Jemaa el-Fnaa & the Souks
Dive into the medina's great square at dusk for food stalls, musicians, and storytellers, then haggle through the maze of souks.

Flight + hotel city breaks · Medina riads & Palmeraie stays
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At a glance
Marrakesh is Morocco's most seductive city — a walled medieval medina of labyrinthine souks, courtyard riads, and the theatrical Jemaa el-Fnaa square, ringed by the palm groves of the Palmeraie and framed by the snow-capped High Atlas. The new town of Gueliz adds French cafés and boutiques, and the mountains and coast are both an easy day trip away.
Climate
20–38°C · hot & dry
Warm springs and autumns are ideal; summer midday heat can top 38°C, so plan early starts.
Currency
Moroccan Dirham
1 CAD ≈ 7 MAD · cash still king in the souks
Entry
Visa-free
Up to 90 days for Canadians
Dive into the medina's great square at dusk for food stalls, musicians, and storytellers, then haggle through the maze of souks.
Wander the cobalt-blue garden Yves Saint Laurent saved, then tour the adjoining museum of his Marrakesh-inspired couture.
Escape the city for Berber villages, terraced valleys, and waterfalls in the mountains that rise just an hour south of Marrakesh.
Passport: A Canadian passport valid for the length of your stay is required to enter Morocco.
Visa: Canadian citizens do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days — you receive a stamp on arrival.
Travel insurance: Provincial health plans do not cover care in Morocco. Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Power & plugs: Morocco uses 220V/50Hz with Type C and E (European round-pin) plugs — bring a plug adapter for Canadian devices.
Time zone: Marrakesh runs on GMT+1, roughly five hours ahead of Toronto (clock does not change during summer, apart from Ramadan).
Warm, sunny days perfect for the medina and mountains. Busiest and priciest.
Heat eases and gardens stay green — arguably the best all-round window.
Mild sunny days but chilly nights; great value and thin crowds.
Midday temperatures regularly exceed 38°C — plan early starts or skip these months.
Where to stay
From the walled medina to the leafy Palmeraie, each Marrakesh district has a distinct pace. Here's how to choose your base.
Old city
The walled historic core of riads, souks, and Jemaa el-Fnaa — you step straight into the action on foot.
Ville Nouvelle
The French-built new town of wide boulevards, cafés, galleries, and modern hotels — a calmer, more familiar base.
West of medina
A leafy district of gardens, spa hotels, and nightlife, walkable to both the medina and Gueliz.
Northeast outskirts
A palm-grove belt of pool resorts and villas outside the centre — quiet and green, with shuttles into town.
Beyond the city
Marrakesh is the gateway to the Atlas Mountains, the Atlantic coast, and the desert. Every excursion below can be booked through ShopTravel or your hotel concierge.
Drive into the High Atlas for Berber villages, mint tea, and a hike to the Setti Fatma waterfalls.
Trade the heat for sea breezes in the walled port of Essaouira, with its ramparts, fishing harbour, and argan cooperatives.
Ride a camel across the stony Agafay Desert, then watch the sun set over the Atlas before a Moroccan dinner under the stars.
Visit Morocco's tallest waterfalls, spot wild Barbary macaques, and take a boat to the base of the 110-metre cascade.
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Good to know
Everything Canadian travellers ask before booking
No. Canadian passport holders can enter Morocco visa-free for tourist stays of up to 90 days — you simply get an entry stamp on arrival.
There are no non-stop flights from Canada. Expect around 11 hours in total with one stop, typically via Casablanca, Montreal, or a European hub such as Paris.
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are ideal, with warm days and cooler evenings. June to August is very hot, often above 38°C.
Marrakesh is generally safe and welcoming. Watch for pickpockets in crowded souks, agree prices before accepting help or a photo, and use normal city precautions.
The Moroccan dirham (MAD) is a closed currency, so exchange or withdraw it on arrival. Carry cash for the souks, taxis, and tipping; cards work in hotels and larger shops.
Moroccan Arabic (Darija) and Berber are the main languages, and French is widely spoken. English is common in tourist areas and hotels.
The medina is best explored on foot. Petits taxis are cheap for short hops — agree the fare or ask for the meter — and hotels can arrange transfers to Gueliz and the Palmeraie.
Yes. You can add day trips like the Atlas Mountains & Ourika Valley or an Essaouira coastal tour to your booking at checkout.