Top 12 Must-See Attractions in Marrakesh for Travelers

Whether you are an avid bargain seeker, passionate about home design, a wellness enthusiast, a culinary explorer, someone who appreciates historic places filled with culture, or an admirer of modern art, you have arrived at the ideal destination. Few locations on the planet encapsulate these experiences as effectively as Marrakesh.

With a plethora of vibrant creativity, determining activities within the Red City can seem daunting, particularly during a brief visit. Below is a guide to experiencing the finest that Marrakesh has to offer.

1. Discover the art of the Moroccan hammam

The hammam and spa at Dar el Bacha, WA Spa, stands as a prominent addition to the city’s expanding wellness landscape. What could be a more rejuvenating way to commence a journey than refreshing oneself, setting the stage for impactful adventures ahead?

Morocco’s traditional hammam and beauty treatments represent a deeply-rooted and cherished ritual, renowned for cleansing and relaxation. Commence with a steam session to open the pores, followed by a cleansing with black, olive-oil based soap. Subsequently, experience a thorough exfoliation using a glove known as a kessa, which effectively removes dead skin, concluding with an application of ghassoul, a mineral-rich clay for detoxification and skin purification prior to a refreshing shower. Elevate your spa day with a soothing massage, a leisurely swim, and a restful moment by the rooftop pool.

WA presents a variety of treatments, including a detoxifying hammam utilizing pelargonium and grapefruit, a hydrating facial infused with lavender and argan oil, a 20-minute reflexology foot massage, and a delightful 90-minute rejuvenating full-body massage. Treatments are available starting from 350 MAD.

2. Feast on all things Moroccan on the ultimate food tour

Moroccan cuisine is celebrated as one of the finest in the world, and rightly so! Influences from Berber, Arabic, Jewish, French, Spanish, and Portuguese culinary traditions, combined with a rich array of herbs, spices, and innovative techniques, result in a diverse and exciting array of flavors and dishes to explore.

For a comprehensive introduction to this culinary heritage, visit the Musée D’art Culinaire. However, to truly indulge in the taste of local cuisine, allow local Marrakshi culinary guides with extensive knowledge to lead your way. Moroccan Food Adventures provides various tours, catering to enthusiasts keen to explore the intricacies of the night food market at the Djemaa El Fna, as well as more nuanced excursions blending culinary experiences with artisan craft workshops. Tours begin from 300 MAD.

Planning tip: For those desiring to expand this culinary adventure into a day trip, consider the Morocco Food Adventures’ Essaouria tour. This lengthy, 12-hour journey encompasses comfortable private transportation, guided visits to cultural landmarks, and an abundance of culinary delights.

3. Soak up the city’s contemporary art scene

As the host of the esteemed 1-54 art fair, Marrakesh has rightfully positioned itself as North Africa’s contemporary art epicenter. Notably, for a city of its size, the variety and depth of galleries available for exploration is remarkable.

Art spaces range from Comptoire de Mines Galerie, showcasing contemporary Moroccan artists within an elegant art deco villa in the vibrant Gueliz district, to intimate venues like Galeries Siniya 28, spotlighting Art Naïf masters from Essaouira while emphasizing emerging artists, often female. Significant projects, such as the African contemporary art museum MACAAL and vital residency initiatives at the Montresso Foundation, provide ample opportunities for a weekend devoted to appreciating African art.

Planning tip: The 1-54 art fair in Marrakesh will take place from February 8–11, 2024, across two primary venues: La Mamounia and the newly established arts space DaDa. Due to high demand during this period, it is advisable to secure flights and accommodations early.

4. Dance at sunset at Cafe Clock

Cafe Clock serves as a vibrant cultural nexus that unites locals, expatriates, and visitors, offering a variety of activities from elementary Darija language classes to culinary workshops. Nevertheless, it is particularly renowned for evening events that blend storytelling with music concerts, thereby encapsulating Marrakesh’s dynamic cultural essence.

Each Thursday, as the daylight wanes, the courtyard and rooftop transform into a stage for adept storytellers who transport the audience through narratives steeped in the nation’s rich heritage. These tales, concurrently translated into English, offer guests an enthralling journey into Morocco’s folklore and history. The remaining evenings are filled with sunset concerts, uniting traditional sounds and contemporary musical influences, from the mystical oud to the engaging Sahara Sounds, as well as performances of traditional gnawa music on Sundays.

5. Visit the myriad design studios of Sidi Ghanem

The design studios within Sidi Ghanem exemplify a harmonious convergence of traditional Moroccan craftsmanship and inventive design. This artisan collective serves as a lively center for artists, designers, and craftsmen, with each studio displaying a distinctive fusion of local artistry and contemporary flair, encompassing pottery, textiles, furniture, and fashion.

Explore the studio of LRNCE, which brings many of its painted ceramics and creations to life. Jajjah (114–116 QI Sidi Ghanem) showcases works by Moroccan pop artist Hassan Hajjaj, including prints, sardine-can lanterns, and stylish tea containers, all while offering a delightful spot for tea. Atelier Landon is a haven for those enamored with art deco-inspired lighting and architectural hardware, while the unique interiors of Maison Sarayan restaurant and boutique provide a pleasing experience. Their Thursday special, a saffron-infused lobster roll, and Saturday brunch gatherings are worth a dedicated visit.

Planning tip: Returning from Sidi Ghanem can prove challenging; therefore, it is advisable to save your taxi driver’s contact information and arrange a call approximately 30 minutes prior to departure (Google Translate may assist), or establish a pickup time and location in advance.

6. Bargain for treasures at the country’s best flea market

The Bab el-Khemis market in Marrakesh, located at the main northern entrance to the medina, is well known as both a taxi pickup site and one of Morocco’s premier flea markets. This bustling trading hub spans several blocks, segmented into areas featuring lighting, secondhand furniture, antique doors, and windows, alongside a diverse array of other items.

Locals understand that whenever one of the city’s iconic hotels, restaurants, or residences undergoes renovations, many interior furnishings find their way here, providing an opportunity to acquire unique items such as a silver coffee set from La Mamounia or furniture pieces with historical significance.

Planning tip: Thursdays, followed by Sundays, represent the most opportune days for exploration, and engaging with vendors can lead to unexpected treasures.

7. Take to the skies on a hot-air balloon ride

For those seeking a remarkable experience, it is worth rising early to witness Morocco’s stunning landscape at dawn. With the majestic Atlas Mountains to the south and the ever-shifting stone dunes of the Agafay Desert to the west, juxtaposed against Marrakesh’s vibrant architecture and a sunrise that bathes the scene in golden hues, this is a memorable journey.

If inclined, consider indulging in a breakfast hamper paired with a glass of champagne. Various companies now provide this experience, yet Ciel d’Afrique, a pioneer in this realm, has been delivering uplifting excursions safely and romantically for over three decades. Prices start from 2400 MAD.

8. Daydream poolside in an olive grove

Curious about what weekends might entail if you settled in Marrakesh? A beloved destination for both locals and expatriates, Beldi Country Club is merely a 10-minute drive from the medina, offering an impressive six swimming pools, two of which are accessible to the public. The 40-meter (131-foot) black-tiled pool, nestled among olive trees and roses, redefines the concept of an ideal pool day.

If you desire a massage during your visit, appointments at the spa can be arranged. Should you need an activity for children, engaging them in bread baking or pottery classes could be an exciting enterprise. Meanwhile, a stroll through the onsite souk offers uniquely crafted hand-blown glass and pottery, alongside local textiles, handcrafted carpets, bags, hats, jewelry, and other creations by local designers. A day pass for pool access, inclusive of lunch, costs 440 MAD.

Detour: Visit Farasha Farmhouse, located a 30-minute drive from Marrakesh, featuring a 50-meter (164-foot) pool surrounded by olive groves. Their website provides updates on a mix of events, from intimate rooftop concerts to lively weekend pool parties.

9. Check out Gueliz’s contemporary food scene

Marrakesh is a nexus of culinary delights. From the vibrant night market at Djemaa el Fna offering a wide array of grilled lamb brochettes and spicy snail soup to various riad restaurants known for extraordinary traditional dishes, the options are abundant. However, for those intrigued by the new culinary wave, Gueliz is the place to explore.

Sahbi Sahbi, a women-led restaurant envisioned by Studio KO, presents authentic Moroccan dishes that are often difficult to find elsewhere. Plus 61 delivers an Australian twist on freshly sourced, organically grown ingredients. Petit Cornichon (27 Rue Moulay Ali) specializes in an outstanding côte de boeuf (rib steak) complete with perfectly prepared frites. Cantine Mouton Noir (115 Rue Mohammed el Beqal) hosts a delightful weekend brunch with a range of appealing options like truffled eggs. The newcomer Petanque Social Club serves sensational sharing plates, featuring ample vegetarian choices within a sprawling, jasmine-scented garden.

Planning tip: Spring and autumn are regarded as the optimal times to visit Marrakesh due to favorable weather conditions; however, the city experiences significant visitor traffic. Visiting during summer may yield cost-effective accommodation options, while winter generally presents an abundance of bright sunny days.

10. Take an early morning stroll around Jardin Majorelle

Established by French landscape artist Jacques Majorelle in 1922, the botanical gardens boast a diverse selection of exotic plants sourced globally, complemented by striking cobalt blue and vibrant buttercup yellow structures alongside tranquil water features. Meandering through its intricate paths and terraces provides a serene opportunity to immerse in authentic Marrakshi culture.

The onsite Berber Museum houses over 600 unique pieces of jewelry, clothing, and household items collected from across the nation. In the boutique, visitors can discover a curated selection of gifts inspired by this heritage, rendered in bold contemporary designs. The cafe offers a delightful setting for coffee, juice, breakfast, or lunch before resuming your exploration.

Planning tip: Advance online ticket sales are recommended to secure your visit. As Morocco’s most frequented site, it tends to become congested, yet targeting the first slot at 8:30 am can provide a relatively tranquil experience.

11. Watch nightly theater as the sun sets over Djemaa el Fna

As twilight descends upon Marrakesh, the Djemaa el Fna metamorphoses into a vibrant open-air theater, featuring acrobats, storytellers, snake charmers, and henna artists on one side, complemented by a bustling night food market on the opposite end. Settle into one of its numerous cafes—the Cafe Restaurant Argana, known for its traditional offerings, and Cafe Zeitoun, which presents a contemporary ambiance—and observe as the square comes alive.

As darkness envelops the sky, the air fills with the enticing scents of spices and grilled fare. Vendors meticulously arrange their dishes, illuminating their lanterns and preparing the traditional feast, including bowls of harira (a hearty soup typically containing lentils, chickpeas, and lamb) and ghoulal (spicy snail soup), as well as sheep’s head, brain, and feet, aromatic tangia roasted in hammam embers, and smoky merguez sausages alongside velvety fried aubergines. Be prepared for dense crowds, intense smoke, and an extraordinary evening experience.

Planning tip: Arrive early to secure a seat for sunset viewing. The square’s evening festivities attract both tourists and locals alike; consider dining at locations busy with locals as this indicates freshness and quality.

12. Lose yourself in the opulent Bahia Palace

The Bahia Palace, meaning “brilliance” in Arabic, exemplifies Morocco’s inclination for luxury within aristocratic settings. Commissioned during the late 19th century by Grand Vizier Si Moussa, this architectural marvel matured over decades through the craftsmanship of his son and successor, Bou Ahmed, who enlisted artisans from Fez to realize its legendary interiors.

The extensive palace compound showcases a mesmerizing blend of vibrant mosaics, elaborately carved wooden ceilings, and intricate stucco work set amongst fragrant gardens. Navigate the winding pathways into sunlit marble courtyards, each area narrating tales of hierarchy, intimacy, power, and prestige, while providing a vivid glimpse into the city’s rich cultural legacy and the grandeur of a bygone era.

Detour: Adjacent to the palace lies the Mellah (Jewish Quarter). Between the 16th and 20th centuries, this area was home to one of the largest Jewish communities in Morocco, comprising around 30,000 individuals and served by 30 synagogues. Two remain—Negidim and Lazama—both of which are open to visitors. Given its relative lack of tourist traffic, the souks here remain among the finest in the city for acquiring spices, herbal remedies, and products for the hammam.

This article was initially published on March 20, 2020, and updated on November 30, 2023.