Marrakech is a city that excites the senses: narrow alleys filled with scents of spices, colorful markets and the lively sounds of the medina. But did you know that this particular destination in Morocco is also a surprisingly good place to work remotely? Whether you’re looking for inspiring coworking spaces, cozy cafes with good wifi or a quiet riad to work focused, Marrakech has it all. In this guide, I share my best tips and experiences as a digital nomad in magical Marrakech.
Why work remotely in Marrakech?
This intriguing vibrant city in the middle of Morocco had long been on my wish list to visit. Very honestly, I had my doubts beforehand whether Marrakech would be a suitable place for digital nomads, as I heard and saw little about it from other remote workers. Spoiler: it’s great! But, definitely a destination you need to go to well prepared to be successful remote workers.
Marrakech offers a unique blend of traditional culture and modern facilities, making it an attractive destination for digital nomads. Good Internet is available in the right places, the cost of living is relatively low and the climate is wonderful, especially in the winter months. Moreover, there are plenty of places to work productively, and in your free time you can enjoy the rich culture, delicious food and impressive nature surrounding the city.
Marrakech is an Islamic city, so dress respectfully and be aware of local customs. Personally, I don’t think it’s very appropriate to be dressed too nude.
The best coworking spaces and cafes for remote working
- Pikala cafe: My favorite spot. Not yet discovered by the masses and therefore not mega crowded, as is the case in many other places in Marrakech. What a well hidden gem. Full of nice workspaces and cozy sitting areas. You can also eat delicious vegetarian food there.
- Atay Cafe: A cozy cafe consisting of 3 floors with a fantastic rooftop terrace with a very impressive view of the city. The wifi is a bit weak, so arranging your own backup is handy here.
- Cactus Cafe: This one is far outside the center, near the neighborhood of Gueliz, but to my surprise packed with locals working on their laptops. Very nice place if you want to see and experience a little more of the local life of Moroccans.
- Coworkspace L’BLASSA: A hub for entrepreneurs and creators in Marrakech to work and network. Located in the Gueliz neighborhood, you will find the perfect place to work productively, in a professional environment.
- Targa Cowork Club: A nice coworking space where you have a good workspace with good internet. It looks very stylish and they have several types of workspaces you can rent. For example, you can also rent a room there.
- Jemaa Al Fna – Groupe L’Adresse: Surely this was a special place to work. L’Adresse has several floors and sits right on the main square of Marrakech. I sat front-row working on my laptop, with the bustling life of Marrakech in the background. Again, the wifi was not very stable, but I used my eSim as a backup.
Other tips I had received for nice places to work in Marrakech were Bacha Coffee and Café des Epices. Hugely popular cafes and also definitely very stylish, but also way and way too busy to work. Go here for a nice cup of Moroccan tea, or a delicious meal, but leave your laptop at home when you go.
Where to stay as a digital nomad in Marrakech?
Marrakech has an awful lot of different types of accommodations, from traditional riads in the medina to modern apartments in the new Gueliz district and resorts just outside the center. Some of my recommendations:
- Riad BE Marrakech – An atmospheric riad with beautiful workspaces and a relaxed vibe.
- Outsite Marrakech – A coliving and coworking place ideal for digital nomads.
- Airbnb apartments in Gueliz – Often equipped with good wifi and just a bit quieter than the medina.
- Valeria Dar Atlas – a resort in Palmeria where you can dive into the pool after your work day. It’s all inclusive so I combined remote working here with a few days of vacation.
- Noqta coliving – this fine coliving with its own workspace is located in the charming coastal town of Essaouira, about 3 hours from Marrakech.
- Salut Maroc – A great colorful hotel in Essaouira, with sea views and delicious food.
What to do in and around Marrakech?
There is an awful lot to do in the city and around Marrakech. Be realistic in your work schedule and make sure you have enough free time to get out and about. Some activities outside the city are often day tours, so it’s best to do those on weekends or take a day off for them.
- Cooking Workshop: They can cook like the best here. Learn how to make a tagine and other traditional dishes. I have seen prices of €65 p.p., but mine for €33 p.p. was very nice and for this amount there are plenty to be found.
- Hammam. The city is full of beautiful hammams. Relax and enjoy a traditional hammam.
- Shopping in the souk. The medina has endless small streets with tiny stores. You can buy anything from rugs to tableware to bags. I found the prices quite high, and everywhere they claim it is handmade, which I don’t believe much of unfortunately. The vendors are pretty intense, so after a few hours, and having bought quite a few nice things, I had seen it again.
- Jardin Majorelle. This beautiful colorful garden is worth a visit. Be sure to book your tickets in advance, or you probably won’t have a spot.
- Roof terrace restaurants are plentiful. With generally high Instagrammable content and therefore hefty prices for a destination like this, but then you have something (a beautiful photo, of a beautiful dish, with beautiful views).
- Agafay Dessert. A highlight of this area is a visit to the desert near the city. I went to The Original Camp, where I stayed overnight in a beautiful luxury tent. The outing began on a quad bike that we used to tear through the desert, a sunset camel ride and then a traditional Moroccan meal with accompanying Moroccan entertainment.
- Ourika Valley. This green oasis just an hour from Marrakech is also really worth a visit. You will stop along the way at traditional Berber villages, a pottery, spice store and have dinner at one of the most idyllic riverside restaurants in the middle of the valley. Optionally, you can take a brisk hike to the waterfall, which does not disappoint.
Practical tip for working remotely in Marrakech
The wifi is generally nice, but not nearly stable or fast enough in all places to work efficiently online. I therefore recommend buying a local SIM card as a backup. Choose Inwi, Maroc Telecom or Orange. You can also get an eSIM, which I do myself. You can easily arrange those in advance at home and easily install them on your phone. Then you don’t have to arrange anything else at the destination.
Marrakech is a surprisingly good destination for remote workers. With proper preparation and the right workspaces, you can work here productively and enjoy all that this magical city has to offer. So pack up your laptop and experience it for yourself!
Inspiration on other remote work destinations:
Thailand: de ultieme bestemming voor remote werken en digital nomads
Een inspirerende workation aan het Lauwersmeer: remote werken in eigen land
