It is one of the most famous and fascinating cities in Morocco. Known for its rich culture, its historical architecture and its souk, it attracts many visitors every year. But what to do in Marrakech?

It can be considered as the stage of a long journey in Morocco or a trip in its own right. What is certain is that it has a great heritage to discover.

Whether you are looking to live beautiful experiences, visit gardens, museums and historical sites, or immerse yourself in its culture, you can do it here in Marrakech.

Take a walk in the Majorelle Garden

Among the unmissable things to do in Marrakech, we cannot fail to mention the Majorelle Garden. Having become the property of Yves Saint Laurent in 1980, his majorelle blue has become famous all over the world.

Particularly appreciated by photographers and Instagramers, it will be necessary to get up early to benefit from a certain calm. It is best to come at the opening time, a little before 8 o’clock. Because of this, you will avoid crowds of visitors.

Also take your tickets in advance because the places are by time slot. This will save you from waiting in line for too long.

The coffee inside can also be a very pleasant break. If you want to learn more about the life of the creator, a museum located next door is dedicated to him.

Stop by the shop at the end of your journey to see, in particular, paintings designed by Yves Saint Laurent and keep a memory of this visit.

There is also a Berber museum inside the site. However, it is necessary to pay a few dozen additional dirhams to visit it.

The mythical Jemaa el-Fna square

How to stay in Marrakech without going through the famous Jemaa el Fna square? Unique in Morocco, it is located in the center of the city and close to places of interest. It is clearly essential to stop there.

You can enjoy a fresh fruit juice in one of the many stands present during the day and observe snake charmers.

It is also pleasant to go there at the end of the afternoon or during the evening to fully enjoy the festivities. Games, storytellers and traditional dancers will punctuate your evening. However, be careful not to take a picture of them if you don’t want to be asked for money!

Eating on site is also possible but the prices will be less interesting than in less touristic places. Nevertheless, to enjoy the complete experience of Jemaa el-Fna, you can taste the snails with pepper or the spice tea from the different stands.

To contemplate all this hustle and bustle, nothing beats taking a little height on one of the terraces of the cafés that surround the square, where you can watch the sunset over the city while sipping a refreshing mint tea or indulging in a sweet Moroccan pastry. From this vantage point, you’ll have a perfect view of the colorful crowds, the street performers, and the lively evening energy that makes Jemaa el-Fna so special.

Observe the Koutoubia Mosque

The Koutoubia Mosque has been a true symbol of Marrakech since its construction in 1158.

Less than 5 minutes from Jemaa el-Fna Square, you will not be able to miss it. Overlooking the surroundings from the top of its 90 meters high, you can admire it from many places in Marrakech.

As with all the mosques in the city, it is unfortunately impossible to enter there. Being a place of worship, it is forbidden to access non-Muslims. The only way to get inside is to do so as part of a guided tour booked in advance.

However, we recommend that you go there and at least go around the outside in order to appreciate the beauty of the architecture. Don’t miss the nice view from the Lalla Hasna Park which is located right next door.

Take a hot air balloon flight at sunrise

Flying over the surroundings of Marrakech in a hot air balloon is a magical activity to do during your stay. If you have the budget, excursions are offered from the city.

A driver will pick you up to take you to the edge of Marrakech, in the desert plains, an hour from the center.

You can enjoy a flight of about an hour, depending on the winds. During the flight, you will be able to observe the ochre city and the Atlas Mountains. The experience will be all the more memorable, and the shots even more sensational, if you choose to fly at sunrise time, which we recommend.

This hot air balloon flight experience in Marrakech is completely suitable for families due to its fairly gentle take-off. Even people prone to vertigo can enjoy it very well.

Special mention for the premium option with private flight and breakfast cooked by a Michelin-starred chef. Very high-end and therefore with a higher price.

Admire the magnificent Bahia Palace

The Bahia Palace is surely the most beautiful palace in Marrakech. With its many patios and mosaics, it perfectly illustrates the beauty of Moroccan decoration.

You will need at least 1 hour to visit the entire place. Consisting of several rooms, patios surrounded by lush nature (with even a few kittens…), it is the ideal place to take successful photos.

In addition to its aesthetic aspect, you will learn more about Morocco and its possessions. For example, there is an exhibition that presents Makhzanian furniture and traditional clothes.

By its beauty, it is therefore generally taken by storm by tourists. It is therefore preferable to go there as soon as it opens. You can access it every day from 9 am to 17 pm for 70 dirhams.

The souks of the Medina: a must visit

If you are wondering what to do in Marrakech, it is obvious that going to the souks is part of the list. This labyrinth is full of shops and you can buy culinary specialties and products of all kinds.

But beware of scams. Sellers always advertise a price much higher than reality and will often put pressure on you to spend with them. It will always be necessary to negotiate by dividing by 2, or even 3, the advertised price.

The medina is organized into 18 distinct parts. Without mentioning all of them, you can find the souk of coppers, slippers, olives, carpets, spices, leathers or even leather goods.

Before you venture into the alleys of the Medina, make sure you know your direction. If you are not looking for anything in particular, it is however pleasant to stroll between the shops and get lost there. However, pay attention to the many scooters that are sure to jostle you.

If you want to have a quieter experience of the souks, there are quieter areas in the medina such as the alleys of the Kasbah and Bab Doukkala districts.

Getting to the El Badi Palace

Near the Saadian tombs, you will find the El Badi Palace. Less impressive than the Bahia Palace, it is more like ruins.

We advise you in particular to go there if you like historical sites. Rooms trace its history as well as that of Marrakech. For example, a video shows its evolution over time.

You can also visit underground rooms connected by corridors. Also, feel free to just walk around the main courtyard and take some photos.

In addition, there is a higher viewpoint that allows you to have a panoramic view of the place. Akin to a cafe, you can drink tea there while admiring the courtyard of the palace. 

You can access it from 9 am to 17 pm. The place being rather large, it is not necessary to come particularly early because the number of tourists is reasonable

The Saadian tombs: a must-see!

Visiting the Saadian tombs is another must-do in Marrakech. They are located south of the medina, in the Kasbah district, a 15-minute walk from Jemaa el-Fna Square.

You will have access to the Royal necropolis. The entrance will be relatively quick but it is once inside that you will have to be patient if you want to see the biggest tombs. These are the burials of the Saadian royal family.

Depending on the number of people queuing, you will spend from 30 minutes to 1 hour inside the building. The place is quite small, but it is very pleasant to walk there to admire the Spanish-Moorish decorative art.

Discover the secret garden

The secret garden is a small corner of paradise hidden in the Medina. It consists of an exotic garden and another Islamic one.

We recommend that you take a walk there and discover its riches for yourself. You will be able to access one of the highest points of the Medina, a 17m tower that allows you to have a view of Marrakech. You will then be able to contemplate, among other things, the Koutoubia mosque and, in the background, the Atlas Mountains.

This place is also known for its “instagrammable” photo spots. Geometry, greenery, old doors, everything has been set up to make beautiful shots for social networks here!

Finally, take the time to enjoy a drink in the small café on the top overlooking the courtyard. It is very pleasant to rest while admiring the beautiful mosaics and fountains.

The entrance is paid and if you want to visit the tower you will have to pay a few dirhams more.

Enjoy your hotel stay

Beyond the various activities that can be done there, Marrakech is also renowned as a destination for rest. With its climate and the change of scenery it offers, it attracts indeed many tourists every year in search of relaxation, just a few hours from France.

Many establishments offer services oriented on relaxation, such as swimming pools with deckchairs, bars, restaurant, spa, hammam, gyms, etc… Located outside the medina, for the most part in the Palm Grove or in the Hivernage district, the options are multiple.

Among them, some luxury hotels in Marrakech even come out clearly. This is the case in particular of La Mamounia, which has already been ranked several times “best hotel complex in the world”.

Stroll in the Menara garden

If you are looking to spend a quiet moment and take a break from the hustle and bustle of Marrakech, you can go to the Menara Garden.

Free and open from 8:30 am to 18 pm, you can take a walk in this beautiful setting, surrounded by hundreds of olive trees. The place is ideal for a picnic as a couple or family.

One of the most beautiful places in the garden is certainly the basin and its Saadian pavilion. The latter can be visited for 20 dirhams, but this remains secondary. You can be content to see it from the outside.

The garden is located in the Hivernage district, a 45-minute walk from downtown Marrakech. It will therefore be necessary to come by taxi if your hotel is located in the Medina.

Go to an old Koranic school: Madrasa Ben Youssef

In the heart of the Medina, you will find the largest Koranic school in Marrakech: the Ben Youssef Madrasa.

This old school is particularly beautiful because of its Moroccan decorations. Its mosaics and its water basin with colorful tiles make the place very photogenic.

The visit takes between 45 minutes to 1 hour if you want to explore the entire Madrasah. It has several floors with many rooms overlooking the inner courtyard and the water basin.

From these rooms, you will have another vision of the school. It will also be an opportunity to take some pretty original photos.

For the price, count about fifty dirhams.

Visit the museums of Marrakech

For museum lovers, you will find what you are looking for in Marrakech. The city has been able to evolve and offer something for the many travelers who come every year.

We can find in particular :

  • The museum of Marrakech: inside an old palace, it presents the objects making the history of the city
  • The Maison de la photographie: particularly charming by its building and its collections of photographs
  • Dar si Said: the oldest in Marrakech when it comes to the Moroccan arts
  • Music Museum: also called Mouassine, it must be visited if you are interested in the different musical cultures.

Each has its own specificity, so you can choose according to your interests. Most of them are located in the center of the Medina, except for the Dar si Said which is located further south.

The prices are generally between 30 and 70 dirhams.

Take traditional cooking classes

One of the fun activities to do in Marrakech to discover the culinary specialties of the country is to take a cooking class.

Accompanied by Moroccan chefs, you will learn to cook typical dishes of Moroccan culture. Whether it’s tagine or couscous, you will learn how to make an appetizer, a main course and a dessert from the region.

After cooking all the dishes, you will obviously be able to taste everything.

We recommend this activity that will change you from visiting gardens and monuments. You will spend a convivial moment with friends or family.

From now on we will see what it is possible to do also in the surroundings of Marrakech.

Take an excursion to the desert

Staying in Morocco often includes an adventure in the dunes. Camel ride, discovery of nomadic life and a night under the stars are part of an unforgettable experience. From Marrakech, it is possible to be fully supported by an agency until one of the gates of the Moroccan desert.

For 2, 3, 5 days or more, you can discover the impressive extent of the sand dunes. Indeed, the choice of the duration of the stay is available to you. Depending on the budget, the schedule, your physical capacity, you will be free to adapt the duration of this excursion in the desert from Marrakech.

Doing it with an agency is the ideal option to fully enjoy the experience. The round trip to your hotel or riad is included which saves you a lot of energy driving on Moroccan roads.

Bedding, water, meals are also included in the rates, which is clearly advantageous. In short, a well-supervised stay that makes you want to completely disconnect from the rest for a few days!

Going to the camps of the Agafay desert

To get away from the hustle and bustle of Marrakech for a day or a night, consider going to the Agafay desert. Desert made up of small pebbles that give the illusion of dunes, and a 1-hour drive away, you can access totally different landscapes.

To be completely immersed in the environment and make the most of the experience, we recommend that you go to one of the camps in the Agafay desert. Many offers are available, there are quite luxurious accommodations or more rustic Berber type camps.

It will be possible to spend the day in a camp to enjoy the swimming pool, have lunch there and then do an activity. We will then take you back at the end of the day to your accommodation in Marrakech.

Alternatively, you can also extend the experience and sleep on site to enjoy the sunset in the camp and wake up in this quiet place. Whichever option you choose, you will offer yourself a unique moment, timeless.

Go to the Ouzoud waterfalls for a day

If you want to get out of Marrakech and see a completely different landscape, the Ouzoud waterfalls are a very good option. Located 3 hours away by car, we recommend that you take an excursion to get there.

By choosing this solution, you will be picked up in the morning, to take you to the waterfalls.

Once you arrive, you will be able to observe the impressive waterfalls and take photos. A few monkeys might even make an appearance!

Then you will follow your guide to an argan oil cooperative. The purchase is not mandatory. Then, you will enjoy a traditional boat ride at the foot of the falls. Note that the number of visitors is quite large and that it may be necessary to wait a little before having a boat.

Tourists are able to savor a meal at a restaurant in the vicinity.. It will then be time to leave for Marrakech, in all the excursion to the Ouzoud waterfalls lasts about ten hours.

Take an excursion to the Ourika Valley

From Marrakech, it is easily possible to get to the Ourika Valley. This is indeed the closest day trip to Marrakech.

This valley is surrounded by well-preserved lush vegetation that changes the landscapes of Marrakech, and in particular houses 7 waterfalls.

During the excursion, and accompanied by a guide, you will follow the watercourse of the Ourika, the river of the valley in order to discover them. Consisting of a loop, you will walk for about 2 hours, passing in particular in the village of Setti-Fatm.

However, expect a little climbing. Different points of view punctuate the walk, the opportunity to take out your camera.

The price includes round-trip transfer by mini-bus and access to the site. You will also make a passage through an argan oil cooperative and a Berber house that can be visited like a small museum. Lunch is at your expense.

Quad biking in the desert

A number of excursions are offered from Marrakech to go quad biking. Among these, the most pleasant is the one in the Agafay desert, much better than in the Palm Grove.

With this activity, you will fill up with strong sensations. You will be in the heart of magnificent desert landscapes consisting mainly of rocky hills. You will stop on the way at a Berber camp to have tea.

About a 1-hour drive from the red city, you will be brought directly to the site. You will get all the necessary information to pilot the machine well and be able to take full advantage of it. Please note, however, that if you are with a family, children under the age of 13 cannot take part.

With its unique combination of tradition and modernity, the Ocher City is an essential destination for any traveler who wishes to discover the wonders of Morocco. The activities to do in Marrakech are numerous and correspond to the greatest number.