Marrakech is Morocco’s most popular tourist destination, and this vibrant ancient city offers something for everyone – enchanting architecture, fascinating history, bustling markets, sumptuous local cuisine, and exciting excursions to the surrounding mountains and desert.
What to Do in Marrakech
Jema el Fnaa:
Start your visit to Marrakech in Jema el Fnaa, the large central plaza. During the day, you’ll find juice stands, vendors selling souvenirs, and women drawing delicate henna tattoos. In the evening, dozens of pop-up restaurants are rolled in and assembled. As you walk through the narrow lanes, you’ll be offered everything from fried eggplants to tomato soup served with
traditional sweets to boiled sheep’s head.
As night falls, the plaza fills with story tellers, magicians, and performers of all sorts, who surprise and delight their audiences until the wee hours of the morning. Across the plaza stands the Koutoubiya Mosque, the largest in Marrakech and the city’s most famous landmark.
Marrakech Medina
Wrapped around the Jema el Fnaa is the medina, the old city, of Marrakech. Miles of streets wind around ancient riads and duck beneath low archways, taking you past homes, shops, museums, cafes, and mosques tucked into crumbling stone walls. You can easily spend a day walking through the old city and absorbing its historic charm.
Ben Youssef Madrasa
A great example of Marinid-period architecture, Ben Youssef Madrassa a beautifully-restored 15th century religious school is located in the heart of the medina. You can see the courtyard, decorated with colorful tiles, molded stucco, and carved wood, and the small rooms where the students lived and studied.
Kaat Benahid, Medina, Marrakech
Day and Overnight Excursions
Located close to the Sahara desert and the Atlas Mountains, Marrakech is the perfect departurepoint for day trips and multi-day tours to Berber villages, beautiful natural areas, the Ouzoud waterfall, and more. Dozens of local tour operators offer trips by camel, horse, ATV, or 4×4, as well as tours that focus on nature or culture.
Book online ahead of time, or consult your hotel manager for recommendations. It’s usually easy to book once in Marrakech. You can also do
day trips on your own by grand taxi to nearby villages such as those in the Ourika valley.
Jardin Majorelle
The Majorelle Garden, originally created in the early 1900’s by French painter Jacques Majorelle, is a perfect place to escape the heat and intensity of the city. It is planted with palms, bamboo, trees, cacti, and exotic flowers, and ponds and burbling streams add to the relaxing beauty.
Located in the gardens is the Berber cultural museum, with exhibits about Berber culture and traditional life including garments, ornaments, and crafts.
Rue Yves Saint Laurent
Bahia Palace
The Bahia palace complex was constructed in the late 1800’s for the grand vizier of the sultan and incorporates both Moroccan and Arab architecture. Intricate carved woodwork, painted ceilings, tiled floors, and courtyards filled with lily ponds and lush greenery make the Bahia Palace an aesthetic delight.
Where to Eat in Marrakech
Since Marrakech attracts tourists from around the world and hosts a variety of high profile international events, many restaurants cater to big budget travelers. While some of these establishments do offer excellent seafood, fusion cuisine, and European specialties, don’t think that you need to spend a lot to taste fabulous Moroccan food – the best traditional dishes are often found at simple, cheap places.
Trust your nose as you wander through the medina and keep an eye out for places that are full of locals, like the night restaurants in Jema el Fnaa. If you’re looking for something different or a little upscale, try these suggestions.
Naranj
This restaurant, located close to Jema el Fnaa, offers an eclectic fusion menu with Lebanese specialities like mezze platters, kibbeh, and shawarma. Dine in the beautifully decorated and air conditioned first floor room, or on the rooftop terrace. 84 Rue Riad Zitoun Jdid | Medina, Marrakech
https://web.facebook.com/Naranj-Marrakech-267756820244722?_rdc=1&_rdr
L’Annexe
For excellent French dining at reasonable prices, head to L’Annexe. Professional service, a great wine list, a calm, romantic atmosphere, and perfectly cooked seafood, steak, and pasta are sure to leave you satisfied. 14 Rue Moulay Ali Gueliz, Marrakech
http://lannexemarrakech.com/restaurant-lannexe-marrakech.html
Gastro MK
For small-plate fine dining in Marrakech, visit Gastro MK at Maison MK. Relax on the terrace with drinks and appetizers before enjoying a five-course tasting menu in the dining room below. Dishes are modern creations inspired by traditional Moroccan cuisine and local ingredients.
Vegetarian menu available. Reservations recommended.
14 Derb Lafkih Sbaai | Quartier Luksour, Marrakech
Amaia
If you need a break from tagines and couscous, try the varied menu of Italian, Asian, and Mediterranean food at Amaia. Pasta, seafood, and grilled items, as well as Moroccan wines and desserts are well prepared and served in a lovely setting.
84 avenue Hassan II, 40000, Marrakech https://www.facebook.com/amaia.resto
Where to Stay in Marrakech
Riad Romance
This restored riad in the old city has received consistently excellent reviews on Trip Advisor and was named traveler’s choice for 2017. With warm service, free breakfast and wifi, a pool, lovely decoration, air conditioning, and assistance in organizing the day’s activities, it’s easy to see why guests love Riad Romance.
Derb El Baroud 26, Hart Soura, Marrakech
Riad Idra
Another traveler’s choice winner in the old city, Riad Idra offers special touches that make your stay truly relaxing – a courtyard with lush greenery, an elegant dining room, and a traditional hammam and massage spa. You’ll also find very helpful staff, tastefully decorated rooms, and a rooftop terrace where you can enjoy breakfast and dinner. Derb Tizougarine 105 | Dar El Bacha, Marrakech
http://www.riad-idra-marrakech.com
Riad Assakina
This beautiful old riad is well located in the Jewish quarter, close to the Bahia Palace. It offers everything one would expect from an upscale riad – a pool, wifi, breakfast, air conditioning, airport transportation, laundry service, a restaurant, and a bar/lounge. The staff are very accommodating, making your stay stress-free and fun. Derb Alaati Allah, 14 | Hay Salam, Medina, Marrakech
http://riadassakina.com/en/index.php
Riad Kheirredine
For the 5-star luxury riad experience, Riad Kheirredine is an excellent choice. Each of just 14 rooms is luxuriously and uniquely decorated. The service goes above and beyond – staff are available to meet you at any point in the city, lend a hotel cell phone for the day, advise you about activities, and serve sumptuous Moroccan dishes in the courtyard, on the terrace, or in your room. Amenities include air conditioning, free breakfast and wifi, a pool and traditional hammam, and laundry, dry cleaning, and airport shuttle service.
44 Derb Chourafa | Marrakech Medina
Riad Camilia
This very small boutique riad is the perfect place for a calm, rejuvenating stay. One of the highest-rated spa hotels in Marrakech, it offers a traditional hammam, a small plunge pool, and a tranquil courtyard with lush citrus trees. In addition, you will have free breakfast and wifi, laundry service, airport transportation, air conditioning, a restaurant and bar with room service, a rooftop terrace, and helpful, multilingual staff. Derb El Ouali 9, Kaat Benahid | Medina, Marrakech
http://www.riadcamilia.com
When to Go
The best times to visit Marrakech are March-May and October and early November. Fares and hotel rates are lower, and the weather is pleasant. June, July, August, and September are very hot, often climbing to the hundreds, and packed with tourists. Late November to February is less crowded than the summer, but gets its share of winter tourists escaping cold climates. While it rarely gets colder than 50F, most hotels are unheated and can be a bit chilly.
Getting to and Around Marrakech
Marrakech is an easy city to reach by air, train, or bus. Many European cities offer direct routes or good connections to Marrakech Menara airport. A taxi from the airport to the city center will cost about $20. You can also take public bus route 11 to Jema el-Fnaa. It is very inexpensive and takes 20-30 minutes. Marrakech also has good train connections to Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, and other large cities.
Trains are affordable, and first class and sleeper car options are quite comfortable. See oncf.ma for train schedules. Train lines currently do not extend south of Marrakech, but good bus lines connect to Agadir and other southern cities, as well as any major city to the north. See ctm.ma for bus routes and schedules.
If you’re staying in the old city, you may be able to walk to most tourist attractions and restaurants from your hotel. If not, take a petit/small taxi. These beige cars can take you anywhere within city limits. Be sure to agree on a price ahead of time. If you want to go farther, such as to a small village outside the city, you can take a grand taxi.
These taxis are shared on operate along fixed routes and are quite cheap. Departure points vary based on destination, so ask your hotel manager for more information