Marrakesh is such a magical city, so much so that we’ve visited a number of times. At its heart is Jemaa el-Fnaa square, where you’ll be surrounded by the music of snake charmers’ flutes, the delicious scent of lamb sizzling over hot coals, and colourful stalls selling everything from spices to handbags.
There are so many things to do in Marrakesh from getting lost in the souks to sipping mint tea on a hidden roof top. You will fall in love with this chaotic, crazy, colourful city with its stunning architecture, delicious food and amazing atmosphere.
It’s a city of contrast in many ways from the peace and tranquility of the beautiful riads scattered across the city to the buzzing atmosphere in the ancient medina. Here are our favourite things to do in Marrakesh to get the perfect balance.
Our Favourite Riads In Marrakesh
Riad le Clos des Arts – is a beautifully restored, art-filled oasis in Marrakesh’s medina, offering elegant rooms, warm hospitality, and a beautiful rooftop.
Riad Dar Ten – an intimate, six-room hideaway just steps from Jemaa el-Fna where chic modern, meets Moroccan design. The peaceful rooftop terrace overlooks the medina.
Riad Kheirredine – a truly luxurious hideaway with a rooftop heated pool, beautifully refined Moroccan design, and a tranquil in-house hammam for ultimate relaxation.
Jemaa el-Fnaa
Jemaa el-Fnaa is the main square of the medina and the perfect starting point for exploring Marrakesh. From here, you can easily reach Souk Semmarine, Koutoubia Mosque, Bahia Palace, and Le Jardin Secret.
The square itself is a UNESCO World Heritage site and has been the city’s cultural hub for centuries. When we stepped into this huge square, on the first evening we were in Marrakech, we were amazed by all the different things that we saw such as snake charmers, an array of street food, monkeys (although I was sad to see they were chained up) and stalls selling everything you can think of.
It’s busy, loud, and a full sensory overload, so after a while we escaped to a rooftop café to watch the square from above.
Because it’s such a tourist hotspot, stay alert. If someone offers photos with animals or tries to sell you something, always agree a price first.
Shop In The Souks
The Marrakech souks are one of the largest in North Africa showcasing Morroccan craftmanship and are separated into different areas.
Souk Semmarine is the main shopping street targeting tourists with souvenirs, textiles, leather bags and traditional slippers. This part of the souk is very busy so make sure you keep your valuables safe.
I much preferred wandering down side alleys as they are quieter and you can often pick up more unusual items. Remember you are expected to haggle here so don’t take the first price and be ready to walk away.
The best time of day to visit is early morning as it’s a lot calmer and cooler in the souks. By midday the temperatures rise and all the people on day trips have arrived. When I was looking for a hand bag the stall holder took us up to the roof top workshop and showed us where all the bags were made, which was fascinating.
1 Hour Souk Route
Start in Jemaa el-Fna.
Walk up Souk Semmarine – textiles, leather, classic souk vibe.
Left into Souk Smata – belts, slippers, small leather goods.
Continue to Souk el-Attarine – spices, oils, scents.
Head to Souk Zrabia – carpets + wider alleys.
Arrive at Rahba Kedima (Old Spice Square).
Walk back to Jemaa el-Fna.
Wander Around Jardin Majorelle
You will probably have seen pictures of this vibrant garden but I think it’s even more stunning in real life. The garden that was created in the 1920s by a French artist Jaques Majorelle and later restored by Yves Saint Laurent.
It’s made up of electric-blue buildings, exotic plants and calming water features, with plenty of quiet corners to sit and relax away from the craziness of the Medina. If you want to avoid queues and enjoy a more tranquil experience, make sure to visit in the morning, it gets busier as the day goes on, and tickets sometimes sell out.
Relax In A Hammam
A Hammam is a traditional Moroccan bathhouse combining steam, scrubbing, and cleansing rituals rooted in the Islamic hygiene culture.
There are two main types which you will come across, public hammams and luxury hammams. Public Hammams are authentic, no frills, gender segregated and very cheap. Typically they cost between 10 and 30MAD on the other hand are the luxury hammams which can cost anything between 300 and 1500MAD.
They will both be very different experiences and you will mainly find tourists in the luxury hammams which feel more like the spas that we are used to. If you are looking to go to one of the luxury hammams then make sure you book 48 – 72hrs in advance, particularly for the more popular ones and going in the late afternoon or early evening is usually the quietest time.
Strangely getting aggressively scrubbed by a stranger is one of the best thing you can do in Marrakesh. You will come away feeling reborn after shedding all that dead skin.
Watch A Belly Dancing Show
Belly dancing shows, also known locally as shikhat, blend Egyptian-style movements with Moroccan flair, accompanied by live Gnaoua music. Expect colourful costumes, rhythmic hip movements, and a touch of cabaret-style glamour.
Many shows come as part of a dinner package and usually last around 1–2 hours. It’s wise to book a couple of days in advance, as spots fill up quickly.
If you’re feeling energetic, you can even try a belly dancing lesson, which is offered at various studios and cultural centres across the city.
Koutoubia Mosque
Koutoubia Mosque is the largest in Marrakesh, and you’ll see its image on countless postcards and souvenirs across the city.
The interior and prayer halls are strictly off-limits to non-Muslims, but you can still enjoy wandering around the beautiful gardens. The best photos are taken from the south-west side at sunset, when the stone glows a rose-gold colour in the evening light. Hearing the call to prayer at this time makes it feel even more magical.
It takes less than five minutes to walk from Jemaa el-Fnaa to Koutoubia Mosque, and you can see the minaret from the square, so it’s very easy to find.
Ride In A Hot Air Balloon
For the most magical hot air balloon ride you need to get up early. Most companies that organise these trips pick up around 5am so that you can enjoy sunrise.
You float above the red dunes, palm groves, tiny Berber villages, and the snow-dusted Atlas Mountains as the sun comes up, in my mind definitely worth the early alarm.
The ride usually lasts between 45 – 60 minutes and is followed by a traditional Moroccan breakfast. As the trip in total lasts between 4 and 5 hours its ideal for those staying in Marrakesh for more than a long weekend or those who want to escape the busy city.
Stay In A Traditional Riad
If you are going to Marrakesh then you have to stay in a traditional riad as its part of the whole experience. We stayed in a beautiful little riad just a few minutes’ walk from the main square, tucked down a tiny alleyway.
Riads are built around a central courtyard which often features a plunge pool, seatingand sometimes fruit trees. We were welcomed with fresh mint tea (poured from a great height) and sweet biscuits on a sofa in the courtyard of our riad. The perfect way to start our trip.
We had a gorgeous room furnished with traditional pieces and decorated in a rich Moroccan palette. The highlight to our stay was the rooftop terrace where you could relax on a lounger or enjoy breakfast with a view.
Staying in a riad feels like being an honoured guest in someone’s home. We felt incredibly well looked after, and the staff were so friendly, offering advice on where to go and what to see.
A riad offers a little bit of calm, quiet and relaxation in total contrast to the busy streets of the medina.
Our Favourite Riads In Marrakesh
Riad le Clos des Arts – is a beautifully restored, art-filled oasis in Marrakeshh’s medina, offering elegant rooms, warm hospitality, and a beautiful rooftop.
Riad Dar Ten – an intimate, six-room hideaway just steps from Jemaa el-Fna where chic modern, meets Moroccan design. The peaceful rooftop terrace overlooks the medina.
Riad Kheirredine – a truly luxurious hideaway with a rooftop heated pool, beautifully refined Moroccan design, and a tranquil in-house hammam for ultimate relaxation.
Bahia Palace
Tucked in the southern medina, just a 10-minute walk from Jemaa el-Fnaa, Bahia Palace is one of Marrakesh’s most beautiful spots to wander around. It’s a maze of sunlit courtyards, colourful zellige tiles, painted cedar ceilings, and peaceful gardens. The perfect place to spend an hour after exploring the souks.
The highlight is the Grand Riad courtyard with its orange trees and intricate detailing. Entry is 70 MAD, and if you go before 10 AM, you’ll avoid most of the tour groups and get the quiet, dreamy atmosphere everyone hopes for.
Why We Love Marrakesh
Marrakesh is a city that stays with you long after you’ve left. It’s a place where the call to prayer drifts over rooftop terraces, colours feel brighter, and every corner reveals something unexpected. However you choose to spend your time here, one thing’s certain: Marrakesh will leave you wanting to return the moment you leave.