Top 10 places to visit in Marrakech

The old and magical Marrakech, full of palaces, mosques, markets and gardens, is one of those cities that you cannot miss. Its Medina surrounded by a great wall and entrance doors, is spectacular, where staying in a riad is a necessity to enjoy the authentic essence of the city.

Marrakech is the most visited city in Morocco where you will find a lot of tourism, even going to be a bit overwhelming if you are in the rush hour in the most visited places, so organizing the visit well will help you savor the real beauty and charm of Marrakech.

We have made a list of what we believe are the 10 essential places to visit in Marrakech, based on our experience as a travel agency and local citizens:

1. Jamaa el Fna Square

The Jamaa el Fna Square is the nerve center of Marrakech, all routes through the Medina end or start in this square. Artists of many talent gather in the square by night, from story tellers to acrobats to musicians of the local folklore, along with food stalls and a number of shops. 

2. Medersa Ben Youssef

Entering the Medersa Ben Youssef is one of the best things to see and do in Marrakech, without a doubt. This Muslim school is the largest in Morocco and was built in the 14th century. The central patio is spectacular with an incredible iron lamp, the arches and walls decorated with tiles, and the walls covered in zellige, cedar, stucco and marble panels made by hand.

Visiting hours: every day from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

3. Saadian tombs

Finding the Saadian Tombs in the Medina is a little complicated, so it is not surprising that these tombs dating from the sixteenth century will not be found until 1917. The mausoleum of the Twelve Columns Room is the most beautiful place, with its twelve white marble columns holding a handmade cedar wood dome that is a true marvel.

4. The Souk

In the middle of the Medina and entering the north side of the Jamaa el Fna you will enter a labyrinthine of narrow streets full of shops and the occasional food stall. In the souk you can buy the typical metal lanterns, babouches, djellaba, tea sets, spices or clothing … among many other typical items of the country. You will see that the artisans of the same branch are grouped in the same area of ​​the souk, thus being much easier for the traveler, to find what they are looking for.

Visiting hours: every day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. They close on Friday mornings.

5. Mellah

Mellah or the old Jewish quarter is one of the least visited areas of the Medina, but one of the most interesting. The creation of the neighborhood dates back to the sixteenth century with the expulsion of many Jews ordered by the kings of Spain and Portugal, which led to the formation of one of the largest Jewish communities in Morocco.

6. Riads

The riads are small and ancient Arab palaces with an interior courtyard that have been adapted as hotels. It is the perfect place to stay in the medina of Marrakech, with the noise of the patio fountain, the smell of the plants, the roof terrace overlooking the Medina while you savor a mint tea, the Arabian hospitality, the delicious breakfasts and the tranquility of its few rooms.

7. Majorelle Gardens

The Majorelle Gardens are the most beautiful in the city and one of the places to visit in Marrakech. These botanical gardens designed by the French artist Jacques Majorelle were acquired in 1980 by the fashion guru Yves Saint Laurent and today are a perfect place to disconnect from the stressful Marrakech and shelter from the heat sitting under the shade of the trees. The garden has species from all over the world, from cactus, bamboo and aquatic plants to coconut and banana trees. Its fountains, lakes and buildings of blue color make the set really beautiful and photogenic, being also one of the most visited places in the city.

Visiting hours: every day from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

8. Wall

The Medina of Marrakech is surrounded by an impressive 15-kilometer wall that separates its oldest part from the new neighborhoods. Built in clay and adobe, it has a height of about 10 meters and has 10 impressive entrance doors, among which the Bab Agnaou Gate from the 12th century stands out, with bas-reliefs and green colors.

9. Koutoubia Mosque

One of the unmistakable buildings of the silhouette of Marrakech is the 66 meter minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque or Koutoubia. The Koutoubia is the most important mosque in Marrakech and one of the largest in the Arab world. This mosque is very close to the Jamaa el Fna Square and you can see it from the terraces of many restaurants and roofs of the surrounding riads, from where you can make good photos of the medina with the minaret jutting out over the horizon.

10. Bahia Palace

This group of buildings and gardens made in Arabic style in the late nineteenth century occupy 8 hectares and among the most prominent is the harem, with a pond in the central courtyard and surrounded by the rooms of the concubines. Although it is a bit abandoned and without any object inside, the decoration of the walls, wooden doors and ceilings are worth visiting.

Visiting hours: every day from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.