Here is a post on tips for things to see and do in Marrakech. We will soon be travelling to Morocco again - for the third time! This time we are travelling to Agadir and it will be interesting, because we have never been there before. However, we have been to Marrakech twice. We've written a lot about this colourful and exciting city before, but we've never put it all in one place. So here it is: 12 things to see and do in Marrakech!
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Things to see and do in Marrakech
Marrakech is a vibrant and intense city filled with colours, smells and sounds. The noise of engines mixes with donkey carts and calls to prayer. Just wandering around this intense city is an experience in itself, but if you want more tips and advice on things to do in Marrakech, here they are!
1. stay in a riad in the medina
A riad is a Moroccan house, or palace, with a courtyard. A traditional Moroccan riad usually has two or more floors, around a courtyard where there is often a fountain. A riad used to be the residence of the wealthy residents, but today many of these have been converted into hotels. The last time we visited Marrakech we stayed at a place called Riad Chorfa, a beautiful riad decorated with pillars, balconies and colourful mosaics.
2. Djema el Fna Square
Djema el Fna is the square in Marrakech where everything happens. There are vendors, acrobats, snake charmers, mops, donkeys, shoeshine boys and beggars - all at the same time. In the evening, food stalls are also brought out, filling the square with aromas and interesting dishes to try.
There are also plenty of restaurants around the square where you can eat traditional Moroccan food. The spelling varies, by the way, and sometimes you see the square as Jemaa el Fna, or perhaps Jemaa el Fnaa.
3. Marrakech medina
The old city of Marrakech, the medina, is surrounded by a wall and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. Walking around here you almost feel like you're in the middle of a film, and it's easy to get lost.
The male vendors wear long robes and sell everything from leather sashes to spices. They like to grab you, put the goods in your hands, and assure you of their excellent quality. Of course you have to buy his leather goods or his spices! As you try to listen to the vendor, people stream past from all directions, you hear loud voices in Arabic and behind you a donkey or cart tries to push its way through.
4. Shopping in Marrakech
Inside the medina is the souk, or market. Here you will find traditional crafts such as ceramic bowls, leather bags and slippers in bright colours, but also sneakers and food. Whatever you're looking for, it's important to haggle! If you want to avoid haggling, you can visit the Crafts complex - The same type of goods are available here at fixed prices, and you can browse at your leisure. It is not more expensive either ...
5. the Bahia Palace
The Palais de la Bahia is located in the northern part of the Jewish Quarter. Built in the late 19th century, the palace is constructed in traditional Moroccan style with courtyards and fantastically ornate ceilings. The palace was built for the Vizier Ba Ahmed Ben Moussa, who was Grand Vizier to the Sultan. The vizier needed a large house for himself, his four wives and his 24 concubines.
6. Jardin Majorelle
Yves Saint Laurent, who lived partly in Marrakech and drew much of his inspiration from here, bought the garden. Jardin Majorelle 1980. He died in 2008, and his memorial grove is now located here in the garden. A visit to the Jardin Majorelle is a peaceful break from the Moroccan chaos outside. There are lots of green plants, some buildings with cobalt blue colours and strong contrasts, and a small museum.
7. Moroccan food
When in Morocco, you should of course try Moroccan food! One of the most common dishes is tagine, which is food served in a clay pot. The stew can contain, for example, lamb or chicken, perhaps together with some kind of vegetables.
Another common dish is couscous, often served with cooked vegetables and perhaps chickpeas. In addition to the two restaurants mentioned below, we were recommended the restaurant Dar Cherifa, located in one of the oldest houses in Marrakech's old town.
8. restaurant Dar Moha
There are some places where you can have an extra special dining experience, and Dar Moha is one such place. Walking through the dirty alleyways, it's hard to believe that you'll find a restaurant like Dar Moha behind one of the doors.
Here you are greeted by a beautiful environment with chairs covered in red velvet, a large pool and winding green plants. Here we were also served a fantastic dinner that started with them setting out bread and lots of small bowls with different sauces and salsas. Soooo good!
9. restaurant Ksar El Hamra
We can also recommend the Ksar El Hamra restaurant, where we tried a really luxurious meal. Here you enter a courtyard with lush orange trees before entering the beautiful restaurant.
A group of musicians played native festive songs, and the Moroccan families at the neighbouring tables sang and danced excitedly. We had bread along with several tasty mixes before the main course, followed by tagine with chicken and a traditional dessert of fruit and almonds.
10. quad bike ride
There are plenty of excursions to book around Marrakech, and one of the many things you can try is to driving a quad bike. The first time we were in Marrakech, we made an excursion to a place just outside the city called Palmerie, and here we got a brief introduction before heading out into the semi-desert. It was a high speed tour, over hills and pits while the mud was spraying.
11. Atlas Mountains
When in Marrakech, take the opportunity to make an exciting excursion to the surrounding area. Atlas Mountains. As you drive up into the mountains, you'll notice that it's getting colder all the time, which is perhaps not surprising given that the highest peak in the range is more than 4000 metres above sea level. Here you can peek into Berber villages, buy local handicrafts and see waterfalls.
12. Moroccan crafts
If you are interested in Moroccan crafts there is plenty to see and do in and around Marrakech. Common crafts include hand-knotted carpets, ceramics and argan oil.
The oil is made from argan fruit and is used in various cosmetic products for hair, skin and nails, or for cooking. In some places, including around the Atlas Mountains, you can visit sales points, where you may also be able to see the production.
See more during your trip to Morocco?
If you have the opportunity to see more of Morocco during your trip, you should definitely do so! We recommend a visit to the coastal city Agadir and a trip to Sahara desert. Also Taroudant, sometimes called "Little Marrakech" is worth a visit.
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Kenneth Risberg says:
Nice that you write about Marrakech. Was there in February 2012 and experienced a lot of what you did. Riad, the square and photographing snake charmers (costs a penny), Medina and all the rest.
As for the Atlas Mountains, we made a trip up to the snow-capped peaks, rented boots and skis and then the lift up, went pretty well with then getting down an almost vertical slope and also unfrozen and loose snow was not easy, I can say, but it was still an experience to have skied in the Atlas Mountains. Liked their food, Tagine.
Also made a bus journey to Essaouira by the sea.
Can probably imagine a return visit on occasion but then a little further forward around March / April when the nights were cold in February but warm and sunny during the day.
05 April 2018 - 8:18
Helena says:
But how cool that you went skiing in the Atlas Mountains! Does not sound completely simple admittedly, but still! 😉
06 April 2018 - 7:56
Ruth in Virginia says:
Travelled with friends to Spain, Morocco and Portugal on a
90s sometime. On the bus journey to Marrakech, we were surprised...
rattled by a blizzard; large, wet flakes, knocking down
speed significantly.
Marrakech with its square and medina was interesting.
Visit to a food vendor - you are invited to sweet tea and
a long spiel about how valuable his carpets are, and of course the
it's time to haggle. Good thing we've lived in Indonesia and learnt how to haggle.
how it works. 🙂
From Marrakech we travelled to Casablanca, Rabat and Tangier,
where there was a ferry to Gibraltar (which was very interesting).
05 April 2018 - 12:57
Helena says:
It sounds like an interesting trip! Surprising with snow! But we have also experienced that it has been quite cold in the winter, especially around the Atlas Mountains. And yes, haha, it was probably good that you were used to haggling and stuff, can easily be a shock otherwise! 😉
06 April 2018 - 7:58
Britt-Marie Lundgren says:
We were in Marrakech on a day trip from Agadir in the 1970s. A lot must have happened there in 40 years, but it was undoubtedly a cool city.
I remember Djema el Fna and the dark bazaar streets where we almost got lost and were offered lots of sweet tea.
05 April 2018 - 14:22
Ruth in Virginia says:
The bazaar streets, yes! Was glad we had tour guides with us.
I would never have found my way out myself.
05 April 2018 - 15:27
Helena says:
It's exciting that you were there in the 70s. A lot has happened in 40 years, but the crowded streets and the sweet tea are still there 😉.
06 April 2018 - 8:15
BP says:
Very good with this tour of Marrakech. Now I don't have to go there myself;-)
05 April 2018 - 17:54
Helena says:
Haha, that's one way to look at it too 😉.
06 April 2018 - 8:16
Marianne - Glimpses of the world says:
I missed a lot of this when I was in Marrakech. Only had a long weekend there, and half the time I was in the hotel room with food poisoning. But the medina, the souk and the Atlas Mountains I got at least ticked off ðŸ™'
05 April 2018 - 22:19
Helena says:
Food poisoning doesn't sound like fun... Good thing you got to see some at least!
06 April 2018 - 8:16
Elisabeth says:
We were in Marrakech a few years ago and found it an exciting experience. The night market was something special. We visited some beautiful houses/museums.
06 April 2018 - 14:30
Helena says:
Glad you enjoyed the experience!
02 October 2019 - 21:03
Maria's Memoirs says:
oh how curious I am about Marrakech!!! 🙂 What do you think about travelling there alone as a woman? I spontaneously think that tourism is great there, so should work just fine? 🙂 Some people report a lot of sexual comments, but as long as it's only verbal, I can let it go in through one ear, and out through the other....
08 April 2018 - 10:22
Helena says:
Hi Maria! It's hard to say for sure, as we don't have that experience ourselves. My guess is that it should work ok, but you should probably be prepared for a different culture. I have heard from women who have travelled alone about situations where they do not think they have been treated in a desirable way. As you probably already know, it can also be good to think about dressing so that you cover your shoulders and knees. But as I said, I do not have this experience myself, as we travelled as a couple.
02 October 2019 - 21:09
Carin Ager says:
We flew to Agadir and visited good friends who lived long term at the campsite. They then drove us south and up into the Atlas mountains, we were out for 3 days and experienced so many interesting things. I am no stranger to travelling by motorhome and doing a tour. Oh what there is a lot we want to do. Enjoy your trip, like to read your articles!
Carin Ager
21 April 2018 - 13:30
Helena says:
How exciting! And yes, travelling around with a motorhome is certainly interesting! Many people do it, so it should work perfectly!
02 October 2019 - 21:09
sarah says:
Hey, hey, hey, hey,
Great pictures and information!
I also wonder as above about what it is like travelling there as a single woman? To go to the market etc.
Can you feel safe, do you think?
//Sarah
01 October 2019 - 14:04
Helena says:
Hi Sarah! Thank you very much! We have travelled as a couple, so it's a bit difficult to answer. My guess is that it works ok, but that you should be prepared for a different culture. I have heard from other women who have travelled alone that there have been situations where they did not think the treatment was desirable. However, I think you should feel safe, at least in "normal" areas. And, as you probably already know, it can be appropriate to dress so that you cover your shoulders and knees.
02 October 2019 - 21:13