Jama Al-fana square Marrakech – World’s largest food stall gathering

Morocco is a beautiful country which is located in between Africa, Europe and the Middle East. It has a coastal line for both Atlantic and the Mediterranean sea. This nation has many varieties. Right from the romantic cities like Casa blanca to the Berber village of the Atlas mountains.

Marrakech is Morocco’s capital. The nation was under the rule of French for a long time. So, the national language spoken here is also French. Jama el fna or Jama Al-fana square is the major attraction of Marrakech.

The square is in the middle of the ancient city of Marrakech fort. It is now one of the major tourist attractions. It is a historic place where battles took place, also was a death penalty square and once a market. Later, it also became a bus station. But now the entry of motor vehicles is restricted at this place. If someone walking around at that place is tired, they can afford to hire a horse carriage. A person who goes to Marrakech never misses the chance to visit the square. The attraction at this place is so much. The activities at this place will continue all day and night.

Marrakech is Morocco's capital which is in Africa. indians can reach Morocco by flight, via Dubai.

Things to buy: Eatables, dry fruits, Berber pot, Box made of Cyprus tree roots. Spoons and serving spoons made out of lemon tree wood. Moroccan lamps, antiques, perfumes, healthy Argan oil etc.

Les Jardins De La Koutoubia
Rue Koutoubia N°16
Marrakech-40000, Morocco
Tel: +44 20 3355 6302

Jardin de la Koutoubia
26, Rue de la Koutoubia
Marrakech-40000, Morocco
Tel: +212 5243 88800

Ryad Mogador Opera Hotel
Avenue Mohamed Vi
Marrakech-40000, Morocco
Tel: +212 661-473612

At around 10am in the morning one can see a vast and clean space. Lineup of stalls is seen all around. As time passes, the orange juice stalls appear at the place. Later the charmers with monkeys, bears and snakes are seen around. Mehendi artists will be ready to apply mehendi on hands. Argan oil massagers get ready to massage.

As the sun rises above, the traditional water carrying men with colorful dresses appear at the spot. Their colorful dresses make it easy for anyone to recognize them in the huge crowd gathered there.

On entering the streets around Jama Al-fana, the ancient market(SOUK) welcomes the visitors. Every street is meant for the sale of a particular item or product(antiques/ clothes/ dress materials/fruits etc.).

Visit the handicrafts department stores in the city and for a look at the modern art - Galleries like Dar Cherifa, Riad Yima, Galerie 127, David Bloch Gallery, Galerie Rê are famous in the city.

If you want to enjoy the enchanting belly dance, Avenue Echouhada, Hivernage is the best place.

For the swim and sip of special cocktail visit: Peacock Pavilions.

For the relax at spa: Les Bains De Marrakech, Moulay Lyazid.

Maison Tiskiwin is a place of collection of arts and crafts of Dutch man Bert Flint. Address: 8 Derb El-Bahia, off Riad Zitoun El-Jedid + 212 524 38 91 92.

Museums: Maison de la Photographie, Douiria Mouassine and Marrakech Museum of Photography and Visual Arts (MMPVA).

Medina Souks, Koutoubia Mosque, Medersa Ben Youssef, Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace, Dar Si Said Museum of Moroccan Arts and Crafts, Almoravid Koubba, Majorelle Gardens, Manara Gardens, Tizi-n'Test Pass, Imlil, Toubkal National Park, Agdal Orchards, Badii Palace, Mellah
Palmarie are the major tourist attractions.

Colorful appearance and ringing bells hanging around the neck like garland, makes it easy for anyone to identify the traditional water carrying men.

Whenever somebody asks water, water men pour water by just pressing the elbow against the leather water bag, that has a small tube at the other end.

The true glitter of Jama El Fna is seen when the sun goes down. As the evening prayers are heard through the loud speakers of the mosques, hundreds of stalls with different food variety open their doors and start business.

Every stall is kept neat and clean. They have 4 benches and a table arranged for customers who come near each stall. Every stall has fresh food stuff arranged in it for the buyers. The young guys at the stall call aloud to people moving around the place and thus help to sell their eatables.

Visitors and people of the city come to this place, taste the food and enjoy. As they continue eating at the stalls, the drum beats will be heard in the background. Soothsayers of tribal community will give an enchanting experience during the same time. The food stuff arrangement is so beautiful that people believe it as the French influence. Non-vegetarian eaters will have mouth watering dishes to taste. The snail soup, dishes of goat head, kababs, koftas are a speciality here.

Area - 1 square Kilometre.

Cheaters - a few tribal snake charmers cheat the tourists. They just put the snake around the shoulder and will not agree to remove it until they get the money.

Buying things on the streets - Be cautious while buying antiques.

Drink tea without hesitation - The free tea offered by the stall keeper can be taken without any hesitation or doubts.

Vegetarian people will get the Moroccan salads and Tajin( soup made of steam boiled potato with masala) only.

The festive look, the enjoyment, the talent of the artists, the story tellers’ exhibition, food stuff variety, the participation of the tourists and the local people makes this place really special.

Preserving the culture and supporting tourism go hand in hand at Jama Al-fana.