Marrakech is one of those somewhat magical destinations, frozen in time to give you something of the charm, naturalness, and simplicity of a world long gone.

In short, Marrakech is a city in south-western Morocco, the administrative centre of the region of the same name. It is located about 150 km from the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, it has about one million inhabitants, it is one of the most important tourist centres in North Africa, and it is famous for its gardens and architectural monuments in the old part of the city called the Medina.

The Marrakech name comes from the Berber word mur (n) akush, meaning “Land of God.” Morocco’s third-largest city, after Casablanca and Rabat, lies near the snow-capped foothills of the Atlas Mountains and a few hours from the Sahara Desert.

The city is divided into two different parts: the Medina, the historic city, and the new modern European quarter – Gueliz or Ville Nouvelle. The Medina is a tangle of narrow passages and local shops. In contrast, Gueliz is home to modern restaurants, fast food chains, and brand-name shops.

Why is Marrakech called “the red city”?

Under the African sun, Marrakesh awaits you with remarkable palaces and lush gardens, given the climate and especially the desert at your doorstep. Marrakech has winding streets, crowded markets, shabby old houses, people in traditional costumes… It’s (still) an authentic, picturesque place with an unforgettable atmosphere!

The “red city” of imperial Morocco beckons you to unravel its mysteries. And your imagination starts working as soon as you step beyond the gates of Medina, where the mysteries seem more and more difficult to decipher as you go deeper into the labyrinth.

But why is Marrakesh called “the red city”? According to the law during the French colonial regime, all buildings in Marrakech had to be painted red ochre. This was the colour of the soil on which the city was built and the traditional building material. The law also stipulates that no building in the Medina should be taller than a palm tree, while in the other districts, no building should be higher than five storeys, so as not to surpass the symbolic tower of Marrakech, the minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque.

Best places to visit in Marrakech

As soon as you set foot in Marrakech, in its old part, you realise you’ve arrived where you were supposed to. That is if you wanted to take a step, or two or three, back in time to the days of oriental tales like those of the Scheherazade. If you don’t like the Oriental clutter and chaos, the constant bustle, and the dusty, old-fashioned atmosphere, you’re unlikely to enjoy Marrakech. It’s not a mass destination where everything is well laid out, and everything looks perfect. Which are the best places to visit in Marrakech?

Medina of Marrakech

First, explore Medina, the old part of Marrakech! Medina is over 700 hectares and is the most picturesque part of the city. Medina is the salt and pepper of any visit, not only to Marrakech but also to Morocco. Marrakech’s Medina is a “red” and dusty mix of palaces, gardens, dwellings, riads, squares, markets, mosques, hammams, fountains, and all sorts of shops and family restaurants.

No visit to Marrakech is complete without getting “lost” in Medina’s narrow streets! Thanks to its cultural and historical heritage, the area is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Capital of the Almohad Kingdom (1147-1269), Marrakech was for a long time an important political, economic and cultural centre of the Muslim world. It influenced North Africa and southern Europe, especially Andalusia, and Spain.

The Medina’s labyrinthine souks, or traditional traders’ markets, are a major attraction for many visitors. In this world of darkness, crowded, congested markets, and fragrant spices and leather, rival vendors call out to one another, and they sprawl like living things everywhere. At first overwhelming, they quickly turn into a magical place that can be explored on foot safely. It is recommended for tourists to start their exploration of the city on the main thoroughfare, Souk Semmarine. You can purchase souvenirs from tourist emporiums if you’re short on time. These shops sell antiques, jewellery, and carpets.

But if you’re looking for more, the souks, or markets of Marrakech, adjacent to Djemaa El-Fna square, are where you can buy almost anything. From spices to tea and shoes, jellabas to kaftans, dishes, and much more. No doubt being a foreigner means you’ll end up paying higher prices than a native, but negotiate with them no matter what. Remember that this is the most important thing in a souk: bargaining, long bargaining. Otherwise, you will pay fortunes for almost nothing.

Djemaa el-Fna

Djemaa el-Fna is the fantastic highlight of any visit to Marrakech. Dozens of stalls sell a wide range of Moroccan food. It’s a huge market that seems to lack landmarks. But Djema El Fna wins you over from the first second, even if some of its characters, such as the snake tamers, the sackers, and the street vendors, are too touristy, too commercial, and obviously too pushy.

But Djema El Fna has a special air about it, something all its own, a special atmosphere. It’s oriental, chaotic, and somewhat mystical. Its dusty air is full of all sorts of scents, pleasant or not. All sorts of aromas of spices, fruits, and various dishes lure you here. Shouts and noises of all kinds break through the milky air.

At nighttime, the space transforms into a huge al fresco restaurant with hastily constructed stalls. Locals and visitors dine side-by-side at communal tables as open fires emit fragrant smoke while food is prepared. Choose the stall that looks busiest and prepare to feast on grilled meats, Moroccan tagines, and snail soup (a local speciality). As well as permanent restaurants, Djemma el Fna is lined with temporary ones. There are many rooftop cafes with spectacular views of the action, with Zeitoun Café, a particular favourite among locals.   

Stop at a terrace on the edge of the square to enjoy a green mint tea, sweet and aromatic as you’ve never tasted before! From above, on the café terrace, you’re intrigued by a picturesque sight that comes with the tea. It’s highly recommended that you settle in here in the afternoon, towards sunset – that’s when the square starts to come alive.

Koutoubia Mosque

Koutoubia Mosque, right next to Djemaa El-Fna square, is named after the booksellers’ market, which was located here long ago – Koutoubia means “library,” and, at one time, the Koutoubia mosque was surrounded by sellers of religious manuscripts. Practically, Koutoubia is the landmark that dominates the red roofs of Medina and its minaret, with its almost 70 metres high, is the tallest building in the city. They say that this mosque is to Marrakech as the Eiffel Tower is to Paris. The minaret is visible from the new part of the city, which is connected to the Medina by Avenue Mohamed V. At night, the mosque is beautifully lit.

Although the mosque itself does not allow non-Muslim visitors to enter, you can see its grandeur from the outside. The Koutoubia is embellished by gardens shaded by palm and orange trees, and its decorations are remarkable for their fine artistry. Its minaret has inspired other iconic buildings, such as the Hassan Tower in Rabat and the Mezquita in Cordoba.

The Saadian tombs 

The Saadian tombs were not discovered until the beginning of the 20th century. They have been preserved as they were in the glory days of the Saadian rulers. Unlike El Badi Palace, they were not destroyed (probably for superstitious reasons). The entrance was blocked, so they remained” virgin” for hundreds of years. Inside, almost everything is decorated with zellig (Moroccan tiles). If you get here, try to find the graves of Jews and Christians, marked by different markings and directions.

Majorelle Gardens

The Majorelle Botanical Garden in Morocco is inspired by the prestigious Islamic gardens and has about 300 species of plants. It belongs to the great fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent but was created by the French painter Jacques Majorelle (1886-1962). Today, it is under the trusteeship of the Pierre Berge-Yves Saint Laurent Foundation.

It all started with a palm plantation in 1922 when Jacques Majorelle bought the garden. Later, the French painter called on the services of architect Paul Sinoir, who created a spectacular and very modern design. He also designed the main house in the garden, making it so famous worldwide.

In 1937, the French artist created Majorelle blue, the shade that would define and make this garden world famous. Thus, the ultramarine blue cobalt dressed the entire house that stands imposing in this garden. Following an accident, the French painter was repatriated to Paris, where he died in 1962. The garden was then abandoned for many years until it was discovered by the famous fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent.

The Majorelle Garden seems in constant motion, especially with the play of colours and rare exotic plants. Plant lovers can admire this botanic garden’s most beautiful tropical plants in stunning shades. Here you can see the most spectacular cockatoos, lilies, lotus, jasmine, palms, coconut trees, banana trees, bamboos, agaves, and cypresses, which are perfectly associated with the stunning fountains, ponds, pots, and paths. No wonder the Majorelle Garden has been included by The Telegraph in the top 50 most beautiful botanical gardens in the world.

Bahia Palace

Bahia Palace is essentially the main but arguably the most beautiful landmark of Marrakech. It’s not that venerable in age since it was built in 1880, meaning we can say it’s relatively young. The history of the palace is simple – the grand vizier Sidi Moussa, who served the two sultans of Moulay Hasan and later Moulay Abd al-Aziz, bought a fairly decent piece of land for his beloved wife and built the Bahia Palace on it.

This name is literally translated as “The Shining Palace”. The palace took a long time to build – no more than seven years, and its architect had to finish the construction several times. It must be said that the structure was carried out on a large scale – marble and tiles were literally taken from all over the country since the vizier dreamed of seeing his new palace as the largest and most magnificent in the state.

A visit to the palace offers a wealth of beautiful interiors, including cedar ceilings, hand-carved wooden wall coverings, stained glass windows, marble detailing, original paintings on cedar, beach wood, as well as huge zellig-tiled fireplaces. A wonderful concert of Arab-Andalusian music may be performed at the palace depending on the time you visit. As part of a Moroccan royal family visit, certain sections of the court are closed to the public.  

Bahia Palace is a typical representative of Oriental philosophy – everything personal should be safely hidden from prying eyes. Essentially the same principle is used in modern architecture, i.e., everything looks modest from the outside so as not to envy others, but inside you can already give free rein to luxury.

El Badi Palace

El Badi Palace is a huge, mysterious, red-walled complex that seems to hide all the secrets of Marrakech’s past. El Badi (“Palace of the Incomparable”) was built at the end of the 16th century on the orders of the Saudi Sultan Ahmed al-Mansur Dhahbi to celebrate his victory over the Portuguese army. Today, all that remains is a huge orange grove surrounded by high walls. This was after the Alawite Sultan Moulay Ismaïl took what was left to build the imperial city of Meknes in 1696.

The symbol of the sultan’s power, El-Badi Palace was the place where important ceremonies were held, and important guests were received. Considered to be a jewel of Islamic art, the building was influenced by the Alhambra in Granada (Spain).

After visiting the Badi Palace, pay a visit to the Mellah, Marrakech’s old Jewish quarter, founded in the 16th century and now populated almost exclusively by Muslims (only a few dozen Jewish families remain in Marrakech). The small synagogue here has been restored, and those interested can visit the vast Jewish cemetery nearby.

What to do in Marrakech when on vacation

These are the places you absolutely must visit in Marrakech to get a feel for Morocco’s red city. Many things will tempt you during your walk around the city. Some you might want to steer clear of, but others you might even want to try. And these would be the following:

1 Explore the souks!

Discovering Moroccan handicrafts has never been easier. Among the products available are leather bags, shoes, antiques, chandeliers, pottery, and copper and silver items. Never buy a thing without bargaining. Enter the shop, ask the price, and don’t be shy. When you want to buy something in Morocco, ask for half price and then start bargaining. This is the tradition; this is how they do it; this is the way!

2 Take a trip to one of the argan cooperatives.

Moroccans are the only ones who make this golden, gorgeous oil, so here you can see how the women produce it, what it smells like, and how good it is. Try it on your hands and hair for free and, for sure, you’ll love it! This is one of Marrakech’s best-kept secrets! 

3 Drink orange juice!

You’ll need to stay hydrated in Morocco during the summer, and there’s nothing better than a fresh-squeezed juice! A glass of flavorful drink costs only 4 Dirhams, but remember that Morrocan oranges are the sweetest you have ever tasted. Loyalty to the same seller entitles you to some free refills.

4 Stay in a riad.

What is a riad? The term refers to a traditional Moroccan house, usually located in the city’s Medina, with a courtyard or garden as its central feature. The walls of the building are built all-around, often with no windows looking out. In Arabic, the word ‘ryad’ means courtyard or garden. Usually, riads are decorated in traditional Moroccan style, with traditional motifs, and those modernised to accommodate tourists have a modern fountain or swimming pool in the centre. There are over 800 riads in the old part of Marrakech, from budget-friendly to luxurious, many of which have been converted into hotels or guest houses.

5 Drink mint tea.

Moroccan tea is so important in everyday interactions that it is also called… “Berber whiskey.” No deal is complete without a traditional glass of tea. Moroccans drink tea throughout the day, but especially when dining. While food preparation is the domain of women, tea is usually prepared by the head of the family and is considered an art passed down from generation to generation. Besides, teas with mint and Berber spices are said to be aphrodisiacs. Remember that tea is about more than just drinking; it’s a time for socialising, making friends, and sharing experiences.

In general, Morocco is a safe destination. Still, there are a few tips to keep in mind: watch out for valuables, dress appropriately for a Muslim destination so as not to attract stares, refuse well-meaning men who appear out of nowhere, and if you need a guide, use local agencies. Also, remember that Moroccans don’t like to be photographed – they can get quite aggressive if they find out, so make sure they allow you to take their picture. Enjoy the beauties of Marrakech as much as any other city and let yourself immersed in its undeniable charm.

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