The buzzy city of Marrakech is teeming with top sights to see, totally unique attractions and historic landmarks that will knock your socks off. To help you whip up your city break itinerary, we’ve pulled together a guide of the top ten things to do in Marrakech.
How handy is that?
- Jemaa el-Fnaa
- Jardin Majorelle
- Yves Saint Laurent Museum
- Eat a tagine
- Souk Semmarine
- Bahia Palace
- Drink mint tea
- Saadian Tombs
- Palmeraie
- Koutoubia Mosque
Visit Jemaa el-Fnaa
Head straight to the heart of the city and experience it at its most authentic. This is the largest market square in Marrakech and it’s the perfect place to start if you like a bit of hustle and bustle. See locals going about their day and tourists haggling for the best prices at the hundreds of market stalls.
Enjoy the sights, sounds and scents as you work your way around and keep an eye out for the street performers. Whether visiting in the morning or at night, there’s never a dull moment!
Wander Jardin Majorelle
Escape the noise of the city in this tranquil green space. It was originally designed by French artist Jacques Majorelle, before it was bought and restored by renowned fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent in 1980.
A stroll through the gardens will uncover cobalt-blue buildings, exotic flora and serene water features. This enchanting garden captivates visitors with its unique charm and allure. It’s a really popular attraction around here, so booking your tickets online is recommended to guarantee your entry!
Visit Yves Saint Laurent Museum
Fashion fan? Make a beeline for this fascinating museum that’s dedicated to the life and work of legendary fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent. It’s on the same site as Jardin Majorelle, so you might as well tick this off while you’re there!
Visit the bookshop, sip a coffee in Le Studio café and admire the unique, landscaped areas. The Yves Saint Laurent exhibition hall is where you can see pieces of his iconic collections up-close. There are also temporary exhibitions that update regularly.
Sample a tagine dish
You can’t come to Morocco without trying a classic North African tagine. The authentic recipe features chicken, lamb or beef, alongside Moroccan spices and local, easy-to-get-hold-of ingredients. These can be anything from dried apricots, almonds and raisins to squash and honey. Not forgetting about that punchy flavour – harissa is usually in there for a kick.
The name of the dish comes from the cooking pot that’s used in the process. These clay pots are placed in the oven until the stew inside is cooked to perfection. The best bit? There are vegetarian and vegan versions available too!
Shop at Souk Semmarine
Bit of a shopaholic? Love picking up quirky souvenirs unique to the area to take home? Souk Semmarine will be right up your street! But it’s a whole world away from your usual trip to the shops. This bustling open market houses hundreds of stalls selling all kinds of weird and wonderful items. Colourful fabrics, Berber carpets, traditional Moroccan lanterns, spices piled high... the list goes on!
It can get quite busy in there so keep your wits about you and don’t be afraid to haggle with stallholders to bag the best prices.
Explore Bahia Palace
This is exquisite architecture at its very best. You’ll be stunned by the intricate design and craftsmanship of the 19th-century Bahia Palace. It features 160 extravagant rooms, picturesque courtyards and eight acres of lavish gardens.
Wander through the rooms and walk in the footsteps of royals who once called this place home. Adorned with thousands of colourful tiles, it’s a showstopping example of traditional Moroccan design.
Entry costs around £5 for an adult and with many religious sites across the country, ‘modest’ dress is required, so shoulders and knees must be covered.
Sip an authentic mint tea
To wash down your cous cous tagine, there’s only one thing for it – the national drink of Morocco! It’s a simple yet super-tasty drink which features gunpowder green tea, spearmint leaves and sugar. It’s poured out of a fancy silver teapot into dainty glasses.
It’s a real occasion in Morocco where locals will sit down to a nice chat over a dinky glass of mint tea. They might even love their tea as much as us Brits do!
See the Saadian Tombs
Tick off one of the area’s top historic sights! The Saadian Tombs are a hidden historical gem that date back to the 16th century. This royal tomb houses ornate mausoleums of Saadian dynasty members. The most interesting part? It laid untouched for centuries and was only rediscovered in 1917! Today, the site is filled with intricate Moroccan architecture and serene gardens, offering a glimpse into the city's rich past and regal heritage. Entry costs around £5 per person.
Wander through Palmeraie
Just on the city’s northern edge, you’ll find the pretty palm groves of Marrakech. This arid space stretches for around five miles and is home to thousands of towering palm trees. It’s a mini oasis outside of the busy city where you can ride a camel, enjoy a quad bike tour or journey to an old Berber village to learn more about the country’s unique culture and heritage.
Admire the Koutoubia Mosque
This is the biggest mosque in the city and it’s right next to Jemaa el-Fnaa. You’ll spot the terracotta minaret before anything else as it towers high above the manicured gardens that surround it. In fact, it reaches a whopping 253-feet high and no building in the city is allowed to be built higher than this.
The mosque is usually closed to the general public, but you might catch a glimpse of the inside if you’re visiting on a Friday as it opens for prayer.
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Posted: 18th Oct 2023.