Marrakesh is a lot (in the best way possible) — the city is bustling with people and things to do. On the surface Marrakesh may seem overwhelming so here’s my guide to try and help you have the best time possible in this incredible city.
Where To Stay in Marrakesh
There are a plethora of paces to stay in Marrakesh from hostels to 5-star resorts so it really depends on your vibe and budget. We stayed at Riad Dar M, which I could not recommend more (We booked our room via AirBnb). Located amongst the wild and winding streets of the Medina the Riad itself was a tranquil contrast to its surroundings. Our personal preference when travelling is to book our accommodation within walking distance of where we want to be at night, and travel further afield during the day.
The first time I visited Marrakesh I stayed with my mum in a nice hotel on the border of Gueliz, a modern neighbourhood where there is still lots to do but is also a lot less hectic. There are always taxis available so it is still easy to get around even if you are staying further out from the Medina.
Things To Do In Marrakesh
Marrakesh Souks
Embrace the crowed market places. They may seem like an assault on the sense to begin with, but once you get used to the pace of things it’s a thrilling experience. Stick to the right, follow the pace of the crowd, move out of the way of moving bikes (and donkeys), and you’ll get the chance to immerse yourself in the creativity and chaos that is Marrakesh.
Within the Medina there are three main souks: Souk Semmarine, Souk Nejjarine, and Souk El-K. They all kind of bleed into one big labyrinth so allow yourself time to get lost. We found Google Maps to be surprisingly good at navigating the seemingly random maze of streets.
If you are a little nervous about the souks you can book a souk or food tour where a guide can take you round and help you experience the local delights.
Ensemble Artisanal
If you love local crafts but you find the souks and haggling a little intimidating. Ensemble Artisanal is a perfect place to shop. A government sponsored shopping complex where apprentices are taught local crafts which are sold for a fixed reasonable price.
Loft Gallery
A modern independent gallery showcasing contemporary African art.
House of Photography
A private collection of photography dating from 1870 to 1960 exhibiting the diversity of Morocco. As well as the impressive photo collection there is also a rooftop cafe with views over the Medina. Your ticket also gets you access to the nearby Musée de la Musique, which is also worth a visit.
Jardin Majorelle, Pierre Bergé Museum of Berber Arts and Yves Saint Laurent Museum Marrakesh
One of the top tourist spots in Marrakesh. I’ve put these three together as they are all on the same street and we think it’s worthwhile taking the time to visit all three. Be aware that tickets are available to purchase online only so in busy season it’s worth ordering in advance – there is an efficient time-slot based queuing system to keep the gardens from getting too busy.
The gardens are a thing of beauty and if you love fashion seeng some of YSL’s most iconic design sin real life as well as sketches is incredible. In general I struggle with tourists hot spots, and how busy they can be. The Jardin Majorelle is very organised with many staff members to guide you (although almost to a point where it takes a little bit of fun out of exploring). My opinion is that it’s absolutely worth a visit, but not somewhere I would return to in a hurry.
The Bahia Palace
Built in 1859 the palace is one of the most famous historic landmarks in Marrakesh so of course is visited by many people. We bought tickets at the door (which was cash only) and spent about an hour wandering the halls. The palace is grand but did sustain some significant damage during the 2023 earthquake. This is one of the attractions that might be worthwhile booking a guide for to get a full appreciation on the history and culture.
Things we wanted to do but didn’t have time for: Madrasa Ben Youssef, a cooking class, a pottery class, a spa day, a hot air balloon day-trip, Atlas mountains day-trip.
Eating Vegan in Marrakesh
Eating vegan was relatively easy with a little research, using Happy Cow and Googling. Everywhere we ate also understood what veganism meant and were very clear while dropping off the food to the table. Local dishes that are ‘accidentally’ vegan are: tomato salad, hummus, flat bread, berber couscous, and vegetable tagine.
Nomad – Modern Moroccan restaurant with large rooftop and a concept store. The menu is seasonal and the staff were extra clued up on their vegan options.
Café Des Épices – Across the ‘Place des épices’ from Nomad, is this well known Marrakesh staple. The cafe has a lovely authentic feel and celebrates its surrounding. We spent our last night here eating the most delicious vegetable tagine, which seemed like a perfect close to our trip.
Broc the Kasbah – Rooftop vegetarian cafe with an upcyled clothing store below. A lovely, low key spot to have lunch and watch the world go by.
La Pergola – Located on the rooftop of Riad Monceau, La Pergola is a super lively spot. The menu is simple bar food and is a great spot to enjoy a drink and some live jazz. We loved to end our day here with a glass of wine or a beer. Le Bistro Arabe (their downstairs restaurant) has many more food options and offers front row seats to the Jazz band that play every evening, it’s very popular so worth booking in advance.
Speciality Coffee in Marrakesh
There is plenty of coffee in Marrakesh, especially if you like it black or with normal milk. If you are a craft coffee lover like us you might have to go a little further afield but they were very much worth the walk.
Our three favourites were:
Thirty5ive – This coffee house and art gallery was our afternoon spot. A perfect chilled out creative place to unwind and reboot.
Savor – A tiny space within the Medina serving up delicious coffee, lovely interiors, wifi, and air conditioning
Coffee Kartel – Such a cool place but unfortunately it was so popular they had run out of non-dairy milks while visited! We can’t wait to try the coffee the next time we are in town because the vibes were immaculate.
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