In short: to live centrally and do everything on foot, choose Gueliz; for calm and an upmarket setting, Hivernage; for historic charm, the Medina; for space and a garden, the Palmeraie, the Fez road or the Ourika road; for a recent residence with a pool on an often gentler budget, Agdal, Targa or Chrifia.
Gueliz: the modern city
Built during the French protectorate, Gueliz is Marrakech’s modern centre: shops, cafés, restaurants, galleries, gyms and doctors. Most people live in apartments, in recent buildings or residences from the 1990s and 2000s.
For: professionals, couples and expats who want to do everything on foot and manage without a car day to day. Good to know: it is lively, so sometimes noisy near the main roads.
Hivernage: the upmarket residential area
Between Gueliz and the Medina walls, Hivernage gathers large hotels, restaurants and high-end residences. Streets are wide and calmer than in Gueliz, with a few villas.
For: those looking for an upmarket, quiet setting minutes from the centre. Good to know: properties here are among the most sought after in the city.
The Medina: living in a riad
The old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the realm of riads: houses built around a courtyard, with a roof terrace. Life is on foot, among the souks and monuments.
For: heritage lovers, artists, guesthouse projects. Good to know: narrow alleys, limited car access, and a legal status to check closely (see our guide). Our riads for sale.
The Palmeraie: space and greenery
North-east of the city, the Palmeraie mixes large villas, gated estates, golf courses and upmarket residences among the palm trees. The centre is a drive away.
For: families and anyone who wants a big garden and a private pool. Good to know: a car is essential. See our villas for sale and villas for long-term rent.
Agdal, Targa and Chrifia: recent residential areas
Agdal, south of the Medina, has grown around recent residences with pools and parking, shopping centres and hotels. Targa, to the west, is a quiet residential area of villas and apartments. Chrifia, to the south-west, offers recent homes at often more affordable prices, a little further from the centre.
For: families and professionals who want a secure residence with a pool without Hivernage prices. See our apartments for long-term rent.
The Fez, Ourika and Amizmiz roads: countryside on the city’s doorstep
These roads leading out of Marrakech are lined with villas on large plots, often with Atlas views to the south (Ourika, Amizmiz). You gain space and quiet, at the cost of longer trips.
For: remote workers, families, building projects. Good to know: check access, water supply and the plot’s legal status. Looking for land? Tell us about your project.
How to choose?
Ask yourself three questions: do I need a car? (no in Gueliz and Hivernage, yes elsewhere), do I need a garden or a private pool? (outskirts) and which trips will I make every day? (school, work, airport). The safest option for a first move is to rent long term before buying.
Torn between two areas? Tell us what you need and we will suggest properties in each.
Last updated: October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best area to live in Marrakech?
There is no single best area: it depends on how you want to live. Gueliz suits those who want to do everything on foot, Hivernage those who want calm and an upmarket setting, the Medina those who love historic charm, and the Palmeraie or the Fez and Ourika roads those who want space and a garden.
Where do expats live in Marrakech?
We have no statistics on residents’ nationality by area. In this guide, we recommend Gueliz to expats who want to do everything on foot, Hivernage to those looking for calm and an upmarket setting, and the Palmeraie to families who want a large garden.
Do I need a car in Marrakech?
Not in Gueliz or Hivernage, where you can get around on foot and by petit taxi. On the outskirts, such as the Palmeraie or the Fez and Ourika roads, a car becomes essential for daily trips to school, work or the airport.
