What to visit in Marrakech The complete guide to must-sees

In a nutshell

First time and few days?

• Aim for the medina (souks, Bahia, Ben Youssef), a garden (Majorelle+YSL Museum), a sunset (Ménara or rooftop), a "beginner" hammam, then a getaway (Agafay or Atlas).
• Book Majorelle/YSL in advance, go early to Bahia/Ben Youssef, and save cash for purchases in the souks.
• Allow 20-30 min between each visit: getting around always takes a little longer than expected.
• To negotiate, smile, offer 40-60% of the advertised price and walk up quietly.

What to see in Marrakech

This guide is aimed at travelers, whether two people or a group of friends, who want to spend 3-5 days in Marrakech. You'll find the essentials, without the blah, blah, blah: what to visit in Marrakech, in what order, at what times of day, and how to avoid queues and minor hassles.

We alternate concrete scenes, field tips and ready-to-follow mini-itineraries.

The 12 must-haves

1) Medina & souks

First step: enter via the Koutoubia (large minaret to the southwest of the medina) and use it as a visual landmark. In the souks, accept getting lost for 15 minutes, then return to a familiar axis (Souk Semmarine, Mouassine). Tip: make a note of a landmark café on Google Maps to take a breather if the crowds overwhelm you. Non-Muslims don't visit the inside of mosques in Morocco: admire the Koutoubia from the gardens.

2) Jemaa el-Fna

By day: orange juice and storytellers; by night: food stalls, musicians, hustle and bustle. Climb to a rooftop to see the square without the hustle and bustle, then head back down to dine at a clean, lively stand. The square is part of UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage: it's the living heart of the city.

3) Jardin Majorelle & YSL Museum

Combo star. Morning opening or late afternoon: soft light and less crowds. Time-stamped tickets recommended (the two sites are independent). Allow 1h for the garden + 45 min for the museum.

4) Bahia Palace

A must for its patios and woodwork. Arrive before 10am to avoid groups; allow ~60-90 min. Ministry ticket office available (usual opening hours 9am-5pm).

5) El Badi Palace

Majestic ruins, storks' nests, great photo opportunities. Climb the ramparts for the view. Ministry opening hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

6) Saadian tombs

Central courtyard and famous stucco/wood details. The access corridor is narrow: target early morning. Opening hours 9am-5pm (official ticket office).

7) Médersa Ben Youssef

Reopened after restoration, it's an architectural lesson par excellence. Arrive at the opening to shoot the almost empty patio; ~45-60 min is enough. Official opening hours: 9am-7pm (9am-6pm in Ramadan).

8) The Secret Garden

Less crowded than Majorelle, two gardens (exotic & Islamic) and lovely views from the tower. Perfect to combine with Ben Youssef (5-10 min walk).

9) Menara Gardens

Pond, olive orchards, view of the Atlas Mountains on a clear day: a peaceful, local sunset spot. Ideal at the end of the day before dinner.

10) Key museums

• Marrakech Museum (Dar Mnebhi): architecture + exhibition (interesting: setting and cultural intro).
• Dar Si-Saïd (Musée national du Tissage & du Tapis): motifs, techniques, heritage.
• MACAAL (contemporary African art, Al Maaden): open Wed-Sun 10am-6pm (Ramadan: 10am-3.30pm). Take a cab: modern museum, often excellent exhibitions.
• Museum of Moroccan Culinary Art (MCAM): exhibition + cooking classes and rooftop. Near Bahia.

11) Hammam & spa (first time)

Choose a clean, clearly "beginner-friendly" hammam. Opt for a 30-45 min scrub + black soap, followed by a short massage (30 min). Etiquette: swimsuit, hair tied back, and let yourself be guided.

12) Koutoubia Mosque (exterior)

A major landmark for orientation, with beautiful adjoining gardens, it can be admired from the outside (remember: interior visits to mosques are generally not open to non-Muslims in Morocco).

The best districts & landmarks

• Medina: historic, lively, dense. Ideal for riads, walking tours, restaurants Moroccan cuisine and creative addresses.
• Gueliz / Hivernage: modern, wide avenues, international restaurants and stylish rooftops. Good for easy cabs and parties.
• Mellah (Jewish quarter): heritage, close to Bahia/El Badi/MCAM; quieter streets for a breather between two visits.
• Palmeraie: bike/hamlet rides, hotels & villas; useful if you're looking for greenery and peace and quiet (longer cab journeys).

Signature experiences

• Cooking classes: "market → tagine → tasting". Workshops near Bahia (eg. MCAM) and historic schools offer clear guidance and photogenic settings.
• Traditional Hammam: start soft (30-60 min). Then moisturize, and reserve mid/late afternoon to float until dinner.
• Rooftops: perfect for seeing Jemaa el-Fna at sunset: arrive 30-45 min beforehand for the best view. a terrace table.
• Artisanal shopping: leather, rugs, cedar wood, lighting. Calm negotiation: target 40-60% on departure, smile, be polite, say thank you and leave if necessary.

Day trips from Marrakech

• Agafay Desert (rocky, not dunes): ~30-40 km, ~45-60 min drive. Attractions: sunset, dinner in tents, quad/buggy. Bring windbreaker and closed shoes.
• Atlas Mountains & villages (Imlil) : ~1h30-2h drive depending on traffic; gentle hike and village tagine. Tip: leave at 8:30am, return at 5pm.
• Cascades d'Ouzoud: ~150-160 km, ~2h30-3h per trip; paths with steps (bring sneakers). Early start to avoid crowds and heat.

Model micro-routes

24 hours in Marrakech (first steps)

Morning - Ben Youssef → stroll around the medina/souks → Breakfast in a quiet riad.
Afternoon - Bahia then El Badi (10-12 min walk).
Evening - Rooftop on Jemaa el-Fna (sunset) → street dinner (clean & lively stand).

48h (comfortable pace)

Day 1 - Like 24 hours.
Day 2 - Majorelle + YSL Museum (reservations), coffee on site → Lunch at Gueliz → The Secret Garden → Hammam late afternoon → modern dinner at Hivernage.

72h (add escape)

Days 1-2 - Same as 48h.
Day 3 - Agafay (breakfast/sunset) or Atlas/Imlil (hike + tajine) or Ouzoud (full day). Return around 18-20h depending on option.

Practical tips (express version)

• Tickets & opening hours: book Majorelle/YSL in advance; for Bahia/El Badi/Saadiens, check the Ministry of Culture ticket office (usual opening hours 9am-5pm).
• Best slots: opening hours (8am-9am/9am) or end of day. Group buses saturate at 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Transport: frequent small cabs; if no meter, announce your fare before getting in. For the airport, use the official ticket office or a hotel shuttle.
• Dress/etiquette: decent dress (shoulders/thighs covered depending on location), no inside visits to mosques for non-Muslims, especially at the Koutoubia.
• Payments: cards often accepted in museums and large restaurants, cash useful in souks. ATMs in town.
• Gentle security: keep your cell phone discreet, politely refuse "spontaneous guides", say "no thanks" with a smile.

Action checklist

• Book Majorelle + YSL; aim for Bahia/Ben Youssef opening.
• Sunset: Ménara or rooftop on Jemaa el-Fna.
• An experience: "beginner" hammam or cooking class.
• An excursion: Agafay (fast) or Atlas (gentle hike) or Ouzoud (long day).
• Bring cash for souks/taxis; credit cards for museums/restos.

FAQ

How many days to see the essentials?
In 3 days, you check off medina + two palaces + a garden + a hammam + a sunset. 5 days add an excursion. (See micro-itineraries).

Should I book Majorelle/YSL?
Yes, it's smoother and you control the schedule (time-stamped tickets).

Bahia vs El Badi: which to choose if I have to decide?
Bahia for unspoilt decorative art; El Badi for monumentality and views (and storks). If possible, do both (10-12 min walk).

Best sunset?
Ménara (Atlas view) or rooftop on Jemaa el-Fna.

Hammam for beginners: how does it work?
Our guide: scrub with black soap (+ rinses), then massage if desired. Choose a simple formula (45-60 min).

What excursions are nearby?
Agafay (45-60 min), Atlas/Imlil (~1h30-2h), Ouzoud (~2h30-3h per trip).

Where to stay to suit my style?
Riad if you want to experience the medina (quiet if deep patio). Modern hotel if you prefer elevator, spa, easy cab access (Gueliz/Hivernage).

How to avoid crowds & scams
Off-peak hours (opening/end of day), fixed-shop shopping if you hate bargaining, prices announced before getting into the cab, friendly "no thanks" to solicitations.

Conclusion

Now you know what to visit in Marrakech without spreading yourself too thin: medina & souks, Bahia/Ben Youssef, a garden (Majorelle/YSL or Le Jardin Secret), a sunset at Menara, a hammam to relax, then a getaway (Agafay/Atlas/Ouzoud).

Book what needs to be booked, get in early, save cash for the market, and leave a little to chance-that's where the magic happens. To find out more: our selections restaurants, rooftops and riads, and our downloadable itineraries.

Quick links

• Our restaurants in Marrakech (reservations & tops)
• Rooftops in Marrakech (selection)
• Marrakech dinner & show (guide & booking)
• Where to sleep: riads & hotels
• Activities (quad, buggy, desert, spa)

External references

• UNESCO - Cultural space of Jemaa el-Fna Square
• Jardin Majorelle & Musée YSL (official websites) tickets, timetables, organization.