Things to do and see in Marrakech Morocco

At the foot of the Atlas Mountains is one of the most special cities in Morocco: Marrakech. This chaotic city is home to countless monuments hidden among its narrow streets, such as the Majorell Gardens, the Koutoubia Mosque and the Bahia Palace, among many other really interesting buildings. But that’s not all there is to see in Marrakech, we also invite you to lose yourself in its colourful souks where you will find plenty of gadgets and souvenirs.

If you are organising a trip to Morocco, don’t hesitate to include the city of Marrakech in your itinerary, you won’t regret it. At Passporter we’re sure you’ll love the city, so we’ve prepared this post where we tell you everything you need to know beforehand, from the essential things to see, to practical aspects such as where to stay, where to eat and how to get around the area. Don’t wait any longer and start your trip to Marrakech!

What are the best things to do in Marrakech?

1. The Jemaa el-Fna Square in Marrakech Morocco

The Jemaa el-Fna Square, declared a World Heritage Site, is an emblematic place that you should not miss on your visit to Marrakech. It is the nerve centre of the city, which always guarantees a lively atmosphere.

During the day, the square is open-air. In the evening it fills up with stalls and tourists, local families and children who come out for a stroll when the sun goes down. The square has a large number of food and souvenir stalls, as well as street performers and henna tattoo artists. Snake charmers, monkeys to take photos with and all manner of street vendors are also common. Beware of henna tattoo artists and monkey and snake handlers, as they will try to rip you off.

2. The Souks of Marrakech, a must-see in Morocco

If there is something characteristic of Marrakech, it is its colourful souks hidden among the narrow streets of the Medina. There you will find souvenir shops, clothes, carpets, cosmetics, typical Moroccan desserts and all kinds of handicrafts. There are also areas specifically dedicated to leather, lamps and metal or wooden objects where you can watch the craftsmen at work.

Before you go, be prepared to put your haggling skills (and your acting skills) to good use, as you’ll have to negotiate every item you want to buy and put on a bit of a show. Don’t be embarrassed, that’s how it works.

The experience is highly entertaining. And the most incredible thing is that the chaos that reigns in the street during the day, disappears completely at night, leaving empty and clean streets.

3. Majorelle Gardens in Marrakech, Morocco

Inspired by the colours and essence of Marrakech, in 1922 the painter Jacques Majorelle had his residence built on a palm grove estate, whose garden he decorated with a unique collection of plants from all over the world, motivated by his interest in botany.

On his death, the photogenic garden of cacti and shades of blue was opened to the public, who can visit it between 8am and 6.30pm. You’ll need to take a tuktuk to get there. Be aware that the price is higher than the other tourist attractions in Marrakech; it costs around €15.

4. Koutoubia Mosque

The Koutoubia Mosque is one of the largest mosques in the country, and the largest and most emblematic in Marrakesh. It can be seen from the Jamaa el-Fna Square and other parts of the city, making it very easy to spot. It is important to remember that, as in many mosques in Marrakesh, non-Muslims are not allowed to enter it.

Yet, we recommend you go and stroll around it. Watching the sun set over its silhouette as you walk along the palm-lined promenade is a great experience to reminisce about your trip to Marrakech.

5. The Bahia Palace, a wonder to see in Marrakech

Morocco’s most spectacular palace, the Bahia Palace, a beautiful eight-hectare complex of elegantly ornamented buildings and spacious courtyards with fountains, is a must on our list. Along the way you’ll also see beautiful gardens, stained-glass windows and informative signs where you can read about the history of the palace.

The palace is open daily from 9am to 5pm and admission is €7. It’s located in the city centre, so it’s easy to walk there, although it’s best to go early to avoid the crowds.

6. The palm grove of Marrakech

On your trip to Marrakech you will notice that there are palm trees everywhere you look, but nowhere are there as many as in the Palm Grove, which has more than 100,000 specimens that were planted during the Almoravid dynasty on a 130,000-hectare site.

To get to the palm grove you’ll have to take a taxi or a tuk tuk, or you can also hire a camel or quad bike tour.

7. Madrasa Ben Youssef

The Madrasa Ben Youssef is an architectural and cultural treasure of the city. It was built in the 14th century as a Koranic school and is a fine example of Islamic craftsmanship and Andalusian-Moorish architecture.

Its central courtyard is adorned with white tiles, intricate wood carvings and a fountain. On one side you can see the room where the students were examined. You can also visit the students’ rooms. Many of them overlook the central courtyard, from where you can take a photo of yourself peeking out of the window of the rooms.

Visiting hours: open daily from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Entry fee: €4,6 0 40 dirhams.

8. The Secret Garden of Marrakech

This hidden oasis in the heart of the bustling medina is a tranquil corner of lush greenery well worth a visit. With an Islamic-influenced design, the garden features courtyards adorned with colourful tiles, fountains and exotic vegetation.

Although the garden was originally part of a 19th century palace complex, it is now open to the public and has a souvenir shop and café.

Visiting hours: open daily from 9:30am to 7:30pm.

Entrance fee: €7,3.

9. El Badîi Palace, the ruins to see in Marrakech

Although today only the ruins remain, the El Badi Palace in Marrakesh is a symbol of the majesty and power of the city. It was built in the 16th century by Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur to celebrate his victory over the Portuguese army in the Battle of the Three Kings, and even today you can still make out the courtyards, pools and gardens among the ruins.

The El Badi Palace is a reminder of Morocco’s past greatness, and from inside you will discover incredible panoramic views of the city.

Visiting hours: open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Entrance fee: 6,4€.

10. Yves Saint Laurent Museum

This museum, built in a modern Moroccan-inspired building that contrasts with the medina, is a tribute to the iconic fashion and creative legacy of designer Yves Saint Laurent. Since 2017, the museum presents a unique collection of dresses, sketches and accessories that showcase the designer’s artistic vision.

In this museum, you can explore the evolution of fashion through Saint Laurent’s creations and get a deeper insight into his influence on the industry.

Visiting hours: open daily, except Wednesdays, from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm.

Admission fee: €11,8.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What things to do on your trip to Marrakech and its surroundings?

1. Excursion to Merzouga Desert

The Merzouga desert is the closest desert to Marrakech and a must-see if you’re spending several days in the city. Organised excursions leave from the square every day for between 3 and 6 days, as the desert is quite far away. The price starts at €150 and includes accommodation, breakfast and dinner.

Along the way you will stop at other places of interest such as Ouarzarzate or the Dades Valley. Once in the dune you can ride a quad, camel or jeep and spend the night in a haima.

Attention! Although it is very hot during the day, the nights are very, very cold, so make sure you dress warmly. The journey is long and tiring, but when you see the sunset from the great dune, you’ll know it was worth it.

2. Ouarzate and Ait-Ben-Haddou

If you have a whole day to see the area around Marrakech, these are two places you can’t miss on your route.

After crossing the Atlas Mountains you’ll come across Ouarzate, a town built on a small hill in the desert that has been used as a backdrop for numerous films, such as Gladiator. Then you can visit the fortified city of Ait-Ben-Haddou, which will not leave you indifferent, as it has been declared a World Heritage Site for a reason.

This tour can be booked from Marrakech or at your accommodation and costs around €36. You’ll have to get up very early in the morning, as it’s several hours away by car.

What things to do in Marrakech in 1 day?

The city of Marrakech is easy to see in one or two days, but if you want to do excursions in the surrounding area, we recommend spending at least four days, or a week if you also want to do the desert excursion.

In one day you can see The Jemaa el-Fna Square, the souk, the Bahia Palace and the Majorelle Gardens, and leave the Saadid tombs and the university for the second day. On the extra days you can make the excursion to the Palm Grove and to Ouarzate and Ait-Ben-Haddou.

Where to stay on a trip to Marrakech, Morocco?

It is highly recommended to stay inside the Medina. This will allow you to have everything within easy reach and to be able to visit almost all the key sights you want to see in Marrakech on foot.

If you want the full experience, we recommend staying in riads, which cost no more than €50 a night with breakfast included. But if you prefer a luxury experience, you’ll also find hotels with all the comforts. Here are some of our favourite places to stay in the city:

• Riad Jnane Mogador: this riad is 70 metres from Djemaa El Fna square and has a spa and wellness centre. It also has a furnished terrace with views of the Medina and the Atlas Mountains. The price starts at €43 and includes breakfast.
• Dar Al Assad: This is a 5-star hotel very close to the square. The rooms are luxurious, and the complex has a swimming pool, bar, restaurant and family rooms. The price starts at €200 and includes breakfast.
• Riad Caprice De Marrakech Boutique Hotel: a luxury riad where you can spend the night from €100. It has a swimming pool, bar and an exceptional terrace.

Where to eat in Marrakech?

Traditional dishes such as tajine, couscous, lemon chicken and shawarma are not to be missed in Marrakech. You’ll also be able to sample Moorish kebabs and typical sweets made from dried fruits and nuts from street stalls. Remember that alcohol cannot be sold in Morocco, so skip the beer and welcome tea with open arms.

Here are some of the best places to eat in Marrakesh:

• La Palette: Located near the Majorelle Gardens, this restaurant combines typical elements of Mediterranean cuisine with those of Marrakech. A very good option if you don’t want to stick to the city’s cuisine alone. The price ranges from €10 to €27.
• La Cantine Des Gazelles: Moroccan and African cuisine cooked with attitude and flair. It’s a great place to enjoy local specialities at a very affordable price (between €7 and €14)
• Jemaa El-Fna Restaurant: A charming restaurant with an excellent menu and a memorable setting. The menu costs around €30.

How to get to Marrakech, Morocco?

The easiest and most common way to get to Marrakesh is by plane. From Spain, there are daily flights from different cities. Numerous airlines operate these flights, so there is a wide range of prices. Another option is to take a boat to Tangier, and from there travel to Marrakesh on an organised excursion.

The flight will take you to Marrakesh-Menara airport, which is about seven kilometres from the centre, and from there you have a number of options for getting to the city.

• Bus: For 3 euros, you can take a local bus (19 or 11) to the city centre.
• Taxi: Taxis cost just over €10, but you’ll need to bargain well before you get in.
• Transfer service: you can hire a transfer service with the hotel for around €20. This is the best and safest option as it will take you to the door of your hotel.

Tips on a trip to Marrakech Morocco

• We recommend that you take out travel insurance for any medical expenses you may incur.
• It is best not to drink water that is not bottled.
• Contract your transfer service between airport and accommodation in advance, in case you need it.
• It is advisable to stay inside the Medina, both for comfort and safety.
• We recommend travelling in spring or autumn, as the temperature in and around Marrakesh will be much more pleasant.

How to organise your trip and learn what things to do in Marrakech, Morocco?

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
• Add the stops that interest you most, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes we present in the post)
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates according to your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make the modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of each of the places you have visited on your trip to the app and recommend to other travellers what to see in Marrakech.

If you have any doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Marrakech