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15 Best Things to Do in Marrakech
A practical list for first-time visitors: what to see in the medina, which day trips are worth it, and how to fit it all into a short stay.
Marrakech rewards slow days. The medina is dense and loud and beautiful, and most visitors try to do too much in it. A good plan mixes mornings in the souks and palaces with at least one trip out of the city, into the desert or the mountains, where the pace drops completely.
This list starts with the sights inside the city and then moves to the activities and day trips that are easy to book from Marrakech. Where we run a tour, we link to it with prices.
In the city
1. Walk the souks of the medina
The covered markets north of Jemaa el-Fnaa are split by trade: leather, metalwork, spices, carpets, lanterns. Go in the morning when it is calmer, agree prices before buying, and expect to get a little lost. That is part of it.
2. Jemaa el-Fnaa at dusk
The main square changes completely after 5 pm, when food stalls, musicians and storytellers set up. Watch it from a rooftop café first, then walk through. Keep small change ready for photos with performers.
3. Jardin Majorelle and the YSL Museum
The cobalt-blue garden restored by Yves Saint Laurent is the most visited sight in the city. Book a timed ticket online and go at opening time. The Berber Museum inside is small but excellent.
4. Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs
Two of the finest examples of Moroccan craftsmanship: carved cedar ceilings, zellige tilework and painted stucco. Both are in the kasbah area and can be visited in one morning.
5. Ben Youssef Madrasa
A 16th-century Quranic school with one of the most photographed courtyards in Morocco. Combine it with the Marrakech Museum and Le Jardin Secret nearby.
6. A traditional hammam
A steam bath with black soap and a kessa scrub is a Moroccan ritual. Public hammams cost very little; spa hammams such as Les Bains de Marrakech offer a more comfortable version with massages.
7. Sunset in the Agafay desert
Forty minutes from the city, the Agafay stone desert is the easiest way to feel wide open space. A sunset camel ride followed by dinner at a camp is the most popular evening out. See the agafay desert sunset, camel ride & dinner →
8. Hot air balloon at sunrise
An hour floating over the Haouz plain with the Atlas Mountains in the distance. It needs an early start, but most travellers rank it as the highlight of their trip. See the sunrise hot air balloon ride →
9. Quad biking in the Palmeraie
The palm oasis on the edge of the city is criss-crossed with sandy tracks that are made for quads. No licence is needed, and two hours is enough to feel like you have left the city. See the quad biking in the palmeraie or agafay →
10. Camel ride through the palm groves
A slower, gentler way to see the Palmeraie. Ideal with children or if you want an easy afternoon. See the camel ride in the palmeraie →
11. Day trip to the Ourika valley
Rivers, waterfalls and Berber villages one hour south. Popular with locals in summer, when it is far cooler than Marrakech. See the ourika valley & waterfalls day trip →
12. Hike in the Atlas Mountains at Imlil
Walk between walnut groves and stone villages below Mount Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa, with a local mountain guide. See the atlas mountains & imlil day trip →
13. Day trip to Essaouira
A breezy Atlantic port with a UNESCO medina, blue boats and the freshest fish you will eat in Morocco. See the essaouira day trip to the atlantic →
14. Cooking class
Learn to make tagine, Moroccan salads and bread, often starting with a trip to the market for ingredients. Many riads and cooking schools in the medina run half-day classes.
15. The Sahara in three days
If you have time, the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga are the Sahara of photographs. Three days lets you cross the Atlas and sleep in a desert camp. See the 3-day sahara desert tour to merzouga →
Sample 3-day plan
- Day 1: Ben Youssef Madrasa, souks, lunch on a rooftop, Bahia Palace, Jemaa el-Fnaa at dusk.
- Day 2: Jardin Majorelle at opening, hammam after lunch, Agafay sunset and dinner.
- Day 3: Sunrise balloon flight or a full day in the Atlas Mountains.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Marrakech?
Three to four days is ideal: two days for the medina, gardens and palaces, and one or two days for trips such as Agafay, the Atlas Mountains or a balloon flight.
What is the best month to visit Marrakech?
March to May and October to November have warm days and cool nights. July and August regularly pass 40 °C, so plan early starts and relaxed afternoons.
What can you do in Marrakech with kids?
Camel rides in the Palmeraie, the Agafay desert at sunset, Jardin Majorelle, the Ourika valley and quad biking as a passenger are all good choices for families.
Is Marrakech safe for tourists?
Marrakech is generally safe. The main problems are persistent touts and fake guides in the medina. Use licensed guides, agree prices in advance and keep valuables out of sight.
Want us to plan your days?
Tell us your dates and what you like. We suggest a plan and book the trips for you.