Why Marrakech Is Now One of the World’s Best Cities for Art & Culture

Earlier this year, Time Out asked 18,500 people from around the globe about the art and culture scene in their cities. The results? A curated list of the 20 most exciting cultural capitals on the planet. And yes, Marrakech made the list.

This Moroccan city is no longer just known for its souks and riads. It's emerging as a global creative powerhouse, where traditional Moroccan charm meets contemporary artistic energy. Here's why Marrakech is turning heads in the international art world:

MACAAL: The Contemporary Heartbeat

The Museum of African Contemporary Art Al Maaden (MACAAL) is the first of its kind in Marrakech. Dedicated entirely to contemporary African art, this museum is a bold, beautiful space that gives voice to artists from across the continent. It’s more than just a museum.

Jnane Rumi: Where Art Meets Soul

Hidden in a quiet corner of the city, Jnane Rumi is a boutique art hotel that blends Moroccan elegance with soulful serenity. Every corner is thoughtfully curated — not just for aesthetics, but for reflection and retreat. Here, you don’t just sleep near art. You live in it.

Gueliz: The Beating Heart of Marrakech’s Art Scene

Gueliz, the city’s modern district, has become Marrakech’s creative hub. Home to major galleries, artist studios, and concept stores, Gueliz is where you’ll find the highest concentration of contemporary art spaces. It’s buzzing with exhibitions, launches, and a new generation of Moroccan artists rewriting the visual narrative.

1-54 Art Fair: Marrakech on the Global Stage

Every year, the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair brings leading galleries, artists, and collectors to Marrakech. This event has been pivotal in turning the city into an international hub for African and diaspora art. Think world-class galleries, bold installations, and powerful conversations all set in the heart of Morocco.

The Yves Saint Laurent Museum & Majorelle Garden

Art and fashion meet at the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, which celebrates the legacy of the French designer who found endless inspiration in Marrakech. Right next door lies the iconic Majorelle Garden a dreamscape of color and calm that continues to captivate artists and visitors alike.

Jajjah & Sidi Ghanem: Where Street Culture Meets Fine Art

Hassan Hajjaj, Morocco’s pop art pioneer and international art star, recently opened Jajjah, a space where food and art come together in Marrakech’s industrial zone Sidi Ghanem. What was once an overlooked area is now a creative hotspot, with new galleries, design studios, and concept cafés opening every month.

A New Global Cultural Capital

In Marrakech, culture isn’t confined to museums or galleries. It’s in the music you hear in the medina, the street art in Gueliz, the conversations in cafés, and the colors of the souks. It’s affordable, accessible, and alive.

From pop-up exhibitions and design markets to late-night gallery crawls and underground raves, Marrakech offers something rare: a cultural scene that’s rooted in tradition but alive with innovation.

Marrakech has officially arrived: not just as a destination, but as a cultural force.