Marrakech is the fourth largest city in the Kingdom of Morocco. It is one of the four Imperial cities of Morocco and is the capital of the Marrakesh-Safi region. The city is situated west of the foothills of the Atlas Mountains.
Marrakech is easily accessible from Europe. The city has an almost mythical quality, its pink ramparts dramatically backed by the purple peaks of the Atlas Mountains, while the spiced air of labyrinthine alleys lends an aura of magic and mystery.
Marrakech may be low on museums and monuments, but a visit here is all about soaking up the atmosphere and culture. Even so, there are a handful of places that should not be missed. Four days allows you to see the best of the city and gives you time to make a day trip south into the mountains.
- Jemaa el Fna
- The Night Market
- The Souks
- Koutoubia Mosque
- City Walls and Gates
- Saadian Tombs
- Medersa Ben Youssef
- Badii Palace
- Majorelle Gardens
- La Mamounia Hotel
1. Jemaa el Fna
Jemaa el Fna square is the heart of Marrakech. At this fascinating spot, you'll find snake charmers, the magical souk, monkeys and henna artists. You'll also find street food and scams!
Djemaa el Fna has a lot on offer. Of these, its traditional Moroccan street food stalls are the most popular. For beverages, mint tea and orange juice can be found aplenty. Visitors can also shop for souvenirs including leather handicrafts, spices, carpets and rugs and much more.
2. The Night Market
Each evening as the sun goes down, dozens of open-air kitchens are set up on the east side of Jemaa el Fna. Serving areas are erected and tables and benches are put out to create one vast al fresco eatery. Beneath a hanging cloud of smoke created by the crackling charcoal grills, locals and visitors alike tuck into a vast array of Moroccan cuisine. Nearly every stall has its own speciality, from snails in spicy broth and chunks of lamb stuffed into sandwiches, to chicken pastillas and humble hard-boiled eggs.
The Night Market sets up at sunset daily and runs until around midnight or later in the summer months.The Night Market sets up at sunset daily and runs until around midnight or later in the summer months.
3. The Souks
Morocco’s Marrakech souks are a marvel to explore – brightly coloured spices, terracotta narrow streets and an aladdin’s cave of street traders, vendors and artists await. However, the hustle and bustle, dry heat and ever-so eager stall holders can begin to overwhelm and start to feel a little relentless after a while. The souks of Marrakech are open everyday, starting around 10am, and closing somewhere between 7pm to 9pm. Times are subject to change during religious events such as Ramadan.
4. Koutoubia Mosque
The Koutoubia Mosque, located in Marrakesh's Djemaa el Fna Square, is a landmark and the largest mosque in Marrakesh, Morocco. The meaning of the word ‘mosque’ is the place where one bows down in a prayer. Consequentially, a mosque is center of religious life in Islam. Built during the Hispano-Moresque period, characteristic of simple yet masterful craftsmanship and luxury, The Koutoubia Mosque is argued to be most beautiful and proportioned mosque in the world.
5. City Walls and Gates
The city walls date from the 1120s when, under threat of attack from the Almohads of the south, the ruling Almoravid sultan, Ali Ben Youssef, decided to encircle his garrison town with fortifications. The walls he had built were up to 9 m (30 ft) high and formed a circuit of 10 km (6 miles), with some 200 towers and 20 gates. Even today, the walls remain largely unchanged.
Walking a circuit around the walls can be unpleasant in the heat. It is better to visit the gates individually or take a calèche tour. If you take a calèche ride around the walls, make sure that you carry bottled water, as it can get hot and dusty.
6. Saadian Tombs
Constructed by Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur during the 16th century, the Saadian Tombs (Tombeaux Saadiens) are home to more than 200 crypts belonging to members of the Saadian dynasty. The magnificent mausoleums are renowned for their lavish design, featuring stunning zellige tiles, exquisite woodwork, and gold and marble embellishments.
The Saadian tombs are located in the Almohad Kasbah district, near Bab Agnaou, and the famous Kasbah Mosque known also as the Mansouria Mosque or Mosque of Moulay al-Yazid, is one of the most important historical mosques in Marrakech.
Open : Every day from 9 am to 4.30 pm.
7. Medersa Ben Youssef
Built in 1565 by the Saadians, the Medersa (madrassa - Islamic school of learning) of Ben Youssef is the largest theological college in Morocco. The warrens of rooms (with student cells which once were home to 900 pupils) are clustered around small internal courtyards in typical Islamic architecture style.
Don’t be mistaken by its plain wooden doorway and bare outer walls. The inside of this ancient school is filled with magnificent craftsmanship details from zeillij tiling to incredible stuccowork and beautiful wood carvings. So take a breather on your journey through the winding streets of the medina and discover a magnificent (and quiet!) sanctuary that will make you forget all about the hustle and bustle of the hectic souks.
8. Badii Palace
It reputedly took armies of labourers and craftsmen 25 years to finish the Badii Palace. Completed in 1603, it was said to be among the most magnificent palaces ever constructed, with walls and ceilings encrusted with gold, and a pool with an island flanked by four sunken gardens. This grand folly survived for all of a century before yet another conquering sultan stripped the place bare Рa process that took 12 years Рand carted the riches to his new capital at Mekn̬s. All that survives are the mudbrick ruins, today it is a major tourist attraction in Marrakech and an exhibition space.
Open : 9am–5pm daily
9. Majorelle Gardens
These are the most famous of Marrakech’s numerous gardens, and the legacy of an expatriate French painter, Jacques Majorelle in 1924. He built the garden using a unique shade of cobalt blue which he used extensively in the garden that is named after him, Majorelle Blue. The garden is twelve acres in size and radiates with multi-colored bougainvillea, rows of bright orange nasturtiums, pink geraniums, bold pergolas and concrete paths that exist in shades of pastel pink, lovely lemon and apple green.
Majorelle opened his gardens to the public in 1947 and they remained popular until his death 15 years later. They fell into disrepair until 1980, when they were rescued by partners Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé.
With the garden there are the over fifteen different species of birds, such as turtle doves, bulbuls and house buntings. With its beautiful groves of bamboo, date palms and various lily covered pools, it is little wonder why these marvelous creatures choose Majorelle Garden as their home.
10. La Mamounia Hotel
One of the world’s great old hotels, La Mamounia has been welcoming the rich and famous since opening its doors in 1923, with Winston Churchill one of its most celebrated guests. Originally built as a palace in the 19th century for the crown prince of Morocco, it was turned into a hotel for the Moroccan railways by the French. Set within 7 hectares (17 acres) of delightful gardens, it is surrounded by the city’s 12th-century red ochre ramparts.
A lot of day visitors to La Mamounia get carried away with the pools (understandably), but there is so much more to explore in the beautiful grounds. The hotel is fairly open to explore too once you’re inside and you can wander around all the floors upstairs too. The gardens are expansive, with tennis courts, immaculate flower beds and lawns, and beautiful terraces to relax in. It’s easy to forget about all the hustle and bustle outside the garden walls! La Mamounia is a true haven!
