Marrakech is the city most travelers picture when they think of Morocco. Its old medina is enclosed by red earthen walls, with the snow-capped High Atlas on the horizon for much of the year. Inside are busy souks, quiet riads and the most famous square in North Africa. That color gives the city its nickname, the Red City.
Marrakech is also one of the four Imperial Cities of Morocco, along with Fes, Meknes and Rabat. It can feel intense at first, with motorbikes in the lanes, sellers calling out, and the noise of Jemaa el Fna at night. With a good guide and a calm riad to come back to, most travelers end up loving it.
This guide covers the main sights, the best day trips, where to stay, how many days you need, and the best time to visit Marrakech.
“The cries of hawkers tempt me to look in every direction… I am suddenly taken by the hand of an animated storyteller… The crowd breaks out in laughter, and then I am released again to experience the remainder of Jemaa el Fna by night.”
Vivian Chung, traveler. Follow her on Instagram.
A Short History of Marrakech
Marrakech was founded in the 11th century by the Almoravids, an Amazigh (Berber) dynasty from the south. It became the capital of an empire that stretched from Spain to West Africa. The Almohads who followed built the Koutoubia Mosque. Later, the Saadian dynasty added palaces and royal tombs in the 16th century. For the full story, read our history of Morocco.
The medina of Marrakech is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city was also important enough to give its name to the whole country: “Morocco” comes from “Marrakech”.
Things to Do in Marrakech
Jemaa el Fna
The main square is the center of life in the medina. By day you’ll see orange juice stands, henna artists and snake charmers. At sunset, food stalls fill the square, and musicians and storytellers gather crowds around them. For the best view, have a mint tea on one of the rooftop cafés around the square and watch the evening start.
Snake charmers and monkey handlers will ask for money if you take a photo, so agree on the amount first or keep your camera down. Our article on scams in Marrakech covers what to watch for.
Koutoubia Mosque
The 12th-century minaret of the Koutoubia is the landmark of Marrakech, and no building in the medina may stand taller. As with most mosques in Morocco, only Muslims may enter. You can still walk around the gardens next to it, which are pleasant in the late afternoon.
The Souks
North of Jemaa el Fna, the souks are a maze of covered lanes, each one traditionally tied to a craft. You’ll find leather, spices, lanterns, rugs, ceramics and silver jewelry. Bargaining is expected, so take your time and keep it friendly. Your guide can take you to workshops where artisans still make the goods by hand.
Ben Youssef Madrasa
This former Quranic school is one of the finest buildings in Marrakech, with carved cedar, stucco and zellige tilework around a central courtyard. Its small student rooms upstairs once housed hundreds of students. Read more in our Ben Youssef Madrasa guide. Next door, the Museum of Marrakech fills the 19th-century Dar Menebhi palace with Moroccan art and crafts.
Bahia Palace
Built in the late 19th century for a grand vizier, the Bahia Palace is a series of courtyards, painted ceilings and gardens of orange and palm trees. Go early in the morning, as it gets crowded by midday.
Saadian Tombs and El Badi Palace
The Saadian Tombs hold the graves of Sultan Ahmed al-Mansour and his family, decorated with Italian marble and carved plaster. They were sealed off for centuries and rediscovered in the early 20th century. Nearby are the ruins of El Badi Palace, which al-Mansour built in the same period. Today its huge courtyard and storks’ nests make it one of the most atmospheric spots in the medina.
Majorelle Garden and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum
The French painter Jacques Majorelle created this garden in the 1920s, with cactus, bamboo, palms and his famous cobalt-blue villa. Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé later bought and restored it. The Yves Saint Laurent Museum next door shows the designer’s work and his link to Morocco. Majorelle is the most visited site in the city, so book your tickets online before you go. Entry isn’t included in our tours.
Le Jardin Secret and the Menara Gardens
If you need a quiet break in the medina, Le Jardin Secret is a restored riad garden a short walk from the souks. Outside the walls, the Menara Gardens have a large pool and olive groves, with views of the Atlas on clear days.
Hammam, Cooking Class and Evenings Out
A hammam is one of the best ways to end a day in Marrakech. You can choose a traditional public one or a spa hammam in a riad or hotel. A cooking class is another favorite: you shop for ingredients in the market and then cook a tagine with a local chef. See our guide to Moroccan food for what to try, and our list of Marrakech experiences you can book.
For bookable activities, see the top Marrakech experiences you can book now, and for the rest of the country, the best cities to visit in Morocco.
Day Trips from Marrakech
| Day trip | Driving time from Marrakech | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Agafay Desert | about 40 min | Rocky desert landscape, sunset, a half day is enough |
| Ourika Valley | about 1.5 hrs | Rivers, small waterfalls, Amazigh villages |
| Imlil and the Atlas Mountains | about 1.5 hrs | Walks at the foot of Toubkal, traditional lunch |
| Ouzoud Waterfalls | about 3 hrs | The highest waterfalls in Morocco |
| Essaouira | about 3 hrs | Coastal medina, port, seafood |
Driving times are approximate and don’t include stops.
Agafay is a rocky desert, not sand dunes. For the real Sahara dunes at Merzouga, plan at least four nights: one in the Dades Valley, two in the Sahara, and one in Ouarzazate on the way back. The drive from Marrakech to Merzouga is about 10 hours of mountain roads, so it’s not a trip to do there and back in a day or two. See our Sahara desert camp guide and our Essaouira guide.
Where to Stay in Marrakech
You have two main choices:
- A riad in the medina. A traditional house built around a courtyard, usually with a rooftop terrace. You’re within walking distance of the souks and Jemaa el Fna, and it’s quiet once the door closes. Read about what it’s like to stay in a riad and our picks for the best riads in Marrakech.
- A hotel outside the medina, in Hivernage or Gueliz, or a resort in the Palmeraie. These areas are better if you want a large pool, easier car access, or more space. See our luxury hotels in Marrakech.
Booking your own stay? Compare riads and hotels in Marrakech on Booking.com. We may earn a small commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.
On our tours, we use hand-picked properties such as Riad Anya & Spa for our Affordable Lux tier and La Maison Arabe for Deluxe, or similar.
How Many Days in Marrakech?
Plan on two to three nights. One full day goes to a guided tour of the medina, the palaces and the souks. A second day lets you see Majorelle, have a hammam or cooking class, and shop at your own pace. With a third day, add Agafay, the Ourika Valley or Imlil. See how Marrakech fits into a 7, 10 or 14 day itinerary.
If you land in Marrakech in the early afternoon, keep the first evening free: walk to Jemaa el Fna and have dinner out. If you arrive in the morning, your guided tour can sometimes start that same afternoon.
Most of our itineraries start or end in Marrakech. See the 7-night Marrakech, Atlas and Sahara tour, the 10-day tour, or our Morocco itinerary planner for every trip length.
Best Time to Visit Marrakech
Spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) are the most comfortable times, with warm days and cool evenings. Summer is very hot, often above 100°F (38°C) in July and August, so sightseeing is best done early and late in the day. Winter days are mild and sunny, but nights get cold and riads can feel chilly. See our guide to the best time to visit Morocco for month-by-month details.
How to Get to Marrakech and Get Around
Getting to Marrakech
Marrakech Menara Airport is about 20 minutes from the medina, with direct flights from Europe. From the US, most travelers fly into Casablanca, which is about two and a half hours from Marrakech by highway. On our private tours, airport pickup and drop-off are included in both cities. For driving times to other cities, see our distances between Moroccan cities.
Getting Around Marrakech
- On foot. The medina, the souks and Jemaa el-Fna are best explored on foot. The lanes are narrow and GPS can be unreliable, so download offline maps before you go.
- By petit taxi. City taxis are beige. Ask the driver to switch on the meter when you get in, or agree on the fare first.
- By train. The modern railway station is in the Gueliz district, with trains to Casablanca, Rabat and Tangier.
- With a guide. A licensed guide for your first morning in the medina saves time, and makes it easy to say no to unofficial guides.
- With your driver. On our private tours, your driver takes you to the Majorelle Garden, the palaces outside the souks and day trips such as the Agafay desert, about 40 minutes away.
Marrakech FAQ
Two to three nights is ideal: one day for a guided tour of the medina, one day at your own pace, and an optional third day for a trip to Agafay, the Ourika Valley or the Atlas Mountains.
A riad in the medina puts you within walking distance of the main sights and gives you a traditional Moroccan stay. A hotel outside the medina offers larger pools and easier car access.
Spring (March to May) and fall (September to November). Summers are very hot, and winter nights are cold.
Yes. It is the most visited site in Marrakech, and tickets are sold online for set time slots.
Yes, but the dunes at Merzouga are about 10 hours of mountain driving from Marrakech. We recommend at least four nights: one in the Dades Valley, two in the Sahara, and one in Ouarzazate on the way back.
Walk the medina and the souks, use the beige petit taxis for longer rides and ask for the meter, or travel with a private driver for sights outside the old city.
Plan Your Visit to Marrakech
Marrakech is the start or end point of most of our private tours, with your own driver and guide from the airport to your last day. Browse our private tours, see what a trip costs in our Morocco trip cost guide, or fill in the form below with your travel dates. We’ll build a route around Marrakech that fits your pace.
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