At dusk on Jemaa el-Fnaa, the square fills with drum beats, storytellers and shouts, and the food stalls light up in rows. That is the moment most visitors remember, but it is only one part of a city whose old quarter, the Medina, is wrapped in sandstone walls that gave Marrakesh its nickname, the Red City.
Marrakesh suits travellers who are happy to walk, bargain and move between grand architecture and crowded market lanes in the same afternoon. It rewards those who start early for the busiest sites and keep their evenings free for the square.
This guide covers the main sights in and around the Medina and Gueliz, with practical notes on timing, tickets and what to combine nearby.
Top things to do in Marrakesh
1. Djemaa El-Fna
The square at the heart of the medina is the highlight of a Marrakesh night. Musicians, dancers and storytellers pack it, scores of stalls sell Moroccan fare, and amateur boxing matches are sometimes held. By day it is largely filled with snake charmers, people with monkeys and more ordinary stalls.
Come at night for the full effect, and be prepared to give some dirham to watch or take photos. Women offering henna tattoos will approach you; the square sits right beside the Koutoubia Mosque and the entrance to the souks, so it is easy to combine all three in one outing.
2. The Souks
The markets of Marrakesh sit just next to Djemaa El-Fna and sell almost anything: spices, shoes, jellabas, kaftans, tea pots and tagines. As a foreigner you will likely pay higher prices than a local would, so bargain nonetheless.
If you run out of dirham, plenty of people in the souks will exchange dollars or euros, though the rate is likely to be less fair than at an official exchange. Sellers here are much less aggressive than in some other countries, so take your time. An entire day can be spent wandering the different souks in search of the best bargains.
3. Koutoubia Mosque
The Koutoubia Mosque stands right beside Djemaa El-Fna and takes its name from the booksellers' market that used to be here. Its minaret is to Marrakesh what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris, and it is visible from Gueliz, which is connected to the Medina by Avenue Mohammed V.
The mosque is beautifully lit at night, so pair it with an evening at the square. Non-Muslims are not allowed inside.
4. El Bahia Palace
This ornate palace complex was built in the late 19th century and expanded by Ba Ahmed, Grand Vizier to Sultan Moulay Abdelaziz. It has courtyards, gardens, richly decorated rooms and traditional Moroccan architectural details. The main entrance is on Rue Riad Zitoun el Jedid.
It is close to other sights in the southern Medina and can be reached on foot from Jemaa el-Fnaa. Arriving shortly after opening helps you avoid the busiest periods.
5. El Badi Palace
The El Badi Palace complex is extensive, with ruins, courtyards, underground passages and exhibitions. On clear days the terrace offers views over the surrounding Medina and the Atlas Mountains.
Allow around 45 to 90 minutes to explore the main areas, and check current information before travelling. It sits in Ksibat Nhass, within reach of the southern Medina sights.
6. Saadian Tombs
Built in the 16th century as the dynastic necropolis of the Saadian dynasty, the complex includes the Chamber of the Twelve Columns, the Chamber of the Mihrab, the Chamber of the Three Niches and the garden tombs. It was rediscovered in 1917 and later restored and opened to visitors.
The site is compact and most visitors see the main areas in 20 to 30 minutes. The entrance passage is narrow, so arriving early can help you avoid queues. It is on Rue de la Kasbah, beside the Kasbah Mosque and within walking distance of Jemaa el-Fnaa.
7. Ben Youssef Madrasa
One of the largest madrassas in North Africa, this school is attached to the Ben Youssef Mosque and is home to beautiful art and architecture. It is closed for religious holidays.
It sits in Kaat Benahid, deep in the medina, so it works well as a stop while you are already exploring the souks and the old quarter.
8. Majorelle Gardens
These gardens in Gueliz provide an excellent respite from the bustle of the city streets, though they can be crowded with tourists. The park was designed by the artist Jacques Majorelle in the 1920s and 1930s and has been owned by Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé since 1980. It holds a collection of plants from around the globe, including what seems like every cactus species on the planet.
Get here early to avoid the crowds. Advance bookings must be made online, as it is not possible to buy a ticket at the site. Inside the gardens is also the Berber Museum, which shows a slightly bigger and more modern presentation than the Dar Si Saïd Museum.
9. Yves Saint Laurent Museum
This museum is next door to the Majorelle Gardens on Rue Yves St Laurent, making the two an obvious pairing. Queues are far shorter here than at the gardens, though you still have to buy either a YSL Museum ticket or a combination ticket.
Advance bookings must be made online, as it is not possible to buy a ticket at the site. A combination ticket covers the Majorelle Gardens and the Berber Museum as well.
10. Dar Si Saïd Museum
Set in an old palace with beautiful gardens, this museum on Rue Riad Zitoun Jdid is about five minutes from Djemaa El-Fna. While somewhat run-down, it is worth seeing and houses many artifacts from Morocco through the ages, including wood carvings, musical instruments and weapons.
It is dedicated to the Moroccan craft industry of wood and holds a fine collection of popular art: carpets, clothing, pottery and ceramics, with objects from Marrakesh and the south, including Tensift, the High Atlas, the Sous, the Anti Atlas, Bani and Tafilalt.
11. Marrakech Museum
The Marrakech Museum is housed in the Dar Menebhi Palace, constructed at the end of the 19th century. It is a convenient stop in the medina when you want to break up a morning of walking and market browsing.
Pair it with the Ben Youssef Madrasa, which is in the same part of the old city.
12. Moroccan Culinary Arts Museum
If you are interested in food and eating culture, you will enjoy this museum on Rue Riad Zitoun el Jdid. It offers audiovisual information about Moroccan culinary culture, its ingredients, techniques and traditions, and you can touch and smell many things.
It also has a well equipped cooking school. Its location on Rue Riad Zitoun el Jdid puts it close to the Dar Si Saïd Museum and El Bahia Palace.
13. The Menara gardens
The Menara gardens are a mixture of orchards and olive groves surrounding a water reservoir with a central pavilion, a popular sight on tourist postcards. The pavilion was built during the 16th-century Saadi dynasty and renovated in 1869.
This is not a decorative garden and is now quite run down. There is a small cafe, but it is not open all hours, and there are no toilets open when the cafe is closed. Admission is free, and the gardens lie west of the city within walking distance.
14. Jewish Cemetery
Adjacent to the mellah within the medina, this is the largest Jewish cemetery in Morocco, characterised by white-washed tombs and sandy graves. The men selling tickets are full of interesting information about the cemetery, but you have to ask.
Combine it with the Slat Al Azama Synagogue, which is nearby in the same quarter.
15. Slat Al Azama Synagogue
This synagogue is not only a place of worship with a beautiful open courtyard, but also includes interesting displays about the varied history of Judaism in Morocco, including photos of Jews in the Berber Mountains. It is closed on Saturdays.
It sits close to the Jewish Cemetery, so the two are easily seen together.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start early at the Saadian Tombs on Rue de la Kasbah, before the narrow entrance passage fills with queues. Walk on to El Bahia Palace and arrive shortly after opening to avoid the busiest periods, then continue to the nearby Dar Si Saïd Museum on Rue Riad Zitoun Jdid.
Afternoon: Head into the Medina and the Souks, bargaining for spices, shoes, jellabas, kaftans, tea pots and tagines. Break the walk with the Ben Youssef Madrasa and the Marrakech Museum, then make your way towards the Koutoubia Mosque as the light softens.
Evening: Spend the night at Djemaa El-Fna, where musicians, dancers and storytellers fill the square and the food stalls sell Moroccan fare. Keep some dirham ready to give when you watch or photograph the shows, and see the Koutoubia Mosque lit up beside the square before you leave.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Djemaa El-Fna?
Night, when musicians, dancers and storytellers pack the square and the food stalls are at their busiest. By day it is largely filled with snake charmers, people with monkeys and more ordinary stalls.
Do I need to book Majorelle Gardens and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum in advance?
Yes. Advance bookings for both must be made online, as it is not possible to buy a ticket at either site. Queues are far shorter at the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, though you still have to buy either a museum ticket or a combination ticket.
Can non-Muslims go inside the Koutoubia Mosque?
No. Non-Muslims are not allowed inside, but the minaret is visible from Gueliz and the mosque is beautifully lit at night.
How long should I allow for the Saadian Tombs and El Badi Palace?
The Saadian Tombs are compact and most visitors see the main areas in 20 to 30 minutes. For El Badi Palace, allow around 45 to 90 minutes to explore the main areas.
Decide which of these fits your first morning, check the current ticket and timing details before you travel, and start building your days around the square at dusk.