits in relation to the rest of the country, our map of Morocco page shows the main cities, mountain ranges and desert routes.
Marrakech or Marrakesh: which spelling is right?
Both. Marrakech is the French spelling and the one used on Moroccan road signs, tickets and official documents. Marrakesh is the traditional English spelling. Marakesh and Marakech are simply common misspellings. In Arabic the city is Murrakush, and the word Morocco itself comes from it. We use Marrakech because that is what you will read on the ground.
Marrakech on the map: coordinates and surroundings
Marrakech lies at roughly 31.6° N, 8.0° W. That is about the same latitude as northern Florida and Cairo, which explains the hot summers and mild, sunny winters.
Three landscapes meet here:
- To the south, the High Atlas rises within sight of the city. Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak at 4,167 m, is about 60 km away as the crow flies, and its snow cap is visible from rooftops between roughly November and April.
- To the west, the Atlantic coast is about 175 km away at Essaouira.
- To the east and south-east, the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 m) leads over the mountains to Ouarzazate, the Draa Valley and the Sahara dunes at Merzouga.
North of the city the land flattens into farmland and olive groves running towards Casablanca and Rabat. Marrakech is often called the gateway to the south because almost every road trip to the desert starts here.
How far is Marrakech from Casablanca and other cities?
These are road distances and realistic driving times with a private vehicle, allowing for normal traffic and a short stop. Trains and mountain roads are discussed below.
| From Marrakech to | Road distance | Driving time |
|---|---|---|
| Casablanca | ~240 km | 2.5 to 3 h (motorway) |
| Rabat | ~325 km | 3 to 3.5 h (motorway) |
| Essaouira | ~175 km | 2.5 to 3 h |
| Agadir | ~250 km | 3 h (motorway) |
| Ouarzazate | ~200 km | 4 to 5 h (over the Tizi n’Tichka pass) |
| Fes | ~480 to 530 km | 5.5 to 7 h, depending on the route |
| Tangier | ~580 km | 5.5 to 6.5 h (motorway) |
| Merzouga (Erg Chebbi dunes) | ~560 km | 9 to 10 h of driving, normally split over two days |
Two things stand out. Casablanca is close enough that many of our guests land there, see the Hassan II Mosque, and are in Marrakech the same evening. Merzouga is not a day trip: the road crosses the Atlas and follows the Dades and Ziz valleys, and the whole point is to stop along the way. That is why our Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour over 3 days and the 4-day version exist.
How to get to Marrakech
By air
Marrakech Menara Airport (code RAK) is about 6 km south-west of the medina, a 15 to 25 minute drive from most hotels. It has direct flights from London, Paris, Madrid, Lisbon, Amsterdam, Brussels, Frankfurt and many other European cities, typically 3 to 4 hours from the UK and 2.5 to 3.5 hours from France. There are no regular non-stop flights from the United States to Marrakech; Americans usually fly into Casablanca and connect, or fly via a European hub. We cover the options on our flights to Morocco from the USA page.
If you book a tour with us, a driver meets you in the arrivals hall with your name on a sign. See how it works on our tours from Marrakech page.
By train from Casablanca
Morocco’s railway, ONCF, runs direct trains between Casablanca and Marrakech roughly every one to two hours through the day. The journey takes about 2 hours 40 minutes from Casa Voyageurs station. From Casablanca Mohammed V airport, a shuttle train runs into the city, where you change for Marrakech; allow about 4 hours in total. The high-speed Al Boraq train runs Tangier to Casablanca; from Casablanca onwards to Marrakech it is the ordinary train. Rabat to Marrakech is around 3.5 hours by rail, and Fes to Marrakech about 6.5 to 7 hours.
Marrakech station is in Gueliz, about 3 km west of Jemaa el-Fna square.
By private transfer
A private car from Casablanca airport to your riad in Marrakech takes about 2.5 to 3 hours door to door and is the simplest option if you arrive late, have luggage, or are travelling as a family. The medina’s lanes are too narrow for cars, so your driver walks you to the riad door or hands you over to a porter.
Marrakech neighbourhoods: where things are inside the city
Marrakech is compact. Most of what visitors want is within a 5 km circle.
- The medina is the walled old city, founded in the 11th century and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985. It holds Jemaa el-Fna square, the Koutoubia mosque, the souks, the Bahia and El Badi palaces, the Saadian Tombs and most of the riads (traditional courtyard houses turned guesthouses).
- Gueliz is the French-built new town to the west of the medina, laid out in the 1920s and 1930s. It has the train station, cafes, modern shops, the Majorelle Garden and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum.
- Hivernage lies between Gueliz and the medina walls. It is the quieter hotel district with larger resorts, gardens and the Menara area towards the airport.
- The Palmeraie is the palm grove north-east of the city, with villas, golf courses and camel rides. It feels rural but is only 20 to 30 minutes from the square.
For a first visit, staying in or near the medina puts you on foot for everything that matters; for a pool and quiet, Hivernage or the Palmeraie are the usual choices.
Why Marrakech is a good base
Because of its position, Marrakech works well as a starting point for almost any trip. The Atlas foothills, the Ourika Valley and Imlil are an hour away. Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate are a long day. Essaouira is a relaxed day on the coast. And the Sahara is a two or three day loop. You can see the usual options on our day trips from Marrakech page.
The climate suits this too. Spring and autumn are warm and dry; we explain the trade-offs month by month in our guide to the best time to visit Morocco. Summer afternoons can pass 40°C, which is when people head to the mountains or the coast.
Frequently asked questions
What country is Marrakech in?
Marrakech is in Morocco, in north-west Africa. Morocco’s capital is Rabat; Marrakech is the country’s main tourist city and one of its four historic imperial capitals, together with Fes, Meknes and Rabat.
Is Marrakech near the Sahara desert?
Not as close as photos suggest. The Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga are about 560 km by road, which is a two-day drive each way over the Atlas. Smaller dunes at Zagora are roughly 360 km away and can be done in a two-day loop, but the big dunes most people picture are at Merzouga.
How far is Marrakech from Casablanca?
About 240 km by road on the A7 motorway, 2.5 to 3 hours by car or around 2 hours 40 minutes by direct train. Marrakech Menara airport also receives many European flights, so you do not need to pass through Casablanca unless your flight lands there.
What is the population of Marrakech?
About one million people in the city itself according to the 2024 census, making it Morocco’s fourth-largest city after Casablanca, Fes and Tangier.
Is Marrakech on the coast?
No. Marrakech is inland, about 175 km from the Atlantic at Essaouira. It sits on a plain at around 450 m above sea level with the High Atlas directly to the south.
Is Marrakech safe for tourists?
Marrakech is a busy but generally safe city for visitors; the usual issues are persistent touts and the odd overcharged taxi rather than anything serious. We go through the specifics on our is Marrakech safe page.
Now that you know where Marrakech sits, the natural next step is deciding where to go from it. Our Morocco tour packages start in Marrakech, Casablanca, Fes or Tangier with a private driver-guide, and we are happy to help shape a route around your dates.
