Best Things to Do in Marrakech Morocco
The call to prayer echoed across the rooftops as I stood on my riad’s terrace, watching the sun dip behind the Atlas Mountains. Below me, the medina was waking up for its evening performance—shopkeepers lighting lanterns, the scent of tagine drifting through narrow alleys, and somewhere in the distance, the hypnotic rhythm of Gnawa music. That was my first evening in Marrakech, and I knew instantly this city would get under my skin. If you’re searching for the best things to do in Marrakech Morocco, you’re about to discover a place that rewards the curious and overwhelms the senses in the most beautiful way possible.
After countless visits over the years, I’ve learned that Marrakech isn’t a city you conquer in a weekend. It reveals itself slowly, through wrong turns that lead to hidden treasures, through conversations with artisans who’ve practiced their craft for generations, and through moments of unexpected beauty around every corner. Let me share what I’ve discovered.
1. Lose Yourself in the Medina
I’ll be honest—the first time I walked into Marrakech’s medina, I was completely lost within fifteen minutes. And that’s exactly as it should be. The UNESCO-listed medina is one of the largest in North Africa, a labyrinth of over 600 streets where GPS becomes useless and your instincts take over. The Marrakech medina attractions alone could fill an entire week of exploration.
Start at Jemaa el-Fnaa, the main square that transforms throughout the day. Mornings bring fresh orange juice vendors (10 dirhams for a glass, never pay more), afternoons see snake charmers and henna artists, and by evening, the entire square becomes an open-air restaurant with smoke rising from dozens of food stalls. My advice? Skip the touristy stalls near the edges and head deeper in, where locals actually eat. The lamb mechoui at stall 31 changed my understanding of what slow-cooked meat could be.
2. Wander Through the Historic Souks
The souks of Marrakech are organized by trade, a system dating back centuries. Following your nose through these covered markets is one of the essential Marrakech sightseeing experiences. The leather tanners occupy their own quarter near Bab Debbagh, where you’ll be handed mint to hold under your nose (trust me, you’ll need it). The spice souk near Rahba Kedima smells like a thousand kitchens cooking at once—cumin, saffron, ras el hanout in pyramids of color.
I spent an entire afternoon in the carpet souk once, drinking too much mint tea with a merchant named Hassan who showed me how to distinguish a genuine Berber rug from a factory reproduction. “Feel the back,” he said. “If it’s rough, a woman made it by hand in the mountains. If it’s smooth, a machine made it yesterday.” I walked out three hours later with a carpet I hadn’t planned to buy and a friend I still visit whenever I’m in town.
3. Explore the Stunning Palaces and Gardens
Marrakech’s royal heritage has left behind some extraordinary spaces. The Bahia Palace is my personal favorite—its name means “brilliance,” and walking through its succession of courtyards and chambers, you understand why. The zellige tilework and carved cedar ceilings took master craftsmen fourteen years to complete. Go early, around 9 AM, before the tour groups arrive.
For gardens, nothing compares to Jardin Majorelle. Yes, it’s famous. Yes, it’s crowded. But the cobalt blue buildings against those towering cacti and bougainvillea create something genuinely magical. Yves Saint Laurent restored these gardens in the 1980s, and his ashes are scattered here. The adjacent Berber Museum is worth your time too—small but thoughtfully curated. Budget about 70 dirhams for entry and plan to spend at least two hours exploring these Marrakech points of interest.
4. Experience a Traditional Hammam
You haven’t truly experienced Marrakech until you’ve been scrubbed within an inch of your life in a traditional hammam. The local neighborhood hammams cost around 20 dirhams and offer an authentic experience—but unless you speak Arabic and know the etiquette, I’d suggest starting with a tourist-friendly option like Hammam de la Rose or Le Bain Bleu.
My first hammam experience was mildly terrifying. A woman who looked like someone’s grandmother proceeded to exfoliate my skin with a kessa glove until I was convinced I’d leave several layers thinner. She was right, of course. I’ve never felt cleaner in my life. Most hammam sessions run 200-500 dirhams depending on treatments, and I recommend booking for late afternoon—it’s the perfect way to recover from a day of medina exploration.
5. Discover Hidden Riads and Rooftop Terraces
The magic of Marrakech architecture reveals itself behind closed doors. Riads—traditional houses built around interior courtyards—hide extraordinary beauty behind plain exterior walls. Many have been converted to guesthouses, and staying in one is among the most authentic things to do in Marrakech Morocco. Dar Attajmil in the medina became my home base years ago, and watching the stars from its rooftop while the muezzin calls the faithful to prayer remains one of my favorite travel memories.
Even if you’re not staying in a riad, seek out rooftop terraces for sunset. Nomad restaurant near the spice market offers incredible views alongside modern Moroccan cuisine. Le Jardin is another gem—a hidden garden restaurant where you’ll dine under banana trees and fairy lights. These elevated perspectives show you a Marrakech that ground-level exploration misses entirely.
6. Take a Cooking Class
If you want to bring Marrakech home with you, learn to cook its food. Several riads and cooking schools offer classes that start with a market tour—you’ll learn to select the ripest tomatoes, the freshest mint, the best cuts of lamb. Then you’ll spend the morning chopping, stirring, and discovering why Moroccan food requires patience.
I took a class at La Maison Arabe where a patient instructor named Fatima taught me that the secret to a perfect tagine is layering—onions caramelized until almost burnt, meat seared just so, vegetables added in stages. The preserved lemons you make yourself taste nothing like what comes from a jar. Classes typically run 400-700 dirhams and include the meal you’ve prepared. Worth every dirham.
7. Day Trip to the Atlas Mountains
When the medina’s intensity becomes overwhelming—and it will—the Atlas Mountains offer perfect contrast. Just an hour’s drive from the chaos, you’ll find Berber villages clinging to mountainsides, terraced gardens, and air so clean it feels like drinking water. The Ourika Valley makes an easy half-day trip, with waterfalls to hike to and riverside restaurants serving fresh trout.
For something more ambitious, arrange a trip to Imlil, the gateway to Mount Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak. You don’t need to summit anything—the village itself rewards visitors with genuine hospitality and landscapes that make you understand why Berber culture centers on these mountains. Day trips run 300-600 dirhams through local operators, and I recommend going with a guide who knows the families in these villages.
Practical Tips for Your Visit
The best time to visit Marrakech is October through April when temperatures are manageable. Summer months regularly exceed 40°C, which makes medina exploration genuinely unpleasant. Spring brings the roses in the Dades Valley if you’re extending your Marrakech travel guide into a broader Morocco trip.
For getting around, walking is best within the medina—taxis can only reach the edges anyway. Small taxis (beige colored) are cheap for longer distances within the city; insist on the meter or agree on a price before getting in. Twenty dirhams gets you most places.
A note on bargaining: it’s expected and can be fun if you approach it right. Start at about 30% of the asking price and meet somewhere in the middle. But here’s what took me years to learn—if a price feels fair to you, pay it. These artisans work incredibly hard, and the difference of a few dirhams means more to them than to you.
Final Thoughts
Marrakech isn’t always comfortable. It’s loud and persistent and occasionally exhausting. Vendors will call to you constantly, the heat can be oppressive, and you will get lost. But somewhere between the chaos and the beauty, this city works its magic. I’ve returned more times than I can count, and each visit reveals something new—a hidden courtyard, a perfect meal, a conversation that changes how I see the world.
The best things to do in Marrakech Morocco aren’t really about checking boxes on a list. They’re about surrendering to the experience, letting the city lead you somewhere unexpected, and being open to whatever you find there. That rooftop moment watching the sunset over the Atlas Mountains? It’s waiting for you too.
