Things to Do in Marrakech: The Complete Guide

Marrakech is where most Morocco journeys begin — and for good reason. Nicknamed the "Red City" for the rosy sandstone of its walls and buildings, it packs imperial history, a UNESCO-listed medina, and some of the country's most photographed gardens into one walkable center.

Jemaa el-Fnaa: The Heart of the Medina

By day, Jemaa el-Fnaa square fills with orange-juice stalls, henna artists, and snake charmers; by night it transforms into an open-air theater of food stalls, musicians, and storytellers. It has been the beating heart of Marrakech for centuries and remains the natural starting point for exploring the surrounding souks.

Majorelle Garden and the Bahia Palace

A short taxi ride from the medina, Majorelle Garden is a cobalt-blue oasis of cacti and bamboo originally designed by French painter Jacques Majorelle. Inside the medina walls, the 19th-century Bahia Palace shows off some of the finest zellige tilework and carved cedar ceilings in the city — a quieter counterpoint to the bustle outside its gates.

The Souks and Ben Youssef Madrasa

Marrakech's souks are organized loosely by trade — leather in one quarter, lanterns and metalwork in another, textiles in a third — and getting pleasantly lost in them is part of the experience. The nearby Ben Youssef Madrasa, once North Africa's largest Islamic college, is one of the medina's most architecturally striking stops.

Where to Base Yourself for Day Trips

Marrakech is also the most common launch point for trips further afield — the Atlas Mountains, the Sahara at Merzouga, and the coastal town of Essaouira are all reachable as day or multi-day excursions. Many travelers use it as the start or end point of a longer loop through the country.

If you want to see Marrakech with a private, licensed local guide rather than on your own, our 3-day Sahara Desert tour from Marrakech and the full list of tours departing from Marrakech both start right here in the Red City.