Things to do In Marrakech

1. Jemaa El Fna Square

Djemaa el Fna Square is the beating heart of Marrakech’s old town, bustling from morning to night. Its name translates as ‘the area of the severed heads’, as it was once the place where criminals were executed.

During the day, you’ll see water vendors in wide-brimmed hats, snake charmers, fortune tellers, traditional healers and gnaua musicians. For a few coins, they perform a show of acrobatic dancing, drumming and rattling. In the midday heat, for just 5 dirhams, you can drink plenty of cool orange juice and have your photo taken with a colourful ‘orange’ float in the background.

In the evenings, the panoramic café terraces around the square are packed with people eager to admire the graceful silhouettes of the palm trees above the medina and the fiery sunset on the horizon of the Koutoubia Minaret. At dusk, the Djemaa el Fna turns into a vast open-air restaurant, full of enticing aromas. Dozens of food carts offer traditional tagine and couscous, grilled meat and seafood, steaming lamb bowls and boiled snails. Musicians, actors, acrobats and storytellers take to the square to entertain the crowds. Tourists and locals dance to the sound of drums and try their hand at folk games.

Day and night, people, motorbikes, carts, loaded mules and carts run around the square. Be extremely careful not to get under the wheels or lose your wallet! Remember that you have to pay a baksheesh for all the pictures in the square to the heroes in the picture.

Opening hours: 24/7
Cost: Free of charge

2 Koutoubia Mosque.

Marrakech’s largest mosque is located opposite Djemaa El Fna Square, surrounded by green gardens. Its 77-metre minaret is visible from a distance of 25 km and is one of the symbols of the city.

The Koutoubia was built in the 12th century by the caliphs of the Almohad dynasty, shortly after the conquest of Marrakech. Their enemies and predecessors – the Almoravid dynasty – were declared heretics and, citing the wrong orientation of the qibla (the direction towards Mecca), they demolished all the mosques they had built. The Koutoubia became the city’s new main mosque and the symbol of the new dynasty’s power. However, the Almohads also made a mistake with the orientation of the qibla: the first building of the mosque had to be demolished and everything rebuilt.

The name Kutubia (from the Arabic word ‘kutub’ – book) comes from the book market in the area. Its simple architecture, graceful decoration and exquisitely balanced proportions have made it one of the most beautiful monuments in the Maghreb, and it has served as a model for two other famous mosques – the Giralda in Seville and the Hassan Tower in Rabat. Many tourists are amazed that the spheres on the minaret tower

average. This architectural feature is typical of all Moroccan mosques. According to one version, the three spheres symbolise the “three religions of the book”: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Another says that they symbolize 3 worlds: the underground, the earthly, and the heavenly. According to a third, they represent the 3 main shrines of Islam: the Kaaba in Mecca, the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina and the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. However, the Koutoubia tower has 4 copper spheres. Legend has it that there were originally three of them, all made of gold. One day the wife of Caliph Yakub al-Mansur broke her fast during Ramadan and ate 3 grapes before sunset. To atone for her sins, she offered up all her gold jewellery, the fourth, smallest sphere of which was melted down on her tower.

Opening hours: during prayer time
Cost: Free (for Muslims only)

3. Medina and souks in Marrakech

The way of life in the old town (medina) of Marrakech has not changed much over the centuries. This is one of the reasons it was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. All the richness, charm, and exoticism of Morocco’s southern capital are concentrated here! Here, residents wear national dress, bake bread in public bakeries, bathe in hammams, and carry supplies by donkey. Most of Marrakech’s major architectural and historical monuments are concentrated in the medina, with luxurious riads and restaurants hidden behind inconspicuous doors. However, most tourists visit the famous Marrakech bazaars…. These bazaars are divided into several specialized areas. There are grandma’s markets, spice markets, blacksmith markets, carpet markets, and so on. It is also interesting to visit the Jewish Quarter (Mela) with its ancient synagogue.

The best way to explore Medina is to hire a guide. They will show you all the secret corners, introduce you to the artisans, and tell you many interesting facts about the life of the locals. With a guide, you can avoid street bullies and beggars.

Hours: day and night
Cost: Free

4. Majorelle park

This garden was created in the 1930s by French orientalist Jacques Majorelle. It took about 40 years to create. Yves Saint Laurent was captivated by Marrakech and became one of the Western celebrities who settled in the “Red City. It was here that he found inspiration for his collections, basking in the vibrant colors and exoticism of the oriental bazaars. The gardens are famous for their rich collection of tropical plants and cacti, their beautiful ponds, and their bright blue pavilions, known as “Majorelle Blue. After Yves Saint Laurent’s death, his ashes were scattered in this garden. A simple memorial has been erected. The Berber Museum

is located in the park and requires a separate ticket. It is a very small museum that houses Yves Saint Laurent’s personal collection of Berber accessories and jewelry.

Since Parc Majorelle is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Marrakech, it is best to arrive before the park opens, before it is overrun with tourists.

Opening hours: October 1 – April 30: 08:00-17:30; May 1 – September 30: 08:00-18:00; during Ramadan: 09:00-17:00.
Fee: Park – 120 dirhams (12 euros), Berber Museum – 30 dirhams (3 euros).

5. Yves Saint Laurent Museum.

The great fashion designer’s name is inextricably linked to Marrakech. Saint Laurent first visited the red city in 1966, and since then the colors of its bustling streets and bazaars have been one of the main sources of inspiration for his work. Saint Laurent owns the Majorelle gardens and villas in Marrakech, where he visits every year to create his collections. The connection to Marrakech was so strong that it was decided that the costume designer’s ashes would be left here after his death.

In October 2017, a museum was opened in his honor in Marrakech, which, together with the museum of the same name in Paris, presents to the public some 5,000 garments and 15,000 haute couture accessories in an ever-changing exhibition. At the museum in Marrakech, visitors can see about 50 of the designer’s creations, sketches, and photographs. In addition, there are special exhibitions on fashion, contemporary art, design, and anthropology. The museum’s architecture, which seems to recreate the texture of fabrics, deserves special mention. A visit takes at least 30 minutes.

Opening hours: 10:00-18:00. The museum is closed on Wednesdays.
Cost: 100 dirhams (10 euros). Combined ticket (Mayoral Gardens, Berber Museum, Yves Saint Laurent Museum) – 220 cents (22 euros).

6. Bahia Palace.

The Bahia Palace (“beautiful palace”) in the center of the Marrakech medina is the main architectural feature of the city and is definitely worth a visit: it was built in the 18th century for the advisors of Sultan Hassan I. It was later extended by the Sultan’s son, who lived here with his four wives, 24 concubines, and many children; in 1912, the palace was taken over by General Liot, leader of the French Protectorate of Morocco. The total area of the palace is about 8 hectares, but only some of its 150 rooms are open to visitors.

The Bahia Palace is known for its lavish decorations in the classical Moroccan style. The patio is filled with exotic plants and a fountain decorated with mosaics emits a murmuring sound. The space is divided by elegant columns, alcoves, and arches. The semi-darkened halls are decorated with wood paintings, openwork stonework, and Zelig mosaics, while the ceilings and niches are adorned with domed muccanavas, resembling honeycombs. The stained glass shines with iridescent colors in the sunlight. Unfortunately, the decoration of the hall has not been preserved, but it is not difficult to imagine how magnificent the palace must have been in times past.

The palace has been rebuilt so many times that it is a labyrinthine structure. A tour of the palace takes about an hour. During the high season, the patios and pavilions can be very busy with a large number of visitors. If you don’t like crowds, you may wish to visit the smaller but equally beautiful Dar El Bacha instead of the Bahia Palace.

Opening hours: 09:00-17:00.
Cost: 70 dirhams (7 euros).

7. Ben Youssef Madrasah

Ben Youssef Madrasah is one of the major masterpieces of Moroccan Islamic art. Named after the Almoravid Sultan Ali ibn Youssef, who built it, this madrasa is the largest in Morocco. Its construction lasted from the 14th to the 16th century. 130 student rooms are spread around a spacious patio richly decorated with cedar wood carvings, stucco, marble, and mosaics. The pool in the center of the patio used to be a bathing place.

Opening hours. The madrassa is currently closed for restoration and its opening hours are constantly changing.
Cost: –

8. Almoravid Kuba

The Almoravids were a warlike and pious Berber dynasty that founded Marrakech in the 11th century. From here, their empire expanded throughout Morocco and parts of the Iberian Peninsula. Thanks to their efforts, Marrakech became a prosperous capital with beautiful gardens, palaces, and mosques. Today, the only thing left from that era is the Kouba, built-in 1117. All other monuments from the Almoravid era were destroyed by the orders of the Almohad dynasty that replaced them. Initially, the building was used as a place of ablution on the territory of a large mosque, which has now disappeared. It had a system of toilets, showers and taps, with water flowing from underground through bronze pipes. The decorative style of the Kuba, with its vegetal decorations, rectangular arches, and domes, had a great influence on Moroccan architecture, and the complex forms of windows became the hallmark of Almoravid architecture. On the foundations of the Kouba, one can see the oldest example of Maghreb cursive writing in North Africa. The building is located below ground level and was excavated in 1952. This is clear evidence that the cultural layers of the Marrakech Medina have developed considerably over the course of a thousand years.

Opening hours: Currently not open to the public, but you can enjoy the view from the outside.
Cost: –

9. Menebhi Palace – Marrakech Museum

This Arab-Andalusian-style palace was built in the 19th century. It was built for the Sultan’s ministers. Today, this richly decorated palace building houses the Marrakech Private Museum, which has two sections: one for traditional heritage (calligraphy, manuscripts, coins, and ancient jewelry) and the other for temporary exhibitions of contemporary art. The museum is located next to Ben Yousef Madrassah (currently being reconstructed) and Almoravid Kubba. All three of these monuments can be visited with one ticket. If you have limited time, the Marrakech Museum can be skipped.

Opening hours: from 09:00 to 17:00, closed days – Tuesday
Cost: 50 dirhams (5 euros)

10 Mausoleum of the Sa’d dynasty

The mausoleum of the Sa’d dynasty is a richly decorated 16th-century architectural monument in the center of the medina in Marrakech. The remains of some 60 members of the clan are buried here. Soldiers and servants of the family are buried in the tomb, which was fenced off in the 17th century by order of Moulay Ismail, Sultan of the Alawi dynasty, to erase the memory of his ancestor. The tomb was only rediscovered in 1917 when the French took aerial photographs of the area.

Opening hours: 09:00-17:00
Cost: 70 dirhams (7 euros).

11. Ruins of El Badi Palace

The El Badi Palace (Arabic for “the unrivaled palace”) was built in 1578, inspired by the architecture of the Alhambra, for the Sultan Ahmed Mansour of the Sa’d dynasty. The palace consists of 360 rooms, a courtyard, and a swimming pool, richly decorated with Italian marble and the Sultan’s gold. There was also a tunnel-shaped underground prison where the monarch kept his prisoners. Their residence fell into ruin soon after the fall of the Sa’ad dynasty. At the beginning of the 18th century, the palace was demolished by the order of Sultan Moulay Ismail Alawites, and its materials were used to build the Meccan Palace and other buildings. Today all that remains are impressive ruins, with a huge courtyard in the center. From the ruined walls of the palace, you can admire the view of the medina and the snow-capped Atlas Mountains, chosen by the stork.

Opening hours: from 9:00 to 17:00
Cost: 70 dirhams (7 euros)

12. Dar El Basha Palace

The Dar El Basha Palace (meaning “the house of the Pasha”) was built in 1910 for the Pasha (ruler) of Marrakech, Tami El Glaoui. The palace was renovated in 2017 and opened to the public as a museum of cultural integration. Dar El Basha is a beautiful example of Moorish architecture with its terrace. The cozy terrace has a mosaic fountain and is planted with orange trees. The rooms of the palace are decorated with carved ceilings, painted doors, zellige mosaics, marble slabs and stone carvings. Ever-changing exhibitions showcase different aspects of Moroccan culture.

Opening hours: from 10:00 to 18:00.
Cost: 60 dirhams (6 euros)

13. secret garden

This magnificent Arab-Andalusian garden in the heart of the medina opened in 2016, but its history dates back to the 16th century when the Saudi Sultan Moulay Abdullah built his palace here. It was rebuilt many times, changed owners many times, and was neglected for a long time until two Italians purchased the property in 2008. During the renovation of the riad, an untouched underground irrigation channel was discovered. Thus was born the idea of reconstructing the garden.

The Secret Garden is divided into two parts: a section with a collection of exotic plants and cacti from the five continents and an Islamic garden that embodies heaven on earth through an order of geometric shapes. Climbing the highest tower in the medina, visitors can admire the old city, the Atlas Mountains, and the minaret of Koutoubia.

Hours: February-October – 09:30-18:30, March-September – 09:30-19:30, November-January – 09:30-18:00.
Fee: Gardens – 80 dirhams (8 euros), entrance to the tower – 40 dirhams (4 euros).

No. 14 Dar Cee Said

Built-in the late 19th century for Shi Said, brother of Bou Ahmed, Grand Vizier of Marrakech, this palace is a living embodiment of Moroccan craftsmanship; it is an imposing two-story building with several charming green terraces. The main hall with its high dome is particularly worthy of admiration. Today, Dar Seaside houses the Moroccan Museum of Fine Arts, where visitors can see carved barns, Tuareg bags, pottery, embroidery, carpets, weapons, Berber jewelry, and more. Perhaps most interesting, however, is the architecture and decoration of the building itself. This is a pleasant garden, not as touristy as the Bahia Palace, where you can relax and enjoy the sounds of birds and fountains.

Opening hours…
Tuesdays 30 dirhams (3 euros)

15th Menara Garden

Menara Garden was founded in the 12th century. Abd el-Mumin was the ruler of Almohad. There is a large olive grove with a lake in the middle. On the shores of the lake, where carp swim, is an elegant pavilion with a green-tiled roof built in the 16th century. The pond was used to irrigate the surrounding gardens, and the pavilion was a summer retreat for the sultan. An ancient hydraulic system still supplies water to the gardens from the surrounding hills 30 km away. The picture-postcard view of the pavilion from the pond, with the Atlas Mountains in the background, is worth a 30-minute stop in the gardens. The gardens themselves are of little interest and are only popular with locals relaxing in the shade on hot days.

Hours: 08:00-18:00.
Fee: Garden: Free, Pavilion: 70 dirhams (7 euros).

16. House of Photography (Maison de la photographie)

This private museum in Medina, Marrakech, exhibits old Moroccan photographs from 1870 to 1950. Here are some of the titles of the museum’s exhibitions. “Moroccan women”, “Moroccan Jews”, “Morocco in the era of modernization”, “Marrakech from a bird’s eye view”… Many of the photographs presented in the exhibition are available for purchase. After the exhibition, visitors can enjoy Moroccan tea on the panoramic terrace.

Opening hours: from 9:30 am to 7:00 pm.
Charge: 50 dirhams (5 euros).

17 Dar Cherifa.

An old building is hidden in the heart of Marrakech’s bazaar. Its history can be read from the lace carvings in the plaster and wood. Built during the Saadian period (late 15th/early 16th century), the Sheriff’s Gift is truly a hidden treasure. Today, the Gift of the Sherif is one of the most important cultural scenes in the Red City, hosting art exhibitions, literary and musical meetings, storytelling sessions and classes in Arabic calligraphy and ceramics. There’s also a good restaurant and café inside, so why not pop in for a cup of Moroccan tea?

Opening hours: 10:00-00:00, Wednesday until 19:00
Entrance: free of charge

18. leather dye factory in Marrakech (Marrakech Tanneries)

If you don’t plan to visit Fez, Morocco’s famous leather dye factories can also be seen in Marrakech. Although they are not as well known as in Fez, their skills are evident. Leather dyeing has been a traditional Moroccan art since the 11th century. Pigeon droppings, natural pigments, various acids and cow urine are used to soften and color the leather. Therefore, there is a distinctive smell, so visitors should be prepared! The tour can be done without a guide but is more interesting with one (negotiate the price in advance).

Opening hours None (open during the day).
Cost Free

19. Museum of Arts and Culture of Marrakech (MACMA)

This museum, located in the area of the new city of Gueliz, opened in February 2016 and displays Moroccan art, photography, paintings, furniture, jewelry, ceramics, and other objects. In the permanent exhibition, visitors can see around 80 works by European oriental artists. The permanent exhibition includes around 80 works by European Orientalist artists such as Delacroix, Legrand, Majorelle and Herrera. Special exhibitions highlight various themes and aspects of Moroccan art, such as rural painting, the female figure in the paintings of Moroccan artists, and Morocco in film posters. Thematic meetings and conferences are also held here. It is a small but pleasant museum worth a stop during a walk in Gueliz. The tour lasts about 30 minutes.

Opening hours: from 10:00 to 19:00, in Ramadan – from 10:00 to 17:00, closed on Sundays.
80 dirhams (€8).

20. Museum of Contemporary African Art (MACAAL)

This museum is located in the center of Marrakech’s Al Marden golf resort. Here you can see installations, sculptures, paintings and photographs by more than 40 African artists. The museum’s exhibitions are constantly renewed: in addition to the 900 m2, here you can also see the sculpture park created in 2013 by artists from all over the world. On the lower floor of the museum, there is a café and a boutique with works by young designers.

Opening hours: 10:00-18:00.
Fee: 40 dirhams (4 euros).

Of course, this is not a complete list of attractions in the Berber capital of Morocco. We have listed only the most interesting ones. Besides these, there are many other small private museums and art galleries. Even a week is not enough to visit them all!