Marrakech, Morocco: travel guide
The Red City — imperial capital of the south famed for the Jemaa el-Fnaa square, sprawling souks, palaces and gardens ringed by the High Atlas.
- Country
- Morocco
- Currency
- MAD
- Time zone
- Africa/Casablanca
- Nearest airport
- RAK
Top places to visit in Marrakech
Jemaa el-Fnaa
Cultural · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h
The pulsing main square of Marrakech and a UNESCO Masterpiece of Oral Heritage — orange-juice carts and snake charmers by day, food stalls, musicians and storytellers by night.
Bahia Palace
Heritage · 4.3 rating · about 1.3 h · entry MAD 100
A late-19th-century palace of painted cedar ceilings, zellige courtyards and tranquil gardens, built for a grand vizier — a showcase of Moroccan craftsmanship.
Ben Youssef Madrasa
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · entry MAD 100
Once the largest Quranic school in North Africa, this 14th-century (rebuilt 16th-century) college dazzles with carved cedar, stucco and zellige around a reflecting courtyard.
Saadian Tombs
Heritage · 3.8 rating · about 0.8 h · entry MAD 100
The lavishly decorated 16th-century mausoleum of the Saadian dynasty, sealed for centuries and rediscovered in 1917 — its Chamber of Twelve Columns is a masterpiece.
Yves Saint Laurent Museum
Museum · 4.0 rating · about 1 h · entry MAD 150
A striking terracotta-brick museum beside Jardin Majorelle dedicated to the couturier, with a rotating haute-couture collection and a research library.
Menara Gardens
Nature · 4.1 rating · about 0.8 h
A serene 12th-century olive-grove garden around a large reflecting basin, with a photogenic pavilion framed by the snow-capped Atlas on clear days.
Jardin Majorelle
Nature · 4.4 rating · about 1.3 h · entry MAD 170
The cobalt-blue villa and exotic botanical garden created by Jacques Majorelle and restored by Yves Saint Laurent — cacti, bamboo and lily pools. Book timed tickets ahead.
Koutoubia Mosque
Mosque · 4.6 rating · about 0.5 h
The 12th-century Almohad mosque whose 77m minaret is the tallest landmark in Marrakech and the template for the Giralda in Seville. Non-Muslims admire it from the surrounding gardens.
Le Jardin Secret
Heritage · 4.2 rating · about 1 h · entry MAD 100
A restored riad complex in the heart of the medina with an Islamic-Andalusian garden, an exotic garden and a tower climb over the rooftops.
El Badi Palace
Heritage · 4.2 rating · about 1 h · entry MAD 100
The ruined 16th-century "Incomparable" palace of Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur — vast sunken gardens, storks nesting on the ramparts and panoramic terrace views.
Musee de Marrakech
Museum · 4.0 rating · about 0.8 h · entry MAD 60
Housed in the ornate late-19th-century Dar Menebhi palace, this museum shows Moroccan art and artefacts beneath a spectacular central chandelier.
Souks of Marrakech
Market · 4.3 rating · about 2 h
The labyrinth of covered markets north of Jemaa el-Fnaa — Semmarine, the dyers' souk, metalworkers and leather — the classic Marrakech bargaining maze.
Things to do
- Marrakech Medina & Souks Guided Walking Tour Tour · 3 h · from MAD 250 per person
- Moroccan Cooking Class in the Medina Culinary · 4 h · from MAD 450 per person
- Hot Air Balloon Flight over the Palmeraie Adventure · 4 h · from MAD 2,200 per person
- Traditional Hammam & Spa Ritual Wellness · 2 h · from MAD 400 per person
- Agafay Desert Sunset, Camel Ride & Dinner Excursion · 6 h · from MAD 700 per person
- Ourika Valley & High Atlas Day Trip Day Trip · 9 h · from MAD 350 per person
Day trips and tours
- Agafay Desert & Sunset Dinner 6 h · from MAD 700
- Ourika Valley & Atlas Foothills Day Tour 8 h · from MAD 350
Where to stay in Marrakech
- Medina about MAD 900 per night
Stay in a traditional riad steps from Jemaa el-Fnaa and the souks — atmospheric, central, but reached on foot down narrow lanes.
- Gueliz about MAD 800 per night
The modern new town with wide avenues, cafes, galleries and easy taxi access — quieter and more convenient for first-timers.
- Hivernage about MAD 1,400 per night
Leafy district of upscale hotels, spas and nightlife between the medina and Gueliz.
Hotels
- Riad BE Marrakech 3-star · MAD 900 to MAD 1,600 per night
- Riad Yasmine 4-star · MAD 1,200 to MAD 2,400 per night
- Royal Mansour Marrakech 5-star · MAD 12,000 to MAD 30,000 per night
- Equity Point Marrakech Hostel MAD 180 to MAD 700 per night
- Ibis Marrakech Centre Gare 3-star · MAD 650 to MAD 1,000 per night
- La Mamounia 5-star · MAD 5,500 to MAD 12,000 per night
Where to eat
- Nomad Moroccan, Modern · about MAD 180 per person
- Le Jardin Moroccan, International · about MAD 150 per person
- Cafe des Epices Cafe, Moroccan · about MAD 80 per person
- Al Fassia Moroccan · about MAD 220 per person
- Le Marocain (La Mamounia) Moroccan · about MAD 900 per person
- Dar Yacout Moroccan · about MAD 700 per person
- Amal Center Moroccan · about MAD 90 per person
- Terrasse des Epices Moroccan, Mediterranean · about MAD 160 per person
Getting around
- Shared Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
Faux guides & "wrong way" misdirection
Jemaa el-Fnaa & the souks
Unofficial "guides" or teenagers offer to lead you or tell you a route or square is closed, then steer you to their friends' shops (or to a dead end) and demand a large tip.
How to avoid it: Politely decline, use offline maps, and only hire guides through your riad or a licensed agency.
Snake charmer & monkey photo fees
Jemaa el-Fnaa square
Performers drape a snake on you or put a monkey on your shoulder, then aggressively demand 100-200 MAD for the "photo".
How to avoid it: Do not let them approach; if you want a photo agree the small fee first and keep it to 10-20 MAD.
Tannery "free tour" and carpet pressure
Souks & tanneries
A helper gives a "free" mint sprig and tour of a tannery or carpet shop, then applies heavy pressure to buy at inflated prices.
How to avoid it: Accept nothing "free", set your budget beforehand, and never feel obliged to buy — walk away calmly.