Fez — Marrakech has been named among the world’s 50 best cities for 2026 in Time Out’s annual global ranking, placing 24th on the list.
Time Out said the ranking is based on survey responses from more than 24,000 residents across 150 cities, combined with votes from more than 100 Time Out city experts. The survey measured how people rate everyday city life, including food, nightlife, culture, affordability, and community feel.
Why Marrakech made the list
In its write-up, Time Out described Marrakech as a “millennium-old city” where “cultures naturally converge,” pointing to the way inspiration “beckons down every medina derb.” The outlet highlighted the city’s recent cultural programming, citing designer Amine Bendrouich’s midnight catwalk staged in the medina during this year’s 1-54 African Art Fair as one example of Marrakech’s creative momentum.
Time Out also spotlighted Marrakech’s contemporary art ecosystem, naming venues and initiatives that reflect how culture moves between institutions and street-level scenes. Its selection referenced stops ranging from MACAAL, the Montresso Art Foundation, and Comptoir des Mines, to downtown spaces like L’Blassa, salons in historic riads such as IZZA, and gnaoua jam sessions in Sidi Ghanem, which it described as an evolving design district.
The ‘big numbers’ behind the ranking
Alongside its editorial commentary, Time Out included survey-based indicators for Marrakech. It reported that 82% of locals said they feel a sense of community in the city, while 74% described people in Marrakech as positive.
The ranking’s top three cities for 2026 were Melbourne, Shanghai, and Edinburgh, with Time Out presenting the list as a snapshot of places that offer both visitor appeal and a strong daily quality of life for residents.
