What to see in Marrakech: the 13 best attractions and things to do

Marrakech is a city that perfectly encapsulates all the exotic charm of Morocco. Its vibrant center is chaotic, and you will be greeted by the characteristic hustle and bustle generated by the clash and blend of the old and the new, creating an almost dizzying atmosphere. For those who simply want to immerse themselves in the local culture, the Medina of Marrakech offers a glimpse into Moroccan life in all its frenetic glory. If this is your first time, we recommend a guided tour with a local guide to get acquainted with the city, identify landmarks, and gain valuable tips from the guide useful for the continuation of your vacation.

Let's discover together what to see in Marrakech: the best attractions and things to do!

Looking for a hotel in Marrakech? We've selected the best offers for you on Booking.com

The Medina is the Old City of Marrakech, the part most loved by tourists for its authenticity. Here you can stroll through the souk, a maze of narrow streets filled with stalls, the ideal place for shopping!

If it's your first time in Marrakech, it might be a good idea to take a guided tour of the Medina.

You'll find truly everything here, from famous spices to handcrafted items, local products to clothing and souvenirs. In fact, there is a souk for everything: Souk Attarine for spices, Souk Kchacha for dried fruits, Souk Haddadine with handmade lamps and metal items, Souk Siyyaghin with gold and silver, even Souk Kimakhin with string instruments! And there's also the leather souk (El-Btna), the carpet souk (Zrabi), and many others. The only rule is: always haggle! Prices are never posted, and don't be shy; usually, the starting price is too high. As they say in Morocco, one third of the initial price is already a theft!

The souk starts from Jamaa el Fna Square and branches out in the northern part of the square. You can only walk around. Get directions

Visiting time: 2 hours

Watch out for getting lost and pickpockets: it's easy to get lost in the souk as the alleys all look the same, and the market is very large. Navigate using the main monuments as references (mosques and minarets), or use your phone's GPS. If you must ask someone for directions, prefer women or families, as kids and locals might ask you for a tip to show you out of the souk. Lastly, watch out for pickpockets; the place is very crowded and thus fertile ground for thieves.

The Secret Garden of Marrakech is one of the most enchanting hidden treasures of the city, located in the heart of the Medina, just a few steps from the lively Jemaa el-Fnaa Square. This beautiful historic garden, recently restored, offers an oasis of peace and tranquility in contrast to the chaos and hustle of the surrounding city. Built in the 16th century during the Saadian dynasty and later renovated in the 19th century, the Secret Garden is an excellent example of Islamic architecture and Moroccan landscaping traditions.

Divided into two main sections, the garden is a design masterpiece. On one side is an Islamic garden with geometric pathways, fountains, and lush aromatic and medicinal plants, reflecting the ancient concept of 'riadh,' or earthly paradise. On the other side, there's an exotic garden that hosts a variety of plants from all over the world, creating a unique fusion of flora.

A must-visit building is the Ben Youssef Madrasa. A Madrasa is a Muslim school where religious disciplines are studied, and this one in Marrakech is the largest in all of Morocco! It was built to accommodate students from the nearby mosque, and the construction was completed in 1565. At its peak, it housed up to 900 boys!

The most fascinating part of the Madrasa is its inner garden, decorated with numerous mosaics, around which the labyrinth of rooms unfolds and leads to the prayer hall. It is crucial to visit in strict silence, to respect the importance of this place, as it is definitely one of the most visited and appreciated attractions in Marrakech!

Watch out for dress code: being a school, it is important to wear appropriate clothing, which is required in all attractions. It is important to cover shoulders and legs, but there's no problem regarding heads and hair.

Jamaa el Fna is the beating heart of Marrakech. Just a short walk from the Medina, it has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The name literally means 'assembly of the dead,' as public executions took place here since 1050. You will find yourself passing through this square repeatedly, and there is activity at every hour of the day!

The square, as chaotic as it may seem, actually has a well-defined division into zones: the area for dried fruit vendors and plant sellers, the snails area, and the hotels and cafes with terraces. During the day you'll find snake charmers, acrobats, street vendors, merchants, and much more! But the real magic happens at sunset when the square transforms into an open-air restaurant: numerous stalls, chefs with large barbecues, food of all kinds! The cleanliness leaves much to be desired, but you can taste all the traditional Moroccan dishes: if you like meat, try the typical skewers of lamb and offal (qotbane), but if you want to be daring, head to stall 53, the most famous in the square, and try the sheep's head! In general, only accept sealed water, don't drink beverages with ice, and ensure that food is well-cooked! Get directions

Visiting time: 1 hour

Watch out for scams: the square is a real chaos, so watch out for pickpockets. There are also many scammers who will approach you trying to convince you to make purchases or play games of chance; stay away from them. When it's time to eat, choose stalls frequented by locals and kiosks with posted prices, and always negotiate and clarify the price before ordering.

The Palace is one of the most important and beautiful architectural works in the entire city, truly unmissable! Built in the 19th century to be the residence of Grand Vizier Bou Ahmed, who served Sultan Moulay al-Hassan I, the construction lasted about 10 years.

The entire palace consists of 150 rooms and numerous gardens and internal courtyards, all uniquely beautiful and different from one another. One of the most beautiful parts is definitely the Courtyard of Honor, colorful, rich in mosaics, and surrounded by columns! On sunny days, the colors shine like never before!

About a kilometer away from the El Bahia Palace is the El Badi Palace, a large architectural complex built in the late 16th century to celebrate the victory over the Portuguese in the Battle of Alcazarquivir, also known as the Battle of the Three Kings.

Today, unfortunately, the palace is completely in ruins. Once, it was truly a unique palace; El Badi means 'the incomparable'! It had over 300 rooms, all richly decorated with gold, turquoise, and crystals. Its decline began in the 17th century, and unfortunately, not much remains today. We recommend visiting the underground prisons, the terrace that offers a magnificent panoramic view, and the large outdoor garden. In June, a popular festival takes place here with music and artists from all over Morocco.

The Saadian Tombs, also known as the Tombs of the Saadians, are one of the most visited places in all of Marrakech, open to the public since 1917! This is a burial complex where 66 members of the Saadian dynasty rest, which ruled from 1524 to 1668.

They are located within a garden that can only be accessed through a narrow corridor, and the various rooms are decorated with beautiful mosaics. The most important building is the central mausoleum, consisting of three different rooms and a mihrab, a niche for prayers. Here lies Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur and members of his family.

Watch out for lines: this is one of the most visited attractions, and since it is not very spacious inside, you will find yourself waiting in several lines even within the site. We recommend arriving at the opening time to visit calmly.

It is one of the symbols of Marrakech, as well as its most important religious building. We are talking about the Koutoubia Mosque, just 10 minutes from Jamaa el Fna Square. As it is a mosque, it is not open for interior visits: entry is reserved for worshippers only. But its beauty is indisputable, so it's definitely worth passing by to admire its architecture and decorations.

Its history is also very significant: in 1158, the date when the construction was completed, it was one of the most important mosques in the Islamic world. The structure was built using sandstone in a pink hue, a color that characterizes most of the city's buildings. Its minaret, on the other hand, is 69 meters high, and it is from here that the muezzin calls the faithful to prayer every day. Get directions

Visiting time: 30 min

To delve into the history of the city, we definitely recommend visiting the Marrakech Museum. Housed within the wonderful Dar M' Nebhi Palace, which was once the home of Mehdi Mnebhi, the Minister of Defense of Sultan Moulay Abdelaziz, it is worth a visit also for the palace itself, whose focal point is the large central garden, which houses an immense chandelier.

In the central garden and the surrounding rooms are displayed all the collections of the museum, which include weapons, carpets, ceramics, Quranic inscriptions, and other traditional Moroccan objects. A visit to the traditional Hammam is also recommended, currently housing temporary collections.

One of the most beautiful gardens in Marrakech is undoubtedly the Jardin Majorelle. It is located just outside the historic center, and you can easily reach it by taxi. Remember to negotiate the price before getting in and, starting from Jamaa el Fna Square, don't spend more than 25.00 MAD (€2.30) for this ride.

These wonderful gardens were created in 1924 by Jacques Majorelle, after whom they are named. This French painter arrived in Marrakech in 1919. You will find a great variety of plants, and the predominant color is blue. Since 1980, it has belonged to Yves Saint Laurent.

Inside, there is also the Berber Museum, a small museum of Islamic art housed in the former painting workshop of Jacques Majorelle. A visit here is highly recommended to deepen your understanding of this people!

Book your visit online: this is one of the most visited attractions in Marrakech, and they are literally overwhelmed by tourists because they are an incredibly Instagrammable spot. Reservations can only be made online on the official site.

The Menara Gardens are the most famous and beloved green area in all of Marrakech! They are also located far from the historic center, near the airport, and a taxi ride here should not cost more than 50.00 MAD (€4.60).

These are one of the oldest gardens in the Muslim West, developing around a large pond and surrounded by olive trees. Here, locals spend some relaxed hours strolling through the paths, and there is also an area dedicated to children. We also recommend visiting the Pavillon de la Ménara, the pavilion that overlooks the pond and creates beautiful reflections on the water.

Visit the gardens at sunset: it's the most romantic time when the colors of the sky reflect on the pond creating wonderful light plays.

It is one of the most magical places in Morocco, in the High Atlas area, worthy of a thousand and one nights' scenario. We recommend visiting this place early in the morning, as it is about 3 hours from Marrakech, but the journey is enchanting through magnificent desert landscapes and Berber villages.

Upon arrival, you can enjoy a true paradise on earth with the waterfall cascading 110 meters into a natural pool. Here, you can swim in the crystal-clear waters of the El-Abid River, spot the monkeys that live freely, relax in the shade of ancient olive groves, and even visit a Berber village that produces argan oil.

Visiting time: 10 hours

Come here on a guided excursion: you will have to cross desert areas in the High Atlas, we recommend against going on your own, but definitely don't miss this experience! There are various organized tours with pickup and return on the same day, and they are quite economical, check it out here!

About 30 minutes from Marrakech, amidst Berber villages and views of the Atlas Mountains, lies the Jbilets Desert, the most authentic Morocco. Not a desert as we imagine it, with dunes and expanses of soft sand, but rather a harsh landscape with dry riverbeds and rocks.

But what distinguishes it are the lush palm groves, where Berber settlements can be found and where you can enjoy Moroccan tea with local tribes. You can also do adrenaline activities such as quad biking and camel rides.

Visiting time: 4 hours

Be well organized for the excursion: again, we advise against adventuring out on your own, rather book a tour of the Palm Oasis and the Jbilat desert with a local guide who will also provide all the equipment for the quad experience. Wear comfortable shoes, remember sunscreen and sunglasses, as the sun's rays are really strong here.

All the attractions just mentioned are a must see in Marrakech, absolutely worth visiting and can easily be included in a 3-day trip. If you are staying longer or have specific interests, there are many other places worth a visit!

Marrakech is the city of a thousand gardens, and there are many spread throughout the city! Besides those already mentioned, the Agdal Gardens (free), in the southern part of the city, and the Jardin Des Arts (free), not far from the Koutoubia Mosque, are also beautiful.

There are also numerous museums, and you can decide whether or not to visit them based on your interests. Definitely worth mentioning are the Photography Museum (50.00 MAD/€4.60), the Dar Bellarj Museum (free) aimed at preserving Moroccan culture, and the Dar Si Said Museum (20.00 MAD/€1.80), focused on local history. Among the historical monuments, a visit to the Mausoleum of Al-Mutamid Ibn Abbad (70.00 MAD/€6.40), the Qoubba of the Almoravids (70.00 MAD/€6.40), and the historic palace Dar Moulay Ali (40.00 MAD/€3.70) is recommended.

Getting to Marrakech from the U.S. is very simple, thanks to direct flights, even low-cost ones, from the U.S. (compare flights). The city is served by Marrakech-Menara Airport, located 9 km from the center. We recommend booking a private transfer to reach your hotel or riad.

As for accommodation, if you want to experience authenticity, choose a riad in the Medina, the typical lodgings that are built around a central garden, usually with a pool, showcasing a characteristic Eastern charm (find the best options on Booking.com).

The best time to visit this destination is in autumn and spring, the intermediate seasons, with pleasant temperatures and sunny days. The summer is not recommended due to the really scorching temperatures, which would not allow you to walk around, the best way to explore Marrakech! In fact, the Medina should be visited exclusively on foot, as traffic is closed to cars. To cover greater distances, you can rely on taxis, trains, or organized excursions.

If you are traveling with children, dedicated activities for them are not many, and it could become a very demanding trip, as you need to walk a lot and during the hottest hours, it can get really hot. In this case, we recommend choosing a riad with an indoor pool, to give them a bit of leisure time. Finally, if you are traveling on a budget, this is a perfect destination, as the cost of living is very low, you can enjoy great traditional dishes while spending very little, and the cost of attractions is also quite reasonable.

Ramadan: being an Islamic country, during Ramadan many places may be closed, and some attractions have reduced hours. Be informed ahead of time about when this period falls, which corresponds to the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and plan your trip accordingly.

We always rely on the company , which provides comprehensive coverage at absolutely competitive prices. Additionally, they offer customer assistance, an always-active call center, and 24/7 medical insurance with unlimited telephone medical consultation: we know that when you are abroad in emergency situations, finding a consultant ready to respond is the most important thing. Visit their site and receive a 10% discount on your policy reserved for europeoftales.net users.