Is Marrakech Worth Visiting? A Complete 2024 Guide

Planning a trip to Morocco and wondering “is Marrakech worth visiting?”. I spent a week exploring this magical city, and I’ll cover everything you need to know in this guide.

We originally booked a trip to Marrakech for 2020, only for the pandemic to hit and our trip to get cancelled on the morning we were due to leave.

Despite me being absolutely gutted (there were a lot of tears), we were lucky we didn’t go as it was the day the borders shut and people got stuck at the airport for hours.

But it didn’t feel lucky at the time, I was more excited about this trip than any of the others I had planned that year. Marrakech had always intrigued me – the colours, the food, and the completely contrasting culture to the one I’m used to.

When we finally made it to Marrakech in 2021, I fell in love with it, and had the most incredible week exploring. So if you’re wondering, “is Marrakech worth visiting?”, read on to find out why I think it absolutely is.

*Some links in this post are affiliate links. It won’t make a difference to what you pay, but I may earn a small commission if you purchase something I’ve recommended. I’m really grateful for your trust in my advice, and if I wouldn’t recommend it to a friend, I won’t recommend it to you.

Quick tips for visiting Marrakech

Get this: A private transfer to take you straight into the city from the airport (prices start from just £5 and they’ll wait for you if your flight is delayed)

Don’t miss: A day trip to the Atlas Mountains & a traditional lunch

Bucket list experience: A hot air balloon ride over the city. This once in a lifetime experience can’t be missed

Flights: Find the cheapest flights to Marrakech with Skyscanner 

Stay: Find the most affordable hotels in Marrakech on Booking.com

Is Marrakech worth visiting? Things to do

Marrakech is packed full of incredible things to do and experience. Here’s my guide to the best things to do in Marrakech.

Go for rooftop drinks overlooking the Medina

The sunset at El Fenn | Best things to do in Marrakech

The Medina is the old part of Marrakech and it’s bustling with activity. Make sure you spend at least one evening having drinks on a rooftop overlooking the Medina.

It’s a great way to see it from a different perspective. If you can, get there early to catch the sunset, it really is incredible.

My favourite place for rooftop drinks is El Fenn, so much so that we visited twice on our recent trip. Owned by Vanessa Branson and her business partner Howell James, it’s an absolutely beautiful hotel.

There’s seven courtyard houses, a private swimming pool, and a stunning rooftop that’s open to the public. As well as having drinks, we also ate here one night and the food was stunning. You can either book into the restaurant for a more formal meal, or order from the rooftop bar menu.

We went for the second option and ordered the bbq chicken and roasted cauliflower tacos & the popcorn chicken with harissa mayo. The tacos were around £6 and a cocktail was £12, which I didn’t think was too bad for somewhere as nice as this.

El Fenn | Best things to do in Marrakech

Spend the night sleeping in the desert

When we booked our trip to Marrakech, I knew I wanted to spend a night in the desert. It had been on my bucket list for as long as I could remember and it really is one of the best things to do in Marrakech.

Whilst in Morocco, you can either stay in the Agafay Desert or the Sahara. Agafay is only about an hour’s drive from Marrakech, but it’ll take you 9 hours to get to the Sahara!

As much as staying in the Sahara is a dream of mine, we didn’t have enough time to stay for longer than one night, so we choose to stay in Agafay.

I don’t have a comparison to the Sahara, but The Agafay Desert was everything I imagined it’d be. A sky full of stars, incredible food, and the chance to experience something completely unique.

We checked into Oxygen Lodge it was amazing! The tents were so spacious, there was a great choice of traditional and European food (the club sandwich was a brilliant treat) and there’s a huge swimming pool with desert views.

Whilst you’re there, make sure you book one of the activities to really make the most of your experience. Choose from quad-biking, camel riding and walking tours.

Drink Moroccan mint tea

Mint tea is a long-standing tradition in Morocco, and you’re offered it everywhere you go, so it’d probably be harder for you not to drink it. It’s the drink of friendship and hospitality and is usually served to guests, so you’ll most likely be given some at your hotel.

Watching mint tea being poured is a spectacle in itself – it’s done from a height to create foam on top of the drink. If you’re feeling brave, you should try pouring a glass yourself, it’s harder than it looks!

I don’t usually like tea or coffee, but I was pleasantly surprised by mint tea. It’s delicious and really refreshing, especially after a day of exploring in the sun.

Find a bargain in the souks

One of the first things that attracted me to Marrakech was the pictures of the colourful souks. And seeing them in real-life completely lived up to my expectations. Getting lost amongst the endless winding alleyways is one of the best things to do in Marrakech.

Set out with no real agenda except exploring – don’t try and remember your route because it’s basically impossible.

There’s lots of beautiful pieces to buy in the souks – I had a field day in the homeware stores and picked up some gorgeous plates. And I would have bought a lot more if I wasn’t restricted by my luggage allowance.

How to haggle

Haggling in the souks is one of the best things to do in Marrakech. It’s part of the experience so I’d encourage you to embrace it and have fun. If you see something you like, always ask the owner how much it costs.

If you propose a price first you could end up suggesting something a lot higher than the actual value.

Start haggling at about a third of the price you’re given, and work from there. It helps to have a figure in mind that you’re willing to pay and be comfortable with the conversion rates beforehand so you can quickly calculate the cost.

I’d also recommend visiting a few different stalls to get an average price, you can use these when you’re haggling! Just remember that they need to make a living, so make sure you’re being fair in your offer.

Marvel at the Jemaa el-Fnaa square

The Jemaa el-Fnaa square is the main square in the city and visiting it is one of the best things to do in Marrakech. We went twice – during the day and at night-time. I’d definitely recommend doing both as it completely changes depending on the time you go.

By day, it’s a bustling market – you’ll see lots of stalls selling fresh orange juice, fruit and vegetables. In the evening, it comes alive.

You’ll find people grabbing dinner, snake charmers, fortune tellers, groups of locals singing and dancing, and street performers there to entertain.

Our trip in the evening was probably the only time during my trip that I felt really overwhelmed. There were a lot of people asking if we wanted to eat in their restaurant, and it seemed that every time we turned around someone else would ask us a question.

Plus, I was petrified that a snake charmer would appear from nowhere and put a snake around my neck. In hindsight, I was probably being quite dramatic, but at that moment it was a lot.

If you want to escape the square, head to Le Grand Balcon du Café Glacier for a drink. This isn’t usually somewhere I’d recommend but it’s a good spot for an amazing view over the square if you need a quick breather!

Feast on a traditional tagine

You’ll find Tagine on most menus in Marrakech. It’s a stew of slow-cooked spiced meat and vegetables, named after the earthenware pot it’s made in.

Make sure you try it at least once on your trip, although I’m sure you’ll end up ordering it several times!

Stay in a riad

You can’t visit Marrakech without staying in a Riad, it’s definitely the best thing to do in Marrakech. Infact, it would be my biggest piece of advice for your trip – skip the big hotels and book a Riad for a more authentic experience.

The word Riad literally means “enclosed garden” and they’re typically houses spanning several floors, with a courtyard in the middle. They’re absolutely beautiful and bound to make your stay even more special.

The most magical thing about Riads is that despite being in the heart of the busy Medina, once you shut the doors behind you, it feels like a sanctuary.

Completely still and peaceful, it’d be easy to forget you’re in a bustling city. There’s over 1,000 Riads in Marrakech, so you’re bound to find one you love.

Spend a morning at Yves Saint Laurents former home

YSL Museum | Best things to do in Marrakech

Le Jardin Majorelle is a botanical garden created by the French orientalist Jacques Majorelle. In 1922 he purchased an estate of palm trees in Marrakech and in 1931 he had an Art Deco-style chalet built on the grounds.

On the first floor was his home, with a large artist’s workshop on the ground floor. He went on to create a botanical garden (Le Jardin Majorelle) around his chalet – made up of exotic plants and rare species from his world travels.

In 1937, the artist created a blue colour – coined Majorelle blue, which he painted the walls of his chalet with. You’ll most likely recognise this iconic building even if you’ve never heard of Le Jardin Majorelle.

Majorelle left Morocco in 1962 and the garden was abandoned until 1980, when Yves Saint-Lauren & his partner Pierre Bergé founded the Association pour la Sauvegarde et le Rayonnement du Jardin Majorelle (Association for the Safeguarding and Promotion of the Majorelle Garden).

They restored the chalet and the garden and transformed the workshop into the Museum of Islamic Art of Marrakech where they exhibited their personal collection of Islamic art objects.

Nowadays, it’s Marrakech’s most popular tourist attraction, with over 900,000 visitors a year, so it’s definitely one of the best things to do in Marrakech.

See the city from above with a hot air balloon ride

For a completely unique experience, what better way to see the city than from a hot air balloon? Hot air balloon rides in Marrakech typically include:

• Food and Drinks:
• Breakfast
• Beverages (coffee, tea, soft drinks)
• Transportation (pickup, transfer back)
• Insurance of passengers and their belongings
• Bottled water
• Coffee and/or Tea
• Flight certificate

Visit Koutoubia Mosque

Katoubia Mosque | Best things to do in Marrakech

Koutoubia Mosque is the largest mosque in Marrakech and is just a 5-minute walk from the Jemaa el-Fnaa square. The mosque’s minaret (the tower) has stood over the old city since the 12th century and is one of Marrakech’s most famous landmarks.

Five times a day, you’ll hear the muezzin call to prayer from the Koutoubia Mosque. It’s well worth being there when they do, it’s a completely unique experience.

Non-Muslim visitors can’t enter the mosque, but you can admire the mosque from the outside and wander through the gardens.

Explore Le Jardin Secret

Exploring Le Jardin Secret is definitely one of the best things to do in Marrakech. It’s a beautiful oasis amongst the busy Medina filled with plants, wildlife and beautiful buildings. You’ll probably only need a couple of hours here, and I’d try to visit earlier in the day before it gets too hot!

There are two ticket options for Le Jardin Secret, both of which you buy at the door.

• Entrance: 60 dirhams (£5) for ages 7-24 and 80 dirhams (£7) for adults
• The Tower: Entrance to the Tower only. 30 dirhams (£2.50) for ages 7-24 and 40 dirhams (£3) for adults

Travel tip: It’s worth paying extra for tickets to the Tower – you’ll get incredible panoramic views over the Medina and beyond to the Atlas Mountains.

Take a day trip to the Atlas Mountains

Undoubtedly the most magical thing about Marrakech for me was being in a busy city yet being able to see mountains in the distance.

On a clear day, you can make out the snow-capped tops of the Atlas Mountains peaks and the contrast between the smoggy city and the rawness of nature was incredible.

Taking a day trip to the Atlas Mountains is a must do whilst you’re in Marrakech.

This private Atlas Mountains trip includes a traditional tajine lunch, a stop in a Berber village and a short hike to the Setti Fatma waterfalls. You’ll even have the opportunity to purchase local souvenirs to bring home with you.

It has a 5 star rating and a “Badge of Excellence” from Viator, so you can trust it’s a tried and tested tour.

Visit a Hammam

Getting a Hammam is a right of passage when you’re visiting Morocco, and one of the best things to do in Marrakech.

The word Hammam means “bath house” and it’s an important part of life in Morocco. Think of it like visiting a spa – you’ll usually start with a scrub before moving getting a massage.

I visited the Hammam in my Riad, which was the perfect introduction. You’ll find lots of Hammams scattered around Marrakech, so don’t worry if there isn’t one where you’re staying!

Explore Bahia Palace

Bahia Palace | Best things to do in Marrakech

The Bahia Palace was built at the end of the 19th century by Si Moussa, Grand Vizier of the Sultan, for his personal use. The plan was for it to be the largest palace of all time, taking over 10 years to complete and spanning 8000-sq-metres.

It’s a stunning building with incredible details, colours and gardens, and it’s well worth spending a morning exploring the palace and its grounds.

You can buy your ticket on the door for 70 dirhams pp (around £5).

Is Marrakech worth visiting: the food scene

The food scene in Marrakech is brilliant, as well as traditional restaurants offering tajine and Moroccan cuisine, there’s lots of new independents popping up. Here’s a few recommendations for your trip:

Plus 61

A lot of the restaurants in Marrakech serve traditional North African cuisine, including the infamous Tagine. It’s absolutely delicious, but if you’re in Marrakech for a week, you’ll probably fancy trying something else as well.

Plus 61 was my favourite meal of our trip, and eating dinner here is one of the best things to do in Marrakech. Co-owners Cassandra and Sebastian serve up an Australian menu using fresh ingredients from local farmers.

On-site, they make bread, pasta, cheese, and yoghurt fresh every day. The menu changes regularly but a firm favourite of ours was the chicken schnitzel with cabbage slaw and mint.

Barometre

One thing I didn’t expect to find in Marrakech was a New-York style speakeasy. But Baromètre, in the trendy neighbourhood of Gueliz, is paving the way for a new style of bar.

Headed up by the Hadni brothers, it’s the first mixology bar in the city. Make sure you stop by for a few cocktails – it’s one of the best things to do in Marrakech.

El Fenn

El Fenn is a stunning hotel with a rooftop that’s open to the public. You can either book into the restaurant for a more formal meal, or order from the rooftop bar menu.

We went for the second option and ordered the bbq chicken and roasted cauliflower tacos & the popcorn chicken with harissa mayo. The tacos were around £6 and a cocktail was £12, which I didn’t think was too bad for somewhere as nice as this.

Nomad

Nomad is one of the most famous rooftops in Marrakech, with a restaurant overlooking the Medina. I thought the food was ok here, but it’s a great place to pop in for some drinks.

Is Marrakech worth visiting? Accommodation choice

My biggest piece of advice is to skip the big hotels and book a Riad- a traditional Moroccan house with a garden in the centre.

They’re absolutely beautiful and bound to make your stay even more special. Here’s my top 3 picks for your trip:

What to wear in Marrakech

Marrakech is more liberal than other parts of Morocco, but I’d still advise covering your legs and chest area if you’re a woman.

I’ve got a full blog post on exactly what NOT to wear and what I’d advise packing.

Is Marrakech safe?

One of the most magical things about Marrakech is that their culture is so different to the UK, and I loved experiencing a place that was completely unique compared to anywhere I’d been before. I never felt unsafe in Marrakech, but at times it can feel overwhelming.

There’s often a lot of people who want your business, which can feel pushy. But a firm “no thank you” is usually enough for them to leave you alone.

There’s good and bad people everywhere you go, and the people I met in Marrakech were some of the kindest people I’ve encountered whilst travelling. No matter where you are, I’d advise you to keep an eye on your belongings, and Marrakech is no different.

Is Marrakech worth visiting? FAQs

Here’s some commonly asked questions you might have before visiting Marrakech.

When’s the best time to visit Marrakech?

We visited in March which was perfect – it was warm but not unbearable. I’d avoid visiting Marrakech in the height of summer as temperatures can reach over 40°C. This is the kind of holiday where you want to be out exploring the city, which I wouldn’t fancy doing in that heat.

Do you need to hire a car in Marrakech?

I personally wouldn’t hire a car in Marrakech – it felt as though there were no rules on the road. It was chaotic enough being a passenger so I really wouldn’t want to be driving. Taxis are affordable – we paid £8 from the airport to the centre of the Medina. Plus, you can walk most places if you’re staying within the Medina.

Where should you stay in Marrakech?

If it’s your first visit, I’d recommend staying in the Medina – the old part of Marrakech inside the city walls. This is where you’ll find the souks, Jemaa el-Fna Square, the Koutoubia Mosque and most of the main sights.

How many days do you need in Marrakech?

I’d recommend at least 5 full days in Marrakech. This is enough time to see the main sights, spend some time haggling in the souks, and spend a night in the desert. You could easily spend a whole week exploring the city though, there’s so much to see and do.

Is Marrakech a walkable city?

Yes, Marrakech is a very walkable city. In fact, it’s the way I’d recommend getting around. It’s really easy to walk around the Medina (the old city of Marrakesh), but you can easily get taxis if you need to go further afield.

Can unmarried couples share a room in Marrakech?

Yes, it’s absolutely fine for unmarried couples to share a room in Marrakech. I travelled with my boyfriend and we had no issues in either of the Riads or the desert camp we stayed overnight at, so don’t worry, you won’t have any problems.

So, is Marrakech worth visiting?

As you’ve probably gathered from this blog post, I’m a huge fan of Marrakech. It’s an incredibly vibrant city, and Moroccan hospitality is unlike anywhere else.

The business of the Medina only adds to its charm, the food scene is brilliant, and there’s something to do no matter your age or budget.