Top 10 Things to Do in Marrakech

Marrakech — the "Red City" — is an intoxicating blend of colors, smells, and sounds. Whether you're getting lost in the labyrinthine souks or seeking peace in a riad courtyard, Marrakech engages all senses. Here are the top 10 absolute must-do experiences — straight from a local!

1. Get Lost in the Medina and Souks

You cannot visit Marrakech without diving into the deep, winding alleyways of the Medina. Shop for intricate lanterns, vibrant spices, leather goods, and hand-woven rugs. Tip: Always negotiate respectfully! The first price is almost never the final price. A local guide makes the difference between an overwhelming experience and a magical one.

2. Experience Jemaa el-Fna at Night

As the sun sets, this enormous square transforms into the ultimate street food theater. Storytellers, musicians, snake charmers, and rows of food stalls. Grab a bowl of harira soup or a glass of fresh orange juice for just 4 Dirhams.

3. Relax in the Majorelle Garden

Created by French painter Jacques Majorelle and later restored by Yves Saint Laurent, this botanical garden is famous for its striking cobalt blue structures and towering cacti. Get here at 8:30 AM to beat the crowds!

4. Marvel at Bahia Palace

The "Palace of the Brilliant" lives up to its name. Featuring 150 rooms filled with carved cedar wood ceilings, colorful zellij tiles, and grand courtyards — a masterpiece of 19th-century Moroccan architecture.

5. Watch the Sunset from a Rooftop Café

Head to Café des Épices or Nomad in the heart of the Medina. Sipping sweet Moroccan mint tea while watching the sun dip behind the Koutoubia Mosque is purely magical. These spots also serve excellent food.

6. Experience a Traditional Hammam

For ultimate relaxation, visit a traditional Moroccan bathhouse. Enjoy a steam session followed by a vigorous scrub with black soap and a kessa glove. You will leave with the softest skin of your life and a deep sense of calm.

7. Stay in a Traditional Riad

Skip the modern hotels. A riad is a traditional Moroccan house built around an inner courtyard, often with a fountain or small pool. It offers an oasis of quiet right in the center of the chaotic city. Worth every dirham.

8. Explore the Saadian Tombs

Hidden for centuries and only rediscovered in 1917, the resting place of the Saadian dynasty is an absolute marvel of imported Italian marble and pure gold decoration. One of the most underrated sites in Marrakech.

9. Take a Cooking Class

Learn to make your own tagine! Cooking classes usually start with a market tour to buy fresh ingredients before returning to the kitchen to slow-cook vegetables and meat in the iconic clay pot. A delicious memory to take home.

10. Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride at Sunrise

See the Red City and the towering Atlas Mountains from above. Drifting over ancient Berber villages as the sun rises is truly a once-in-a-lifetime bucket list experience. Perfect for couples and honeymoons!