Things to Visit in Marrakech: Souks, Riads, and the Sahara
From the chaos of Jemaa el-Fnaa to the silence of the Sahara, Marrakech rewards travelers who wander without a plan. This guide covers the medina's hidden corners, Atlas Mountain escapes, desert excursions, and the best food you'll eat sitting on a plastic stool.
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The Medina and Its Landmarks
Spend an evening at Jemaa el-Fnaa square
The square transforms after sunset — food stalls open around 6 PM and entertainers perform until midnight. Arrive by 5:30 PM to grab a rooftop café seat at one of the surrounding terraces, where mint tea costs 15-20 MAD ($1.50-$2).
Watch the snake charmers and musicians in the late afternoon
Eat at the food stalls — stall numbers 1-14 on the north side are the busiest
Get lost in the souks north of Jemaa el-Fnaa
The souk district stretches about 1.5 km from Jemaa el-Fnaa to the Ben Youssef area. Each souk specializes in a trade — leather in Souk Cherratine, metalwork in Souk Haddadine. Start your price at 30-40% of the first asking price when bargaining.
Visit the dyers' souk (Souk Sabbaghin) for hanging skeins of colored wool
Browse the spice souk near Rahba Kedima square
Tour the Bahia Palace
Built over 14 years in the 1860s-1870s, the palace spans 8,000 square meters with 150 rooms. Entry is 70 MAD ($7). Go early — the courtyards get direct sunlight between 10 AM and 2 PM, which lights up the zellige tilework.
Walk through the harem quarters and central marble courtyard
Study the painted cedar wood ceilings in the grand riad
See the Koutoubia Mosque minaret from the outside
The 77-meter minaret is the tallest structure in Marrakech and visible from almost anywhere in the medina. Non-Muslims cannot enter, but the surrounding gardens are free and open daily. The best photos come from the west side at sunset.
Explore the Mellah (Jewish Quarter)
The Mellah dates to 1558 and sits southeast of the Royal Palace. The Lazama Synagogue is open to visitors for a small donation (20-30 MAD). The nearby Mellah spice market is less touristy and cheaper than the central souks.
Visit the Miâara Jewish Cemetery, one of the largest in Morocco
Walk through the jewelers' street off Place des Ferblantiers
Gardens and Museums
Wander through Majorelle Garden
The garden covers about 1 hectare and draws over 700,000 visitors per year. Entry is 150 MAD ($15) for the garden plus 30 MAD for the Berber Museum inside. Arrive at opening (8 AM) to avoid crowds — by 11 AM, wait times can hit 30-45 minutes.
Photograph the iconic cobalt-blue villa designed by Jacques Majorelle
See the collection of Berber jewelry and textiles in the museum
Visit the Saadian Tombs
Sealed for centuries and rediscovered in 1917, these 16th-century royal tombs contain 66 graves. Entry is 70 MAD. The main mausoleum's Hall of Twelve Columns is the highlight. Lines move slowly because the chambers are small — budget 45-60 minutes total.
See the Ben Youssef Madrasa
This 14th-century Islamic college housed up to 900 students in 130 dormitory rooms. Entry is 50 MAD. The central courtyard with its carved stucco and marble basin is one of the most photographed spots in Marrakech.
Walk through Le Jardin Secret
Reopened in 2016 after a 6-year restoration, this riad garden has two distinct sections — an exotic garden and an Islamic garden. Entry is 80 MAD for both. The rooftop tower (extra 40 MAD) gives panoramic views across the medina.
Day Trips and Excursions
Take a day trip to the Atlas Mountains
The Imlil Valley is 60 km south of Marrakech (about 90 minutes by car). Shared minibuses from Bab er-Rob leave throughout the morning for 30-50 MAD. A guided half-day hike to Berber villages costs 300-500 MAD per person including lunch.
Hike to a Berber village in the Imlil Valley
Stop at the Ourika Valley waterfalls (45 km from Marrakech)
Book a Sahara Desert excursion to Merzouga or Zagora
Merzouga (550 km, 2-3 day trip) has the tallest dunes — Erg Chebbi reaches 150 meters. Zagora (360 km, overnight trip) is closer but the dunes are smaller. Budget 800-1500 MAD per person for a group tour including transport, meals, and a desert camp night.
Ride a camel to a desert camp at sunset
Drive through the Dadès and Todra Gorges on the Merzouga route
Visit the coastal town of Essaouira
Essaouira is 190 km west of Marrakech (2.5-3 hours by bus). Supratours and CTM run daily buses for 80-100 MAD each way. The walled medina is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the fishing port sells fresh grilled sardines for 20-30 MAD a plate.
Food and Drink
Eat a traditional tagine at a local restaurant
Chicken tagine with preserved lemons costs 40-70 MAD at a medina restaurant, versus 150-250 MAD at a tourist riad. The dish cooks for 2+ hours in a conical clay pot. Restaurants on Derb Dabachi and Rue Bab Agnaou serve some of the best in the medina.
Try lamb tagine with prunes and almonds
Order a side of khobz (Moroccan bread) for dipping
Drink mint tea at a rooftop café
Moroccan mint tea is poured from a height of about 30 cm to create a frothy top. A pot of tea for two costs 20-40 MAD at most cafés. The terraces around Jemaa el-Fnaa charge a premium (40-60 MAD) but the view is worth it at sunset.
Sample street food in the medina
Msemen (flatbread) costs 3-5 MAD, a bowl of snail soup (babouche) is 5-10 MAD, and a fresh orange juice is 5-10 MAD from the carts in Jemaa el-Fnaa. The stalls near Bab Fteuh gate serve excellent fried fish sandwiches for 15 MAD.
Try tangia — a slow-cooked meat pot, the street food specialty of Marrakech
Grab a bowl of harira soup (10-15 MAD), especially good in the morning
Take a Moroccan cooking class
Half-day classes run 3-4 hours and cost 350-600 MAD per person, usually including a market visit to buy ingredients. Most classes teach tagine, couscous, and Moroccan salads. Classes in the medina typically start at 9 AM or 3 PM.
Wellness and Culture
Experience a traditional hammam
Public hammams cost 10-20 MAD entry (bring your own soap and scrubbing mitt). Tourist hammams with a full gommage (scrub) and massage run 200-500 MAD. Sessions last 60-90 minutes. Go in the afternoon — mornings are reserved for locals with specific schedules for men and women.
Get a gommage scrub with black soap (savon noir)
Follow with a rhassoul clay mask treatment
Stay at least one night in a traditional riad
Riads are converted courtyard houses — Marrakech has over 1,500 of them. Budget riads in the medina start at 300-500 MAD per night ($30-$50), while upscale ones run 1,500-3,000 MAD. Most include breakfast on the rooftop terrace.
Watch the sunset from a medina rooftop
Many cafés and riads have accessible rooftop terraces. The Koutoubia Mosque minaret and the Atlas Mountains are both visible on clear days. The best light lasts from about 5:30-7 PM depending on season.
Practical Tips
Learn basic bargaining etiquette for the souks
Start at 30-40% of the asking price and settle around 50-60%. Walking away is a legitimate tactic — sellers will often call you back with a lower price. Fixed-price shops (marked 'prix fixe') exist if you prefer not to haggle.
Dress modestly when walking the medina
Shoulders and knees covered is the standard for both men and women. Temperatures hit 40°C+ in summer, so lightweight linen or cotton works best. Headscarves are not required for visitors but are appreciated when entering religious neighborhoods.
Carry small bills for tipping and purchases
Keep 10 and 20 MAD notes handy — tip restaurant servers 10-15% (often not included), give riad staff 20-50 MAD per day, and have small change for public restrooms (1-2 MAD). ATMs inside the medina charge 30-50 MAD withdrawal fees; use bank ATMs outside Bab Doukkala or Gueliz instead.
Download an offline map of the medina before arriving
GPS is unreliable inside the medina's narrow alleys, but offline maps with labeled derbs (streets) help. The medina is roughly 2 km across — any wrong turn is at most a 15-minute walk from a main artery like Rue Bab Agnaou or Rue Mouassine.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Marrakech?
Three to four full days covers the highlights including the medina and its landmarks, gardens and museums, day trips and excursions at a relaxed pace. Five or more days lets you dig into local neighborhoods and take day trips. Most first-time visitors find four days strikes the right balance between seeing enough and not feeling exhausted.
What is the best time of year to visit Marrakech?
Spring and early autumn typically offer the best weather with manageable crowds. Summer brings peak tourism pricing and longer queues at popular spots. Shoulder season travel saves 20-30% on accommodation and gives you shorter lines at top attractions.
How much should I budget per day in Marrakech?
A mid-range daily budget of $100-180 per person covers a comfortable hotel, two restaurant meals, and attraction tickets. Street food and local markets cut food costs significantly. Pre-booking tickets for popular sites online often saves 10-15% and lets you skip long queues.
What is the best way to get around Marrakech?
Public transit handles most tourist routes efficiently and cheaply. Walking between central attractions is often faster than waiting for buses or trains during peak hours. Multi-day transit passes pay for themselves after 3-4 rides per day and remove the hassle of buying individual tickets.
Do I need to book attractions in advance in Marrakech?
Top-tier attractions and museums frequently sell out during peak season so book 2-4 weeks ahead for guaranteed entry. Lesser-known sites and neighborhoods rarely require advance tickets. Morning time slots (before 10:00) are the most popular; afternoon slots after 14:00 often have shorter waits.