Welcome to Marrakech, the red city of a thousand contrasts! Between its bustling souks, its sumptuous palaces, its lush gardens and its unique atmosphere, the pearl of southern Morocco offers the promise of a change of scenery !
In this comprehensive travel guide, discover must-do activities, good places to eat and stay, as well as all the practical information you need to organise your stay with peace of mind.
So what can you do in Marrakech? Where to eat ? And what are the must-do activities? Here’s everything you need to prepare your stay!
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Summary
Marrakech in brief
When should you go?
Prefer spring and autumn to enjoy temperatures between 24 and 35 degrees. Winter can also be very pleasant, but temperatures vary enormously it can be very cool in the morning and hot in the afternoon.
Avoid summer when the thermometer can exceed 45 degrees, as well as the period of Ramadan when fasting is an obligation in the public space and the main tourist sites (museums, monuments) close early.
How long can you stay?
4 days is the ideal length of time to give you plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere of the city and discover the must-sees.
Who is it for?
Marrakech is a bustling, noisy and fairly polluted city, so I wouldn’t recommend it to families with young children, people who have difficulty walking or those with respiratory problems.
How do I get there?
As Marrakech is a very popular tourist destination, it is served by numerous airlines from several cities.
How do you get around?
Don’t try to hire a car in Marrakech, it’s almost impossible to get around in the Medina. The easiest way to get around is on foot.
To get to the airport or other more out-of-the-way places, book a taxi or take a bus (40 centimes / 4 dirhams per journey).
What is the Medina ?
The Medina is the old part of the city, its historic heart. It is surrounded by ramparts pierced by monumental gates.
How do we communicate?
Most people in Marrakech speak english, so you’ll have no trouble talking to the locals.
How much does it cost?
This is an inexpensive destination. For 4 days / 3 nights, allow €500 per person, all inclusive (flight, hotel, visits and meals) when travelling as a couple.
What to do in Marrakech ? The 10 must-sees
Jemaa-el-Fna Square
This huge square is the vibrant heart of Marrakech. Here musicians, snake charmers and street food stalls cross paths, a real spectacle ! But be careful: don’t pay too much attention to the musicians or snake charmers, and avoid filming/photographing them, or they’ll come and ask you for money.
La Koutoubia
Just a stone’s throw from Place Jemaa-e-Fna, it’s impossible to miss the Koutoubia mosque, whoseminaret has dominated the medina at 77 metres since the 12th century – it is said to have inspired the Giralda in Seville. Reserved for Muslims, this mosque cannot be visited, but you can sometimes catch a glimpse of its interior.
The Medersa Ben Youssef
Ancient Koranic school founded in the 16th century, the Medersa Ben Youssef impresses with its refined architecture with colourful zelliges, carved woodwork and peaceful patio. A must-see!
Medersas first appeared in the East in the 11th century and spread to the Maghreb in the 13th century. Initially reserved for teaching the religious sciences, they gradually began to teach other subjects such as philosophy, geography, medicine, mathematics, etc.
The renowned Ben Youssef medersa saw an influx of students – up to 900 at any one time! – who stayed in the cells that can be seen throughout the building.
Address: rue Assouel
Hours: every day, 9am to 7pm
Prices: Dh50 (€5), Dh10 (€1) for under-12s
Pick-up: on site for a self-guided tour, online booking for a guided tour
The Saadian Tombs
This royal necropolis was built in the 16th century by the Saadian sultan Ahmed el-Mansour.
In 1654, the Alawite sultan Moulay Ismaïl ordered the destruction of all the Saadian palaces, but spared the tombs and walled off access to them. It was only in 1917 that they were rediscovered.
Three sumptuous rooms are waiting to be discovered. The most sumptuous, the Hall of the Twelve Columns, is covered from floor to ceiling in a sumptuous blend of marble, mosaics and chiselled stucco.
Address: 400 rue de la Kasbah
Hours: every day, 9am to 5pm
Fees: Dh100 (€10)
The Bahia Palace
Built at the end of the XIXᵉ century, by the grand vizier Sidi Moussa and then by his son, the Bahia Palace bears the name of the favourite ” La Belle “. It was destined to be the most sumptuous residence of its time.
Built in several stages as the surrounding houses were acquired, it is a somewhat haphazard succession of flats with a veritable maze of corridors. With its lush gardens, painted ceilings and patios adorned with zellij, it is a wonderful illustration of traditional Moroccan architecture.
Hours: every day, 9am to 5pm
Prices: Dh100 (€10)
Ticketing: on site for a self-guided tour, online booking for a guided tour.
The Souks
A veritable maze of colour and bustle, the souks of Marrakech are a shopper’s paradise. You’ll find everything from spices and textiles to jewellery, pottery and handicrafts, in an authentic and vibrant atmosphere.
Here, you’ll understand where the expression ” c’est le souk ! ” comes from: amidst the vendors, pedestrians, bikes and scooters it’s sometimes hard to make your way.
How do you negotiate in Marrakech?
It’s impossible to make a purchase in the souks without negotiating, but it’s not always easy to find the right price. It is advisable to divide the price you are offered by 4 and then gradually increase the price until you reach half the initial price.
Spice Square
Jemaa-el-Fna’s little sister, the Spice Square is a must for discovering the enchanting scents of Morocco. Here, herbalists, saffron and oriental spice sellers offer local products with a thousand colours and scents.
The Majorelle Garden
A haven of peace in the heart of the city, the jardin Majorelle, owes its existence to the painter Jacques Majorelle. The painter fell under the spell of Marrakech in 1919 and stayed here until his death in 1962.
It was in 1924 that this botanical enthusiast began building the garden, whose pools he designed amidst numerous rare species. He also had his workshops built there, covered in an intense blue that became known as “Majorelle blue”.
In 1980, Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé bought the garden and gave it a second life. It was here that the designer’s ashes were scattered.
Warning : victim of its success, the Majorelle garden is often sold out, so it is advisable to book at least one day in advance. Tickets can only be purchased online:
Address: rue Yves St Laurent
Hours: every day, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Ticketing: on site for self-guided tours, online booking for guided tours
The Jewish cemetery (Miaara)
A testament to the Jewish history of Marrakech, the Miaara Jewish Cemetery is the largest in Morocco. Its white tombs, often very simple, contrast with the hustle and bustle of the Medina and tell the story of the Jewish community that long prospered in the city.
The cemetery has 20,000 graves, including 6,000 of children who died during a typhus epidemic in the 19th century.
Hours: every day, except Saturdays, from 8am to 6pm
Fees: Dh10 (€1)
The palm grove
At the gateway to Marrakech, the Palmeraie extends over more than 13,000 hectares. Don’t expect an oasis of greenery, it’s rather sparse but gives you an idea of the environment surrounding the city. You can explore it on camelback, quad bike or buggy, for a getaway from the hustle and bustle of the medina.
Book an activity in Marrakech
Discover the city in a different way with one of these tours:
The 5 must-do activities in Marrakech
In addition to these visits, a few activities / little pleasures, are a must do:
Drink a freshly squeezed orange juice on Jemaa el Fna square.
Go to a hammam
Eat a couscous or tagine.
Taste the Moroccan pastries
Observe the city from a rooftop (you’ll find a selection in this article)
Where to stay in Marrakech ?
To make the most of the historic centre, I recommend staying in the Medina. In particular, I recommend the Riad Karmela, a little haven of peace. You’re made very welcome, the rooms are full of charm and the breakfasts and meals are excellent. A spa is also available for massage enthusiasts.
Enter the dates of your stay on the map below to see the list and prices of available establishments :
Where to eat in Marrakech ?
From couscous to tajines and street food, Moroccan cuisine is particularly tasty ! Here’s the best places to eat in Marrakech :
Uses and customs you need to know
To ensure that your stay goes as smoothly as possible, it’s important to bear in mind these few rules of life in Morocco :
Alcohol
There are very few establishments serving alcohol. Only hotels and bars frequented only by tourists sometimes serve beer or wine.
Ramadan
Moroccan Muslims are obliged to fast during Ramadan. During this period, it is essential to avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public.
Photographs
Moroccans are very careful about their image and don’t take kindly to being photographed. Many also monetise their image and may come and demand money from you if they think they’re in your lens.
Circulation
Be on your guard when moving around, especially in the narrow streets of the Medina. Bicycles, mopeds and carts often arrive at full speed and never slow down, so walk in single file along the walls!
Summary of the history of Marrakech
Founded in 1071 by the Almoravid king Youssef Ibn Tachfine, Marrakech isone of Morocco’s imperial cities. It has played a central role in the country’s history as the capital of several dynasties.
Under the Almoravids, Marrakech became an important political and commercial centre, with the construction of ramparts, medersas (schools of Koranic theology) and mosques. The Almohads (XIIᵉ century) transformed it into a prestigious city, building the Koutoubia mosque and expanding its infrastructure. From the XVIᵉ century, under the Saadians, the city experienced a new golden age with the construction of the sumptuous El Badi palace and the prosperity of its trade.
In the XVIIIᵉ century, the Alaouites moved the capital to Fez, but Marrakech retained its importance. During the colonial era (XXᵉ century), under the French protectorate (1912-1956), it became an administrative centre and attracted many artists and intellectuals.
Today, Marrakech is a dynamic city, renowned for its Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its culture, its crafts and its international tourist appeal.
Interactive map
Find all the addresses mentioned in this article on this interactive map of Marrakech.
Tip: use the right-hand menu to filter addresses by category (places to visit, restaurants…).
To know before you go
What documents do you need to travel to Marrakech ?
A visa is not required for a simple tourist stay in Morocco. On the other hand a passport is compulsory.
When you arrive in Marrakech you will have to pass through an immigration checkpoint. Allow a little time if you book a taxi, as you may have to wait a while, especially if you are one of the last to leave the plane.
Checks are also carried out before boarding, so be sure to leave enough time for your arrival at the airport.
Telephony : beware of exceeding your package !
Most French telephone packages charge very large out-of-pocket amounts for the slightest connection from Morocco. So be sure to switch off data roaming on your phone to avoid unpleasant surprises.
To communicate on the spot without any problems, anticipate and take an e-sim which will give you unlimited internet access.
Health insurance
To avoid any problems in the event of an accident in Morocco, it’s best to take out insurance for the duration of your trip.
Check your bank card’s assistance terms and conditions: some cards may cover your treatment and avoid you having to take out third-party insurance.
Banking charges
In Morocco, the currency is the dirham (Dh). Conversion is fairly straightforward as €1 = Dh10 / $1 = Dh10 / £1 = Dh 12 /
Merchants rarely accept payment by card, so be sure to always have change on you. To avoid unpleasant surprises, check with your bank before you leave to find out about any charges applied.
Small English – Arabic lexicon
In Marrakech, there are many French speakers and it will be very easy for you to communicate in French. However, if you want to integrate more easily, here are a few words in Arabic:
Hello = Salam Alekum
Bye = Bsslama
Please = Men fadlek
Thanks = Choukran
Sorry = Smahli
My name is… =Ismiyti
Yes =Wakha
No =La
No thanks =La choukran
How are you? = Labass
Happy trip to Marrakech!
All photographs illustrating this article are the property of Culturez-vous and may not be reused without written permission.
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