Whether you’re planning a longer Moroccan adventure or a short city break, you’ll need to know the best things to do in Marrakech - this guide has you covered!
Updated April 2023
No guide can prepare you fully for Marrakech.
This is a city which moves to its own frenetic beat - and visitors can either go against it or try to find their own place in its chaotic rhythm.
Within the labyrinthine medina an endless convoy of zip-zappy motorcycles will whizz past, leathery stall-holders will grab and yell and heckle to capture your interest, young men will follow and harangue with smiles on their faces but menace in their eyes, the modern world clashes with the medieval and scents and stenches unbeknown to you will strike at will.
And then there's the heat; the cloistering, sweltering, sticky heat mixed with exhaust fumes and frying oil and tagine-tinged charcoal.
During our stay in Marrakech, we fell in and out of love with the city on an almost hourly basis. An experience would occur or a scene would unfold which would make our hearts swell, only for an interaction a little later to dash our hopes away and dent our confidence in whether Morocco was really a country for us.
Not everyone will love their time here, but nobody will leave this city without a sensory experience which stays with them for a long, long time. This is how we recommend you spend your days here and our pick of the very best things to do in Marrakech.
Things to do in Marrakech
// Marvel at Ben Youssef Madrasa
// Visit Maison de la Photographie
// Take a Cooking Class
// Have an early morning coffee
// Get lost in the medina
// Barter for a Bargain in the Souks
// Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride at Sunrise
// Have a Hammam
//Find Peace at Saadian Tombs
// Visit El Badi Palace
// Stay in a Beautiful Riad
// Look down on Plaza Jemaa el-Fnaa
13 Wonderful Things to do in Marrakech
marvel at Ben Youssef Madrasa
In the world of Instagram, Marrakech is king.
However, we implore you to not allow your time in the city to be fully shaped by staying at the riad with 'that pool', visiting 'that spa', drinking at 'that cafe' - by all means experience those places, but don't restrict your experience of a wonderfully complex and textured city by following the photogenic footsteps of your favourite 'grammers.
We would however ask you to make an exception - just this once - for the wonderful Ben Youssef Madrasa.
The fantastically preserved 14th-century former Islamic school is a fascinating representation of Moroccan design and architecture. Wander around the courtyard, inspect the ornate tiles and, if you're here early enough, bask in the tranquil silence.
Make sure you take a trip upstairs to pop your head into the tiny rooms, once home to around 900 students, and then stick your head out of the wooden windows to gain an utterly new perspective on the skill involved in creating this place.
After a long hiatus (the Madrasa closed for refurbishment in 2018), this must-see in Marrakech is finally open again to visitors!
Where | Kaat Benahid, Medina. Find it here on maps.
When | 9am-7pm (6pm winter)
Price | 50dh (the price has increased considerably since it shut for works)
visit maison de la photographie de marrakech
Whilst we spent many hours in Marrackech side-stepping puddles and dodging thunder storms (one of the risks of a winter visit), it did mean that we made a point to visit the Maison de la Photographie.
And, oh my goodness, we're so glad we did!
Housed within this small building is the sort of street photography and portraiture that take our breath away, including some beautiful shots captured more than 150 years ago.
If you have even a passing interest in art or photography, or want a snapshot into Morocco's traditions and people, this is somewhere you absolutely can't miss (it may even turn out to be one of your favourite things to do in Marrakech). We spent hours here - and not simply to avoid the rain. Just don't forget to make some time to enjoy a mint tea in the rooftop cafe, a spot with arguably one of the best views in town!
Other marrakech Museums to consider visiting
Musée de Marrakech
Housed in the late 19th century Dar Mnebhi Palace (considered to be a fine example of Andalusian architecture), the Marrakech Museum contains a collection of weapons, pottery and other traditional Moroccan objects. The main reason to visit however is the remarkably photogenic central courtyard.
Entry is 70 dh per person, and the museum is open every day from 9 am to 12 pm, and then again 3 pm to 6.30 pm. You can find it here on maps.
Jardin Majorelle
A visit to Jardin Majorelle is by far one of the most popular things to do in Marrakech (yes, it’s definitely scandalous that we didn’t go!).
Part museum, part gardens, it was created by the French artist Jacques Majorelle in the 1920’s who, having so fallen in love with the vibrant blue used in Berber houses, made it a feature in his own home and garden. As maintenance costs soared however, the entire complex fell into disrepair, until it was bought and given new life by Yves Saint Laurent and his partner in the 80’s.
Together, they created something even grander, and more beautiful than what once existed.
A combined entry ticket costs a phenomenally expensive 300 dh per person (or separately at a cost of 150 dH for Jardin Majorelle, and 100 dH for the museum - the combo also includes Musée Pierre Bergé) and although tickets can be bought on arrival, it is highly recommended that they be purchased in advance.
Do note that the museum is currently shut until 3rd March 2023, but the gardens remain open.
Top Tip // If you’re keen on visiting Jardin Majorelle and would like to combine your time there with a traditional Moroccan hammam experience, consider purchasing this popular and well-rated combo ticket.
take a cooking class
At the top of most people's to-do lists when visiting a new country is trying out the local cuisine. Whenever possible however, we like to go one step further and take a cooking class!
We’ve learnt how to make fresh pasta in Bologna, Spanish paella in Valencia, traditional Brazilian food in Rio, Arabian cuisine in Amman and a mean Keralan curry in India.
Upon arriving in Marrakech, it was time to master the tagine. Or specifically, a class with Souk Cuisine, an excellent cooking school in the Medina.
A shopping trip in the local's markets with our gifted wallets of cash and giant shopping bags for the ingredients, then back to a beautiful riad where, along with the three local lady helpers, we learnt to cook a traditional four course meal which included some of the best food we've had in our two visits to Morocco.
It was a fantastic half-day experience which left our bellies full and minds enriched, but also led us to parts of Marrakech which would have remained hidden otherwise.
Further information // Read about our Marrakech cooking class experience here, or book a cooking class - this one is super popular, has excellent reviews, and includes a market visit.
have an early morning coffee
The only time we felt we had control over Marrakech was when we returned to the city after our hot air balloon ride and took our morning coffee outside the riad.
The stalls all housing the same souvenirs were not yet open, the motorcyclists were still deep in slumber and only a handful of shops and cafes were opening. With so little traffic, and so few people, it was calm.
On a little plastic table, with the sun yet to turn the city into a furnace, we took so much pleasure in seeing a different side to the city.
There is a strong (male-centric) café culture in Marrakech and, when it all gets too much and too hot, find yourself a table with a view and watch the myriads of scenes unfold before you.
Insider tip // As one might expect, the coffee scene in Marrakech is largely focused around instant granules and a lot of milk, but there are a few spots to grab a decent cup - the most popular (and highly regarded) being Bacha Coffee Marrakech.
Hidden within the walls of the grand Dar El Bacha Musée, this fancy Parisian style cafe serves more than 200 varieties of single-origin coffee alongside a delectable selection of French patisseries (courtesy of the former pastry chef of Mamounia).
You can find it here.
get lost in the medina
In our view, there are three parts to Marrakech.
There is the medina (the old town), the new town which exists outside the city walls (and is home to the vast majority of residents), and then there are the islands of tourist luxury in the hotels and all-inclusive resorts and golf courses on the periphery.
If you want to have a full-on Marrakech experience, then it is the medina where you should spend most of your time.
You will, undoubtedly however, get lost.
All of Morocco's medinas seem designed purely to bamboozle the visitor, to misdirect them, deceive them and unsettle them. Sometimes, this may result in a wonderful discovery of a shop selling thousands of lamps away from the masses, or it might direct you to a part of town where you don't feel welcome; this is the risk and reward of discovering Marrakech on your own.
Taste the freshly fried sugary doughnuts, try out your garbled French or Arabic, stop for that syrupy dark coffee on a sidestreet pavement cafe, and play with the kittens that seem to be everywhere.
It's free, it's rewarding and it's the best way to truly understand the city.
Whilst we’d encourage to simply follow your noses, or whichever sense is so triggered, there are a couple of highlights that shouldn’t be missed:
Mellah | Created in the 16th century to provide protection to Jews fleeing persecution in the Iberian Peninsula, this pink-tinged section of the medina is a little less crazy than elsewhere. Be sure to stop by Place de Ferblantiers, a pretty palm-edged square, the Cimetière Juif de Miaara (Jewish Cemetery), the Lazama Synagogue and Mellah Market.
Travelling by yourself or worried about getting lost?
Consider taking a walking tour or, if you’re wanting to venture beyond Marrakech, look into a multi-day group tour - a great option for solo female travellers.
Top tip // If the craziness of the medina gets to be too much for you, take a walk to Le Jardin Secret, a hidden-away oasis; a complex of palaces set within a magnificent garden. A beautiful example of Islamic art and architecture, it’s the perfect spot to take a moment quiet rest and contemplation before continuing on with your day.
It costs 50 dh to enter (and a further 30 dh if you’d like to climb the tower for the view - with concessions available for children/students) and you can find the Garden here on maps. It is open every day, but times vary dependent upon time of year. You can find full details here.
barter for a bargain in the souks of marrakech
Wrinkled berber men proffer thick hand-made carpets, young shop keepers offer iconic Moroccan lamps, countless stalls flog everything from wonderfully crafted ceramics to traditional leather shoes, handbags and jackets.
The souks (markets) of Marrakech are a place made for those that enjoy a barter and a bargain.
Not the sort of spot for lovers of pre-decided prices, uninterrupted browsing or swift shopping experiences, instead, the purchasing of gifts and homewares from these sheltered labyrinths is much like a courting dance, a little give and take, never showing all your cards at once.
You'll almost certainly overpay at least a couple of times, but, in some ways, that's half the fun (unless you get properly ripped off of course).
Marrakech Souks
Marrakech’s Medina is a rabbit warren of souks and stalls, but to help orientate yourself below are the most popular:
Souk Semmarine | This is the main souk, from which all others branch off. They sell a wide variety of items, but most commonly pottery, high-quality fabric and textiles shops (think kaftans and pashminas), as antiques, carpets and jewellery - all very much aimed at tourists. Find it here.
Souk El Attarine | In the market for a shiny item? This is where to head! They also sell spices and perfume.
Souk Smata | Where to go if you’re looking for shoes - especially babouches, the traditional Moroccan slipper.
Souk el Kebir and Souk Cherratin | This is the place to go if you want to buy anything made of leather (think bags, belts, wallets and purses). Both of these souks lead off of Souk El Attarine. Find it here.
Souk Zrabi | What many of you will probably want to make a beeline for, this is the carpet souk. Find it here.
Souk des Bijoutiers | As you may have guessed from the name, this is the jewellery souk.
Souk Chouari and Souk Haddadine |Specialising in carpentry and blacksmithing, these are two souks that are integral to the daily lives of local Moroccans, and fascinating for visitors. Find it here.
Souk des Sebbaghine | A kaleidoscope of colours, this souk is full of those selling dyed wool and silk. Find it here.
Helpful Hints for negotiating the souks
From Jemaa el Fna square, the souks continue north in a winding labyrinth until they hit the Musée de Marrakech. Opening hours can vary, but you’ll generally find stalls open from 9 am to 9 pm.
Because the souks are undercover, it’s a pleasant activity to do even in the middle of the day, however there’s something truly magical about how the sunlight seeps through the slatted roof during the early morning or evening.
Even after several days in Marrakech the souks can be bewildering so keep your bearings, looks for the - well hidden - signs and try not too panic if it becomes overwhelming (which it sometimes can).
Want some more information on the layout of the Marrakech souks? Read this post. If you’d like a bit more insight or a guide, then this three-hour colourful souks tour is great value, and highly recommended.
Take a hot air balloon ride at sunrise
As the sun awakes from its slumber, rising up behind vast mountains and casting a golden glow over the Moroccan countryside, it's difficult to believe that here, you are less than an hour from the bustling streets of Marrakech.
We had never taken a hot air balloon ride before, but that morning a bucket-list adventure came to life.
The balloon ride itself lasts around an hour (which honestly feels like the perfect amount of time), and the remainder of the tour is taken up with transfers to and from the hotel as well as a typical Moroccan breakfast.
Be sure to watch out for them filling the balloon with hot air, as it’s really quite remarkable.
The Essentials
Who | We took our balloon ride with Ciel d'Afrique and can highly recommend them.
When | They have regular departures (usually daily), and you will be picked up around two hours before sunrise (in winter that means a longer lie in, but during summer you’ll need to be out of the door by 4.45 am.
Duration | The entire tour lasts around 4 hours, with a flight time of one hour
Book | The most economical option is to join a classic shared balloon ride, but if you’re wanting to take to the skies for a special occasion, then consider booking this incredible private ride which includes breakfast as you fly!
Do note that if visiting Marrakech during their busier months, it’s advisable to book this activity as far in advance as possible.
Looking for an insider’s take on Marrakech?
We’ve written an entire post on the best day trips from Marrakech, but what if you want to stay in the city but sample its heights with an expert or a local?
We’ve got you covered with these excellent tours.
Yves Sant Laurent Tour | Learn about the designer's life in the city on this guided tour of his most beloved locations, including the Jardin Majorelle. Also includes visit to Musée Yves Saint Laurent.
Marrakech City Tour Hop On - Hop Off | These types of bus services aren’t really our cup of tea, but we appreciate they are super useful for certain travellers. This one has good reviews.
Babouch Making Workshop in the Medina | You’ll see babouch slippers all over Marrakech - and this 3.5 hour class allows you to make your very own!
Medina by Night Tour | Plaza Jemaa el Fnaa is at its best once the sun has set - join this local run tour to experience Marrakech and the Medina and night!
Arabic Calligraphy Class | Join an experienced artist in his workshop and learn how to create beautiful lettering, fine-tune your calligraphy skills. A niche experience but definitely unique and interesting!
Highlights & Hidden Gems With a Local | We also say the best way to explore a new place is with a local - and you can do just that on this highly reviewed three hour private tour through the Medina.
Night Street Food Tour | Discover by the sights, scents, and flavors of Marrakech on a guided street food tour. Includes lots of tastings and the change to explore the Medina and souks at night.
Food Tour and Dinner | Be guided by a local as you wander through the souks sampling olives, dried fruits, nuts, and pastries. Followed by dinner in the iconic Djemma El Fnaa.
Skip The Line Tour | A guided walking tour through the medina of Marrakech, including skip-the-line tickets to Bahia Palace and Al Badi Palace.
Other city / medina tours to consider include: Half-Day Historical and Cultural Tour, Private 4-Hour City Highlights Tour, Full-Day Guided City Highlights Tour.
Top tip | Book your private airport transfer now for peace of mind when you arrive. We recommend this one (they have lots of excellent reviews too).
admire the Koutoubia Mosque
In a world of looming high rises and shadowed streets, where cities swell and expand far beyond their intended limits, old towns can often lose a little of what makes them so special.
Not however in Marrakech, a city safe-guarded by local ancient laws stating that no building can be higher than a palm tree.
It's this decree which makes the Koutoubia mosque, located deep in the heart of the medina, such a tourist draw and standout landmark of the city. Off-limits to all but muslims, its minaret, visible from nearly 30 kilometres away, captures the eye and dominates the skyline.
The Essentials
Where | Corner of Rue el-Koutoubia & Ave Mohammed V. Find it here on maps.
When | Closed to non-muslims
have a hammam
For those of you not entirely sure about what a hammam actually is, imagine this: a lot of nakedness, a soapy rub down, hot steam, a slightly aggressive exfoliation and an enthusiastic massage.
Settle down you at the back!
In Marrakech, having one of these is as much an integral part of the tourist experience as sampling a local tagine. Unfortunately however, after way too much research to try and find the perfect one, we left booking ours too late and couldn't get in to the hammam we were so looking forward to visiting on our last day - it's definitely top of our list if we ever go back!
Now, picking your hammam-du-jour depends very much on your budget. For those ready to rough it with the locals, you can find small hammams dotted throughout the medina (usually away from tourist areas) costing around 10 dh to enter, with additional fees for a scrub (15 - 30 dh) and massage (50 - 100 dh).
If you're looking to push the boat out and go for a much more luxurious experience catered for tourists, consider the Royal Mansour, La Mamounia, Heritage Spa or Les Bains de Marrakech. Just be sure to book in advance as, like we found out, they are incredibly popular.
It’s also possible to book this highly rated Hammam experience easily online.
find peace at the Saadian Tombs
Bountiful orange trees, landscaped gardens and birdsong can be found in one of the most ornate mausoleums we've ever seen; the Saadian Tombs are proof that even in death, for some, wealth can truly live on.
This remarkable spot is the final resting place of Saadian Sultan Ahmed al Mansour ed-Dahbi as well as nearly 200 of his nearest and dearest. It was pretty much forgotten about until 1917, when aerial photographs revealed what his successor had chosen to hide.
A wonderfully peaceful place, even when busy, this is where to come when the medina has become a little too much. Wander the mausoleums and marvel at the Italian marble, the pure gold gilding and the intricate mosaic tiling - or simply make like the stray cats who call the tombs home and sit for a while in the sun.
There are a number of well-known gardens around Marrakech, some charging quite extortionate prices for entry, but we found this place a nice alternative.
The Essentials
Where | Rue de la Kasbah, next to the Koutoubia Mosque. Find it here on maps.
When | 9am-4.45pm
Price | 70dh (up from 10dh in 2018 - proof that Marrakech has significantly increased in popularity!)
Top Tip | Join this popular and excellent value guided tour which includes skip-the-line-tickets to the Saadian Tombs alongside the Bahia & Badii Palaces.
visit el badi palace
Legend has it that on the day of El Badi's great unveiling, the Saadian sultan turned to the court jester for his opinion on the extravagant new palace. The jester's response? "It'll make a magnificent ruin.".
That jester may well have been the wisest man in the room!
Built in the 16th century by Saadian sultan Ahmed el Mansour (yep, the same one responsible for the grand tomb), this famous palace, translated as 'The Incomparable', has been stripped of much that once made it so grand, the gold relocated to Meknes by the sultan's successor.
Yet that does not mean that this vast palace is not worth a visit or that the true scale of its grandeur is entirely lost. These ruins are vast, and those with even a passing interest will needs at least an hour or two to truly take in the grounds. It also has some nice views over Marrakech, as well as some of the most fantastic tiles we spotted in the city!
The Essentials
Where | Visible on every map we saw, simply head through Pl des Ferblantiers and turn right along the ramparts. Find it here on maps.
When | 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Price | 70dh.
Note that the Koutoubia Minbar costs an additional 10 dh, which if we’re being honest, we wouldn't pay again.
Top Tip | Join this popular and excellent value guided tour which includes skip-the-line-tickets to the El Badi Palace alongside the Sadiaan Tombs and Bahia Palace.
stay in a beautiful riad
Although there are several beautiful resorts within Marrakech, to really get a taste of this centuries old city, opt instead for one of the stunning riads within the walls of the medina. As well as being fantastically, uniquely Moroccan, a stay in a traditional riad provides an aesthetic and tranquil oasis of calm - essential for any visitor spending a day or two in this city.
We spent five deliciously hectic days at Riad Porte Royale, and would recommend it to all who are looking for a fabulous riad experience without spending a fortune - read this post to find out more about our stay.
Have no idea where to pick? Don't miss our pick of 'The Best Budget Riads in Marrakech'.
Look down on Plaza Jemaa el-Fnaa
We hated Plaza Jemaa el-Fnaa; in comparison to the beauty that can be found in Marrakech's medina, this was the ugly side.
There are men with monkeys on chains, unsavoury characters, henna tattoo scammers and pickpockets abound and an abundance of overpriced and very average restaurants. In a country where alcohol is pretty much forbidden, there is a cruel irony that its day-to-day experience made us crave a cold beer more than anything else in the world.
Instead, we settled for another mint tea overlooking the square at one of the number of cafes with terraces - absolutely the best way to do it.
You’ll inevitably pass through a few times as your explore the city and by all means visit it, if only for the fried fish on offer at one of the many lively restaurant stands in the evening and cat calls from the waiters, but do not linger for long during the day - this is not the Marrakech you have come to visit.
For those travelling alone to Morocco (especially if you’re female), you may prefer to experience the square with a tour: this ‘Taste of Marrakech’ evening experience, which takes you through the souks and then to dinner in Jemaa el-Fnaa, is a popular thing to do in Marrakech.
How to Get to Marrakech - and then get around
// Bus From Marrakech Airport to City Centre
This is the cheapest way to get from the airport to your accommodation, costing 30 dh return per person (return must be used within two weeks).
You’ll need to hop on bus #19 leaving from outside the terminal. It’s about an 800 metre walk, but is clearly sign-posted. Buses leave every 20-30 minutes between 6 am and 12.15 am.
The bus stops in Plaza Jemaa El Fna (where you’ll likely get off) and then the Bab Doukkala Bus Station.
// Taxi from Marrakech Airport to City Centre
The fares from the airport are fixed (some taxi drivers may need reminding of this!), but perhaps somewhat confusingly there are two types of taxi which you can take from the airport: Petit Taxis and Grand Taxis.
Petit Taxis hold up to three passengers and cost 70 dh to the city centre, and 100 dh to the La Palmeraie suburb.
Grand Taxis seat up to six people, and cost 100 dh for the city centre, and 100 dh to the La Palmeraie suburb.
// Private Transfer
Whilst some private transfers can work out a little over the odds, this one from Marrakech Airport is pretty good value - and actually what we’d use next time we return.
They charge a flat rate of around £16 for groups upto seven, and can be bought for just arrival, departure or as a return.
Book it here.
An important note for taxis and private transfers is that as many sections of the medina is inaccessible to cars, if you are staying in a Riad, you will likely be dropped off a couple of hundred kilometres away.
Due to this, it’s a good idea to have arranged with your accommodation owner to come meet you at the drop-off point (especially if arriving at night), so as to prevent getting lost and wandering around in the dark. Unfortunately, we speak here from experience!
// How to Get Around Marrakech
For the vast majority of your time in Marrakech, your two feet will be enough - especially as many of the best things to do in Marrakech are in the car-free, labyrinthine streets of the medina when you have not choice but to walk!
For any attractions outside of the city centre, or towards the La Palmeraie suburb, we’d recommend jumping in a cab.
You can find taxi ranks outside of the medina walls, or alternatively get your accommodation to arrange one for you.
Alternatively, you could be part of Africa’s first bike-sharing movement and grab a pair of wheels from Medina Bike. Day passes cost 50 dh and allow three hours worth of rides for a 24 hour period. You can find full details on the service here.
