26 Best things to see & do in Marrakech

Marrakech’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed central square epitomises the exotic allure of the city. From dawn until well after dusk it hums with activity, like an open-air theatre.

The scene here has changed little down the centuries; snake charmers, Gnaoua musicians, magicians and myriad other performers congregate here, mainly for local audiences – though at peak times it’s very touristy.

By early evening part of the square becomes a giant open-air kitchen and is given over to countless food stalls serving local specialities. The Medina’s famous souks start on its fringes.

With more than 2,500 stalls and shops crammed into a labyrinth of narrow streets, which in turn are also rammed with people, donkeys and mopeds, it’s easy to feel intimidated in the souks. Don’t be. Virtually every type of trade and craft is being practiced here; there are blacksmiths, carpenters, weavers, carpet sellers, purveyors of magic potions and natural cosmetics, fruit and vegetable traders and many more.

To visit the souks is to experience the real heart of this ancient city. There are other souks in Morocco but this is one of Morocco’s liveliest and most special.

There’s no better way to immerse yourself in Moroccan life than staying in a riad; the traditionally-designed townhouses that line the twisting alleyways of the medina. Rooms are set around an internal courtyard – traditionally divided into four quarters, with a small fountain at the centre and filled with plants and greenery.

Traditionally, Islam forbids any external show of wealth when it comes to property, so all riads – even the most upscale and ornate – are hidden behind plain walls. This adds to the tantalising sense of stepping into a hidden oasis; riads are designed to be cool and quiet – a cocoon from the frenetic streets outside.

Riads vary hugely in style; many have swapped the traditional mosaic tiling and tadelakt plasterwork for a more contemporary, minimalist feel, but what almost all have in common is a rooftop terrace. These are the places to experience Moroccan a sunset, when the Atlas Mountains shimmer in the distance and the call to prayer echoes up from the mosques; Marrakech at its bewitching, enigmatic best.

Over 9.2 million sq km (larger than either the US or China) of nothing but vast, shifting sand dunes, the world’s largest hot desert covers most of Northern Africa. Average daily temperatures can reach 47°C – only Death Valley can rival it.

Mute and empty, beneath flawless blue skies, the Sahara Desert is like nowhere else in Morocco (or indeed the world).

But don’t let that put you off. Joining a safari into the desert is an evocative, unearthly and sometimes surreal experience, and the chance to sleep and wake in one of the world’s most extreme and beautiful landscapes.

At 450 kilometres from Marrakech, reaching the edge of the Sahara Desert takes at least 10 hours by car, and is an adventure in itself. Once in the desert, the journey continues by camel to a comfortable camp (some camps offer 4×4 transfers if preferred).

Sunset camel treks are a must-do, with the sky flaming pink and purple before fading into inky darkness. Piping hot tajines appear at mealtimes, with many camps offering fireside musical entertainment before guests retreat to a luxury tent, complete with en suite bathrooms and proper beds.

For fans of hot-air ballooning, floating over the dramatic, arid landscapes and traditional Berber villages surrounding Marrakech just might become the most memorable experience of your stay: the views stretch mile upon mile, with the High Atlas Mountains strung out on the horizon.

Morning hot-air balloon rides are often followed by a traditional meal in a Berber village.

The Agafay Desert, with its gentle rolling hills, the odd palm tree dotting the landscape, and the Atlas Mountains hovering in the background (snow-capped during winter months), is a complete contrast to bustling Marrakech just 45 minutes away. Trekking across the lunar-like landscapes, before dinner beneath the star-scattered desert sky is a memorable and unique experience.

Your evening begins with a 45-minute guided camel trek, transporting guests from the desert outskirts to a luxury camp, where dinner – a selection of Moroccan salads followed by tajine or grilled meats – is served with a view. Dinner is served under the starry sky or inside a traditional Bedouin tent, depending on the season. Evenings often include local musicians who play traditional songs with infectious, vibrant rhythms.

Several luxury camps provide glamping options for travellers looking for an overnight option.

This splendid former medersa (a Koranic school where students memorise the Koran) was founded by the Merenid Sultan Abou el Hassan in the 14th century. However, it was under the Saadian rulers in the 1560s that the school was renovated to the extraordinary level that visitors can marvel at today.  

The Andalusian architectural details, such as the stucco plasterwork featuring Arabic inscriptions and the colourful mosaics, are wonderfully preserved and worth taking time to appreciate. 

The hammam (steam bathhouse) has been an integral part of Islamic, notably Arabic, culture for centuries. Inspired by the Roman thermae, a bathhouse would include a cold room, a warm room and a hot room; in the latter, heat is produced by furnaces to supply hot water and steam.

The signature Marrakech hammam experience starts with a stint in the steam room, but then progresses to a special detoxication treatment; first, a scrub with locally-made black soap (containing olive oil) to prepare the skin for a gommage (exfoliation) with a kessa glove. After, locally-sourced rhassoul clay is applied, followed by a massage with local Argan oil.

For locals, a visit to the bathhouse is more than just a spa treatment. It serves three key purposes: one for hygiene, second for cleansing for before religious ablution before prayer, and third as a meeting place for the local community.

Moroccan cuisine is best known for its slow-cooked tajines – richly flavoured stews, cooked on traditional platters with conical lids – and heaped platters of couscous topped with seven vegetables.

More traditional meals usually start with a tray of meze – fresh salads that might include honeyed carrot salad, humous, roasted aubergine and yoghurt with mint and garlic. Lamb is the most popular meat, while seafood, such as sardines, are plucked straight from the Atlantic in Essaouira.

Mint tea is another obligatory Moroccan ritual drunk at any time of the day, often taken with a plate of sugar-topped biscuits, or syrup-drenched pastries. Moroccans have an extremely sweet tooth, and there are excellent patisseries dotted around the Ville Nouvelle – a legacy of the French Colonial era.

Fashion lovers queue up to step inside this architectural jewel box, which pays homage to the famed designer. Yves Saint Laurent always credited Marrakech as a source of inspiration, and returned to the city frequently, residing in the nearby Villa Oasis inside the Majorelle Gardens.

The interior of the museum resembles a catwalk, complete with energetic music and audio interviews with YSL. The permanent collection features enviable evening gowns, capes and pantsuits divided by collection, while an impressive curiosity cabinet is filled with accessories to complete the looks. In the theatre, footage from previous fashion shows and interviews is shown on a loop.

Alongside the permanent collection, there is also a programme of temporary exhibitions, highlighting artists who made their home in the city, including Jacques Majorelles and works by Christo. Temporary exhibitions change twice a year, while the permanent collection featuring YSL garments changes annually.

The windowless exterior, designed by KO Studios, is intricately designed to capture the city’s famous light throughout the day, using the same techniques as a traditional medina house.

This well-respected film festival is about to move into its third decade, featuring films from the Middle East and North Africa, as well as showcasing other regions around the world.

The competition for feature films and short films is fierce, with some of the world’s best auteurs presenting their latest works of art. Seeing films in the main Jemaa El Fna square is quite a treat too.

The challenging 2-5 day climb up Mount Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak (4,167m), past remote Berber villages and through vast valleys, is only suitable for hikers with a good level of fitness.

From the summit, there are sweeping vistas from the summit of the High Atlas Mountains – and on a clear day, the Atlantic Ocean in one direction, and the sand dunes of the Sahara Desert in the other – worth getting into shape for!

Marrakech is world-renowned for fine craftsmanship – notably homewares, textiles, and natural beauty products. Browsing and haggling in the souks is of course a must-do, but why not also try your hand at making your own?

Hands-on workshop with local maalem (master craftsperson) will teach you the techniques involved in some of Morocco’s most classic crafts – zellig tilework, carved cedarwood, carpet weaving, and even tadelakt (plaster finishing). For those interested in beauty products, there are also workshops to make Marrakech’s famous ‘black soap’, Oriental wax or ghassoul (a body-cleansing clay).

Whatever you end up making – babouche slippers, jewellery, carpet, a zellig tivet, or a hammered bowl – all participants leave each workshop with their own unique souvenir.

Workshops can be three or five hours long, depending on the depth of knowledge desired – although three hours is usually plenty. Classes take place onsite in the small studios of local artists’ workshops (where you can also browse and purchase some other goods produced).

Luxuriant twelve-acre botanical gardens designed by French artist Jacques Majorelle who lived here in the 1920s and 1930s. Also once owned by the fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent.

An impressive 19th-century palace with intricate Byzantine designs, Dar Si Said is home to a huge collection of artworks, instruments, arms and some of the oldest artifacts in the city.

A bustling Thursday flea market that’s the go-to for authentic homewares and furnishings. It’s held in this imposing gate in the Medina walls.

A superb collection of North African and Islamic art amassed by the late Yves Saint Laurent. The small museum is housed within the former studio of the original owner, artist Jacques Majorelle.

Tranquil Medina riad housing an interesting collection of photographs documenting Moroccan life from the 1870s-1950s, that gives the best insight into life in the city before tourism arrived.

Royal tombs of the Saadi dynasty, dating back to the 16th century, decorated with mosaics and intricate woodwork. There are no explanation panels to explain the historical relevance, so only really worthwhile if you’re interested in decorative arts.

The (shell) remains of Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur’s colossal, 16th-century palace. Once one of the world’s great monuments, it was stripped bare in the 17th century.

Bustling with fishmongers and butchers, street vendors selling in-season fruit and veg, bread fresh from the local oven, and more. In between, small kitchens serve street food specialties through the morning and afternoon.

Out-of-town industrial estate, chock full of artisan shops and the best homewares at good prices. Advanced shoppers, who have done the main souks, graduate here.

Smoky grills and lively stalls serve up mouth-watering delicacies including seafood, snails, offal and bowls of harira soup nightly from 6 pm – just pull up a stool and point at what you want. Standards vary hugely though; a good rule of thumb is to go to whichever is busiest – or check out local foodie blogs to find which are recommended.

A high terrace provides panoramic views of the medina, including the Atlas Mountains in winter months. Time a visit with when the muezzins call the prayer from the surrounding mosques for additional Arabian atmosphere.

Marrakech’s first concept store, just down the road from the YSL Museum, rotates an impressive selection of designs by contemporary Moroccan creators.

Nestled inside the Dar el Bacha palace, Bacha Cafe is elegance at its finest. Coffee recommendations are suggested based on time of day, and are best accompanied by a treat from the cake counter.