Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.Gustav Flaubert
Top things to do in Marrakech – Medina, Souks and more
Marrakech is one of the most unique cities we have visited during our travel escapades. I have visited the Middle East as a kid and still have those memories afresh of early 90’s Arab regions. Founded almost 1000 years ago on the edge of the Sahara, this southern market town is a UNESCO Heritage site. The red mud backed medina palaces beneath the snow-capped Atlas Mountains makes Marrakech a memorable experience.
The fragrant scents, sounds and sights of Marrakech change with each new alley you explore. Think African spices, orange blossoms, gasoline, smoke and dust, donkey carts, afternoon prayer and Moroccan instruments, ultramarine blues, saffron oranges and intense jades, wherever you look.
Prepare for your senses to be awakened hard – the sights, sounds, the frenzy and the chaos will leave you bamboozled.
Here is a list of the top things we recommend to visit/do while you are in Marrakech:
- The Chaotic Medina
The first place one needs to visit to understand the true nature of Marrakech is the Djemaa El Fna – the central square. This ‘Assembly place of Nobodies’ is centre of Marrakech life. This defines the vibrancy of this beautiful city – snake charmers, musicians, story-tellers, juice stalls, henna artists, crowded souks and much more. Every night is a carnival night here where the place comes alive with a plethora of food stalls serving everything from sheep heads to snails.
Read more about our Medina experience here – Click here
Read our Travel tips for Marrakech which can come very handy – Click here.
- Unravel the Marrakech Souks
Various arteries of narrow alleys flow further away from the Medina square which form the famous Souks of Marrakech. It’s a must that you take a walk here – a huge open air shopping mall. You can find everything from olives, leather goods, twinkling lamps, counterfeit goods and much more as you navigate these alleys. The best way to navigate the souk is to get lost in the chaos. Don’t forget to wear you best bargaining hat on.
Read more about our Medina experience here – Click here
- Awe at the Koutoubia mosque
Local Marrakesh legend tells that when Koutoubia Mosque was first built, the muezzin (man who calls the faithful to pray) for this mosque had to be blind as the minaret was so tall that it overlooked the ruler’s harem. The mosque was built in 1162 and is one of the great achievements of Almohad architecture. The 70m tall minaret is right across the Medina square and can’t be missed.
Tip: Avoid guides and dress appropriately.
Distance: 800 metres from Medina
- Homage to the Saadian Tombs
This 16th century burial ground is home to 66 members of the Saadian dynasty, which ruled over Marrakesh between 1524 and 1668. It’s a rambling, atmospheric place with the mausoleums set amid a rather overgrown garden.
Tip: Avoid guides and expect a 5-6 minute wait to see the main room.
Opening times: 9 am – 4.45pm last entry (6 pm close)
Price: Adult – Dh10
Distance: 1.8 km from Medina square, 20 mins walk
- Ruins of El Badi Palace
The Badi Palace is where the most celebrated Saadian ruler, Ahmed el Mansour (1578-1603) traded gold, marble and onyx for their weight in sugar. All that is left are devastated mud walls that enclose a large square.
Opening times: 8 – 5pm
Price: adult – Dh 20
Distance: 500 metres from Saadian tombs, 5 mins walk.
Read our Travel tips for Marrakech which can come very handy – Click here.
- Marvel at Bahia Palace
This magnificent palace was built in the 19th century as the residence of the Grand Vizier Bou Ahmed, who served Sultan Moulay al-Hassan I. The interior decoration at Bahia is a dazzling display of zellige tiles, painted ceilings and ornate wrought-iron features showcasing the opulent lives of those high-up in the sultan’s favour at that time. The palace is surrounded by sumptuous flower and tree-filled gardens.
Opening times: 9 am – 4.30 pm
Price: Adult – Dh 10
Distance: 850 metres from El Badi palace, 10 mins walk
- Unwind at Menara Garden
The Menara Garden was established in the 12th century as an orchard of palm, olive and fruit trees. It has a formal pool overlooked by a pavilion (minzah) previously used by the Sultan and his family. The orchards, pools and pavilions are the primary components of Islamic gardens.
Opening times: 8 am – 5 pm
Price: Free
Distance: 6KM – book a cab. Approx. 30dh from Medina square
- Visit the unvisited – The Tanneries
Now this is something I wouldn’t recommend for people as a tourist hotspot but more of something as an experience. The main Leather Tanneries in Marrakech are located in the Bab Debbagh quarter in the north end of the medina – slight away from nearby residents because of the staunch smell.
Everything from sheep skin to camel skin are reared and treated chemically in pigeon poo and other chemicals to make various leather products. As soon as you arrive, you would know that you are at the right place when the intoxicating smell hits you. And soon you will be approached by a faux guide who will happily lead you to one of the tanneries and then show you around. You would also be offered a fresh bunch of mint leaves which will help you from nauseating on the smell around you.
These guides will generally show you around and explain the process after which they will happily lead you to one of their uncle’s shop for views over the tannery and also to entice you into buying various products. Nevertheless, he will expect a payment at the end and our guide asked for 150dh but then settled when I sternly offered him 20dh!
Tips: Not for the very faint hearted!
Price : Free
Distance: 2 KM from Medina. Hard to navigate on foot – take a cab to Bab Debbagh – 20dh
- Learn more at 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.
Distance – 1km from Medina Square through the souks.(13 mins walk)
Opening times: 8 am – 6 pm
Price: DH 20
- Binge on Food and stay in a Riad
A Riad is a traditional Moroccan house or palace with an interior garden or courtyard. Try staying in one of these Riads on the old side of the town in Marrakech. We stayed at one which was a stone’s throw away from the Medina Square. The narrow alleys mean the only way one can reach the Riad is on foot. So taking a cab or an airport drop mean walking to the main street or the Medina square.
Very beautiful from the inside and quite self-sufficient rooms. They also offer nice roof top view over this medieval town with the backdrop of the high Atlas Mountains.
Read our Travel tips for Marrakech which can come very handy – Click here
You cannot complete a visit to Marrakech without trying the various options of food this place has to offer. Visit the Medina square at the night for having a unique glimpse into foodie’s paradise. Everything from fresh sausages, snails, sheep head, fresh fruit juice and much more. Read more about our Medina food experience here – click here
In addition, the cuisine here has much of a French influence which means a lot of pastries and macaroons lined up at every nook and corner. Other must have while in Morocco is their Tagines – especially the chicken and lemon one – simply awesome. A good break from the chaos of street level is the tranquility of a rooftop restaurant.
These are top 10 of my “must do” while in Marrakech. In addition there is a 11th one which I would still recommend i.e.
- Walk across the town
As with any other town we visit, we did a lot of walking in Marrakech. And trust me that is the best way to see this unique place, gave me a feeling of back to the 1960’s – a time machine. We walked across the Medina taking in all the chaos and trying to find some order midst of all this, then we walked through the souks taking in frenetic haggling, also walked our way to other attractions like Koutoubia mosque, Saadian tombs, El Badi palace, Bahia palace. In all this, we get a chance to see the true side of an ancient vibrant city, interact with locals and much more.
Be it passing through narrow alleys with high walls on either side or be it sitting at a local café just outside a mosque while the Friday prayers concluded – it was surreal. Maps aren’t of much help while walking here as the roads aren’t that well market but just ask a local and he would be more than happy to help.
Read more about our Morocco visit – Click here.
If you have queries/feedback, please leave a comment and I will get back to you ASAP.
This is Aldrin and my partner Amoli. We bring you "Earths Pilgrim" - a unique insight into our travel escapades while leaving life in a cubicle. If you are looking for some inspiration to break the shackles of a regular life, then you are the right place. Read more about us- Click here.
Looks likes you had a great time there in this African country 🙂
Yeah Mate… Its a beautiful one..