Got a few days to spare for a little getaway? A nearby destination, not too demanding, that lets you switch off and feel instantly transported to another world.
If that sounds like you, then Marrakech could be the perfect destination! With its colorful, chaotic streets and its colorful, chaotic markets (everything in Morocco is a wonderfully beautiful chaos!), this red city of Morocco offers countless possibilities.
In this article, we’ll take you on a virtual tour (and then a real one!) through the 7 things to see in Marrakech, discovering the most fascinating places that will make your trip truly unforgettable.
From the souk to the medina… here are the must-see places in Marrakech
#1 The souk
The souk (‘suuq’ in Arabic) is Marrakech’s world-famous historic market, starting in Djemaa El-Fna square and stretching for several kilometers, forming a huge covered labyrinth where everything is sold, from the most colorful spices to gold jewelry.
Our humble advice is to enjoy a nice walk through it, but if you want to shop, it may be better to do so elsewhere because prices tend to be quite inflated for tourists, and you’ll need to bargain a lot (really a lot—we’d even say to the point of exhaustion), though not quite to the levels of Cairo’s Khan El-Khalili market.
To see it at its busiest, it’s best to visit in the morning.
#2 Saadian Tombs
Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur wanted these luxurious grounds to accompany him when he left this life, so his resting place had to resemble his grand palace.
A modest man, this sultan.
So, during his reign (1578–1603), he commissioned the construction of this sumptuous necropolis, where among the hundreds of tombs are those of his mother, his first son, his wife, and his grandchildren, in addition to his own.
With the fall of the Saadian dynasty, the entrance was sealed off so that no one could access it, and the tombs were forgotten—but they were not destroyed or looted like the palaces, perhaps for superstitious reasons.
The complex was only rediscovered in 1917 and, after a long restoration process, was opened to the public.
The mausoleums’ decorations, including a central hall with twelve Carrara marble columns and intricately detailed entrance arches, make it one of the finest examples of Moroccan architecture.
#3 Djemaa El-Fna
It is the heart of Marrakech’s medina and the largest traditional square in Morocco.
From sunset into the evening, the square comes alive with food stalls and every kind of street performance, including storytellers (in Berber or Arabic), magicians, musicians, and dancers. And unfortunately, also monkey handlers who will suddenly appear before your eyes with chains and peanuts, asking for money for a photo.
Morocco is this too! A country of contradictions, felt most strongly in its main cities.
#4 Bahia Palace
Contrary to what you might think, its name has nothing to do with its geographic location, but rather with the fact that ‘bahia’ in Arabic means brilliant, and it is believed that al-Bahia (“the brilliant one”) was the name of Ba Ahmed’s favorite wife, as he expanded the palace that his father Si Musa had begun in 1859.
The intricate decoration and design details of the rooms, with Arabic inscriptions, geometric motifs, and arabesques, are exquisite, but it is undoubtedly the 1,500-square-meter central courtyard, with its Carrara marble floor, that steals the show.
Although the area open to the public is quite large, only part of this huge 8-hectare, 150-room palace can be visited.
#5 Koutoubia Mosque
Continuing our virtual tour, we come closer to this tall minaret, visible from practically everywhere, which five times a day lets Muslims know that it is time for prayer.
The Koutoubia Mosque (or Kutubiyya) is the largest mosque in the city and one of Morocco’s many UNESCO World Heritage sites. The current structure dates back to 1158, while its famous minaret—which inspired the Giralda of Seville Cathedral—dates to 1195.
The bad news is that only Muslims may enter, but at least you can see the gardens (we’ll take what we can get). The most you’ll be able to glimpse of the interior, if you’re not there to pray, is from outside when the doors open on Friday, the busiest day of the week—as it is the most important day in Islam.
#6 Majorelle Garden
If you need a break from the medina’s alleys, this private garden, owned by French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent, is an ideal place. And, by the way, it is absolutely incredible.
It was purchased in 1980 by YSL and his partner Pierre Bergé to open it to the public and preserve it according to the wishes of the French painter Majorelle, its original owner, who displayed here plant species from all five continents (apparently, cacti were his favorites).
At the center of the park stands Majorelle’s former studio, an elegant building painted electric blue that now houses the Berber Museum.
Don’t assume that Jardin Majorelle is an oasis of peace, or you may be disappointed. In fact, it is one of the most visited places in Morocco. To avoid the crowds and long lines, it’s best to go right when it opens, at 8 a.m.
#7 The medina
We’ve mentioned it several times already, so it certainly couldn’t be left off our list.
As we were saying, the medina is where you are likely to spend most of your time, since it is the most colorful, picturesque, and historic area of Marrakech.
Beyond the main mainstream choices of travelers, we love getting lost in the little streets and wandering around peacefully, away from the crowds.
Early morning is a great time to roam, when there is plenty of local trade but not too many foreigners, so the persistent ‘tourist hunters’ are fewer. But sunset is the most enchanting time of day, when the walls take on reddish, pink, and golden shades that make them feel magical.
Conclusions
In this article, we’ve seen some of the most beautiful places in Marrakech. That’s right, some. If you want to discover them all, set off with us on an incredible journey.
Boom. Take a look at our itinerary.
