Here’s a list of the 15 best things to do in Marrakech (Morocco), along with famous landmarks, museums, and other points of interest.
Souk Place des Épices
They say not everyone who wanders is lost, and that’s most definitely the case at Souk Place des Epices. In the very heart of the souks, the alleyways are filled with the aromas of fresh spices and offerings from local vendors – hats, baskets, and woven clothing.
The area is the perfect place to get to grips with Moroccan culture: take a cooking class, sip traditional mint tea, practice your bargaining skills or even play the ultimate escape game. This lively souk is brimming with possibilities.
Jardin Majorelle
Conceived by French painter Jacques Majorelle in the 1920s, the expanse of gardens at Jardin Majorelle offers a combination of nature and art: marble pools contrast against coconut palms while bright Art Deco buildings rise beside lily-filled ponds.
Yves Saint Laurent decided to purchase the luxurious garden in the 1980s to prevent its destruction, and today it thrives as one of Morocco’s most enchanting gardens, a true sanctuary away from the bustle of city life.
El Badi Palace
El Badi Palace is a place to immerse yourself in a time gone by. Built in the 16th century by Sultan Ahmed al-Mansur, the crumbling remains of the building today give visitors a glimpse into the former grandiosity of the palace. Wander around the enormous courtyard and gardens filled with orange trees to get an idea of how this palace once stood.
Consider hiring an English-speaking guide for the day; they can teach you all about El Badi’s history and take you on an exclusive tour around the dungeons.
Jemaa el-Fna
There’s simply no better way to experience Moroccan culture than to get amongst the hustle and bustle of Jemma el-Fna market square. Marrakech’s most famous attraction is an eclectic mix of the weird and wonderful.
By day, you can watch snake charmers and medicine men; at night, the square fills with the sounds of authentic Moroccan music and the aroma of freshly-cooked food from local street vendors.
Get a traditional henna tattoo; have your fortune read or buy fresh figs – your choices are varied and endless.
Visit a local hammam
A hammam, otherwise known as a Moroccan bathhouse, is the perfect way to relax and unwind after a long day of exploring all that Marrakech has to offer.
You’ll find that locals also take part in hammam rituals, as the prophet Mohammed proclaimed that they bring health and longevity. Public hammams can be found in almost every medina in Marrakech and give you a taste of cultural life in Morocco.
Private hammams, on the other hand, are a luxurious experience where you can receive several indulgent treatments before sipping traditional tea and eating sweet pastries.
Marvel at Ben Youssef Madrasa
The Ben Youssef Madrasa (’Madrasa’ meaning college) is the largest in Morocco and functioned as an Islamic college until 1960. Hailed as one of the most elegant buildings in Marrakech, Ben Youssef Madrasa once schooled nearly 900 students in its dormitories.
Today, travelers from around the world visit to see the beautiful architecture, kaleidoscopic tiling, marble pillars, and intricate decor of the former educational institution.
The central courtyard boasts the most impressive decorations; Islamic calligraphy adorns the walls, and if you look up, you’ll see a multitude of mosaic windows.
Get lost in the medina
At the heart of Marrakech lies the medina, encased in ancient pink-washed walls. The medina houses a dizzying array of courtyards, alleyways, mosques, and riads.
Among the hundreds, if not thousands, of stalls, you’ll find a plethora of Moroccan goods ranging from metal lanterns to leather handbags, hand-woven rugs to fresh fruit and vegetables.
Dedicate at least a day to exploring this ginormous area of the old city, where life is still reminiscent of the centuries that came before it.
Koutoubia Mosque
Construction on Marrakech’s largest, and arguably most historically significant, mosque first began in 1141. However, it wasn’t till 1158 that it became one of Morocco’s most frequented religious temples for followers of Islam.
The most spectacular part of this enormous mosque is the 70-meter tall minaret, which towers high over the Marrakech skyline; this feature alone makes the building easy to spot from Jemaa el-Fna.
While non-Muslims aren’t allowed to enter the mosque, visitors can still appreciate the temple from nearby streets or the gardens surrounding it.
Saadian Tombs
Since their discovery in 1917, the Saadian Tombs have flourished as one of Marrakech’s most popular tourist attractions. The 16th-century tombs were deliberately hidden for centuries, with each decorated in beautifully colored mosaic patterns, a fitting tribute to the Saadi dynasty that inhabits them.
The principal mausoleum, the Hall of Twelve Columns, is the most important of the tombs as it houses the grave of the sultan Ahmad al-Mansur and his family, decorated in Italian marble and gold; it is a sight to behold.
Menara Gardens
The postcard-perfect Menara Gardens is one of Marrakech’s most recognized motifs. A beautiful pavilion set beneath the Grand Atlas Mountains is a popular spot for locals and travelers alike; with a tranquil body of water sprawling beneath it, the public park promises a serene escape close to the city center.
While the day away meandering between the olive trees scattered across the 100 hectares of grounds, or head to the promenade where street vendors sell keepsakes, beverages, and sweets.
Menara Gardens is a great place to enjoy nature and bask in a distinctly Moroccan atmosphere.
Dune buggy in the Palm Groves
Embark on a half-day buggy tour on the outskirts of Marrakech to get a taste of the real Morocco.
Hop into an all-terrain vehicle for an off-road adventure, following your knowledgeable guide through sandy deserts, traditional villages, and beautiful countryside. Feel a rush of adrenaline as you drive through palm groves and take in stunning surroundings.
You’ll finish your day with an immersion in the local culture, joining a local family for a glass of tea and light snacks.
Musée Dar Si Saïd
The Musée Dar Si Saïd houses an extensive collection of both historic and contemporary Moroccan art. The palace in which the museum resides is arguably an attraction unto itself and is an impressive feat of architecture.
Take in the exquisitely detailed, brightly colored Byzantine designs of the building, which spreads across two floors, and step back in time as you discover some of Marrakech’s oldest antique artifacts: ceramics, pottery, weapons, and more.
The second-floor courtyard, typical of the Moroccan XIXth century, is a must-see.
The Mellah
Mellah, literally translating to ”salt marsh”, is the old Jewish quarter where all Jewish people in Marrakech were once required to live. Mellah today is a primarily Muslim neighborhood, with only around 150 Jewish people residents still living there.
At the main entrance, Place des Feblantiers, be sure to check out the array of tinsmiths’ shops filled with beautiful lanterns: the light shining out of the patterns carved out of the tin cast pretty shadows on the surrounding walls. The Lezama Synagogue is a site of historical importance and is well worth a visit.
Palácio da Bahia
”Bahia”, meaning ”beautiful” is precisely what this place is. Bahia Palace, considered one of Marrakech’s most grand buildings, was constructed in the 19th century but stands today as a reminder of how beautiful Moroccan architecture can be.
Reminiscent of Andalusian and Moorish style, the palace was built with the intention of it being the most impressive palace to exist.
On your visit, you’ll be able to explore the various patios, gardens, courtyard, and hundreds of rooms that make up this impressive eight-hectare property.
ANIMA André Heller Garden
A trip to ANIMA is a feast for the senses: this paradisiacal botanical garden hails as one of the world’s most beautiful and imaginative, and when you visit, you’re sure to see why.
A short distance from the city, the brainchild of artist Andre Heller is a colorful world of flora and fauna, and a place to feel at one with nature. At this stunning piece of real-life artwork, you’ll see stunning views of the Atlas Mountains, eclectic sculptures, flowing fountains and even the works of Picasso.
