6 Best things to do in Marrakech
Marrakech, also known as The Red City, is the most visited city within Morocco. It gets its name as the red city due to many of the buildings being made of copper clay. One of the things that makes Marrakech unique, is the mix of so many different cultures here. As you walk around the city, you can see the different influences of the European, African, and Middle Eastern cultures that give this city a certain flair. There are many things to see and do in this town, but here are the top 6 things you can’t miss doing.
Explore the Medina
In Morocco, every town has a Medina which is the main square or part of town. Typically they are filled with winding streets, beautiful colors, and sellers selling their goods. The Medina in Marrakech is actually a UNESCO World Heritage site. Take some time to wander the stalls and experience the bustle. This medina is one that is easy to get lost in and unfortunately as this is a busy tourist destination, you will be hounded by venders as well as street performers. I enjoyed the medinas in some of the other towns better and would probably recommend buying souvenirs in Essaouira if you are headed there as it is a more enjoyable experience, but it is still fun to walk around this part of town. The Jemaa El—Fnaa square is the main square in this town and is where you will find the snake tamers and monkeys. Remember, you will need to pay if you want to take a photo of them. Be careful as we heard stories about street performers placing monkeys on shoulders of unsuspecting tourists and not removing them until they were paid. Like most medinas, the locals come out more at night and this is when it starts to get more busy.
If you have the time, take one of the horse-drawn carriages that line the streets around the market. They will take you around Marrakech on a tour of the city. Make sure to bargain your price before getting into the carriage. We went on one at sunset and got a nice view of the city.
Check out the Saadian Tombs
The Saadi dynasty ruled from 1549-1659, the tombs hold the remains of the important figures from this time. After the fall of the dynasty, this area was sealed and hidden until it was discovered again in 1917. Very little information is actually given at the Saadian Tombs. Consider taking a combined tour of the Saadian Tombs and Bahia Palace which often include the cost of entrance as well. Get you Guide offers several different tours from Marrakech, including one of the tombs and palace. The things to see here is the Chamber of the 12 Pillars which is to the left as you enter. Only 2 people can view the area at a time, so just look for the line of tourists waiting. This chamber holds the tomb of Saadian Sultan Ahmad al Mansour Ed Dhabi, who built the El Badi Palace, and his sons. There are several other tombs and areas to explore in this area, but this is the main site.
Cost: 70 DH
Hours: Open daily 9am-5pm
Address: 400 Rue de la Kasbah, Marrakech
Explore Bahia Palace
Bahia Palace is markedly well preserved and is one of the top sites to see in Marrakech. The palace is also known for its extravagant painted woodwork (zouak), tile work, and marble. It was built in the late 19th century and has around 150 rooms. This is a must see for when you are in Marrakech. It will take you about an hour to wander through the public areas. As the Palace is still in use today, there are some areas where the public is not allowed to go. Don’t miss the grand courtyard (Cour d’Honneur) which has imported Italian Carrara Marble. The Bahia Palace is only about a 10 minute walk from the Saadian Tombs so its easy to do both in one day and if you are going to do a tour, they often are combined. Try to go early in the morning to avoid the crowds.
Cost: 70 DH
Hours: Open daily 9am-5pm
Walk around the Koutoubia Mosque
This is an icon for the city of Marrakech and it is not hard to spot the minaret from around the city. It was built in 1158 and the minaret stands at 253 ft (77 m) high. There are no stairs to the top of the minaret, instead a ramp where they would ride horseback to the top 5 times a day to do the call of prayer. Unfortunately, they do not allow non-Muslims to enter so you can only explore the outside. Make sure to check it out at nighttime as well when it is all lit up. If you go to the Koutoubia Gardens, there is a park leading up to it with a reflection pool that makes for some great photos. It’s also a great place to get away from the crowds for a little bit.
Enjoy nature at Jardin Majorelle Botanical Garden
This is one of the most beautiful places within Marrakech. It was originally created by Jaques Majorelle who invented the color Marjorelle blue which is a staple in this garden. In the 1980s, Yves Saint-Laurent restored this garden and made it what it is today. It is filled with lots of different species of plants, with the Majorelle Blue and yellow decor. Try to get there early because it can get packed later in the day. We got there right after it opened and were able to enjoy the scenery without the crowds. It was nice to spend some time meandering about this garden after spending the day earlier in the bustling Medina. If you want, the Berber Museum and Yves Saint-Laurent museum are both located here. Tickets can be purchased in person or online. Due to it being busy, it can save you time buying online.
Cost: 100 DH for the garden itself, 220DH as combination with garden and both museums
Hours: Open daily 9am-6pm
Website: https://www.jardinmajorelle.com/en/
Take a cooking class
If you enjoy cooking, why not learn how to cook some of the Moroccan meals that you have been enjoying so that you can make them again when you get back home. There are many places around this city that offer cooking classes. We did one where we learned how to make the classic Moroccan dish, the tagine. With Get your guide you can schedule a cooking class, if that’s not for you consider doing a food tour.
Other posts you might be interested in:
5 Can’t Miss Spots in Essaouira, Morocco
How to spend 24 hours in Rabat, Morocco
Morocco: What you need to know before you go
