Marrakech is a city that rewards curiosity. In a medina you can cross on foot in half an hour, you will find royal palaces, 16th-century tombs, hidden gardens, a square that turns into a theatre every evening and a thousand workshops still using techniques centuries old. The hard part is choosing among all the things to do in Marrakech.
Here are the best things to do in Marrakech, grouped so you can plan your days without zigzagging across the city.
Things to do in Marrakech: the medina essentials
1. Jemaa el-Fnaa at sunset
The great square is the heartbeat of the city: juice stalls by day, storytellers, musicians and a sea of food stalls by night. Watch it from a terrace, then eat among the locals. Our Jemaa el-Fnaa guide explains it hour by hour.
2. The Koutoubia Mosque and gardens
The 12th-century minaret of the Koutoubia is the landmark of Marrakech, visible from almost everywhere. Non-Muslims cannot enter the mosque, but the gardens around it are lovely at the end of the day.
3. The souks
North of Jemaa el-Fnaa, a maze of covered lanes is divided by trade: leather, lanterns, spices, carpets, metalwork, dyed wool. Go in the morning, look before you buy and read our Marrakech souks shopping guide for bargaining tips.
4. Ben Youssef Madrasa
This former Koranic school, restored and reopened in recent years, is one of the most beautiful buildings in Morocco: carved cedar, stucco lace and zellige tiles around a calm courtyard pool. Come at opening time for photos without crowds.
5. Le Jardin Secret
A restored riad garden in the heart of the medina, with shaded paths, water channels and a tower with a view over the rooftops. A perfect quiet break between souks.
Palaces and history in the southern medina
6. The Bahia Palace
Built in the 19th century for a powerful vizier, the Bahia is a succession of courtyards, painted ceilings and gardens of orange trees. The vast marble courtyard is one of the most photographed spaces in the city.
7. The El Badi Palace
The ruins of the palace built by the Saadian sultan Ahmad al-Mansur in the 16th century are huge and atmospheric, with sunken gardens, crumbling walls and storks nesting on the ramparts. Climb the terrace for the view.
8. The Saadian Tombs
Hidden for centuries and rediscovered in the early 20th century, these tombs are decorated with some of the finest carved stucco and marble in the country. Go early: the queue for the main chamber grows quickly.
9. The Mellah
The historic Jewish quarter, next to the palaces, has a spice market, a restored synagogue and a quieter, residential feel. Wander it between the Bahia and El Badi.
Gardens and museums in the new town
10. The Majorelle Garden and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum
The cobalt-blue villa and exotic garden created by the painter Jacques Majorelle, later saved by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé, is the most visited site in the city. Tickets are sold online for timed slots and often sell out in high season, so book as soon as you know your dates. The fashion museum next door is excellent.
11. The Menara Gardens
A huge olive grove around an old water basin, with a pavilion reflected in the water and, on clear days, the snow-capped Atlas behind. It is calm, local and free to walk around.
Experiences you will remember
12. A hammam
Scrubbed, steamed and relaxed: a hammam is the best cure for a day in the souks. Neighbourhood hammams are cheap and authentic; riad and spa hammams are gentler for a first time.
13. A cooking class
Many riads and cooking schools offer half-day classes, often starting with a market visit. You leave knowing how to make a tagine — and with lunch. Our guide to what to eat in Marrakech will whet your appetite.
14. A rooftop sunset
The call to prayer rolling across the medina at sunset, a mint tea in hand and the Atlas turning pink on the horizon: find a terrace and stay for the moment.
15. A day out of the city
After a few days in the medina, a day in nature feels wonderful. Our private Ourika Valley day trip takes you into the High Atlas, an hour and a quarter away, and our selection of the best day trips from Marrakech covers the other options, from the Atlantic coast to the Tizi n'Tichka pass.
Practical tips
- Start early. Most sights open in the morning, and the first hour is the calmest.
- Plan around Friday. Many shops close at midday on Friday for prayers; visit a garden or museum instead.
- Rest in the afternoon, especially in summer, and come back out for the evening.
- Dress comfortably and modestly. Shoulders and knees covered make the medina easier, especially for women.
Plan your stay
For a day-by-day plan, follow our 3-day Marrakech itinerary, and choose your base with our guide to where to stay in Marrakech. Arriving by plane? Book your Marrakech airport transfer from €20 per vehicle, and start ticking off the best things to do in Marrakech on your very first evening.
