11 Best Things To Do in Marrakech

Traffic floods the streets of Marrakech, where pedestrians, vehicles and animals form a uniform mass; the sound of the horn mixes with the voices of pedestrians and the call to prayer... I could give you many different tips for travelling to Marrakech, but these are definitely the 10 things you should not miss in the city.

I don't know if anyone has ever visited Marrakech without visiting this square. Located inside the Medina of Marrakesh (the Medina is the historic area that is considered the centre of Marrakesh and is surrounded by a wall), the huge square of Jamaa el-Fna is the heart of the city and the reference point for orientation on any walk or sightseeing tour. If you have to choose a first place to go when you arrive in Marrakech, I highly recommend this square.

In few cities would I recommend shopping as a must-do, but in Marrakech it's a whole new experience to which you may be accustomed.

The souk market is an experience in itself; it's less about what to buy or what to buy, and more about how the vendors communicate with tourists (whatever your language, you're sure to hear them address you in it), appreciating the handicrafts (the artisans are usually at the back of the souk past a covered alleyway) or sampling the sweets they sell at street level (they don't look very hygienic, but sampling them is part of the local experience). However, be especially careful with your belongings during your stroll through the souk is one of the basic safety tips in Marrakesh.

When you go to the Majorelle Garden the first thing that will catch your eye, even before you reach the gate, is the area of the Ville Nouvelle in which it is located. Just by taking a taxi from the Medina you seem to have arrived in a completely different city with tall buildings and manicured pavements. Indeed, this is the rich part of the city and yes, it is also part of Morocco. If you want more information on how to get there, have a look at the post on how to get around Marrakech.

As for the Majorelle garden, I personally think it is one of the best visits you can make in the city, if not the best. The image you'll find when you walk through the gates of this garden (open 365 days a year) has nothing to do with what is associated with the Arab world: it was built in the 1920s and 30s of the last century. It is decorated with exotic plant species and the taste of the buildings and streets is exquisite.

It may sound like a cliché to go to Morocco and ride a camel, but it's a cliché that turns out to be a very rewarding experience. Camel treks not only allow you to use the camel as a means of transport, but also to see the deserts around Marrakech and the Berber villages scattered across them.

Contrary to what many people think, you don't have to go to the Sahara Desert to ride a camel. You can take camel treks from Marrakesh to various points in the surrounding area (including the famous Marrakesh Palm grove) that can take anywhere from a few hours to a whole day. Tip: if you're going to Marrakesh with children, don't miss out on this activity.

There are many ways to visit a city, but the best way to really get to know it is to have someone local to explain what lies beyond the tourist's point of view.

You can choose from several options of tours and excursions from Marrakech where a local guide will show you the most unknown corners of the city, tell you the history of its main emblems and tell you interesting stories about the way of life of its inhabitants and the gastronomy of Morocco. Take the opportunity to ask your guide for restaurant recommendations in Marrakech; he or she will be happy to help you.

My quintessential Marrakech plan is to relax in a traditional hammam. An experience that lasts approximately two hours, in which you will try the exfoliating eucalyptus baths, the saunas and the relaxing massages with argan oil.

In a traditional Moroccan hammam, you will be attended by expert therapists. You will also enjoy a traditional fresh mint drink.

Enjoy a relaxing afternoon in Morocco, while experiencing the local and cultural tradition of skin care. And don't worry about how to get there, as you can book a round-trip experience.

Marrakech is a city with plenty to enjoy, but the hustle and bustle of its streets makes it a welcome escape from the centre for a day in a more relaxed part of Morocco. A visit to the fishing town of Essaouira is perfect for this. It is located three hours from Marrakech and there are different excursions to Essaouira in which you can go and come back in the same day; in any case, here is a post about how to get from Marrakech to Essaouira.

Its main attraction is the tranquillity of its streets, the sea views and, of course, the cheap and quality fish that you can eat in the port area. If you want to spend a few more days in this city you can go hiking or visit its mountain resorts, but on the different excursions that leave from Marrakech you'll have time to explore the main points of interest at your own pace.

There are countries where no one would think of going without visiting their landscapes. However, many tourists who travel to Marrakech stay in the city because they are unaware of the natural wealth of the surrounding area.

To avoid that, just look for pictures of the Atlas Mountains, the Ourika Valley, the Ouzoud waterfalls or the village of Ban Haddou. If your main reaction is "But is this near Marrakech?", again, you can read more about all the day trips organised from Marrakech here.

Marrakech desert excursions: a must-do

Of all the excursions you can do from Marrakech, Morocco's desert excursions are undoubtedly the most popular. The first thing you should know is that from Marrakech you can visit the desert of Merzouga, the desert of Zagora or the desert of Agafay. Although you can see the Marrakech desert in one day, my recommendation is to spend the night in the desert as the experience is unique. I also recommend that you book an organised excursion to the desert from Marrakech as it is not worth doing it on your own as the activities you can do in the desert are mostly organised by those who run the excursions.

Also known as the Palace of the Beautiful as it is the Arabic translation of Bahia. It was by this nickname that the favourite of the vizier Ahmed ben Moussa, who commissioned the construction of this palace, which took 14 years to complete, was known. The highlight of the place is the lavish ornamentation that covers the entire building (and if you're wondering, the mosaic tiles were laid one by one).

Close to the Bahia Palace are the Sa'didi Tombs. Although it is also open until half past four in the afternoon, it is best to visit early in the morning to avoid crowds due to its small size. Inside you will find famous tombs and ostentatious stucco and marble decoration worthy of the glory of the most notable sultans of the 16th century. By the type of decoration of each tomb and mausoleum you will guess the purchasing power of each of the notables buried there.

If you've been to the Alhambra in Granada or the Alcazar in Seville, the setting of this mosque will be familiar to you. If the Bahia Palace was already a symbol of the greatness of men, this temple is a symbol of the greatness of Allah, and it is incredible.

It is one of the few churches in the country where non-Muslims are allowed to enter, so make the most of it (although you will find it closed during religious festivals). Its strong point is the courtyard: marble floors, delicate tones, ornamental art, sculpted calligraphy, latticed balconies, mosaics and other elements make it a work of art.

If you are wondering when to travel to Marrakesh, both visiting Marrakesh in summer and winter have their advantages. Each month of the year offers a number of attractions, which you can check out in this list:

• Marrakech in January.
• Marrakech in February.
• Marrakech in March.
• Marrakech in April.
• Marrakech in May.
• Marrakech in June.
• Marrakech in July.
• Marrakech in August.
• Marrakech in September.
• Marrakech in October.
• Marrakech in November.
• Marrakech in December.

Also, if you are still not sure how many days to spend in the Moroccan city, here is another list of itineraries depending on how many days your trip lasts. Enjoy!

• What to see and do in Marrakech in 1 day.
• What tosee and do in Marrakech in 2 days.
• What tosee and do in Marrakech in 3 days.
• What tosee and do in Marrakech in 4 days.
• What tosee and do in Marrakech in 5 days.
• What tosee and do in Marrakech in 7 days.