Things to Do in Marrakech: 20 Places Worth Your Time
Marrakech can swallow three days without trying. Here are 20 things worth doing, roughly in the order most people should do them, plus a few that look better in photos than they are in person.
At a glance
- Time needed
- 3 days is comfortable
- Best months
- March to May, September to November
- Getting around
- On foot in the medina, petit taxis outside
- Start early
- Sights are quieter and cooler before 10 am
In this guide
The medina essentials
1. Jemaa el-Fna, twice
See it once in the afternoon when it is a bare square and once after dark when it turns into an open-air theatre. Eat at the stalls if you want, but pick a busy one. See our Jemaa el-Fna guide.
2. Get lost in the souks
Plan an hour or two. You will end up somewhere you did not expect, and that is the point. Read our souk shopping guide before you buy.
3. Ben Youssef Madrasa
The most beautiful courtyard in the city. Go first thing, before the tour groups. Visiting tips here.
4. Bahia Palace
Painted cedar ceilings and quiet courtyards. About an hour; the best light is early. More on the Bahia.
5. El Badi Palace and the Saadian Tombs
El Badi is a ruin with storks nesting on the walls. The Saadian Tombs are small and often crowded; go when they open.
6. Koutoubia Mosque
You cannot go inside, but the minaret is the compass of the city and the gardens around it are a good place to sit.
7. Le Jardin Secret and the Museum of Confluences
Two calm, well-restored places in the northern medina if the crowds get to you.
8. The Mellah
The old Jewish quarter next to the palaces has a synagogue you can visit and a different street rhythm from the souks.
Gardens and the new town
9. Jardin Majorelle and the YSL Museum
Worth it, but book ahead or arrive at opening. Allow about two hours with the museum. Guide here.
10. Menara Gardens
Olive trees, a big pool and the Atlas on a clear day. Free of crowds, and best late afternoon.
11. Gueliz
The French-built new town has cafes, galleries and a good dinner scene. It is the place to be when the medina feels like too much.
Experiences
12. A hammam
Do it properly, once, on the second or third day when your legs are tired. Here is how it works.
13. A cooking class
Good ones start with a market visit and end with you eating what you cooked. Ask whether the class is in a home kitchen or a tourist riad.
14. Rooftop mint tea at sunset
Many cafes around Jemaa el-Fna have terraces. Order something and stay for the light.
15. A night in the Agafay desert
About 40 minutes out, this is stony semi-desert rather than Sahara dunes, but the camps are comfortable and it is a taste of the open country if you cannot go further.
Day trips
16 to 20. Out of town
Ouzoud Falls, the Ourika Valley, Essaouira, Imlil in the Atlas, and Ait Benhaddou all work as days out, though the last is better as an overnight. We compare them all in day trips from Marrakech.
What you can skip
- Snake charmers and monkey handlers: the animals are not well cared for and you will be charged for photos.
- Horse-drawn calèches unless you agree the price first and want the ride.
- The tanneries in Marrakech. If you want to see leather dyeing, go to Fes, which has much better ones.
How to plan three days
Day 1: Jemaa el-Fna in the afternoon, souks, dinner on the square. Day 2: Ben Youssef and Bahia early, lunch, El Badi, hammam. Day 3: Majorelle at opening, Menara at sunset. Swap one day for a trip to Essaouira if you are staying longer. For where to sleep, see where to stay in Marrakech.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Marrakech?
Two full days for the main sights, three if you want a hammam, a cooking class and some slow time. Add more for day trips.
What is the best time of year to visit Marrakech?
March to May and September to November. July and August are very hot, with daytime temperatures often above 38 degrees.
Is Marrakech worth visiting?
For most first-time visitors, yes. It is lively, beautiful and easy to reach. If you dislike crowds and hassle, consider adding quieter places such as Essaouira.