From beautiful mosques and palaces to shopping in souks that seem endless, there’s something to do for every type of traveler visiting Marrakesh. Whether you’ve come to Marrakesh to explore the culture, the history, the food, or a combination of everything, you’ll want to craft a game plan on what to do before visiting. With so much to do here and only five days to visit this vibrant city, I was forced to narrow down my top choices. As you plan, consider adding these 7 things to do before traveling to the ‘Red City’.
Spend a night at Jemma-El-Fnna square
A trip to Marrakesh is not complete without a night out in Jemma-El-Fna square. This historic medina marketplace is the true heart of the city. Though it can be hectic and somewhat overwhelming at night, this vibrant square gives you a real feel of what life is like for the locals who reside here. In the evenings, street vendors, entertainers, and a mix of locals and tourists come to the square to eat, shop, and hang out.
If the hustle and bustle of the square overwhelms you, I recommend joining a group food tour as a way to get acclimated with the square. I booked a street food tour with a local guide through Get Your Guide for my first evening in Marrakesh, which helped to navigate the square as a newbie. It’s also a great way to try traditional Moroccan foods that you’d probably pass by if strolling through the square on your own.
Visit the Bahia Palace
A visit to the Bahia Palace, a 19th-century palace, is a great way to explore Moroccan design and architecture. This spot is known as one of Morocco’s biggest architectural gems. Visitors can walk through a variety of different rooms throughout the palace, as well as explore the outdoor gardens and courtyard space. If you’re big into learning about history, it may be worthwhile to book a local English guide who can teach you more about the significance and meaning of this palace.
Try a sunrise balloon experience
Hot air balloon rides in Marrakesh are pretty popular amongst tourists — but don’t let this turn you off. During my recent visit, I hopped on a sunrise balloon with Dream Ballooning Marrakech for a truly magical experience. The experience includes pick-up and drop-off at your hotel or riad in Marrakesh, a traditional Berber breakfast, and a one-hour flight with stunning views of the Atlas Mountains. Even if you’re afraid of heights, you’ll be surprised to find just how smooth and stress-free this experience is. Of all the things I did while visiting Marrakesh, the hot air balloon experience stands out as the overall favorite and most memorable.
Explore Madrasa Ben Youssef
Madrasa Ben Youssef is the largest Islamic college in Morocco and is now ranked as one of the top monuments to visit in Morocco. Not only does this spot have beautiful architecture to explore, but visitors can also learn about why the site is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This spot can get pretty crowded, so be sure to book tickets online in advance (and book a tour guide if you want to have someone guide you through learning here).
Shop in the souks
From spices to souvenirs to shoes, there’s a huge selection of items to shop for in souks. I’m about as far from a ‘shopper’ as it gets, and I still loved shopping the souks in Marrakesh. There’s something about the handcrafted items and maze of narrow streets that makes shopping in Morocco unique. Everything you find in the souks is already reasonably priced — but steer clear of shops that seem like they’re trying to bargain with tourists. Make sure you have cash on hand, as many vendors in the souks do not accept credit cards.
Indulge at a Moroccan bakery
Up for a sweet treat? As you roam through the narrow streets of Marrakesh, you’ll find plenty of “Patisseries” or French/Moroccan pastry shops selling a variety of unique sweet treats. Since Marrakesh was once ruled by the French, many bakeries offer a mix of traditional Moroccan pastries and French-inspired treats.
During my visit, I stopped by the TikTok-famous Pâtisserie Corne de Gazelle. This popular bakery sometimes has a short line — but it’s worth the wait. I recommend trying the Tcharek (also known as cornes de gazelle or gazelle horns), which are crescent-shaped cookies sometimes dipped in powdered sugar. Given the language barrier, I had to resort to the “pointing” approach to order my cookies here. I opted for an assortment of sweets I saw in the window. Every single one was unique and delicious (and very different than the types of goods you’d expect to find in a Western bakery).
Visit the YSL museum
Fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent sourced much of his inspiration from the city of Marrakesh, such as the city’s lights and colors. That’s part of Marrakesh is home to the YSL Museum, as he felt a strong connection to the city. Beyond visiting the YSL museum itself, you can also visit the bookstore and café within the museum. While time did not allow me to visit this popular spot, I’ve heard it’s well worth the visit (especially for those into fashion).
