One of the most visited cities in Morocco, Marrakech is a busy, lively, and colorful vacation destination. Known as the Red City due to its high red stone walls, it is a melting pot of history, stunning architecture, culture, and almost constant activity. For many people, the first visit to Marrakech can shock the system. 

If you feel intimidated by the prospect of visiting this beautiful city in Morocco, we are here to help. In the following post, we will highlight some of the best things to do in Marrakech, focusing on affordable and frugal options. 

1. Jemaa El-Fnaa

A holiday to Marrakech would not be complete without a visit to Jemaa El-Fnaa, the main square and marketplace for the city, found within the Medina Quarter (or old city). Here, you will have an experience you have not had anywhere else. The marketplace is full of the freshest and most affordable fruit juice; there is a strong smell of spiced and flavored grilled meats, the sound of snake charmers, and lots of, sadly, performing monkeys that have been snatched from the wild. 

Amazingly, the market only gets livelier as night falls, with more snake charmers, food stalls, musicians, and other street performers. Just have your wits about you and take a sparing amount of money because many pickpockets work around the square. 

2. Visit Marrakech Leather Tanneries

Along with another significant Moroccan city, Fez, Marrakech is famous for its world-class tanneries. Although the Fez tanneries, which date back to the 11th century, are much more significant, if you are looking for unique Marrakech attractions that highlight an essential part of the city, the tanneries are worth visiting. 

Instead of falling for scams by unscrupulous locals, ask someone who works at the hotel you are staying in for directions to the tanneries, or better still, invest in an excellent modern map of Marrakech. 

The tanneries will smell quite bad as the day goes on and the temperature rises, so if you have a weak constitution and are squeamish, it is best to try to visit as early in the day as possible. 

3. Jardin Majorelle

As noted, Marrakech is a very busy, chaotic, and lively city. With that in mind, there will be many times during your trip when you will be wondering what to do in Marrakech to get a break from all that energy and excitement. One of the best botanical gardens in Morocco, Jardin Majorelle is also a welcome retreat from the loudness of the city—where you can relax and unwind a little. 

The famous French painter Jacques Majorelle designed the garden, and he is better known as its creator than for his works of art. 

The Jardin Majorelle is believed to have the most extensive collection of cacti and other desert plants worldwide. To avoid the crowds, visit the garden as early in the day as possible.

4. Le Trou au Mar

If you are looking for the best restaurants in Marrakech and want to enjoy more traditional food, Le Trou au Mur is one place to check out. There, you can enjoy tasty mechoui and some delightful mixed salads. The décor is beautiful, and the staff are accommodating and friendly. An added bonus is a rooftop terrace where you can sit and enjoy your delicious authentic food in Marrakech.

We have even heard accounts of visitors to the restaurant receiving help from staff to get to the restaurant and then to return to their accommodation, keeping them from getting lost. 

5. Bahia Palace

Bahia Palace is one of the best things to see in Marrakech. The word Bahia means “brilliance” in Arabic, which is one word that easily describes any visitor's thoughts about the building. Constructed in the 19th century, it features an exciting and sublime merging of traditional Moroccan and Islamic architectural styles. 

A walk around this impressive structure will leave you in awe. While the gardens are beautiful, you may want to stay inside on the days when the sun is blazing. Or choose cloudier or cooler parts of the day. 

6. Dar Si Said Museum of Weaving and Carpets

Marrakech is known for its traditional crafts, and Berber carpet making is a significant source of income for many people, not just in the city but throughout Morocco. To get a sense of the history and heritage of this craft, one of the best things to do in Marrakech is visit the Dar Si Said Museum of Weaving and Carpets. You can see similar examples of these beautiful pieces in many places, but the museum is a work of architectural art. 

The museum is located within a stunning old palace surrounded by small gardens filled with shrubs and flowers. Inside, each room has been painstakingly decorated with multicolored tiling and wooden ceilings. We recommend you visit it all, particularly the second floor. 

7. Learn to Cook Authentic Moroccan Dishes

If you travel to Morocco with children, you may wonder what to do. It depends on the kind of children you have, but if they enjoy cooking or getting their hands dirty, a cooking lesson is one of the best things to do in Marrakech for kids. One place in particular that offers cooking lessons and courses suitable for children is the Amal Women's Center. There may be other options. You could ask your hotel or any local guide you hire if they have any recommendations about places to go for cooking lessons with kids. 

8. Hot Air Balloon Flight at Sunrise

When you've done one of the most popular and famous things in and around the city on foot and are still looking for unique things to do in Marrakech, why not take to the skies and see this beautiful North African sky from above? 

There are plenty of chances to float through the sky across Marrakech, which offers stunning vistas of the Atlas Mountains, the countryside, and the iconic skyline. If you time your journey right, you could experience the sun rising over Marrakech – breathtaking. 

9. Getting Lost Among the Souks and Back Alleys

Are you interested in just seeing what happens and where the paths lead? One of the cool things to do in Marrakech is to head to the city's back alleys and get lost exploring the different souks. Souks are the curious and intriguing market areas of the city. 

Exploring these parts of the city will allow you to learn more about the city than going to the more tourist-heavy areas. 

10. Haggle for Bargains

While exploring the souks or visiting the main square during your time in the city, you will find plenty of great things to buy in Marrakech. Be aware, though, that most of the prices are flexible. So, even if something seems more expensive than you can afford, the seller may be willing to negotiate with you at a more reasonable price within your budget. Although this can take some practice to perfect, it can be fun to try and haggle with different stall owners and shopkeepers to see if they are willing to drop their prices. 

You only know if you try. 

11. Art Galleries in Gueliz

While you may spend a lot of money or want to spend a lot of money if you stay in the city center too much, there are many great free things to do in Marrakech. You just need to head out to suburbs like Gueliz. This is a newly built place and the home of many modern art galleries inside exceptional examples of Art Deco architecture. The best thing about these art galleries is that they are all free to enter. 

Comptoir des Mines is one of the best. Its three floors showcase an amazing collection of modern Moroccan and other African artists. If that wasn't enough, larger installation pieces are exhibited in the next-door building. 

12. Visit a Traditional Hammam

Morocco is not just a marketplace and a step back in time. There are a variety of luxury things to do in Marrakech at one of the many traditional hammams. A hammam, or Turkish bath, is a kind of steam bath associated with Islamic culture and featuring public bathing. The Muslim world inherited the tradition from the days of the Romans in Thermae. 

Marrakech has various types of hammams, ranging from expensive, exclusive, and modern spa-like to much cheaper ones that often attract more locals than tourists. 

For a truly unique and authentic experience, you should go to one of the more traditional spots, where you will find many locals. Before you arrive, you must invest in organic Argan soap and some scrubbing cloth. Once in the hammam, you will be given your bucket, and then you will need to strip down before going inside a closed room, where there will be lots of steam and locals scrubbing one another's backs while discussing their lives.

Fill your bucket with enough hot water and scrub yourself in the steam room. The experience is inexpensive and will make you feel refreshed and invigorated, like a Moroccan citizen. 

13. Ben Youseff Madrasah 

You will see many madrasahs while in Morocco. These ancient Quranic schools are found throughout Morocco and other countries with an Islamic heritage. Even if you have no interest in the Quran, you will want to visit Ben Youssef Madrasah because of its stunning tiled flooring and incredible architecture. It is one of the best things to see in Marrakech. 

At one point, Ben Youssef Madrasah was the biggest of all the old North African Quranic schools. 

Be sure to go up to the upper floor and explore the small rooms that used to house more than 900 students. A good tip is to go as early as possible for a quieter experience. 

14. Explore the Ramparts

Around the city center, some ancient ramparts and fortified walls dating back to the 12th century are among the best things to see in Marrakech. There are 19 gates that all offer access to Medina, but the most unique is Bab Agnaou, which was used as a royal entrance and decorated with Quranic inscriptions and floral designs. 

15. Have an Authentic Mint Tea in a Small Café

We've already discussed food in Marrakech. Along with all the delicious food, Moroccans love authentic mint tea. It is delicious and morish so that you may order it more than other drinks. 

Locals even call the drink “Moroccan whiskey,” typically served alongside meals. Delicious and sweet, it will leave you wanting more and trying to invest in some before you leave the country. 

16. Koutoubia Mosque

The magnificent Koutoubia Mosque is one of the best things to do in Marrakech if you are interested in history, religion, or unique architecture. The major downside is that you can only enter the temple if you are Muslim. If you are not, you can admire its exterior beauty. 

The mosque looks spectacular, illuminated, and bathed in light when the sun goes down. 

Final Thoughts

Marrakech is clearly a fascinating and lively city. It is as exhilarating and intoxicating as the pictures may hint at. Admittedly, it can be pretty intimidating, especially for a first-time visitor. However, by using our guide above and considering the Marrakech attractions that appeal to you most, you should get the most out of your visit to the city. 

In addition to the busy marketplaces, ancient buildings, and substantial houses of worship, the botanical gardens offer a respite and a chance to reflect and refresh away from the hustle and bustle. Whatever you do while you are there, whatever you eat and drink, we know you will have a memorable time. 

Please let us know in the comments section below if you missed something worth highlighting. 

We hope you have a fantastic trip visiting Marrakech.