Traveling in Marrakech, Morocco,
the Jemaa el-Fna orange juice that even Park Myung-soo was stunned by
Written by
Jigu Byeol Sigoljwi, a book-loving travel lifestyle blogger and YouTuber
[Travel Review Summary]
One thing you absolutely have to try on a Marrakech, Morocco trip is the fresh orange juice at Jemaa el-Fna. Vendors all over the square squeeze oranges to order, and the rich sweetness and bright citrus aroma are unforgettable.
If you go around sunset rather than in the middle of the day, you can experience the orange juice stalls, night market, and street performances all at once. Just make sure to confirm the price before you order.
Jemaa el-Fna, Marrakech Q&A
Q. When is the best time to visit Jemaa el-Fna?
The square is worth seeing during the day, but its real energy kicks in at sunset. Food stalls roll in, crowds gather around the performers, and the whole place starts to feel like one giant open-air theater. If you want to see both sides of it, I’d recommend going in the late afternoon.
Q. Is there anything to watch out for when ordering orange juice?
Prices, cup sizes, and cleanliness can vary from stall to stall, so check the price before ordering. If you don’t want sugar, water, or ice added, it’s best to say you want only oranges before they start juicing.
A scene from TV that brought back my memories of Marrakech
In a recent Morocco episode of The Great Guide 3, I watched Park Myung-soo take a sip of orange juice and look genuinely shocked.
“Orange juice isn’t supposed to surprise you like that.”
Watching him say that a simple glass of juice made him want to come back to Morocco, I found myself nodding right along with him.
I had a similar experience myself while backpacking through Morocco twice, once in 2010 and again in 2021.
Back in my rough-and-wild Morocco backpacking days… me,
In Marcel Proust’s In Search of Lost Time, a madeleine dipped in tea brings back a flood of old memories. That phenomenon—when a specific taste or smell suddenly unlocks the past—is often called the “Proust effect.”
For me, that madeleine was Marrakech orange juice.
Jemaa el-Fna location and how to get there
Jemaa el-Fna sits at the heart of the Medina, Marrakech’s old city, and it’s one of the main entry points into the traditional souks.
It’s also an easy walk from the Koutoubia Mosque, so the two are great to visit together.
Deeper inside the Medina, the alleys get narrow and many areas are closed to cars.
If you’re taking a taxi, the easiest option is to get dropped off near the square or by the Koutoubia Mosque and walk from there.
For context, the Medina of Marrakech was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, and the cultural space of Jemaa el-Fna is also recognized on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity for its music, performances, and oral traditions.
Juice stalls piled high with oranges like little mountains
Across the square, there were juice carts stacked with fresh oranges in bright, almost theatrical piles. Once I ordered, the vendor sliced the oranges in half and pressed them on the spot.
It took only a minute or two for a clear glass to fill with vivid orange juice.
At first, I ordered it without thinking much—I was hot, tired, and just needed something cold. But the second I took a sip, I stopped walking. The sweetness was deep but never heavy, and the acidity was lively without being sharp. It had that fresh, pulpy citrus fragrance you almost never get from bottled juice, and it lingered long after the first sip.
The taste I went back for on my second trip
On my second backpacking trip to Morocco 11 years later, I found myself searching for orange juice again. Part of me wanted to know whether the memory from my first trip had been exaggerated by time.
It hadn’t. Morocco orange juice absolutely lived up to the memory. The second glass was still sweet, fresh, and every bit as good as I remembered.
If orange juice comes to mind before the Sahara’s sand-laden winds or the Atlas Mountains, that pretty much says it all.
It reminded me again that travel memories aren’t made only by the sights you see, but by the temperature of the air, the sounds around you, and the smells and flavors that stay with you.
A Marrakech square that feels completely different by day and night
Jemaa el-Fna becomes a completely different place once the sun starts to drop. Food stalls move in, charcoal smoke rises into the air, and the smell of Moroccan dishes like tagine, couscous, and tangia spreads across the square.
The mix of musicians, storytellers, vendors, and travelers doesn’t feel polished or curated in the slightest. It can be overwhelming, and the aggressive sales pitches may feel like a lot.
If you photograph performers or people in traditional dress, they may ask for payment, so always get permission and confirm the fee before taking pictures.
Who I recommend this for
Jemaa el-Fna in Marrakech, Morocco is perfect for travelers who want more than a quiet, comfortable sightseeing stop and would rather experience local sounds, smells, and movement with all their senses.
It’s also a memorable place for anyone interested in Moroccan street food, or travelers who love photographing traditional markets and night markets.
That one glass of orange juice on TV reopened a door to North Africa that I hadn’t realized I’d left closed for so long. If I ever return to Marrakech, I think I’ll head to Jemaa el-Fna before I book a famous restaurant.
I’ll stand there looking at those oranges stacked on the cart and order a glass of fresh orange juice with nothing added.
Maybe we don’t travel all the way to distant countries for a specific dish after all. Maybe what stays with us longest is that one unexpected flavor we happen to discover there.
If you’re planning a trip to the Middle East, you can find a lot of useful information on the Naver Cafe Merhaba. I also share Middle East travel updates there from time to time.
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Written by
Jigu Byeol Sigoljwi, a travel lifestyle blogger/YouTuber who loves books
Thank you.
I’ll keep uploading my travel videos on YouTube, so until then, happy travels, everyone.
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