Marrakech is a city of wonders, and finding out all of its secrets could take years, if not a lifetime. If you only have a few days, visit these attractions to get a feel for the Ochre City’s noble past, fast-paced present and eternal obsession with beauty.
Although it can be tempting to try to stay totally off the beaten track when visiting new cities, Marrakech’s most famous sights are still worth your time, and a wander through the medina will uncover plenty of surprises. This list rounds up the very best that the city has to offer, from well-photographed gardens like Jardin Marjorelle to under-the-radar palaces and burgeoning creative neighbourhoods.
# Medina of MarrakechThe heart of Marrakech is the medina, which comes from the word “city” in Arabic. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the old city was founded in the 11th century. Its labyrinth of winding streets and alleyways is best explored with a sense of adventure and a willingness to get lost. Your bravery will be rewarded with a nearly endless feast for the senses as you stroll through its markets and squares and explore its riads. But give a polite “no thanks” if someone offers to show you the way, unless you’re willing to pay for a guide.
# Djemaa el-FnaaThe giant square at the entrance to Marrakech’s medina, Djemaa el-Fnaa is the heart and soul of the city. Wandering through on scorching hot afternoons, you’ll encounter snake charmers and merchants hawking everything from babouche slippers to spices in several languages at once. At night, the square comes alive with street-food stalls, storytellers and musicians in long robes playing gnawa, a traditional music known to put listeners into a trance.
# Spice souks and artisanal marketsJust behind Djemaa el-Fnaa are alleys upon alleys of souks. Shop for sweets, clothing and leather goods on your way to the Place des Épices. There, in the medina’s centre, is where you’ll find spices, soap and perfumes. A narrow, almost hidden entrance leads to the carpet souk, where you can find rugs made by women of the Amazigh, or Berber, tribe, one of Morocco’s indigenous peoples. Just around the corner, float through lighting shops that resemble miniature galaxies, or shop for large castanets, known as qraqeb, so you can jam with those gnawa musicians in Djemaa el-Fnaa. And remember – in the medina, all prices are negotiable, and bargaining is a social art. If you can relax and take your time – which is difficult when you have so much to see – you might make a friend as well as a great deal.
# Riad museumsWhen you’re overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of the souks, step into the silence of one of the many riads, or traditional houses, that have been converted into museums and art galleries – works of art full of works of art. The Musée Boucharouite features beautiful tapestries and a hidden rooftop café, while the Musée de Mouassine shows off the works of local artist Abdelhay Mellakh and often features traditional music concerts. If you want something more modern, try the Museum of Photography or, if you can find it, contemporary art gallery Le 18. Meanwhile, Le Jardin Secret provides an oasis of calm, and while boutique hotel El Fenn might be outside your budget, you can at least get a drink on the rooftop. Other hidden gems include Dar Charifa, the Tiskiwin Museum, Dar Si Said, the Musée de la Femme and the Heritage Museum.
# Moroccan hammamEvery Moroccan neighbourhood has a mosque, a communal oven and a hammam, which tells you how essential the hammam is to Moroccan life. At public hammams, locals bring their own buckets and beauty products and spend hours giving themselves a deep clean in one of the steam rooms. Unless you have a plastic bucket handy, you might be better off in a private hammam, where you’ll have a room to yourself. These range from the affordable and no-nonsense to the ridiculously lavish, but the gist is the same: you’ll be massaged with Moroccan black soap and then scrubbed from head to toe – no exaggeration here – with a rough bath mitt. Warning: don’t try this after getting sunburned, and be prepared to emerge an entirely new person (at least as far as your skin is concerned.)
# Saadian TombsA large complex of lavish mausoleums and tombs, the Saadian Tombs contain the remains of the founder of the Saadian dynasty along with princes and other prominent figures. The site dates back to the 1550s, and gold, Italian marble and colourful tiling add opulence to the final resting places.