Most people come to Marrakech for the chaos — the souks, the snake charmers, the colour and noise of Jemaa el-Fna. And yes, all of that is real and worth experiencing. But there is another Marrakech. A quieter, more polished one. One that most travel guides forget to mention. That side is called Gueliz Marrakech, and once you see it, you will understand why this city welcomes millions of visitors every year.
What Is Gueliz? Marrakech's Modern, Upscale Neighbourhood
Gueliz is Marrakech's new city — a French-inspired district built during the colonial era, sitting just a short taxi ride from the ancient medina. Where the old city has narrow alleys and centuries-old walls, Gueliz offers wide boulevards, leafy streets, and elegant buildings that carry the warm ochre tones of traditional Moroccan architecture while standing several storeys tall.
Walking through Gueliz feels completely different from wandering the medina. The streets are clean. There is very little rubbish on the ground. Traffic flows in an organised way, with working traffic lights and respectful drivers. Small fountains sit at roundabouts. Palms line the roads. It is the kind of place where you can simply stroll, breathe, and appreciate the city without being approached at every corner.
You will find international brands here — Adidas, H&M, MAC cosmetics, Aldo, Nespresso, and even a Starbucks. There are banks, perfumeries, and restaurants with outdoor terraces. But unlike many cities where modernity means ugly concrete boxes, Gueliz manages to keep the Moroccan soul alive. The buildings carry beautiful arched details — a French architectural touch — with shops on the ground floor and residential spaces above. And importantly, you will notice something refreshing: no oversized advertising banners covering the buildings. Just clean, beautiful facades.
Getting There: Taxi Tips for Gueliz Marrakech
If you are staying in the medina or the Riad district, getting to Gueliz is easy and very affordable. A metered taxi from the central area should cost you no more than 10 to 15 dirhams — that is less than one US dollar for a 10-minute ride.
A word of advice: always use taxis with a working meter. Most taxis in Marrakech and Casablanca are honest and charge the correct fare. But like any popular tourist city, there are occasional drivers who will quote you a flat rate that can be 5 to 10 times higher than normal. If a driver has no meter, negotiate firmly before getting in — and always agree on a price before the journey starts. A fair price for a short city trip should be around 50 dirhams at most.
One charming detail about Marrakech taxis: they are sometimes shared. You may hop in and find another passenger already inside heading in a similar direction. Do not be surprised — this is completely normal and actually a wonderful way to experience local daily life.
Bacha Coffee Marrakech — A 115-Year-Old Luxury Experience in Gueliz
Of all the things to do in Gueliz Marrakech, visiting Bacha Coffee is the one experience that deserves its own category entirely.
Built in 1910, Bacha Coffee is housed inside a stunning historic riad. The building is over 115 years old, and every detail inside reflects that heritage — from the hand-painted walls to the ornate wooden doors, the mosaic tilework on the floors, and the intimate courtyards filled with trees and a small fountain. It feels more like a museum than a café, except the coffee is very much real and exceptionally good.
What to Expect Inside Bacha Coffee
The moment you step through the entrance, you understand why people queue for hours to get in. There are several beautifully decorated rooms, each with small tables and paintings on the walls. Outside in the courtyard, more seating spills into the open air. The atmosphere is calm, refined, and unhurried. Nobody rushes you. You can sit for an hour and a half and nobody will make you feel unwelcome — even with a long queue waiting outside.
The menu is extraordinary. Bacha Coffee offers around 400 varieties of coffee sourced from coffee-growing countries across the world — Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, the Congo, Tanzania, Zambia, Yemen, India, Indonesia, Brazil, Colombia, Vietnam, and more. Each variety is described in detail, and the staff are genuinely knowledgeable and happy to guide you toward something that suits your taste.
Beyond coffee, there is a full breakfast menu. During one visit, the order included:
- Suraya Gold coffee — a signature Bacha blend mixing African, Asian, and Arabian beans, including Yemeni coffee, served in a large pot so you can enjoy it slowly
- Black truffle scrambled eggs — rich and beautifully presented
- Pistachio and chocolate croissants — baked fresh, almost too beautiful to eat
- Churros with hot chocolate — the chocolate served separately for dipping
- Fresh orange juice — poured into a glass with the Bacha Coffee branding
The total bill for this spread came to around 418 dirhams — approximately 45 US dollars. For the quality, the setting, the history, and the service, that is genuinely reasonable.
The Service at Bacha Coffee
The service here is the kind that stays with you. Staff members genuinely take care of you — adjusting heaters as the temperature drops in the evening, bringing extra bread, offering mint tea compliments of the house, and explaining the coffee varieties with quiet pride. It does not feel performative. It feels like real Moroccan hospitality in its most elegant form.
What to Buy at the Bacha Coffee Shop
Before you leave, step into the small boutique inside the café. You can purchase bags of coffee from specific countries, beautiful ceramic cups, decorative spoons, hand-wrapped gift sets, and even the coffee history book that sits on every table — a beautifully photographed guide to the origins of coffee and the story of Bacha itself. If you are looking for a meaningful souvenir from Marrakech, this is it.
Practical Tips for Visiting Gueliz and Bacha Coffee
Arriving at Bacha Coffee:Do not arrive at opening time (10:00 AM) — the queue will already be long. Aim to arrive between 9:00 and 9:15 AM. You will wait around 45 minutes in the beautiful courtyard, which is entirely pleasant and easy, and you will be among the first to be seated. Arriving in the afternoon means a 2–3 hour wait.
Payment:Bacha Coffee does not accept cards. Bring cash in Moroccan dirhams.
Getting around Gueliz:The neighbourhood is very walkable. You can easily spend 20–30 minutes strolling the main boulevard, window shopping, and stopping at a terrace café. The streets are safe, clean, and easy to navigate.
Where to eat in Gueliz:Gueliz has several excellent restaurants. One worth mentioning is La Marakeesh, a stylish French-Moroccan restaurant with outdoor terrace seating, a fountain view, and an impressive menu ranging from traditional Moroccan tajine to European classics. Prices are fair for the setting — a full meal with drinks and dessert comes to around 390 dirhams (approximately 42 dollars). The couscous is only available on Fridays, so plan accordingly.
Best time to visit Marrakech:Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) offer the most pleasant temperatures for walking the city. Summers can be extremely hot.
Gueliz vs The Medina — Do You Have to Choose?
Not at all. The best approach to Marrakech is to experience both sides. Stay in a riad in the medina for a night or two to soak up the historic atmosphere, the traditional architecture, and the buzz of the old souks. Then spend time in Gueliz for the calm, the modernity, and the luxury café culture. They are 10 minutes apart by taxi and worlds apart in feeling — and that contrast is exactly what makes Marrakech so unique.
Just come prepared. Do your research before you arrive. Know roughly what taxi fares should cost. Know that the famous square is touristy and requires awareness. And know that beyond all of that, there is a city of genuine beauty, warmth, and incredible food waiting for you.
Have You Been to Gueliz or Bacha Coffee?
This city has so many layers, and Gueliz is one that not enough people talk about. Have you visited Bacha Coffee? What did you order? And did you do what most tourists miss — exploring the modern side of Marrakech beyond the medina walls?
Drop your thoughts in the comments below. Tell us your favourite Marrakech hidden gem, or ask any questions you have before your trip. I would love to hear from you.