Jemaa el-Fna, medieval souks, Bahia Palace, Majorelle Garden and much more. Complete guide to the places you cannot miss in the Red City, with practical tips and English-speaking guided tours.
Book Guided TourMarrakech, the "Red City", is Morocco's tourism capital and one of Africa's most fascinating cities. Its ancient medina (declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985) is a labyrinth of souks, mosques and palaces where time seems to have stood still. Here are the 15 places that must not be missed on your visit.
Africa's most famous square is a permanent spectacle: snake charmers, acrobats, Gnawa musicians, storytellers and orange juice stalls. As evening falls, food stalls fill the air with the scent of kebabs and couscous. Visit at different times of day to experience its many atmospheres.
Best time: sunset (6pm–9pm) when the food stalls come aliveThe network of covered markets surrounding Jemaa el-Fna is a parallel world. Each souk has its specialty: spices (Souk Attarine), leather (Souk des Babouches), lamps (Souk des Ferronniers), carpets and fabrics. Without a guide, it's easy to get lost and dragged into unwanted shops. With an English-speaking guide, you learn the history of each craft and get fair prices.
Must-see: Souk Semmarine and Souk Attarine for the best spicesMarrakech's most iconic garden: a burst of colour where Klein blue (called "Majorelle blue") contrasts with cacti and bougainvilleas. Created by French painter Jacques Majorelle and restored by Yves Saint Laurent, it also houses the Berber Museum with the country's most important collection of fabrics and jewellery.
Book tickets online in advance — very long queues in high seasonBuilt in the late 19th century, the Bahia Palace ("the Splendorous") is one of the finest examples of classic Moroccan architecture: courtyards with fountains, carved cedar ceilings, zellij tiles and perfumed gardens. It was the residence of Grand Vizier Ba Ahmed and later hosted the French Protectorate.
Best combined with the Saadian Tombs, a 10-minute walk awayDiscovered in 1917 via aerial photography, these 16th-century tombs were sealed for centuries. The funerary complex holds the tombs of Saadian dynasty sultans decorated with Carrara marble, Lebanese cedar and polychrome stucco. One of Morocco's great archaeological treasures.
Space is small — arrive early (9am) to avoid crowdsMorocco's largest Islamic madrasa, founded in the 14th century and expanded in the 16th. Leo Africanus studied here. Its central courtyard with fountain and the students' rooms surrounding it are adorned with some of the most detailed carved plasterwork in the Arab world.
Essential visit to understand the intellectual history of Moroccan IslamMorocco's tallest minaret (70 metres) and the city's undisputed symbol. Built in the 12th century by the Almohads, it is the mother mosque from which the design of Seville's Giralda and Rabat's Hassan Tower were derived. The surrounding gardens are perfect for an evening stroll.
Non-Muslims cannot enter, but the exterior gardens are free and beautifulSultan Mansour built in the 16th century what was the most sumptuous palace in the Arab world, now in ruins after Sultan Moulay Ismail stripped it to decorate Meknes. The ruins are impressive: a central pool of 90x45m, storks nesting on the walls and panoramic views from the towers.
Note: the Festival of Popular Arts is held here every JuneMarrakech's Jewish quarter is one of the world's oldest, with a history dating back to the 16th century. Today it retains the Lazama Synagogue (still active), the Jewish cemetery and houses with wooden balconies unique in Morocco. A fascinating testament to Moroccan inter-religious coexistence.
Located next to the Royal Palace — combine both in the same afternoonHoused in the Mnebhi Palace, one of the finest examples of Arab-Andalusian architecture in the medina. The permanent collection includes ceramics, coins and contemporary Moroccan art. The central hall with its spectacular chandelier is exceptionally photogenic.
A combined ticket with Ben Youssef and the Berber Museum is better valueThe rooftops of the riads in the dyers' quarter and surroundings offer unique views over the terracotta rooftops of the medina. Many cafés and riads allow you to climb to their terraces for famous mint tea while you look down over the labyrinth of streets below.
Café des Épices terrace (facing Rahba Kedima) — perfect views with no high minimum spendThe tanners' quarter (Chouara) is one of Morocco's most iconic visual spectacles. From the terraces of the leather shops (which offer free access with a mint leaf for the smell) you can watch artisans working in the dye pits in the same way as centuries ago.
Best in the morning (9am–12pm) when colours are most vivid and the process is activeThe "ville nouvelle" built by the French during the Protectorate preserves unique Art Deco architecture in Morocco, with art galleries, fusion restaurants and the lively hub of Marrakech nightlife. The contrast with the medieval medina is fascinating.
Mohammed V Avenue is perfect for an evening strollA hammam is not just a bath — it is a social institution. The most authentic ones for tourists are Hammam de la Rose and Bain Zitoun. The ritual includes steam, black olive soap (beldi), a kessa exfoliating glove and a relaxing massage. An absolutely unmissable experience.
Book the best riad-hammams in advance — duration 1.5–2 hoursMarrakech is the perfect base for exploring the rest of Morocco. Under 3 hours away: Agafay Desert, Essaouira, Ouarzazate and Ouzoud Waterfalls. For the real Sahara (Merzouga), we recommend at least a 3-day circuit. Browse our catalogue of day trips and circuits from Marrakech.
Our official guides, licensed by the Moroccan government, know every corner of the medina. 4-hour tours covering all the essentials without wasting time. Just your group, at your own pace.