Sunset in the main square.
The main square comes alive after dusk.
If you think that the main square in Marrakech is a busy place during the daytime, be prepared for a surprise once the sun begins to set.
Gone are the snake charmers and monkeys on chains, replaced by food vendors, henna ladies, street musicians, and dancers.
The scene is organised chaos and a complete sensory overload.
The sights, sounds, and smells are not for the faint-hearted.
The drumming becomes intense, and the square takes on the appearance of a huge fair ground with thousands of people congregating.
People from Marrakech and beyond come together to meet each other, alongside tourists all vying for space to watch the spectacle unfold.
The atmosphere is electric and vibrates with a magnetic energy.
Street vendors pursue potential customers with menus as they try to navigate their way through the crowds.
They hop in front of you, and you have to dodge them like you are part of some assault course.
Sometimes, they can be very persistent, and you can feel pretty intimidated.
Camel head and fresh snails may not be your thing, and you have to be quite firm when telling them you’ve already eaten.
Although the scene is very intense, it is magical and exciting.
I really enjoyed myself, but other people were saying that they felt overwhelmed.
They preferred sitting on the edge of the square, sipping mint tea, and observing from a safe distance.
It is unlike anything else you may have experienced.
There is so much to see. There are games being played, and a few little scams take place to trick you into coughing up a few dirhams.
Locals hang around the cafe de France, chatting with each other over coffee.
Youths play football against the walls of the medina.
Sugarcane and fresh juice are sold from vending carts by lively vendors in high spirits.
Bemused onlookers sit observing everything outside restaurants or from the rooftops around the square as the Koutoubia mosque rings out the call to prayer.
As the sun sets, the crowds flock, and the atmosphere becomes electrifying.
The square is transformed into a social hub where anything and everything takes place.
It’s an incredible experience.
The bright lights dazzle from the food vendors, and beautiful Morroccan lamps sit for sale on blankets lighting the way, giving off a wonderful glow.
The scent of fragrant incense competes with the aroma of sheeps head cooking, floating through the air on the breeze.
Tourists tempted to try a traditional bowl of snails queue to sample this culinary delight.
Drums beat, belly dancers perform to curious onlookers and acrobats show off their skills to the gathering crowd.
You can not escape the craziness.
It draws you in.
It is the heartbeat of the city.
Jamaa El Fna magnetises you.
The sheer chaos is a complete assault on the senses in every way possible.
Just be mindful when stopping to take photos.
Someone in the thick of the action is eagle eyed and continuously watching for interested tourists who have stopped to watch.
They will spring upon you from out of nowhere, cap in hand for a donation.
After sunset, it’s as though the whole of Morrocco has come out to play in Jamaa El Fna, and they are determined to have a good time.
It is truly a spectacle to behold.
Lively, colourful, aromatic, and noisy.
Be sure to visit and become a part of what makes Marrakech so unique.
It’s certainly an eye-opener.
Although it’s mostly safe around the square, exercise the usual caution in large crowded areas and try to avoid obvious scams.
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Sounds Of The Souks 