Marrakech travel guide — where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Marrakech, Marrakech-Safi, Morocco.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Marrakech.
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1
Jemaa el-Fnaa
This is the main square of Marrakech's medina, ringed by cafe terraces and backing onto the souks. By day it's mostly orange juice stalls and snake charmers working the tourist crowd; after sunset dozens of open-air food stalls set up serving grilled meat, snails, and harira, alongside storytellers, musicians, and henna artists.
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2
Bahia Palace
Built in the late 19th century for a powerful grand vizier, this palace is a showcase of Moroccan craftsmanship - carved cedar ceilings, zellige tilework, and painted stucco spread across a sequence of courtyards and riads. It was designed to be the finest palace of its era, and the scale of decoration reflects that ambition.
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3
Koutoubia Mosque
The 12th-century minaret of this mosque is the tallest structure in Marrakech's medina and the city's main visual landmark, visible from most of the surrounding streets and gardens. Its proportions and sandstone carving became the model for the Giralda in Seville and the Hassan Tower in Rabat, built by the same Almohad dynasty.
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4
Koutoubia Gardens
This small public garden sits at the base of the Koutoubia minaret, planted with palms, orange trees, and rose bushes along gravel paths. It functions as a green buffer between the medina and the newer city, and is used by locals for an evening walk as much as by visitors photographing the minaret.
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5
Majorelle Garden
A botanical garden created by French painter Jacques Majorelle in the 1920s-30s, later owned and restored by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé. It's built around a striking cobalt-blue villa and pavilions, with paths through bamboo, cacti, and palms, plus pools with lotus and papyrus.
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6
Yves Saint Laurent Museum Marrakech
Opened in 2017 next to the Majorelle Garden, this museum is dedicated to the couturier's work and his long relationship with Marrakech, which he visited for decades and credited as a major influence on his design. The permanent collection rotates garments, sketches, and accessories from his career.
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7
Saadian Tombs
This royal necropolis dates from the Saadian dynasty in the late 16th century and was sealed off and forgotten for centuries after the later Alaouite sultans plastered over the entrance, only rediscovered in 1917. The main chamber, the Hall of Twelve Columns, holds the tomb of Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur and is one of the most elaborately decorated rooms of its period in Morocco.
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8
El Badi Palace
Built by Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur in the late 16th century to celebrate a military victory, this palace was once famed for its lavish decoration before being stripped of its marble and gold by a later sultan to build his own palace in Meknes. What remains today is mostly the ruined structure - sunken orange-tree gardens, huge courtyards, and pools - giving a sense of scale rather than the original ornamentation.
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9
Ben Youssef Madrasa
This former Islamic college, associated with the nearby Ben Youssef Mosque, was for centuries one of the largest theological schools in North Africa, housing hundreds of students in small upper-floor cells. The building is organized around a rectangular courtyard with a shallow reflecting pool, and every surface — carved cedar screens, stucco, and zellige tilework — is covered in geometric and calligraphic decoration. Visitors mostly walk the courtyard and climb to the student cells to see how cramped and plain the living quarters were compared to the ornate public spaces below.
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10
Marrakech Museum (Dar Menebhi)
Housed in a late-19th-century mansion built for a wealthy pasha's minister, this museum is as much about the building as its contents — restored courtyards, carved wood ceilings, and a hammam wing give a sense of how a Marrakech household of that era lived. The central courtyard is hung with a large brass chandelier and used to display rotating exhibitions of contemporary and traditional Moroccan art alongside the permanent collection of manuscripts, ceramics, and jewelry. It works well as a shorter stop paired with the neighboring Ben Youssef Madrasa and Almoravid Koubba.
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
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Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
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- Most medina sights (Jemaa el-Fnaa, Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, El Badi Palace, souks) are within a 15–20 minute walk of one another, Guéliz sights (Majorelle Garden, YSL Museum) require a taxi or a 20-minute walk from the medina, Petit taxis are metered but drivers often quote a flat rate; agreeing a price before departure avoids disputes, Cash (Moroccan dirham) is required at nearly every ticket counter; ATMs are common around Jemaa el-Fnaa and Guéliz, Modest dress (shoulders and knees covered) is appropriate at religious and historic sites, Many historic sites close or run reduced hours during Ramadan — check dates before planning a visit that period
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Visit popular attractions early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds and harsh midday light.
Book tickets online in advance for major attractions to skip long queues and sometimes save money.
Many cities offer multi-attraction passes that include public transport. Calculate whether they save you money based on your itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
Can non-Muslims enter Marrakech's mosques?
No. Non-Muslims cannot enter the Koutoubia Mosque or other active mosques in Marrakech. The exterior architecture and surrounding gardens remain open to everyone free of charge, and the Ben Youssef Madrasa — a former Islamic school, not an active mosque — can be visited by all.
How many days are needed to see Marrakech's main attractions?
Two to three full days covers the medina's core sights — Jemaa el-Fnaa, the palaces, madrasa and souks — plus a half-day in Guéliz for Majorelle Garden. A fourth day allows time for Anima Garden or the Agdal Gardens.
Is Jemaa el-Fnaa free to visit?
Yes, the square itself is free at all times. Costs come from optional extras like food stall meals, henna, photos with performers (agree a price first) or guided walks.
What is the best time of year to visit Marrakech's outdoor gardens?
March–May and October–November bring the mildest temperatures for walking through Majorelle Garden, Menara Gardens and Jardin Secret. Summer afternoons regularly exceed 38°C (100°F), so mornings and evenings are far more comfortable.
Do I need to book tickets in advance?
Majorelle Garden and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum sell out on busy days, so booking online ahead is recommended. Most other sites — Bahia Palace, El Badi Palace, Saadian Tombs, Ben Youssef Madrasa — can be bought on arrival.