Marrakech Gueliz & Ville Nouvelle: Modern Marrakech Guide
Sara Amrani · 9 min · Destinations
Beyond the medina walls, Gueliz offers wide boulevards, French cafés, galleries and the city's best modern dining.
For all the medina's magic, modern Marrakech has its own appeal. Gueliz and the Ville Nouvelle — the new town laid out by the French in the 1910s and 20s — offer wide tree-lined boulevards, Art Deco facades, contemporary galleries and a dining scene that rivals any North African city. After a few days of medina intensity, Gueliz is a refreshing counterpoint, and for many travellers it is the more practical base.
A Brief History
When Morocco became a French protectorate in 1912, Marshal Lyautey built the Ville Nouvelle outside Marrakech's ancient walls so the colonial administration could live and work in a European-style district without disturbing the medina. The result is a neighbourhood of grand boulevards, roundabouts, Art Deco villas and café terraces — a completely different cityscape a 10-minute walk from Jemaa el-Fnaa.
Avenue Mohammed V & Shopping
Avenue Mohammed V is Gueliz's spine — a palm-lined boulevard of boutiques, patisseries and jewellers. It is the place for fixed-price shopping when you tire of bargaining: quality leather goods, argan cosmetics, contemporary craft and designer labels. The Carré Eden shopping centre and several concept stores offer curated Moroccan design under one roof.
The Majorelle Garden & YSL Museum
Just north of Gueliz, the Majorelle Garden is a cobalt-blue villa and garden created by French painter Jacques Majorelle and later restored by Yves Saint Laurent. It is one of Marrakech's most visited sights — arrive at opening time to beat the crowds. The adjacent YSL Museum showcases the designer's couture and his love of Marrakech.
Dining & Nightlife
Gueliz has the city's broadest dining scene — French bistros, modern Moroccan, sushi, steakhouses and rooftop cocktail bars. Avenue Mohammed V and the side streets around Place Abdel Moumen ben Ali are packed with options. It is also where Marrakech's licensed bars and nightlife concentrate, a contrast to the alcohol-free medina.
Galleries & Culture
Contemporary art thrives in Gueliz: the Galerie 127 for photography, the David Bloch Gallery for street and contemporary art, and the MACAAL museum of African contemporary art a short drive away. For travellers interested in modern Moroccan creativity, a half-day gallery crawl in Gueliz is a rewarding complement to the medina's traditional crafts.
Where to Stay in Gueliz
Gueliz has modern international hotels, boutique design hotels and a growing number of stylish riad-style guesthouses. The trade-off versus the medina is atmosphere for convenience — wider streets, easier taxi access, parking and often a pool. Families and longer-stay travellers often prefer it; couples wanting immersion prefer the medina.
Combining Gueliz with the Medina
The smart move is to combine both. Spend your first days in a medina riad to absorb the old city, then move to a Gueliz hotel for modern comfort and easy day-trip departures to the Atlas and desert. Our Marrakech day trips and tours pick up from both areas — tell us your plan via the plan-my-trip form.
Frequently asked questions
What is Gueliz in Marrakech?
Gueliz is the Ville Nouvelle — the modern new town the French built outside the medina in the early 20th century. It has wide boulevards, Art Deco facades, international shops, galleries and many of the city's best restaurants.
Should I stay in Gueliz or the medina?
It depends on your style. The medina offers atmospheric riads and immersion; Gueliz offers modern hotels, easier parking, wider streets and a calmer pace — ideal for families or longer stays. Many travellers split their stay between the two.
What is there to do in Gueliz?
Shop the boutiques along Avenue Mohammed V, visit the Majorelle Garden and YSL Museum just north of Gueliz, browse contemporary galleries, and eat at some of Marrakech's best modern restaurants and rooftop bars.
How far is Gueliz from the medina?
Gueliz borders the medina to the west — a 10–15 minute walk from Jemaa el-Fnaa to the heart of Gueliz, or a short petit taxi ride. The Majorelle Garden is a further 10 minutes north by taxi.
Is Gueliz good for shopping?
Yes. Gueliz has fixed-price boutiques, designer stores, the Carré Eden shopping centre and concept stores — a calmer alternative to bargaining in the souks, and good for quality leather, argan cosmetics and contemporary craft.
Related Morocco tours
Ready to experience this for yourself? These handpicked tours match the guide above — each runs with experienced local guides and private transport.
Plan a private Morocco trip
Tell us your dates, group and interests, and our Marrakech-based team will design a private itinerary around you — free, with no obligation. An enquiry is not a confirmed booking; availability and final pricing are confirmed before anything is booked or charged.
Plan a private Morocco trip · Morocco itineraries by length · Browse all Morocco tours · Call or WhatsApp +212 667 212 912 · mtbinmoroccotrips@gmail.com