If you’re wondering what to see in Marrakech, there are multiple and varied answers, as we are dealing with the most attractive Moroccan city from a tourist point of view, both for its beauty (it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO) and for its atmosphere. And precisely for this reason, it is also one of the best cities for the premium traveler, as it has establishments and professionals of the highest quality. On this page, we tell you everything you need to know if you’re planning to travel to this spectacular destination: when to travel to Marrakech, what to do, which are the charming accommodations in the city and many other details about luxury trips to Marrakech. And you can enjoy all of this to the fullest if you put yourself in the hands of Chic Morocco, an agency specialized in this city and in the most exclusive services.
Before listing what to see in Marrakech, it’s worth knowing where it is. And that, as we’ll see, directly influences another fundamental aspect: when to travel to Marrakech, as there are much more favorable times than others to enjoy this destination.
Marrakech is a city located in the south of Morocco, but north of the High Atlas, the mountain range beyond the country, from which the pre-Saharan valleys and the desert extend southward. For this reason, the images showing the contrast of a landscape of palm trees with snow-capped mountains in the background, in the distance, are very charming.
However, the Marrakech area is quite arid and in its surroundings we find desert areas, both from a demographic and natural point of view, as can be seen for example in the Agafay desert (which represents one of the excursions to do in Marrakech, as we show below).
Marrakech is the capital of the Marrakech-Safi region and has around 1 million inhabitants, which places it among the 5 largest cities in Morocco in terms of population. Nevertheless, it is the ‘tourist capital’ of the country, as it receives the most visitors per year: more than 3 million.
It’s important to know the climate of the region, as this determines when to travel to Marrakech. This climate is categorized as semi-arid, which implies mild winters and very warm, dry summers. In the winter season, temperatures rarely drop below 6°C at night, while in the warm season, thermometers regularly exceed 40°C during the middle of the day.
Rainfall is concentrated from September to April, with less than 60 rainy days per year. However, these rains are almost never heavy, as annual precipitation does not reach 300 mm. This precipitation is in the form of snow in the High Atlas mountains, which is why one of the things to do in Marrakech during winter is skiing, as we mention below. Additionally, seeing the peaks of these mountains covered in snow is always a charming sight.
It’s also worth considering another climatic factor: its altitude is 466 meters above sea level. And its distance from the sea is considerable: about 170 km. All of this means that humidity is low and the temperature variation between night and day is very large, sometimes more than 15°C. In other words, after midday the temperatures are very high, but when the sun sets the environment becomes mild or even relatively cold.
With these climatic conditions, one might wonder when to travel to Marrakech. And it can be deduced that both winter and spring and autumn are very suitable times to visit this city and its surroundings. During the day, which is the propitious time for sightseeing, the environment is warm and pleasant. And at night, a jacket (more or less thick depending on the season) will be sufficient to combat the drop in temperatures. In summer, nothing prevents traveling here, but it’s advisable to double the care to protect yourself from the sun and heat: maintaining good hydration, using sun protection and sunglasses, etc. With these precautions in mind, many tourists book their luxury trips to Marrakech in July and August, especially if they stay in riads and hotels with their own swimming pools, where they can cool off during the hottest hours of the day.
Marrakech is very well connected with other Moroccan cities and international destinations, which facilitates direct access from abroad or from any other corner of the country. For this reason, the city is the starting and/or ending point for tours, but also a destination for short trips of several days from any point in Europe.
It has a large airport, Marrakech-Menara, which handles more than 6 million passengers per year. Planes arrive here from major European cities and capitals, as well as some from the Middle East, such as Madrid, Vienna, Rome, Paris, London, Berlin, Tel Aviv, Jeddah or Istanbul. The journeys from many of these cities are relatively short: from Madrid, for example, the flight lasts just 2 hours. And from Paris, 3 hours and 15 minutes. This means that many tourists take a short trip to discover everything there is to see in Marrakech over a weekend or a long weekend.
Marrakech-Menara Airport (RAK) is also very close to the city center: just over 6 km from Jemaa el Fna Square, a distance that usually takes only 15 minutes to cover, so booking a private transfer from the terminal to the hotel is an option within everyone’s reach.
Marrakech also has a large train station, served by different local and national railway lines. The main line is the one that arrives directly from Fez, via Casablanca: there are more than 15 departures each day. The city of Tangier, in the extreme north of the country, is also directly connected to Marrakech by train, with approximately two daily departures.
At the local level, one of the most in-demand trains is the direct transfer to Casablanca’s Mohammed V Airport, which further facilitates access for foreign travelers. Additionally, the country’s third high-speed line is planned, which will connect Marrakech with Casablanca to the north and Agadir to the south, considerably reducing the travel time for each journey.
Of course, many travelers arrive in the city by road, either on one of the numerous bus routes that stop at the Supratours Station, or by private car, as several regional and national highways pass through the city: A3, N8, N9…
This is a list of distances that separate Marrakech from other tourist destinations:
To be able to appreciate and admire everything there is to see in Marrakech, it’s important to know its history and evolution up to today. The first thing you should know is that it is part of the group of Imperial Cities: this is what they call the cities that, at some point in their history, were capitals of the kingdom of Morocco or of a kingdom considered a predecessor of what is now this state. And Marrakech accompanies Fez, Rabat and Meknes in this select group because it was the capital during the times of the Almoravid empire, which ended up conquering a good part of North Africa and southern Spain, but also under their Almohad successors and the Saadian sultans.
It was the Almoravids who founded the city: in the mid-11th century they created a camp here that, over time, was equipped with walls and a kasbah. In these early times, the most important figures were the warlord Abu Bekr, his nephew Yusuf Ibn Tasfin and his son Ali ibn Yusuf, but the city was greatly enriched by their successors. Artists and architects came here from Cordoba, the refined capital of the ancient Umayyad Caliphate, which had recently disintegrated. And during this period they built walls, underground irrigation canals, public buildings, a kasbah, etc. For example, one of the monuments to see in Marrakech is the Almoravid Qubba or Dome.
However, from 1121 Marrakech experienced a turbulent change of governors: the Almohads replaced the Almoravids, after a fierce conflict between both factions. But when the situation calmed down, reconstruction works restored Marrakech to its splendor, with buildings that we can still admire today. Among them, the mosque of Koutoubia stands out, another of the essential monuments to see in Marrakech, although only from the outside, as entry is forbidden to non-Muslims. Some important names linked to this period were Abd el-Mumen, Abu Yacub Yusuf and Yacub al-Mansur. It was also a very culturally rich period, attracting personalities such as Averroes, who died here in 1198.
But the Almohad decline, caused in part by the defeats in the Iberian Peninsula (Battle of Navas de Tolosa in 1212), also caused the decline of its capital. This led to it being taken over in the mid-13th century by the Marinids who ruled Fez, moving the capital of the kingdom there.
Marrakech then assumed a more secondary and even decadent role, at least until its conquest by the Saadian dynasty at the beginning of the 16th century. With this new lineage, the city regained its capital status and also its splendor, becoming an important node on the Saharan caravan routes, especially during the time of Ahmed al-Mansur at the end of that century. New and magnificent palaces were built, including an imperial residence and the great pantheon of the dynasty: the Saadian Tombs, another jewel to see in Marrakech and which was recently rehabilitated, as it suffered significant damage after the 2023 earthquake.
The successor dynasty, the Alaouite (currently on the throne), initially kept the capital in Marrakech, but later moved it to Meknes first and then to Fez afterwards, so it never returned to Marrakech. However, many of its monarchs did not give up spending long periods in this city and investing in it in the form of large infrastructures and buildings, such as the Badi Palace… until it was looted and dismantled during the time of Moulay Ismail.
Already in the 20th century, Marrakech, which was a victim of internal power struggles, did not strongly oppose the arrival of French troops, with the Pasha of Marrakech, Thami El Glaoui, remaining as the strong man in the region and ally of the French Protectorate, until practically the declaration of independence of the country.
Today it is a city that largely lives off tourism and is at the forefront of this sector, with an increasing relevance of premium services, as we show you below. Therefore, luxury trips to Marrakech are booming and the activities to do are becoming increasingly varied.
Not only are there many things to see in Marrakech, but also many things to do, and all of this with increasingly high quality standards. The city arms itself with reasons to convince the visitor: its attractions are many, and for all types of profiles. Here are some that will convince you. You’ll be sure to choose this unforgettable destination!
The list of things to see in Marrakech is endless. Many of the attractions are concentrated in the medina and its immediate surroundings, but there are also monuments worth visiting in other less central neighborhoods. The following are places of great interest that should not be missing in your road map.
The medina of Marrakech is one of the largest in Morocco and therefore has many attractions to visit, whether in the form of historical buildings or open spaces such as squares and neighborhoods. In fact, it is declared World Heritage by UNESCO, given the wealth of heritage it treasures.
The most historic and monumental construction is probably the Koutoubia Mosque, visible from many points of the city. It was built by the Almohads in the 12th century, and that is why its slender minaret resembles two other great towers of the time, which were also designed as minarets: the Hassan Tower in Rabat and the Giralda in Seville. It reaches 66 meters in height.
Unfortunately, non-Muslims have to be content with contemplating it from the outside, as access is reserved for believers. This is the case with other interesting mosques to see in Marrakech, such as those of Kasbah, Ben Yousef, Bab Dukkala, el-Muassine, Sidi Mulay el-Ksur, spread across different points of the historic center.
The madrasas are another type of religious construction that every tourist should see in Marrakech during their trip. These are Quranic schools where imams and other personalities related to Islam were trained. Their interest lies in the exquisite decoration that was displayed in them, with a large central courtyard covered in ceramics, plasterwork, and wooden elements. Some, like the Ben Youssef allow visitors to move through the building and reach, for example, the refectory or the cell-rooms of the students.
There are also zawiyas (or zaouias), which are religious complexes associated with the Sufi branch, where the tomb of a charismatic figure is preserved. Therefore, they act as a mausoleum, but also have facilities as a hostel, school, and more. The most important to see in Marrakech is that of Sidi ib Sliman el-Jazuli.
The sultans of different dynasties embellished the city with royal and civic buildings. The most spectacular example of all is, perhaps, the Bahia Palace: it was not a royal palace as such, but the residence of the grand viziers of Sultans Mohammed IV and Abd al-Aziz (Alaouite dynasty) in the second half of the 19th century. Although most of the furniture and decoration has been lost over time, it maintains its splendor in its courtyards full of tiles and its wooden ceilings.
The Badi Palace is older: from the time of the Saadian dynasty, in the 16th century, under the Saadian dynasty. Unfortunately, it has reached us in a ruinous state, but a walk through its grounds allows one to imagine the level of power and refinement that these sultans achieved when they ruled the kingdom from here.
It is no coincidence, therefore, that the Saadian sultans chose this city for their royal pantheon: the Saadian Tombs, which are one of the great monuments to see in Marrakech. Its interior is impressive not only for the classic combination of ceramics, plaster, and wood, but also for the identifiable marble elements brought from abroad, including the famous Carrara marble from Italy. Curiously, its access was walled up during the time of Sultan Moulay Ismail (Alaouite, from the 17th century) and was not rediscovered until 1917, during the time of the French Protectorate.
Finally, the Almoravids (founders of the city) are responsible for the construction of the Almoravid Qubba or Dome, recently restored. It dates from the early 12th century and its function is still unclear (probably a space for ablutions), but it is worth knowing the vegetal decoration of the interior, largely inspired by the Umayyad architecture of Córdoba.
The medina, by the way, is walled. And the wall It is very well preserved, built in red brick, the characteristic color of local architecture. This wall includes several access gates. To admire it, the ideal is to take a panoramic tour along the boulevards outside the medina, either on foot, by car, or even by horse-drawn carriage. Some of the gates of the wall (bab, in Arabic) are Bab Agnau, Bab Berrima, Bab ed-Debbagh, Bab Alien, Bab Dukkala, and Bab er-Rob.
Special mention deserves the Jemaa el-Fna Square: it is a large open space at the gates of the medina and represents a tourist attraction in itself. Not in vain, it was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by Unesco, thanks to its lively atmosphere at all hours of the day. In its stalls are intermingled the sounds of the popular crowd, musicians and speakers, the aromas of spices and other raw materials for cooking, the colors of various handicrafts … and ultimately, the very life of a people full of energy.
Marrakech also has its modern district: Gueliz. And in this case, it is the epicenter of the most sophisticated and premium Marrakech, not only because its streets and avenues are more spacious and open, but also because the most exclusive brands and chic establishments have their shops here. In other words: a must-visit place on luxury trips to Marrakech.
But it also has some places of interest from a tourist point of view. And given that its genesis occurred in the 20th century, when the city’s urban planning integrated the new approaches of the expansions and ville-nouvelle of other Moroccan and European cities, these places of interest are mainly gardens.
The most exuberant and fascinating gardens are, perhaps, those of Majorelle. They are named after the artist who conceived this space, the French painter Jacques Majorelle in 1924, a resident of this city. It was the garden of his chalet-studio (which today is a museum, which is why we include it in the next section) and can be visited independently. Since the late 20th century, it has been linked to Yves Saint-Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé, who acquired the property to preserve it and open it to the public.
In any case, if you want to add the Jardin Majorelle to your list of things to see in Marrakech, keep in mind that it is a small space and it is advisable to book in advance, as tickets are not always available. It is a lush green lung in the center of the city, full of xerophilous species such as cacti, but also plants and flowers typical of Africa and southern latitudes, such as water lilies, palm trees, or jasmines. The combination of the green of the plants, the colorful flowers, and the blue of the chalet-studio creates a chromatic explosion that will delight anyone.
The Menara gardens have a different character: although the pavilion that presides over the central pond dates from 1870, the garden enclosure has its origin in the Almoravid era. Unlike the Jardin Majorelle, it is not known for its lushness. In fact, most of the space can be considered an orchard and consists of alignments of olive trees, so it doesn’t provide much shade. However, we include it in this list of things to see in Marrakech for its history and for the innovative water supply system: qanats underground, which brought the liquid element from the Atlas Mountains, about 30 km away.
A system of qanats or water journeys was also used to make possible the Agdal gardens, from the Almohad era (12th century). In this case, the density of its vegetation is even greater, as it had an agricultural and economic function: this large orchard has dense plantations of orange trees, fig trees, pomegranate trees, and other fruit trees. Its extension is enormous (approximately 340 hectares). It is located in the southern part of the city.
In addition to all this, in this section of What to see in Marrakech, we must mention the many good museums that the city houses, scattered throughout different areas, which will delight the most cultural travelers.
For many, the main museum to see in Marrakech is, precisely, the one that bears its name: the Museum of Marrakech. It is a large exhibition center about the country’s traditional arts, such as woodwork or ceramics, but it also organizes temporary exhibitions of other types. The building where it is located is worth knowing: the former residential palace of Mehdi Mnebhi, who in the late 19th century was the defense minister of Sultan Moulay Abdelaziz.
Other museums house interesting collections of local art objects and crafts, such as jewelry, weapons, textiles, or instruments: these are the Maison Tiskiwin and the Dar Si Said Museum, the latter in another spectacular residential palace: that of the grand vizier Si Sa’id ibn Musa, built at the end of the 19th century.
The Berber Museum in the Majorelle Gardens is also a museum with folkloric and ethnographic elements. Located in Jacques Majorelle’s chalet-workshop, built following the modern principles popularized by Le Corbusier at the beginning of the 20th century. Inside, a rich collection of objects and crafts from the Berber people is displayed, an ethnic group that was fundamental in shaping Morocco as a country and still encompasses about a third of the country’s population.
Very different, however, is the Yves Saint-Laurent Museum: the French designer born in Algeria, whom we mentioned earlier for his connection to the city and the Majorelle Garden, is the protagonist of one of the most interesting fashion museums in the world. Here, historical or unpublished outfits are displayed, as well as photographs and biographical documents. All of this in a modern and elegant building, made mainly of brick and perfectly integrated with the surroundings.
Before closing this section on museums to see in Marrakech, we cannot fail to mention others that will be interesting for art lovers:
As we were saying, luxury trips to Marrakech are booming, because although it still retains a popular and modest part, the city also has a more modern and exclusive side, which delights those who settle for nothing but the best. In recent years, it has been equipped with modern infrastructure in terms of transport and communications. But above all, there has been a boom in private investment that has focused on the construction of 5-star hotels, the rehabilitation of historic riads, and the opening of venues oriented towards the highest segment, such as golf courses.
For all these reasons, luxury is increasingly present in the streets of the city, especially in neighborhoods like Gueliz, but also in iconic corners of the center, whether in the form of fashion stores, refined restaurants, and resort hotels, to name just a few examples from the list of offerings in luxury trips to Marrakech.
This list of offerings expands and updates over time, so we suggest you consult us before organizing your trip, so we can advise you on the trendiest establishments at any given time.
As for gastronomy, going to a restaurant is a good plan for what to do in Marrakech. Especially for those interested in haute cuisine, as this city is considered the most important when it comes to fine dining. As we tell you in this post on our blog, here are located some of the restaurants included in MENA’s 50 Best, which refers to the Middle East and North Africa region. And the list is likely to expand, including, why not, some Michelin Stars.
No less interesting are the restaurants or bars with a panoramic terrace. As we tell you in this other post, there are many establishments that have known how to exploit this tourist attraction. In this way, while enjoying a dinner, an aperitif, or simply a tea or coffee, tourists can delight in privileged views of the city, whose skyline is dominated by the minaret of the Koutoubia and other characteristic minarets of the medina. And, in some cases, the snowy peaks of the High Atlas.
Regarding the commercial aspect, shops have become a great attraction in luxury trips to Marrakech. As we mentioned, the neighborhood of Gueliz is an epicenter for lovers of international fashion brands, as mid to high-end brands like Zara, Adidas, or Lacoste are found here. On the other hand, those looking for the higher-end segment will find stores to their liking in the neighborhood of Hivernage, around the Casino.
And there’s no doubt that golf courses are another pillar in luxury trips to Marrakech. Many have opened around the city in recent years, which reflects the modernity of their facilities and the good condition of their greens, designed with the latest innovations in irrigation and the latest trends in landscaping and game dynamics. The list includes courses such as Al Maaden Golf, the Royal Golf of Marrakech, Palm Golf Marrakech Ourika, Samanah Golf, Amelkis Golf Club, Noria Golf Club, Assoufid Golf Club, or Atlas Golf Marrakech.
And beyond all these offerings, which are intended for delight, leisure, and enjoyment, it’s worth remembering that luxury trips to Marrakech rely on other essential premium services. This is the case with charming accommodations, which we refer to below, but also transportation: agencies like ours use comfortable and exclusive vehicles, with professional drivers and full availability to ensure that any journey is a pleasant experience.
There is so much to do in Marrakech that it’s impossible to get bored during the trip. The offerings are numerous and varied, catering to all types of tourists: families with young children, couples on romantic trips, professional groups… And they all have in common that they are available for the most premium segment.
In terms of wellness, the great symbol of Marrakech’s exclusivity are the hammams: these public baths, which once served for personal hygiene of the humblest layers of local society, have been renovated to offer a complete wellness service, still based on this widespread tradition in the Arab world. These are thermal baths with pools and rooms at various temperatures, which facilitate the elimination of toxins. And in adjoining areas, you can enjoy all types of massages: from the most innovative and advanced techniques to treatments based on argan oil, a truly typical product of the country.
Another activity to do in Marrakech (and nowhere else in Morocco) is to take a hot air balloon ride at dawn. Indeed, this is practically the only tourist destination that offers this type of experience, which requires special environmental and geographical conditions. And Marrakech has them: a stable climate and a wide, flat environment where take-off and landing can be done without problems. However, just 30 km away are the High Atlas mountains, so the sky ride will allow you to contemplate not only the miniature city at your feet but also the highest peaks of the country in the distance. To take these rides, the appointment is set very early to be able to take off with the first light of day and thus enjoy a unique and moving scene, under safe conditions.
If you’re wondering what to do in Marrakech at night, you’ll discover that the city has a lively nightlife, with modern nightclubs and bars for all tastes. But for those looking for something more organized and characteristic, a good proposal could be dinners with traditional shows. The places where these plans are offered are restaurants in the city or even in the Agafay camps, and they usually include a typical menu of the country and a show, such as belly dancing, Gnawa music, or fire performances.
Gastronomy is also a good plan. And not just for eating, but also for cooking: in restaurants and specialized venues, cooking classes as masterclasses, lasting several hours, where you can learn and practice the country’s most traditional recipes: from classic tagines and couscous to the omnipresent green tea or delights of Moroccan pastry.
The surroundings of the city offer many excursions of interest: the distance to travel is short, so you can go and return on the same day, making them ideal for free days on any circuit. The Ourika Valley is a good example: it’s a humid and fertile corner on the northern slope of the High Atlas mountains, with Berber villages, charming trails, and waterfalls that are a delight for the senses, especially in spring.
Another excursion to take from Marrakech is to the Agafay desert. Its main attraction is precisely its proximity, as you don’t need to cross the Atlas mountains to reach it, unlike when traveling to the deep Sahara (Merzouga, Zagora, etc.). Less than 30 km away and in less than 45 minutes, it’s possible to enjoy the charm of the desert, in this case not of dunes but of hammada. Beyond the enchanting experience of staying in a tent camp (which we discuss below), in Agafay it’s possible to engage in activities associated with this arid environment.
One of these activities is quad or 4×4 routes, traversing sand tracks to experience the adrenaline of a rally or the adventure of a safari. Another calmer but equally evocative activity is the camel ride: routes on this noble animal depart from the desert camps, with varying durations and suitable for all family members, including young children. These rides, by the way, are also offered in other emblematic corners of the city, such as the palm grove to the north of the city.
Marrakech is a city of contrasts. Therefore, it should not be surprising that, in addition to venturing into the desert, it’s also possible to enjoy snow here. Specifically, in the High Atlas mountains during winter, where the Oukaimeden ski resort is located: situated at over 3,000 meters altitude, it has about twenty slopes, of which 2 are black. It’s located about 80 km from the city center, approximately an hour and a half by car.
Lastly, as we mentioned earlier, golf is another growing activity. And it’s not only available for the most experienced players but also for those who are new to this sport: if you think Marrakech could be a good place to learn and progress in golf, you can take advantage of your trip and choose one of the city’s clubs to receive lessons adapted to your level.
The luxury trips to Marrakech would be incomplete if the accommodations weren’t up to par. And the good news is not only that they are (and even exceed the expectations of the most demanding), but they also respond to different typologies, some of them being the most characteristic and traditional.
Without a doubt, the most charming accommodations in Marrakech are the riads: this word refers to the historic buildings in the medina that were once inhabited by humble families but have been adapted to modern times to provide maximum comfort and privacy. They always have a well-decorated courtyard, adorned with plants and “watered” by a fountain or irrigation channel, thus displaying the philosophy of Andalusian gardens, which try to evoke the peace and tranquility of Eden. In these riads, the number of rooms is limited, thus enhancing tranquility during the trip, and their location is always very central.
But if what you’re looking for is a hotel in the Western style, it won’t be a problem to find one either: there are many charming accommodations in Marrakech that belong to major hotel chains American, Spanish, Asian or Middle Eastern, to cite some examples of the investment drive of multinationals in the city. In these, quality standards are the highest and, given that they are located in large facilities, the list of additional services is very comprehensive: from gyms to convention halls, including tennis courts and wellness centers. And as many of these chains bet on the resort model, spaces such as the swimming pool and solarium are essential.
There are not only charming accommodations in Marrakech, but also in its surroundings. One of the most genuine is the Berber tent camp: these canvas tents, despite being set up in the middle of the desert (in this case, the Agafay), have all the comforts, both in the room and in the bathroom. And the thrill of spending the night in the middle of nowhere, under a sky full of stars and in overwhelming silence, gives the experience an unparalleled plus. The most modern camps even have a swimming pool, ideal for cooling off during the hottest hours of the day, although temperatures drop considerably at night. To combat this thermal drop, there’s nothing better than a cozy communal bonfire around which to gather for dinner or to watch a show.
Lastly, those who don’t mind going a little further from the city can consider the option of kasbahs: ancient Berber castles made of adobe that have been rehabilitated to become authentic charming accommodations near Marrakech. Their views of the surroundings, which once had a defensive function, are now a true gift for the eyes and spirit of any guest.
As you can see, there is much to see in Marrakech and much to do in the city and its surroundings. So if you need help setting up a 5-star experience in Marrakech, you can contact Chic Morocco: we know this city inside out and will book the premium services that your trip deserves. Leave in our hands the fundamental issues of the organization, such as transportation, accommodation and restaurants, and we will make your stay in this destination live up to your expectations.
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