12x The Best Things To Do In Marrakesh, Morocco
Marrakesh is the perfect destination for a city trip, or as part of a bigger trip through Morocco. Visit amazing sights like the Ben Youssef Madrasa, the Koutoubia mosque and the Bahia and El Badi Palace. Stroll through the medina, haggle in the souks, and enjoy delicious food at the busy Jemaa el Fna square. Whether you’re exploring the historic medina or simply enjoying a drink on one of the many rooftop terraces, visiting Marrakesh is an amazing experience. Read about all the best things to do and use this guide to plan your next trip to Marrakesh!
1. Discover the incredible Ben Youssef Madrasa
One of the best things to do in Marrakesh is to visit the old Quran school of Ben Youssef Madrasa. It’s a true architectural masterpiece with incredible details and the whole place just breathes history. You can find the Medersa Ben Youssef inside the Marrakesh medina. It’s a little bit of a hidden spot, so you can easily walk past it, so keep an eye out for the (small) sign. If you’re staying inside the city walls you can easily go there by foot!
Ben Youssef Madrasa is open every day from 9 in the morning until 7 in the evening. I recommend visiting in the morning or late afternoon to escape the crowds. Tickets cost only 50DH, which is around €4,50 or $5.
Tip: Apart from its gorgeous courtyard, you can also visit the former student rooms upstairs. From these rooms you will not only have a wonderful view of the courtyard, but you’ll also get some great photo opportunities with a unique angle.
2. A Bicycle Tour Through The Heart Of The Marrakesh Medina
Marrakesh can be a very busy city, and it can also feel like a maze when you’re wandering through its narrow streets. That’s why going on a Marrakesh bicycle tour is the perfect way to get to know the city! This way you’ll get acquainted with the way the city was built, discover the medina and the souks and learn about the Moroccan culture! You can book your Marrakesh bicycle tour here
3. Stay At A Riad: A Magical Experience In Marrakesh
One of the most magical experiences and definitely one of the best things to do in Marrakesh is staying in a riad. Staying in a riad is an authentic and unique way to experience Marrakesh. Riads were once villas of the wealthiest families with a panoply of rooms (some for housing servants) and a courtyard with a garden, a fountain and sometimes even a pool. Now, many riads are housing travelers from all over the world, making them feel welcome and giving them a peek into the history of Marrakesh and Moroccan culture.
Here are all your hotel options in Marrakesh
4. Visit The Bahia Palace & The El Badi Palace
Both the Bahia Palace and the El Badi Palace are one of the best things to do in Marrakesh. While the Bahia Palace is known for its beautiful small courtyard, intricate details, wood carved ceilings and flowers, the El Badi Palace is much more robust, with big gates and an enormous courtyard. Both palaces give you a great look into the history of Marrakesh, and of course also some wonderful photo opportunities!
The Bahia Palace is open every day from 9AM until 7PM, and tickets cost 100DH, which is around $10 or €9. The El Badi Palace is open every day from 9AM until 5PM. Tickets cost 70DH, which is around $7 or €6. I recommend to come early, as both palaces can get very busy during the day.
5. Taste Marrakesh: Eat Your Way Through The City
Safe to say that Marrakesh is a foodie heaven! There are so many cute places with great food and a wonderful atmosphere that it will be tough to pick where to eat. From the rooftop and jazzy vibes of La Pergola to the famous Nomad restaurant, there are a lot of good restaurants in Marrakesh. Eating your way through the city for breakfast, lunch and dinner is definitely one of the best things to do in Marrakesh.
Tip: I recommend making reservations in Marrakesh, because a lot of restaurants are fully booked for weeks in advance. If it’s possible, request a spot on the rooftop terrace for great views over the city!
6. Explore Beautiful Tropical Gardens
When you’re out and about exploring the city, it’s easy to overlook the entrance of Le Jardin Secret, a small botanical garden in the heart of the Marrakesh medina. This small oasis is the perfect place to relax and admire nature’s creations after a long day of walking around. There’s also a restaurant in the garden with a beautiful outside patio where you can have lunch or enjoy a drink.
7. Dive Into The Chaos Of The Jemaa El Fna Square
One of the most exciting places in Marrakesh is the Jemaa El Fna square. I recommend to visit the square both by day and by night, as it’s a completely different experience. During the day you can find market stalls, acrobats and other performers, but at night the square transforms into a big food market. Barbecues are lighting up the square and traditional music is playing all night long. Find a spot on one of the surrounding rooftop terraces to enjoy some people watching after exploring the square!
Important note: On the square, there will be people trying to let you interact with animals. There are monkeys, snakes and even falcons. These animals are being abused and exploited. Please do not take any pictures of or with these animals when you visit the square and refuse any interaction with them.
8. Visit The House Of Photography
Located inside a beautiful riad, you can find the Maison de la Photographie de Marrakech. The collection includes photographs, glass plates, postcards, newspapers and maps, showcasing Marrakesh and Morocco from the beginnings of photography to the modern age, roughly between 1880 and 1960. From the Jemaa El Fna square to the Koutoubia mosque and other famous landmarks, take a trip through time and experience the city of Marrakesh like no other. Take a deep dive into Berber culture and see how little and how much the country has changed. The museum also has a wonderful rooftop terrace from which you’ll have great views over the city!
You can find the museum inside the medina at the Rue ahl Fes, the entrance is quite small so keep an eye out for the signs! The museum is open every day from 9:30 in the morning to 7:00 in the evening. Tickets cost 50DH, which is around €4,50 or $5
Tip: For a truly unique souvenir from your trip to Marrakesh, make sure to check out the museum shop. They sell amazing high-quality prints of the originals and negatives from their exhibition, which they make in their workshop!
9. Discover The Mellah (Old Jewish Quarter)
One of the oldest and most interesting parts of the city is the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter of Marrakesh. There are some great restaurants on its main square. The streets surrounding the main square are very photogenic, and there are also plenty of artisanal shops where you can find beautiful handmade souvenirs. The Mellah is located next to the Place Des Ferblantiers (the tinsmiths square), which is also definitely worth a visit!
10. Wander Through The Souks Of Marrakesh
A trip to Marrakesh isn’t complete without visiting some of the many souks the city is famous for. From the spice souk to the jewelry souk, there’s really something for anyone. The souks are the perfect place to shop for souvenirs and gifts to take home. Just be prepared to haggle, which is an important and very fun part of Moroccan culture. It really pays off to browse around in different shops and to compare prices to decide your opening bid.
11. Enjoy A Drink On A Rooftop Terrace
Getting drinks on a rooftop terrace in Marrakesh is not only a great way to enjoy the views over the city, but also to rewind and relax after a busy day exploring its narrow alleyways. Note that there are not a lot of restaurants and bars that serve alcoholic drinks, so if you really want to sip on a cocktail you should check the menu beforehand.
12. Venture Outside Of The City
Marrakesh is conveniently located between several interesting places you can visit if you have a little more time or if you want to explore some more of Morocco. The ksar of Aït Ben Haddou is located a 3 to 4 hour drive from Marrakesh and will take you back in time with its picturesque red structures. Read all about visiting Aït Ben Haddou here
Another wonderful option to extend your stay in Marrakesh is to spend a couple of nights in the Sahara Desert. Turn on your adventure mode and climb sand dunes, go on a 4×4 or quad tour and explore the Berber culture. Visiting both the bustling city of Marrakesh and the wide and beautiful landscapes of the Sahara is the perfect mix between city life and nature!
Getting Around Marrakesh
When you’re staying inside the city walls of the old medina of Marrakesh, you can easily walk your way to all the important sights, restaurants and museums. If you don’t feel like walking you can take a yellow “petit taxi” to bring you anywhere within the city, while the bigger “grand taxis”, can bring you anywhere outside of the city, like the Marrakech Menara Airport or Jardin Majorelle. Just make sure you agree on a price beforehand, so you don’t overpay.
Where To Stay In Marrakesh
Marrakesh offers accommodations for every budget, and there is a wide range to choose from. The best location to stay is inside the medina, because you will be within walking distance of all the important sights, restaurants, bars and museums. To make your stay in Marrakesh even more special, consider staying at a riad. These little oases in the busy city are not only very pretty, but they are also designed to keep you cool. Also, hospitality is off the charts, as riads are mostly family-owned businesses.
Here are all your hotel options in Marrakesh
The Best Time To Visit Marrakesh
Marrakesh is equally beautiful in any month of the year, but the best time to visit the city is during the shoulder season, from March to May and from September to November. In these months it will be sunny and warm, but not too hot. Shoulder season also tends to be less busy, which is another win!
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