Place des Épices Marrakech 2026 — The Medina Square Locals Love

What Is Place des Épices?

Place des Épices (also written Rahba Lakdima or Rahba Kedima) is a small, irregular square in the northern medina of Marrakech, roughly 10 minutes on foot from Jemaa el-Fna. The name translates simply to 'spice square,' and for centuries it served as the medina's primary spice market. Today the ground level still holds spice vendors, herbalists, and traditional cosmetics stalls, but the square's real evolution has been vertical — three rooftop cafés now sit above the souks, offering some of the best terrace views in the city without the Jemaa el-Fna markup.

The square is triangular, small enough to cross in 30 seconds, and shaded by a few trees and the awnings of surrounding stalls. On any given morning you'll find locals buying dried herbs, tourists discovering the terraces, and a handful of cats who consider the whole thing theirs. It connects directly to the main souk arteries — the Souk Semmarine and Souk el-Kebir — making it a natural rest stop midway through a medina walk. For the full Marrakech picture, start with our Marrakech food guide or the street food Marrakech guide.

The Rooftop Cafés

The terraces above Place des Épices are the main draw for most visitors — and rightly so. Three cafés compete for the view, each with a slightly different character.

Café des Épices

Café des Épices is the original and still the best-known terrace on the square. Opened in 2005 by Marrakech hospitality figure Hicham, it was one of the first rooftop cafés in the medina and essentially put Place des Épices on the tourist map. The terrace has three levels: the ground-floor tables by the square, a mid-level mezzanine, and the rooftop with views across the medina roofline to the Koutoubia minaret on clear days.

The menu is simple — mint tea (15 MAD), orange juice (20 MAD), avocado smoothie (30 MAD), and a short food menu of salads, sandwiches, and tagines (50–90 MAD). The food is decent, not spectacular — you're here for the setting. The top terrace fills by 11am in high season; arrive before 10am or after 3pm for a seat without waiting.

Best for: First-time visitors who want the classic Place des Épices photo. The view from the top level is the one you've seen on every blog and Instagram reel.

Terrasse des Épices

Terrasse des Épices is the more upscale option, located a few steps from the square on Souk Chérifia. The terrace is larger, better furnished (cushions, shade sails, proper tables), and the menu is more ambitious — lamb tagine with prunes (90 MAD), kefta with egg (70 MAD), pastilla (80 MAD), and a cocktail list that Café des Épices doesn't attempt. The rooftop feels more like a restaurant than a café, with table service and a slightly more polished crowd.

The views are comparable to Café des Épices but from a slightly different angle — you see more of the souk rooftops and less of the square itself. At sunset, this is the better of the two: the west-facing orientation catches golden light across the medina. Reservations aren't strictly necessary but help at lunch and sunset, especially on weekends.

Best for: A proper sit-down lunch or sunset drinks with a view. More comfortable than Café des Épices, slightly higher prices. See our best sunset terraces Marrakech guide for more options.

Nomad

Nomad sits on the edge of the square and is the most design-forward of the three — exposed concrete, modern Moroccan decor, a menu that riffs on tradition without being bound by it. The spiced lamb burger (90 MAD) and harissa prawns (110 MAD) are excellent. It's pricier than the other two, busier on weekends, and popular with the riad-owning expat crowd. The rooftop is beautiful but smaller, so the wait for a terrace table can be 20–30 minutes at peak times.

Best for: Modern Moroccan food in a design setting. If you want the best meal on the square rather than the cheapest tea, this is it.

The Surrounding Souks

Place des Épices sits at a crossroads of some of the medina's best souk streets, making it the ideal anchor for a half-day of exploring.

Souk Chérifia

Directly adjacent to the square, Souk Chérifia is a small, curated cluster of boutiques and ateliers on the upper floor of a renovated fondouk. This is where Marrakech's contemporary designers sell leather goods, ceramics, textiles, and jewellery at fixed prices — no haggling. Quality is high, prices are fair (leather bags 300–800 MAD, ceramics 50–200 MAD), and the atmosphere is calm compared to the main souks below. It's the best place to buy a gift if bargaining isn't your thing.

Souk Semmarine & Souk el-Kebir

The two main arteries of the medina — Souk Semmarine (covered, wide, tourist-heavy) and Souk el-Kebir (narrower, more local) — both pass within 50 metres of Place des Épices. These are the classic Marrakech souk experience: babouches (leather slippers), lanterns, carpets, ceramics, and the full gauntlet of shopkeepers. Prices here are negotiable — start at 40% of the asking price and work up. Early morning (before 10am) is the quietest time.

Rahba Kedima — The Apothecary Stalls

The ground level of Place des Épices itself is technically part of Rahba Kedima, the old spice and herbalist market. The stalls sell dried flowers, argan oil, black soap, kohl, herbal remedies, and blends of ras el hanout that vary wildly in quality. The better vendors will let you smell everything and explain the blends; the worse ones will pressure you into buying pre-packaged tourist bags. Stick to stalls where you can see (and smell) loose spices in open baskets.

What to Buy at Place des Épices

• ▸ Ras el hanout — The signature Moroccan spice blend. A good one has 15–25 spices and smells complex, not just hot. Expect 20–40 MAD per 100g from a reputable stall. Ask to smell before buying.
• ▸ Argan oil — Cosmetic (unroasted, lighter) or culinary (roasted, darker, nuttier). Genuine argan oil is expensive — 150–250 MAD for 250ml is realistic. If it's much cheaper, it's diluted.
• ▸ Black soap (savon noir) — The traditional hammam soap made from olive oil and crushed olives. 20–40 MAD for a generous pot. Pairs well with a kessa glove (10–20 MAD).
• ▸ Dried roses and orange blossom water — Marrakech is rose country. Dried rosebuds (30 MAD per bag) are beautiful and fragrant. Orange blossom water (15–30 MAD) is used in pastries and tea.
• ▸ Saffron — Real saffron is 15–20 MAD per gram. The fake stuff (safflower dyed red) is everywhere. Real saffron threads are dark crimson, dry, and smell intensely floral. If it's cheap, it's not saffron.

How to Get There

Place des Épices is in the northern medina, roughly 10 minutes on foot from Jemaa el-Fna.

From Jemaa el-Fna: Walk north into the souks via the main entrance arch at the top of the square (look for the sign pointing to Souk Semmarine). Follow Souk Semmarine for about 300 metres — it's covered, busy, and impossible to miss. Where the souk forks, bear slightly right and follow signs for 'Rahba Kedima' or 'Place des Épices.' You'll emerge into the triangular square. Total walk: 8–12 minutes depending on how often you stop.

From the Musée de Marrakech / Ben Youssef Medersa area: Walk south through the souks for about 5 minutes. Place des Épices is roughly halfway between Ben Youssef and Jemaa el-Fna.

By taxi: Tell the driver 'Rahba Kedima' or 'Place des Épices' — most will drop you at Bab Fteuh or the Souk Semmarine entrance, from where it's a 3-minute walk. Taxis cannot enter the medina itself.

Google Maps tip: Pin 'Café des Épices' on Google Maps before you enter the medina. The GPS works reasonably well in the souks, even if the blue dot jumps around in the narrow alleys.

Best Time to Visit

• ▸ Morning (8am–10am): The square is quiet, the spice stalls are just setting up, and you'll have the rooftop terraces to yourself. Light is beautiful for photos. This is the best time if you want to buy spices — vendors are relaxed and more willing to chat.
• ▸ Late morning (10am–12pm): The souks are fully alive, the terraces start filling, and the energy picks up. Good for combining a terrace tea with a souk walk.
• ▸ Lunch (12pm–2pm): Peak time at all three cafés. Expect a short wait for rooftop tables at Café des Épices and Nomad. The square itself gets hot in summer — the terraces have shade.
• ▸ Late afternoon (4pm–6pm): The light softens, the heat drops, and the square enters its golden hour. This is the best window for terrace sitting if you don't want to fight the lunch crowd.
• ▸ Sunset (6pm–7:30pm): Terrasse des Épices is the sunset spot. Book ahead or arrive by 5:30pm in high season (March–May, September–November).
• ▸ Avoid: Midday in July–August (40°C+), Friday afternoons (many stalls close for prayer), and Ramadan daytimes (most cafés close until sunset).

Seasonal tips

Tips for Visiting Place des Épices

• ▸ Don't confuse it with Jemaa el-Fna. Place des Épices is a 10-minute walk north into the souks — it's a different square entirely. If you're at the big open plaza with snake charmers and orange juice carts, keep walking north.
• ▸ Carry small bills. Spice stalls and cafés prefer cash. 20 and 50 MAD notes are ideal. Some cafés accept cards but the stalls don't.
• ▸ Haggle at stalls, not at cafés. The terrace cafés have fixed menus with printed prices. The spice and cosmetics stalls expect negotiation — start at 40% and meet around 60–70%.
• ▸ Combine it with nearby sights. The Marrakech rooftops are within walking distance. The Musée de Marrakech and Ben Youssef Medersa are 5 minutes north.
• ▸ Use it as your medina anchor. Place des Épices is central, easy to find once you know the route, and has Wi-Fi at all three cafés. When you get lost in the souks (you will), navigate back here.

FAQ

Where is Place des Épices in Marrakech? Place des Épices (Rahba Kedima) is in the northern medina, about 10 minutes on foot from Jemaa el-Fna. Walk north through Souk Semmarine and follow signs for Rahba Kedima. The easiest landmark to GPS is Café des Épices.

Is Place des Épices worth visiting? Yes. It's the best alternative to the overwhelming Jemaa el-Fna — smaller, calmer, with better rooftop terraces and authentic spice stalls. The three rooftop cafés (Café des Épices, Terrasse des Épices, Nomad) offer some of the best views in the medina at reasonable prices.

What is the best café at Place des Épices? Café des Épices for the classic experience and cheapest mint tea (15 MAD). Terrasse des Épices for sunset drinks and a more comfortable terrace. Nomad for the best food. All three have rooftop views.

What should I buy at Place des Épices? Ras el hanout (spice blend, 20–40 MAD per 100g), argan oil (150–250 MAD for 250ml), black soap for the hammam (20–40 MAD), dried roses, and orange blossom water. Avoid suspiciously cheap saffron — real saffron costs 15–20 MAD per gram.

When is the best time to visit Place des Épices? Early morning (8–10am) for quiet shopping and empty terraces, or late afternoon (4–6pm) for golden light and cooler temperatures. Avoid midday in summer. For sunset, head to Terrasse des Épices by 5:30pm in high season.

The Verdict

Place des Épices is the medina square Marrakech doesn't shout about — and that's the point. Skip the Jemaa el-Fna tourist menus, climb the stairs to Café des Épices or Terrasse des Épices, order a 15-dirham mint tea, and watch the souk rooftops turn gold at sunset. Buy your ras el hanout from the stall where the spices sit in open baskets, not sealed tourist bags. Use the square as your medina anchor — you'll come back to it three times a day, and it'll feel different every time. The best moments in Marrakech aren't performances. They're a shaded terrace, a slow tea, and absolutely nowhere to be.