The 17 best things to do in Marrakech

An architectural marvel and Marrakech’s most important monument, this 14th-century religious school has recently undergone a painstaking five-year renovation during which the rich zellij tiling, ancient cedarwood ceilings and vine-covered stuccowork have been brought back to stunning life. Up in the dormitories of Medersa Ben Youssef you’ll find absorbing videos about the restoration.  

Why go? To get an appreciation of the extraordinary technical skill and imaginative power of Morocco’s master craftsmen, who still ply their trade in the city’s souks. 

Souk Semmarine is the Bond St of Marrakech’s central souks, lined with carpets, cut brass lanterns, leatherwork and babouche. Dive in and get lost in the tangle of alleys which lead off into Rahba Kedima (the spice market) and souk Haddadine (blacksmiths alley).

Why go? Did you even go to Morocco if you didn’t come back with something to remember it by? Haggle with the traders for that beautiful rug you spotted – you won’t regret it. 

The French designer loved spending time in Marrakech so much he bought the famous Jardin Majorelle in 1980 and made it home. Now, the Musée Yves Saint Laurent, located next door, is dedicated to Yves’s couture legacy and has a permanent display of hundreds of garments spanning his 40-year career.

Why go? The YSL collection is an amazing body of work that even non-fashionistas can appreciate. It’s housed in one of the city’s most striking contemporary buildings, and includes a beautiful café, bookshop, archive library and auditorium.

Created by the French painter Jacques Majorelle, this botanical garden is home to more types of cacti than you can shake a terrarium at and has a stunning indigo blue art deco house as its centrepiece.

Why go? Phone cameras at the ready – Jardin Majorelle with its sculptural cacti and indigo blue villa is pure Instagram gold. Majorelle’s studio also houses the Berber Museum, showcasing a rich collection of traditional Moroccan jewellery and fashion. 

Bahia Palace (which roughly translates to ‘beautiful palace’) was built in the late 19th century, and now forms the epicentre of the city’s culture. You won’t believe the decor until you see it, with high, gilded ceilings, rooms filled with paintings, mosaics and stuccos, and a huge, open garden to wander.

Why go? To find a spot in the shade and sit for hours to take it all in. 

What is it? The epic ruins of Sultan Ahmed al-Mansour's once-magnificent palace, within which are set sunken gardens of orange trees surrounded by epic ramparts whose decrepit towers offer panoramic views over the medina.

Why go? El Badi may be a ruin, but it offers a fascinating insight into the power and wealth of past Moroccan dynasties. Within the ruins, you’ll also find the jewel that is the Koutoubia’s minbar (prayer pulpit), crafted by 12th-century Cordoban artisans. 

What is it? A three-storey riad-turned-gallery housing the vintage Moroccan photography collection of Patrick Menac’h and Marrakshi Hamid Mergani. The images document the lifestyle and landscapes of Morocco between 1870 and 1950 – more than a century later, many things remain exactly the same.

Why go? To immerse yourself in the visual history of Morocco. Maison de la Photographie's rooftop café is also one of the highest in the medina and is a great spot for lunch.

The hammam – public bathhouse – is a Moroccan institution and you’ll find one in every neighbourhood in Marrakech as well as hotels like La Mamounia, Riad Tarabel and Es Saadi. It’s where Moroccans go for their weekly, relaxing gommage (scrub), but also to reconnect with themselves and with friends and family.

Why go? Because it’s an authentic Moroccan experience and is incredibly restorative. Alongside a full body scrub, most hammams offer masques and massages as well. 

Ten minutes west of the walled medina, you’ll find the neighbourhood of Gueliz, the so-called 1930s ‘New Town’. Alongside its cafes and shopping malls, it harbours some exciting modern and contemporary art galleries like Galerie Siniya 28, Galerie 127 and Comptoir des Mines. 

Why go? Gueliz is the modern face of Marrakech and these galleries offer an insight into the vibrant, multidisciplinary art scene that Morocco fosters. 

The vast open square at the heart of the medina is one of Marrakech’s biggest attractions and is a Unesco world heritage site. Expect snake charmers, street entertainers and over-enthusiastic henna artists at every turn. Locals and tourists descend on the Jemaa every night, drawn by the ceaseless hoopla and halqa (street theatre). 

Why go? Grab some food from one of the barbecue stalls, listen to some music, head up to a rooftop bar and marvel at the sunset.

The former governor’s palace and home to the notorious Thami El Glaoui, Lord of the Atlas. Now the Musée des Confluences, it houses the archaeological collection of American Patty Birch and puts on shows exploring the intersection of eastern and western cultures.

Why go? This is one of the most beautiful palaces in the medina, vast in ambition and covered in intricate detail: coffered cedar ceilings, geometric tiling, stucco worked into elaborate floral motifs. Don’t miss Marrakech’s best cafe, Bacha Coffee House, which serves more than 40 brews in a jewel-like space.

Hop aboard a vintage sidecar motorbike for Marrakech Insiders' tailormade tour of the Red City. The essential tour nips down alleys and through grand royal gates to give you a behind-the-scenes peak of local neighbourhoods, while other tours take you out to Art Deco Gueliz and beyond to the Palmeraie and desert. 

Why go? Because it’s fun and revealing and will give you a fabulous insight into Marrakech that will be hard to access on your own. It’s also a tremendously adventurous way for families to tour the city. 

A jewel of 16th-century Saadian architecture, this douiria (guest apartment) was built by a chorfa (noble) family and retains all its exquisite original decoration that acts as a backdrop to thoughtful exhibitions and musical events.

Why go? Every Monday and Friday from October to May, Musée de Mouassine hosts concerts of classical Moroccan music. Set in such beautiful surroundings, the events are super-atmospheric and accompanied by tea and pastries.

Sahbi Sahbi is an atmospheric modern Moroccan restaurant in the New Town, Gueliz, designed by renown architectural practice Studio KO. Presided over by an all-female team, Sahbi Sahbi serves up some of the best traditional Moroccan dishes in a stylish interior with an open, central kitchen where you can see the magic happen. 

Why go? To sample traditional Moroccan cooking at its finest, including unctuous beef tangia with white beans and cinnamon-dusted pigeon pastilla. Reserve a seat at the counter to see the chefs in action. 

The Mellah is the ancient Jewish quarter of Marrakech, which has undergone an extensive renovation programme reinstating Jewish street names and repairing unique architectural. Make sure to visit the Al Azama synagogue, founded in the 16th-century, and the extraordinary Miaara cemetery, the largest Jewish cemetery in Morocco.

Why go? Tours give an insight into a fascinating part of Marrakech’s (and Morocco’s) history. The Mellah is also an area of the city is less well explored by tourists and still has a very authentic neighbourhood atmosphere.

Souk Cuisine puts on cookery classes with a twist. Starting with a tour of the souks, you shop for ingredients before heading to a riad where you’re taught how to cook by a group of local women.

Why go? Food is a huge part of Moroccan culture, and the course is a fab way to learn more about the country and its traditions. You’ll also make some of the tastiest tagines in town.

Café Clock is a hybrid restaurant-café-cultural centre where you can consider the merits of date milkshakes and camel burgers and sign up for storytelling workshops, calligraphy classes, oud lessons and Gnaoua jam sessions.

Why go? To dive deep into Moroccan culture and give some things a go yourself. Also, 10 dirhams from every camel burger Café Clock sells goes to charity.