Explore Marrakech’s hidden Jewish roots, vibrant souks, and centuries-old culture on this guided walking tour.
Discover a side of Marrakech that most travelers miss. This private half-day walking tour reveals the rich Jewish heritage woven into the fabric of the city. From historic synagogues to hidden alleyways, you’ll dive into a lesser-known but deeply meaningful part of Moroccan history.
Your experience starts near the Koutoubia Mosque, the largest mosque in Marrakech and an iconic symbol of its Islamic past. From there, your certified local guide will take you into the Jewish Quarter, known as the Mellah, established in the 16th century under the Saadian dynasty.
Here, you’ll walk through narrow streets that once echoed with the life of a thriving Jewish community. You’ll visit the Slat Al Azama Synagogue, a still-functioning house of worship decorated with intricate blue-and-white tiles. This synagogue also served as a Talmud Torah, educating generations of Jewish children.
Next, you’ll continue to the Miâara Jewish Cemetery — the largest in Morocco. This sacred space tells the story of many revered rabbis and spiritual figures, and your guide will share the Jewish burial traditions still honored today.
The tour continues through the Mellah spice market, where the air is filled with the scents of cumin, saffron, amber, and herbal blends. Many of these ingredients remain staples in Jewish-Moroccan cooking and natural healing remedies.
To end your walk, your guide will lead you into the old medina, exploring lesser-known paths filled with history. Discover traditional communal bread ovens (furns), hidden courtyards, and workshops run by local artisans. You’ll also visit the Dyer’s Souk and Berber Market, areas once filled with Jewish traders dealing in fine textiles, spices, and jewelry.
This immersive journey offers more than sightseeing — it provides a cultural connection. Whether you’re tracing your ancestry or simply curious, this tour offers a unique window into Marrakech’s multicultural past.
Medina /Old Town (Google Map)
Morning or afternoon
🕌 Start Point:
Koutoubia Mosque – Introduction and welcome
🏘 Jewish Quarter (Mellah):
History of Jewish settlement
Visit Slat Al Azama Synagogue
🕯️ Miâara Jewish Cemetery:
Learn about burial customs
Stories of revered rabbis
🧂 Mellah Spice Market:
Explore traditional spices
Jewish-Moroccan culinary traditions
🛍 Old Medina Hidden Corners:
Visit secret courtyards and furns
Explore artisan souks and former Jewish trade areas
Led by a government-certified local guide
Offers deep cultural insights and rare access
Perfect for history lovers, Jewish heritage explorers, and curious travelers
Private and customizable
Looking for Jewish history of Morocco this is the must beautiful place to visit and also Melah in the all imperial cities around Morocco, Essaouira, Marrakech, Fes, Meknes ,most of these cities had Jewish quarter. you can know all the through half day tour with tour guide Rachid is Perfect, he could also recommend good Kosher food.
Worth seeing and doing, to see another side of Jewish in Morocco, we learned more important facts related to Salat Azama(Synagogue)and the stunning cemetery. However, only after entering its territory did I realize how large the local Jewish community was, highly recommended to have a guide to visit these hidden points in Marrakech. The beginning of the cemetery dates back to 1537. It is divided into three parts
men’s, women’s and children’s. Older tombstones are most often anonymous, but also preserved and whitewashed. The tombs and even mausoleums of renowned tzaddikim, rabbis and Jewish activists stand out. The whole area is fenced
quite a high wall from outside. On a sunny day, it is worth taking a bottle of water or another drink with you. The area is very exposed and heat is literally pouring from the sky. The entrance ticket here also costs, But Our Guide Rachid took care of everything, Tickets ,Water, choosing shades was. Rachid is highly recommended,
It was one of our best time in Morocco, wander around this old and large area. Some of the dates are from the 17th century. And are in Hebrew, French and some in Arabic. Very interesting and eerily beautiful with the style of graves very very different from the United States. found it To be a highlight in the city tour. We could also brought a c good handmade berber jewesh carpet from the jewesh Souk,most places we couldn t find them ourselves without the local tour guide, Rachid was exceptional.
One of the best best guide showed us the city s hidden points, I discovered that Morocco was a Jewish country. It was founded by Jews, and did not become a Muslim country for several centuries, until followers of Mohammed started to grow. Eventually many Jews migrated toward Turkey and modern Isreal, and the balance shifted.and most originally moroccan ones took the way from Andalusia and settled in the country, ,live side by side with Amazirgh/Berber.Morocco from romans religion to christians ,to jewish to islam, ,but jews still hjave their influence and still their traces are visible through this tour, that was well guided by Rashid.
Wonderful – If you’re interested in Jewish culture…
book this tour, ask for Rashid, if he is available, he knows a lot about Moroccan Jews, culture, habits, traditions…
we visited Slat azama(synagogue) and cemetery which is large and peaceful. It’s fascinating . Definitely worth a visit if you are in the area with Local tour guide who will take you to discover the city s hidden gems, without any hustle
