A visit to Morocco isn’t complete without staying in Marrakech for a few days. The medina of the red city charms almost every traveller with her beautiful chaos while staying in a riad eases their body and mind. The combination of those two aspects make Marrakech a delight to visit and we haven’t even spoken about the stunning tourist attractions and restaurant scene.
We carefully selected some of the best things to do in Marrakech and crafted them into this handy guide.
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10 Incredible things to do in Marrakech, Morocco
1. Admire the Ben Youssef Madrassa
Once the largest Islamic College with around 900 students at its peak. When you walk your way from the crowded souks into the Madrasa you immediately feel a sense of calm. With mind-blowing Traditional Moroccan Architecture, this is one of the most Instagrammable places in Marrakech.
This one was really high on our bucket list, but when we arrived at the entrance we found out that they are currently closed because of renovation.
Where | Ben Youssef Madrasa, Marrakech
Opening hours | Daily 09:00 – 19:00
Cost | Entrance fee 70 MAD (€6,57) per person
2. Get lost in the twisting laneways of the Marrakech Medina
Are you one of those people that loves to get lost wandering unknown places? A Medina can be a maze and will definitely confuse you where to go, which makes it one of the most exciting things to do in Marrakech.
With thousands of narrow streets and handcrafted stalls that all look the same, you will have a big chance of getting lost. But to be honest, it’s really great to feel the vibe and see what’s going on in the medina of Marrakech. To be sure you will find your way back, download and have Maps.me prepared to save the day.
3. Roam around the Koutoubia Mosque
The Koutoubia Mosque is the largest mosque in the city and is located on walking distance of the Djemaa El Fna town square. It is one of the things you can’t miss when walking around Marrakech. You can even use it as a recognition point while strolling through the souks of the medina. A thing that can come in handy is that you know it’s not accessible for non Muslims. But your walk along the gardens in front of the mosque will be quite satisfying instead.
4. Admire the ruins of El Badi Palace
On the edge of the southern part of the Marrakech Medina, you will find a palace that took 25 years to build. And if you walk amongst the ruins of the El Badi Palace you understand why. The size of the palace is unbelievable and it is hard to believe it can be found inside a city like Marrakech. There is always something satisfying about exploring ruins and walking between these huge walls confirms that once again.
Keep in mind that a visit to the El Badi Palace can quickly add up to a trip of two-three hours. But as one of Marrakech’s most famous tourist attractions this should fit in your itinerary just fine. The entrance fee to the El Badi Palace is 10 Dirham and the location makes it easy to combine with a visit to the Saadian Tombs.
Where | El Badi Palace, Marrakech
Opening hours | Daily 09:00 – 17:00
Cost | Entrance fee 10 MAD (€0,94) per person
5. Spent the night in an authentic riad
Ever since Marrakech first appeared on my radar, one question repeatedly came to mind; have you truly been to Marrakech if you haven’t spent at least one night in a traditional riad?
To me, it’s simple; there’s only one correct answer to the question and that’s no.
You see, these traditional Moroccan houses offer an authentic insight into traditional Moroccan culture, while also providing an oasis of calm amidst the hectic streets of the Marrakech Medina.
During my time exploring the beautiful city of Marrakech, I was lucky enough to spend 4 nights at the incredible Riad Kheirredine.
Nestled in the bustling streets of the medina, at around a 15-minute walk from Djemaa El Fna, Riad Kheirredine is an exceptional riad marked by several exquisite open-air courtyards, gorgeous traditional Moroccan tile-work & wood carvings, and the most friendly staff ever.
Add to that their mouth-watering cuisine, an outdoor pool with a sun terrace, and tailored-fit assistance throughout your entire stay, and Riad Kheirredine is up there with the absolute best riads in Marrakech!
Given staying in a riad is likely atop of most travellers’ list of ‘things to do in Marrakech’, and the fact that my stay at Riad Kheirredine was absolutely amazing, I’ve also written an in-depth article on my stay here – which you can read here.
Book | Riad Kheirredine
Cost | Luxurious doubles start at €255,- a night.
+ Continue reading | Looking to find out why Riad Kheirredine is among the best riads in Marrakech, read my in-depth review here.
6. Hangout in one of Marrakech’s trendy restaurants
When it comes to food Marrakech will most definitely stimulate your senses. Traditional dishes and high-quality Fusion restaurants make Marrakech a unique travel destination for foodies.
One of those traditional dishes in Morocco is tagine, a dish that is slowly cooked in a clay cooking pot. This signature dish is prepared with veggies, beef, chicken or lamb depending on your preference. One thing is for sure, it is packed with lovely herbs and spices and you can order the dish at almost every corner.
NOMAD Marrakech | A place that you probably already know is NOMAD. A trendy restaurant with rooftop view in the heart of the medina that serves traditional dishes with a modern twist. Because of the high interest, it is recommended to book a table in advance.
Le Jardin Marrakech | Le Jardin really set the tone for us. When arriving at the restaurant you escape the chaotic medina and enter a garden of calm. The cosy atmosphere and inspiring fusion dishes make this restaurant a trendy, hip and intimate hotspot.
The contrast between the lively city and trendy hotspots make Marrakech the perfect destination for foodies and like-minded travellers.
7. Visit the opulent Saadian Tombs
If you walk around the Saadian tombs you can see how much beauty and detail they put in every room.
The amount of money that went into this architectural piece must have been immense. When you walk in the garden of the tombs you get invited to calm down and be fully present in the moment.
But that is only when you visit the tombs early in the morning or late in the afternoon. To enter the tombs you must pay an entrance fee of 65 Dirham.
Where | Saadian’s Tombs, Marrakech
Opening hours | Daily 09:00 – 17:00
Cost | Entrance fee 65 MAD (€6,10) per person
8. Explore the Bahia Palace
The Bahia Palace is one of the masterpieces of Moroccan architecture. Bahia Palace meaning brilliance in Arabic is a must-see historical museum in the middle of the medina. With a surface of 8000 square meters and around 160 rooms, it was intended to be one of the most impressive palaces in Marrakech. It costs only 10 Dirhams to enter and have a look at this beautifully decorated piece of architecture.
Where | Bahia Palace Marrakech
Opening hours | Daily, 09.00 – 16.45
Cost | Entrance fee 70 MAD (€6,60) per person
9. Immerse yourself in the gardens of Le Jardin Majorelle
Although the botanical gardens and resting place of Yves Saint Laurent contain plants from five continents, don’t expect an oasis of calm. Le Jardin Majorelle is one of the busiest tourist attractions of Marrakech, nevertheless, it is a lust for the eye. The iconic blue buildings in contrast to the garden make an attractive scene.
Try to plan your visit as soon as the doors open or you will have to find yourself a corner where you can enjoy the calm among thousands of other tourists. If you want to enter the garden it costs you 70 Dirhams and 30 extra if you want to visit the Yves Saint Laurent Museum.
Where | Le Jardin Majorelle
Opening hours | Daily 09:00 – 17:00
Cost | Entrance fee 100 MAD (€9,40) per person
10. Experience the hustle and bustle at Jemaa el-Fnaa
The famous Jemaa el-Fnaa is the heart of the medina and will be the starting point when exploring the medina. At the town square, you will see different forms of entertainment and there is always something going on.
During the day this place is not that overwhelming yet, but when the sun sets it turns into a cheerful but chaotic site. Musicians playing their instruments, restaurants opening their buffets and artists trying to grab your arm to put on a henna tattoo. On your first day in Marrakech, this can be quite overwhelming so prepare yourself.
Not our favorite place, because they will do almost everything to get the money out of your pocket. They even have monkeys chained to do tricks. We used it only as a starting point when entering the medina.
Where | Jemaa el-Fnaa, Marrakech
Things to do in Marrakech | The essentials
Safety in Morocco | Travel insurance
When travelling this big wide world, I never go on an adventure without my essential travel insurance sorted out, and though I felt safe in Morocco, I recommend anyone travelling here to do the same.
Though you rather don’t think about the things that could go wrong, there’s always a chance that something happens, and when that’s the case, it is better to be safe than sorry.
To help you find the right policy, I’ve listed two of my favourite options below:
Heymondo | Whether you’re going on a 3-week backpacking trip, or planning a long stay somewhere abroad, Heymondo has excellent insurance options either way – plus full covid-19 coverage and a handy app with 24-hour medical assistance. Readers of WTSW receive 5% off any insurance policy, more information here.
World Nomads | If you’re an adventure seeker, backpacker, or planning your once-in-a-lifetime world trip, make sure you check out World Nomads, they designed the perfect travel insurance to help you travel safer and smarter. Do note that they’re not covering covid-19 related claims.
Cheers!
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