Holidays to Marrakech
Marrakech highlights
Jemaa el-Fna Square
Visiting the city’s main square is one of the most popular things to do during holidays in Marrakech. Enjoy a refreshing drink from the orange juice sellers and watch acrobats, musicians and snake charmers performing for tips. Cafe Glacier’s terrace is the best place to take photos of the action from different angles. Come in the late morning or early evening to avoid the heat.
Romantic riads
Riads are traditional houses that have been converted into boutique hotels in the medina (old town). They’re the perfect place for a romantic city break in Marrakech, with Moroccan lanterns and tiled courtyards setting the mood. Enjoy a lazy afternoon on the roof terrace with mint tea and pastries while admiring Atlas Mountains views. Some riads have dipping pools, so bring your swimwear and cool off on a hot day.
Jardin Majorelle
Pose next to giant cacti and rest in the shade of palm trees as you explore the exotic Jardin Majorelle. Home to rare plants from across the world, this lush garden is a great place to escape the heat. Don’t leave without visiting the Pierre Berge Museum of Berber Arts for tribal costumes and jewellery. You’ll find it in the much-photographed blue villa.
Marrakech: Know before you go
| Language | Arabic |
|---|---|
| Currency | Moroccan dirham (د.م.) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| High season | February – May and September – October |
| Low season | July – August |
Find the best time to go to Marrakech
Weather in Marrakech
March – May: Warm, pleasant days are perfect for visiting the city’s palaces, souks and gardens. Pack light clothing and plenty of sun cream. Rain showers are occasional but brief.
June – August: Summer sizzles with average temps hitting 40°C and beyond. Book a riad with air conditioning, and stick close to the pool in the middle of the day.
September – November: Mild autumn weather sets up outdoor excursions, like soaring above the city by hot-air balloon. Look out for possible sandstorms.
December – February: Winters in Marrakech can be rainy, so head for the hammam during a downpour. Nights are surprisingly chilly, so pack layers.
Events in Marrakech
National Festival of Popular Arts (June or July): Celebrate the city’s thriving folk art scene with music, dance and performances within the atmospheric ruins of El Badi Palace. Don’t miss Fantasia, a horse show where riders blast rifles into the night sky.
Marrakech Street Food Festival (November): Sample traditional and contemporary Moroccan street food at the city’s central square. Live cooking demonstrations and masterclasses allow for cultural exchanges.
Eid al-Fitr (varies): The end of Ramadan finds the city at its most vibrant, with decorations, street entertainers and lots of feasting. Don’t miss festive sweets like ‘chebakia’, a flower-shaped biscuit that represents unity.
The best neighbourhoods in Marrakech
Medina
The medina’s historical landmarks, lively squares and traditional riads make it the best neighbourhood to stay in Marrakech for first-timers. It’s the oldest part of the city and perfect for a day of sightseeing, rooftop dining and souvenir shopping in the souks. The narrow alleyways are best explored on foot, with architectural treasures hiding around almost every corner.
Good for: Markets, historical landmarks, boutique hotels
Palmeraie
Home to some of the city’s most glamorous resorts, this vast palm grove is where to stay in Marrakech if you’re looking for a peaceful haven away from the bustle. Practise your swing at the golf course or enjoy a camel ride before settling in for a lazy afternoon by the pool. Hotel shuttle buses are on hand for sightseeing in the medina, which is just a few minutes away from Palmeraie.
Good for: Palm groves, luxury resorts, golf courses
Hivernage
The energetic Hivernage district feels like a rebellious sibling compared to the conservative old town. Hivernage evenings begin with fine dining and cocktails before moving on to casinos and nightclubs. If you’re looking for lively entertainment and five-star hotels, this is one of the best areas to stay in Marrakech.
Good for: Restaurants, nightclubs, luxury hotels
Things to do in Marrakech
Family friendly things to do
You’ll find plenty of fun things to do with family in Marrakech. Zoom down flumes at the water park at Oasiria Marrakech or head to Cyber Park to explore the lush greenery and the technology integrated into it. The kids will love seeing the city’s nesting storks perched on the ruins of El Badi Palace in the medina.
Shopping
Practise your haggling skills in the souks and come away with a haul of keepsakes like leather slippers, rugs and ceramics. Not keen on bartering? Pop into Ensemble Artisanal for fixed-price souvenirs. Head to the fashion boutiques and jewellery stores on M Avenue for high-end shopping in Marrakech in the modern Gueliz district.
Take in the culture
Museums in Marrakech are great places to learn about Morocco’s famous architecture and artisanship. Head to Marrakech Museum and admire its intricate carvings, ‘zellij’ mosaic tilework and ornate stucco embellishments. Also visit Dar El Bacha. This former palace serves as a prime example of traditional Moroccan architecture.
Nightlife
Morocco is a Muslim country, so public drinking isn’t allowed, but behind closed doors the nightlife in Marrakech is abuzz. For cold beers in the medina, the Kosybar roof terrace comes with views of the Badi Palace. You can sip cocktails at the speakeasy-inspired Barometre Marrakech in Gueliz or watch belly dancers at the oriental-themed Comptoir Darna in Hivernage.
Places to eat
Visit the Jemaa el-Fna night market to sample delicacies like smoked sausages and snail soup, or sheep brains if you’re feeling brave. Find the best stalls where locals are eating. For more formal restaurants in Marrakech, enjoy jazz lounge drinks and tagines at La Maison Arabe or tuck into steak and spaghetti by the pool at La Trattoria.
Free things to do
Watching street performers in Jemaa el-Fna and exploring the spice souks are some of the best free things to do in Marrakech. You can also admire the grand Koutoubia Mosque from the outside, before cooling off by the fountains in nearby Lalla Hasna Park. Go at sunset to see the glowing orange walls of the Koutoubia minaret reflected in the water.
Get ready for Marrakech
Budget
Planning a cheap holiday to Marrakech is more than possible. The city’s charming souks, food markets and fascinating architecture cost nothing to enjoy. Start your morning with a cappuccino for as little as ten Moroccan dirhams (MAD). You can usually find a meal at an inexpensive restaurant for around MAD31, while a short taxi ride will cost around MAD25.
Day Trips from Marrakech
Strapped for time? Just 45 minutes south of the city, the Agafay stone desert offers an alternative to the Sahara. Ride camelback across rocky dunes and stargaze over dinner in a Bedouin camp. Or try the Atlas Mountains, an hour east, where the region’s native Amazigh live among the foothills. Hike through fragrant fruit orchards before joining them for a traditional tea ceremony.
Getting Around Marrakech
The narrow alleys in the medina are pedestrian only, so comfy shoes are a must. Yellow ‘petit taxis’ (small taxis) are available for trips across the city. Be sure to agree on a price beforehand. Marrakech also has a network of public buses, but routes are limited, and they can get quite crowded. Hire an electric scooter for a fun way to explore outside the medina.
