Marrakech: the sights that are really worth it

There are plenty of things to do in Marrakech – but not all of them are worth it. So here is our honest list: what we saw ourselves, how much time you should allow and what you can safely skip.

Marrakech is loud, cramped and unforgettable. The medina is a maze where you will get lost – and that is part of it. Not every sight lives up to what the guidebooks promise. Here is a selection with time needed, approximate entrance prices and an honest assessment.

The top list at a glance

All prices are guide values in dirham (MAD), as of 2026. To convert: 1 euro is roughly 10–11 MAD, and the rate fluctuates. Entrance fees and opening times change, so check them on site or on the official websites of the sights.

What is really worth it

Jemaa el-Fna: the square everything revolves around

The heart of the medina is Jemaa el-Fna. During the day you’ll see orange juice stalls and water sellers. In the evening the square turns into a huge open-air kitchen with smoke, drums and storytellers. So come twice: once during the day to get your bearings and once after sunset to eat and marvel. If you have to choose between the food stalls: pick a busy one and ask for the price before you order.

With children, stay together and keep little ones by the hand or in a carrier. It is crowded, loud and confusing.

The souks: a maze with a learning curve

The souks start north of the square. Let yourself drift, but don’t plan on being in a hurry. Haggling is part of it here. Start at about a third of the first price you’re quoted and meet somewhere in the middle. If you don’t want to buy anything, say so politely and move on. That is completely fine.

A pushchair is hard work in the narrow alleys. You’ll get through more easily with a carrier or a backpack.

Bahia Palace: courtyards, stucco and cedar wood

The 19th-century palace is worth seeing less for any single room than for the sequence of courtyards, painted ceilings and gardens. Allow about 45–60 minutes. It is emptier early in the day, and the courtyards feel much calmer then.

Saadian Tombs: small but impressive

The complex is compact. The famous room with the twelve columns draws the crowds, so there is often a queue. 30–45 minutes is plenty. If you see a long queue at the entrance, try again later in the day.

Ben Youssef Madrasa: the most beautiful architecture in the medina

The former Koranic school has a courtyard full of cedar wood, stucco and zellige mosaics – in a small space and for a modest entrance fee. If you are interested in craftsmanship and detail, this is the place for you.

Jardin Majorelle or Le Jardin Secret: gardens to catch your breath

Jardin Majorelle with its cobalt-blue building is one of the most photographed places in the city – and it is correspondingly busy and expensive. If you like taking photos and come early, you will be rewarded. Check in advance whether there are timed online tickets so you can skip the queue. If that is too much hustle for you, Le Jardin Secret in the middle of the medina is a quieter and cheaper alternative.

Koutoubia Mosque: a landmark from the outside

The minaret can be seen from far away and helps you find your bearings. Non-Muslims generally cannot enter the mosque. A short photo stop is enough.

Overrated or to be enjoyed with caution

• Snake charmers, monkeys and water sellers on the square: photos cost money. If you take pictures without asking, you’ll be asked to pay. Ask first or leave it. It is also questionable how well the animals are treated.
• El Badi Palace: if you have already seen Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs, you can skip it. It is mostly a ruin and more for history fans.
• Menara Gardens: the famous photo of the pool with the pavilion is pretty, but it is not a must. Getting there takes more time than the visit itself.
• Jardin Majorelle at peak times: the garden is beautiful, but expensive and crowded. At busy times a visit can be more stressful than relaxing.
• “Free” guided walks through the medina: friendly helpers who spontaneously show you something will want money in the end or lead you into a shop. If you want a guide, book one in advance.

Two days in Marrakech: a suggested plan

We spent two days in Marrakech and found it intense, but enough. For two days we would plan like this:

• Day 1: in the morning the Ben Youssef Madrasa and the souks, in the afternoon a break at the riad, in the evening Jemaa el-Fna with dinner.
• Day 2: early to Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs, then a garden (Majorelle or Le Jardin Secret). Spend the rest of the day drifting or go to a hammam.

A hammam is a good way to unwind after all the hustle. In tourist hammams prices vary hugely depending on facilities and package, so ask exactly what is included beforehand.

Essaouira: a trip to the sea

From Marrakech it is about three hours by car to the Atlantic. The route is a well-built country road. On the way you’ll see the famous goats in the argan trees. They are often placed there by farmers, and a photo costs a few dirham.

Essaouira is the opposite of Marrakech: relaxed, windy, white and blue.

• Harbour: it is at its most beautiful in the morning, when the catch is sold and hundreds of blue fishing boats lie in the water. You can pick fresh fish directly at the stalls and have it grilled.
• Skala: the city wall with its old cannons is the place for sunset.

From Essaouira we drove on to Imsouane, a small surf village about one and a half to two hours south. One of the longest waves in Africa rolls in there – gentle and ideal for beginners and longboards. Five days were exactly right for us to unwind. You’ll find the whole itinerary in our travel story: Morocco: Marrakech, Essaouira and Imsouane – two weeks between the medina and the Atlantic. And if you ride: we also spent several days horse riding on Morocco’s Atlantic coast.

You have to eat this: djaj mhamer

Our absolute favourite dish in Marrakech is djaj mhamer – and we’ll say it clearly: you have to try it, it is so delicious! A whole chicken is first slowly braised in a sauce with saffron, cumin, garlic, onions and butter and then roasted golden brown in the oven. The meat almost falls off the bone, the outside is crispy, and you dip fresh bread into the spicy sauce.

• Where: in many small restaurants in the medina and at food stalls – often as half a chicken with fries or olives.
• Tip: ask for “djaj mhamer” or “djaj m’hamer” – it isn’t always on the menu, but many places make it anyway.
• With it: Moroccan mint tea and fresh pastries to finish.

If you would rather discover Moroccan cuisine with a local, book a Marrakech food tour on GetYourGuide.

Practical tips for Marrakech

A riad instead of a hotel

A riad is an old town house with a courtyard in the middle of the medina. It is quiet, beautiful and often comes with breakfast on the roof terrace. After a day in the alleys it is the best place to retreat to. For taxis and luggage: you can’t drive into the medina itself. Ask your riad how best to find it – they often pick you up at the edge of the medina.

Driving to Marrakech

If you have a rental car, park at the edge of the medina in a guarded car park. You cannot drive into the medina. There are a great many speed checks on country roads and in towns, often right before and after a village. The police collect fines on the spot, so stick exactly to the speed limit. At roundabouts, traffic entering often has priority, so drive carefully. The main roads are good; motorways (for example towards Agadir) are tolled.

Money: dirham and cash

The dirham is a closed currency. Officially you may only take small amounts in and out of the country. So withdraw cash locally from ATMs with your Wise card and spend it before you fly or change it back (keep the exchange receipt). In the medina, at stalls and in taxis it is cash only. Riads and larger restaurants accept cards.

Internet

You can get a local SIM (Maroc Telecom, Orange or inwi) at the airport with your passport, and data packages are cheap. Alternatively, buy an eSIM before you leave. In Imsouane the signal was weak on some days – if you need to work there, have a backup.

Typical mistakes

• Too much in too little time: too many sights per day will wear you out. Plan less.
• Falling for “the square is closed”: a classic. Whoever shows you the detour wants money in the end or takes you to a shop. Just keep walking.
• Taking photos without asking: if you photograph snake charmers, monkeys or water sellers, you pay. Ask for the price first or don’t.
• Not haggling: if you pay the first price, you usually pay too much. Start at about a third.
• Relying only on cards: in the medina you need cash in small notes and coins.
• Booking only Marrakech: if you have more time, a trip to the coast is well worth it.

Safety and entry

Before you travel, check the official sources – for example your government’s travel advice for Morocco (such as the UK Foreign Office or the US State Department). There you’ll find current information on entry requirements, travel documents, safety and health. These rules can change, so check them again shortly before you leave.

Things to do in Marrakech: our verdict

Marrakech is worth it if you embrace the noise, the crowds and the haggling. Jemaa el-Fna in the evening, the souks and one or two palaces are enough for a well-rounded picture. After that, a day by the sea in Essaouira does you good. We would do it the same way again, but stay longer on the coast and limit Marrakech to two nights.

Our verdict on things to do in Marrakech: plan less and take your time for the places you really like. It also pays to visit the most famous sights early in the morning or in the evening, because it is quieter then. You’ll find more places we have been to ourselves in our travel stories; general background on the city’s history is available on Wikipedia.

Frequently asked questions

Last updated: 20 Oct 2026. Prices and rules change – please check with the official sources before you travel.