The Ultimate Guide: Best Things to Do in Marrakech for UK Travellers

If you are searching for the best things to do in Marrakech, your itinerary must include exploring the vibrant Jemaa el-Fnaa square, navigating the labyrinthine Medina souks, and marvelling at historic architecture like the Bahia Palace and Ben Youssef Madrasa. For relaxation, book a traditional Moroccan hammam and find tranquillity in the botanical oasis of Jardin Majorelle.

Stepping into Marrakech can feel like walking onto the vibrant, bustling set of a cinematic epic. For UK travellers seeking to swap grey skies for winter sun and sensory adventures, this Moroccan city is the ultimate destination. From the heavy scent of spices wafting through narrow alleyways to the mesmerising architecture of ancient palaces, the city demands to be experienced rather than just visited.

Planning your itinerary can feel overwhelming when every corner offers a new sight, sound, or flavour. Let’s break down exactly how to spend your time, ensuring you experience the absolute best this captivating city has to offer.

Unmissable Things to Do in Marrakech

When you first arrive, grounding yourself in the city’s most iconic landmarks is essential. These foundational experiences provide the perfect introduction to the chaotic, beautiful energy of Morocco’s most famous imperial city.

The Heartbeat of the City: Jemaa el-Fnaa

Jemaa el-Fnaa is the undisputed heart of the city and represents the main gathering place for locals and tourists alike. By day, the sprawling square is filled with fruit vendors selling fresh juices, traditional water sellers in colourful garb, and snake charmers.

As the sun sets, the atmosphere transforms completely. The space fills with dozens of pop-up food stalls, turning the square into an enormous open-air restaurant. Smoke billows from grills cooking skewered meats, while acrobats, storytellers, and musicians entertain the gathering crowds. To survive the square, keep your valuables secure, avoid engaging with locals offering unsolicited directions, and skip the animal shows to avoid supporting forced captivity.

The Towering Koutoubia Mosque

You cannot walk far without spotting the impressive minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque. Standing at 77 metres high, this 12th-century clay-coloured tower acts as a brilliant navigation point when you inevitably get lost in the winding streets of the old town.

While non-Muslims are not permitted to enter the mosque itself, the surrounding gardens are open to everyone. The lush gardens provide a peaceful retreat where you can admire the intricate stone carvings and pink-hued facade of the mosque while listening to the hypnotic call to prayer that echoes across the city five times a day.

What Are the Top 10 Things to Do in Marrakech?

If you are building a strict itinerary, this list covers the definitive top 10 things to do in Marrakech. These sights combine botanical beauty, deep historical roots, and quintessential Moroccan shopping experiences.

1. Wander the Jardin Majorelle: This electric-blue botanical garden was famously purchased and restored by fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent in the 1980s. You will find exotic cacti and tropical plants contrasting beautifully against the vibrant Cubist villa.
2. Explore Bahia Palace: Built in the late 19th century by Grand Vizier Si Moussa, this sprawling palace showcases some of the finest Moroccan craftsmanship. The ornate tilework, carved cedar ceilings, and expansive courtyards offer a glimpse into the opulent lives of the city’s former elite.
3. Marvel at Ben Youssef Madrasa: Once the largest Islamic college in North Africa housing up to 900 students, this 14th-century architectural masterpiece is covered in mesmerising zellige mosaics and intricate stucco.
4. Discover the Saadian Tombs: Hidden behind walls for centuries and only rediscovered by aerial photography in 1917, these tombs are the opulent resting place of the Saadian dynasty. The Chamber of the 12 Pillars, built with imported Italian marble, is truly breathtaking.
5. Get Lost in the Souks: No trip is complete without diving into the sprawling market alleyways. Whether you are hunting for leather bags, colourful ceramics, or aromatic spices, remember to haggle lightly—starting at about a third of the asking price is a good rule of thumb.
6. Relax with a Traditional Hammam: Scrub away the dust of the Medina with a Moroccan hammam experience. You will be covered in black soap, vigorously exfoliated, and left feeling entirely rejuvenated.
7. Visit El Badi Palace: Though mostly ruins today, the 16th-century “Palace of Brilliance” is vast and impressive. You can walk through the enormous sunken gardens, explore the underground dungeons, and watch the resident storks nesting on the ancient walls.
8. Find Peace at Le Jardin Secret: Located right in the chaotic Medina, this beautifully restored 19th-century palace complex features traditional Islamic and Exotic gardens, fed by an ancient underground irrigation system known as a khettara.
9. Take a Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride: For an unbeatable perspective, float above the city and the arid desert landscape as the sun rises. Most tours include sweeping views of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains followed by a traditional Berber breakfast in a tent.
10. Shop at Rahba Kedima Square: Known as the spice square, this is an excellent, slightly calmer area to buy woven baskets, perfumes, and towering mounds of colourful spices like cumin, saffron, and cinnamon.

Incredible Things to See and Do in Marrakech

Once you have checked off the primary palaces and gardens, there are plenty of enriching cultural institutions and hidden architectural gems scattered throughout the old city walls.

Museums and Art Galleries

For photography and history enthusiasts, the Maison de la Photographie is a hidden treasure. Located in a beautifully restored building, it houses a stunning private collection of vintage Moroccan photography spanning from 1870 to 1960. The exhibits provide incredible insight into the country’s indigenous Berber culture, nomadic lifestyles, and traditional attire. Once you finish browsing the portraits, head up to their rooftop cafe, which offers one of the highest and most spectacular panoramic views of the Medina.

Another visually stunning location is the Musée des Confluences (Dar el Bacha). While the museum hosts various exhibitions, the architecture itself is the main draw, featuring orange trees and highly detailed Moorish tiling. Tucked inside this museum is the iconic Bacha Coffee House, an elegantly decorated cafe brimming with gold trimmings and hundreds of global coffee blends—a perfect spot to rest your feet.

Essential Things to See Marrakech: Culture and Cuisine

Immersing yourself in the local lifestyle is highly recommended. The true magic of this destination lies in its quiet interior spaces and deeply flavourful culinary traditions.

The Magic of Riads

The best way to experience authentic hospitality is to stay in—or at least visit—a traditional Riad. The word riad translates to “garden” in Arabic, and these historic homes are built facing inward around a central, open-air courtyard, often featuring a small pool or fountain. From the outside, you will only see a heavy wooden door on a dusty alleyway, but stepping inside reveals a lush, silent sanctuary completely insulated from the noise and motorbikes of the streets outside.

Culinary Delights and Rooftop Sunsets

The local cuisine is a masterpiece of slow cooking and complex spice blends. You cannot leave without trying a traditional Tagine—a rich stew of tender meat and vegetables named after the conical clay pot it is cooked in. For something uniquely sweet and savoury, order a Bastilla; a flaky pastry parcel stuffed with shredded chicken, almonds, and aromatic spices, dusted heavily with cinnamon and icing sugar.

To elevate your dining experience, literally, seek out the city’s famous rooftop restaurants. Establishments like Nomad, Dardar, and Kosybar offer comfortable seating above the fray of the Medina. Arrive just before sunset to enjoy a fresh mint tea—or a cocktail at one of the licensed venues—as the sky turns fiery pink and the evening calls to prayer ring out in unison across the city.

Beyond the City: More Marrakech Things to Do

If you need a break from the intense pace of the city, there are several incredible day trips located just a few hours away that showcase Morocco’s diverse natural landscapes.

The Atlas Mountains and Ouzoud Waterfalls

A 4×4 tour into the High Atlas Mountains is a thrilling way to see rural Moroccan life. You can drive through lush, palm-lined valleys, visit traditional Berber villages, and share freshly baked bread and olive oil with local families in their homes.

Further afield, the Ouzoud Waterfalls in the Middle Atlas Mountains offer a spectacular natural wonder. Dropping 110 metres down craggy, rust-coloured cliffs, these multi-tiered cascades create permanent rainbows in the mist. It is a fantastic place for a hike, a refreshing boat ride at the base, and spotting the playful wild Barbary macaques that live in the surrounding olive trees.

The Agafay Stone Desert

You do not have to drive all the way to the Sahara to experience the desert. The Agafay Desert is located less than an hour from the city centre and features vast, rolling stone dunes. It is the perfect playground for adrenaline junkies wanting to race quad bikes or buggies across the arid, off-road terrain. For a slower pace, you can book a guided camel trek at dusk, finishing the evening with a traditional barbecue dinner and fire show under a blanket of stars at a luxury desert camp.

Conclusion

Marrakech is a city of stunning contrasts. It is loud, chaotic, and heavily textured, yet it hides some of the most serene, visually spectacular gardens and courtyards in the world. Whether your ideal holiday involves aggressively haggling for vintage rugs in the Medina, dissecting the historical architecture of 16th-century palaces, or simply sipping sweet mint tea while watching the sunset over the Atlas Mountains, this city delivers on every front. Pack comfortable shoes, keep an open mind, and prepare to be entirely enchanted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to dive into the vibrant chaos of Morocco? Leave a comment below with which palace or souk you plan to visit first, and don’t forget to bookmark this guide for your upcoming trip!