The capital of the Moroccan Kingdom is Marrakech, sometimes known as Marrakesh. It is one of Morocco's four imperial cities and the administrative centre of the Marrakesh-Safi region. West of the Atlas Mountain foothills is where the city is located. Marrakesh is located 580 kilometres (360 mi) southwest of Tangier, 327 kilometres (203 mi) southwest of Rabat, 239 kilometres (149 mi) south of Casablanca, and 246 kilometres (153 mi) northeast of Agadir.

Since the Neolithic era, the area has been populated by Berber farmers. As the imperial capital of the Almoravid Empire, the city was established in 1070 by Emir Abu Bakr ibn Umar. The first significant buildings in the city were built by the Almoravids, who also influenced its layout for many years. The city's red walls, built by Ali ibn Yusuf in 1122–1123, and subsequent buildings made of red sandstone have earned it the moniker "Red City" (Almanadinat alhamra') or "Ochre City" (ville ocre). Marrakesh expanded fast, becoming a major economic, cultural, and religious hub for the whole Maghreb and most of sub-Saharan Africa. The most crowded square in Africa is Jemaa el-Fnaa.

An old fortified city full of merchants and their stalls makes up Marrakesh. The historic district of this medina has been designated a World Heritage Site. It is now a major economic hub and tourist attraction, making it one of Africa's busiest cities.