20 Best Things to Do in Marrakech: Palaces, Souks, Gardens and Local Experiences
The best things to do in Marrakech are exploring the medina's monuments (Koutoubia Mosque, Bahia Palace, Ben Youssef Madrasa, Saadian Tombs), getting lost in the souks, experiencing Jemaa el-Fnaa at dusk, visiting the Majorelle Garden, and trying local food through a street-food tour or cooking class. Allow at least two full days for the city, three if you want a day trip into the Atlas Mountains.
Understanding Marrakech before you go
Marrakech was founded around 1070 by the Almoravid dynasty and gave its name to the whole country for centuries. The historic medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985, is enclosed by roughly 19 km of pink-red earthen ramparts. Most sights are within walking distance of Jemaa el-Fnaa, the main square, while the Majorelle Garden and the modern district of Gueliz lie outside the walls. The city sits at about 460 m, with summer highs often around 38-40°C and very pleasant springs and autumns.
Monuments and historic sights
1. Koutoubia Mosque
The 77 m minaret of the Koutoubia, completed in the 12th century under the Almohads, is the city's landmark and a model for the Giralda in Seville. Non-Muslims cannot enter, but the surrounding gardens are free and lovely at sunset.
2. Bahia Palace
Built in the late 19th century for the grand viziers, the Bahia is a maze of courtyards, painted cedar ceilings, zellij tilework and gardens of orange trees. Go at opening time to avoid groups.
3. Ben Youssef Madrasa
This former Koranic school, rebuilt in the 16th century, has one of the most beautiful courtyards in Morocco, with carved stucco, cedar and a central pool. Students' cells surround it on the upper floor.
4. Saadian Tombs
The 16th-century mausoleum of the Saadian sultans was walled up for centuries and only rediscovered in 1917. The Hall of Twelve Columns is the highlight; expect a short queue.
5. El Badi Palace
The ruins of Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur's vast late-16th-century palace are atmospheric, with sunken gardens, storks nesting on the walls and views from the terraces.
6. The Mellah
The historic Jewish quarter, with its spice market, balconied houses, the Lazama synagogue and the Jewish cemetery, reveals a lesser-known part of the city's history.
7. Dar Si Said and Maison de la Photographie
Smaller museums: Dar Si Said focuses on woodwork and Moroccan crafts, while the Maison de la Photographie shows early photographs of Morocco and has a good rooftop café.
Souks, squares and street life
8. Jemaa el-Fnaa
By day the square has orange juice stalls, henna artists and snake charmers; from late afternoon, dozens of food stalls set up and musicians and storytellers draw crowds. Our complete Jemaa el-Fnaa guide explains how to enjoy it without the hassle.
9. The souks
North of the square, Souk Semmarine leads into specialised markets for leather, lanterns, spices, carpets and metalwork. See our Marrakech souks shopping guide for bargaining tips.
10. Rahba Kedima (spice square)
A small square selling spices, baskets and hats, with rooftop cafés overlooking it.
11. Artisans' workshops
Watch metalworkers in Souk Haddadine and dyers in the Souk des Teinturiers, where skeins of wool hang overhead.
Gardens and calm spaces
12. Majorelle Garden and YSL Museum
The cobalt-blue villa and garden created by painter Jacques Majorelle, later owned by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé, is one of Morocco's most visited sites. Book timed tickets online; it is among the more expensive entries in the city.
13. Le Jardin Secret
A restored riad garden in the heart of the medina, with an Islamic-style garden and an exotic garden, plus a tower view.
14. Menara and Agdal gardens
Historic olive groves and water basins with Atlas views; the Menara pavilion is a classic photo, especially in winter when the peaks are snowy.
15. A hammam
From a local public hammam to a spa, a steam and black-soap scrub is a very Moroccan way to recover from sightseeing.
Food and local experiences
16. Take a street-food tour
Try harira, msemen, tanjia and grilled brochettes with a guide who knows which stalls are reliable. Read our guide to Moroccan dishes to try before you go.
17. Join a cooking class
Shop in the market and cook a tagine and salads yourself, then eat what you made.
18. Watch the sunset from a rooftop
Terraces around Jemaa el-Fnaa and the spice square offer views of the Koutoubia and, on clear days, the Atlas.
Beyond the walls
19. Palmeraie and Agafay
The palm grove north of the city and the stony Agafay desert, about 40 minutes away, offer camel rides and quad biking.
20. Day trips
The Ourika Valley, Imlil, Ouzoud, Essaouira and Ait Benhaddou are all reachable in a day.
Entry fees and opening times
Most monuments open roughly 09:00-17:00 or 18:00 daily. Entry fees were revised in recent years; at the time of writing, expect approximately 70-150 MAD per monument for foreign adults, with the Majorelle Garden and its museums costing more. Check official websites or at the gate before you go, and carry cash as not all ticket offices accept cards.
A simple 3-day plan
| Day | Morning | Afternoon / evening |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Guided medina walk: Koutoubia, Kasbah, Mellah, Bahia Palace, souks | Rooftop sunset, Jemaa el-Fnaa food stalls |
| Day 2 | Majorelle Garden (early slot), Gueliz | Ben Youssef Madrasa, Le Jardin Secret, hammam |
| Day 3 | Day trip to the Atlas Mountains | Return and dinner in the medina |
Tips for enjoying Marrakech
- Distrust anyone claiming a road is "closed" or offering to lead you to the tanneries; politely continue.
- Dress modestly: shoulders and knees covered is respectful and makes the medina more comfortable.
- Carry small notes for tips and juices; negotiate taxi fares or insist on the meter.
- In summer, sightsee early and late, and rest in your riad at midday.
See Marrakech with a local operator
The fastest way to understand the medina is with a licensed guide. Our Marrakech medina guided walking tour covers the Koutoubia, the Kasbah and Mellah, the Bahia Palace and the souks in about three hours, from €25 per person. Ouirgane Marrakech Guide is a Marrakech-based operator; reserve now, pay later, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Browse all our city tours and cultural experiences, read more about Marrakech, or message us on WhatsApp at +212 606 957 514 to book a guided walk through the old city.
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