Planning a trip to Marrakech and want to know what to do? This ultimate Marrakech travel guide will show you how to make the most of your trip!
Discover what Marrakech has to offer in this Marrakech travel guide!
A bustling city with vibrant colors, great food, and kind people.
Marrakech is full of adventure, there are lots to see and do and I hope this Marrakech travel guide will help you prepare for your trip.
What To Know Before You Go
Language – Moroccan Arabic and Berber are the official languages in Morocco; however, you will find that many people speak French as their second language along with Spanish in more northern cities of Morocco. In more tourist destinations English is widely spoken.
Though I didn’t have any trouble with the language, here are some helpful phrases to utilize.
Hello – As-salaam Alaykum
Hi – Salam
Goodbye – Beslama
Good morning – Sbah el kheyr
How are you? – Labas?
Good – Mezya
Yes – Wah
No – La
Please – Afak
Thank you – Shokran
No thank you – La shokran
Excuse me (to a woman) – Smahaliya
Excuse me (to a man) – Smehlia
Currency – Morocco’s currency is the Moroccan dirham
1 USD= 10.20 MAD
Climate- Marrakech’s climate is usually hot and dry. The summer months last from late May to early September with an average high of 93°F and a low of 70°F. The cooler months are from November to March with an average high of 72°F and a low of 44°F.
Safety- Marrakech is relatively safe in the tourist parts of the city. Though I wouldn’t walk alone in Marrakech, I felt more safe walking around with my friend. Do keep in mind that pickpocketers are walking around the medina and the big squares, so keep an eye on your belongings.
Daily Budget- Marrakech is an affordable city. Accommodations in a riad are about $20 a night and food is $20 a day. Excursions/museum entry can cost anywhere from $15-$30. I would suggest budgeting $60 per day including accommodations, food, excursions, and miscellaneous purchases. This daily budget can vary depending on the accommodations you choose.
Check out my other blog post for useful Marrakech travel tips to help you prepare for your trip.
Travel Group
My trip to Marrakech was incredible because I booked a travel group where accommodations, excursions, and tours were included. I went with CityLife Madrid, a travel company based in Madrid where they operate travel trips to all over Spain, Portugal, and Morocco! I would highly recommend booking a trip with them even if it’s not to Morocco. CityLife is great because it was relatively cheap, we wanted to feel safe going with a group, and we didn’t have to worry about looking for a place to stay. The great thing about going with a group is that you get to meet people from all over the world and just about everything is planned for. The flight was not included nor was the food but I highly recommend booking CityLife’s Morocco trip! You get to go on amazing tours and cool excursions like camel riding on the beach! You do have some free time to wander around and do your own things with the comfort of new friends!
The Ultimate Marrakech Travel Guide
Bahia Palace
One of the best attractions to see in Marrakech! A beautiful palace with open courtyards and 150 rooms that lead to gardens. Though the rooms are empty and there is little information about the palace when visiting, it may be best to do a guided tour to learn more and get a full experience out of it.
Price- You can purchase tickets at the entrance for 70 MAD (~$6.90).
Dar Si Said (Museum of Moroccan art)
Once a palace and home to Si Said, brother of Grand Vizier of Marrakech Bou Ahmed, today Dar Si Said is the oldest museum in the city holding some of the most well-preserved artifacts such as carpets and weaving. It is a place where you admire the incredible architecture, learn a bit of history, and take a relaxing walk on its patio. It’s a can’t miss spot to visit!
You can purchase tickets at the entrance of the museum, general admission is 70 MAD ($6.60), and you can show your student ID for a student discount.
Jardin Majorelle
Located next to the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, a garden with exceptional landscapes and colors that make for a perfect picture backdrop!
Price- 60 MAD, ~$5.92 for students or 150dh, ~$11.79 Book tickets here.
Yves Saint Laurent Museum
An exhibition showcasing some of Yves Saint Laurent’s most colorful pieces in which he was inspired by Marrakech’s vibrant colors.
Price – 50 MAD (~$4.93) for students or 130 MAD (~$12.82). If you want to do both Jardin Majorelle and Yves Saint Laurent it is 100 MAD (~$9.86) for students and 300 MAD (~$29.58) for adults. Book tickets here.
Jemaa el- Fna
Marrakech’s bustling main square is where you can find restaurants, shopping, and shows. You can visit this square at any time of day and it’ll be a little piece of Morocco’s culture showcased firsthand. Highly recommend coming here at night and sitting on one of the restaurant rooftops and listening to live traditional Moroccan music played by locals throughout the square.
The Souks
A labyrinth of alleyways filled with handcrafted merchant shops where locals buy everything from spices to fabrics. This is a great place to do some shopping and buy authentic Moroccan products and souvenirs to gift to friends and family.
An important part of shopping around the Souks is the bargaining culture! Merchants will always ask above the asking price so prepare yourself to do some bargaining. I was told by my tour guide that you should never pay more than one-third of the asking price. However, if you feel comfortable paying the asking price, by all means, go for it! It is relatively cheap either way.
It is easy to get lost in The Souks so if you look lost someone will come up to you and offer to help you but they will probably ask for money after so be mindful of that!
Koutoubia Mosque
The most popular and unmissable sight is the Koutoubia Mosque! Built during the 12th century the Koutoubia Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Marrakech. Five times a day you can hear the call to prayer from the minaret, which sounds spectacular. Locals make their way to the mosque and pray.
Keep in mind that non-Muslims are not allowed in mosques, but it is still worth admiring its beauty from the outside.
ATVs in the desert
If you want to have a bit of fun in the desert I highly suggest going ATVing! You ride for about 2 hours with a break where they serve you Moroccan tea and an opportunity for a photo option. Couldn’t recommend this enough if you are looking for a wild experience and getting red dust all over you. Tickets are $26.14 you can book them here.
Essaouira (The Pearl of the Atlantic)
This is a great day trip if you want to escape the hustling and bustling of Marrakech and visit a more calm oceanside gem. Located 112 miles (180km) west of Marrakech on the Atlantic coast, Essaouira has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its beautiful medina.
The travel group I was with took a day trip here and we got a tour from a local to show us around! Though there aren’t many sights to see in Essaouira, the medina is a perfect place to leisurely shop without the pressure of merchants pushing you to buy things like in Marrakech. So if you are looking to shop this is the place to go!
Essaouira is known for its large active port where you can see fisherman’s catch of the day! That being said, you best bet their seafood is phenomenal. There are many beachfront restaurants to choose from with great seafood options.
How to get to Essaouira from Marrakech
- You can book a day trip here for only $20, where they offer hotel pickup and drop off a guided tour, and free time to enjoy Essaouira on your own.
- The cheapest way of getting to Essaouira is by bus. A bus ticket is around 80 MAD ($8) and will take about 2.5 hours to get there. You can buy a ticket at the CTM bus station in Marrakech.
- Taxi may be the most expensive way of getting there. Hiring a taxi for the whole day can cost you around $80-$100.
Indulge in Moroccan Cuisine!
Not only did I fall in love with Morrocco because of its beauty and culture but also its exquisite food!
You should try some Moroccan dishes – Couscous, Almond-Chicken Bastila, Kebab, Tajine, Harira Soup, and Moroccan mint tea!
Restaurant recommendations:
Nomad– A rooftop restaurant in the medina, offering incredible views of Marrakech! Nomad offers a twist on Moroccan cuisine, with delicious dishes that reinvent Modern Moroccan cuisine. Highly recommend sitting on the terrace during sunset for amazing views!
Al Baraka– If you’re looking for dinner and a show, this is the palace to go to! The show consisted of live music and belly dancing. CityLife had booked a group dinner for us here and I loved it! The food was great, the service was amazing, and the ambiance of the restaurant was 10/10. If you sit outside in their patio area you are surrounded by orange trees and Moroccan architecture. Check this place out!
Les Terrasses de l’Alhambra– Situated in the heart of the Jemaa el- Fna square, this restaurant offers authentic Moroccan Cuisine along with amazing gelato! A great place to get lunch.
Final Thoughts
Marrakech is one of my favorite cities I’ve traveled to that has been eye-opening to its culture, traditions, and environment! I highly recommend this city to anyone as it is tourist friendly and for the most part safe during the day. Going with a travel group made my experience in Marrakech unforgettable and ultimately felt safer. However, I think if you want to explore Marrakech on your own or with a small group it is doable and I hope my Marrakech travel guide will make your trip a breeze!
Hope you found this Marrakech travel guide useful and showed you the top attractions to do in the exceptional city of Marrakech!