Travel notes: The best things to do in Marrakech
When I’m asked to describe Marrakech, the phrase that always comes to the tip of my tongue is “there’s nowhere else like it”. From the colourful chaos of the souks, to the distinctively ornate architecture, to the delicious cuisine, and everything in between - the sights, sounds and smells of Marrakech are truly unique.
I’ve been to Marrakech twice now, so I’ve got a pretty good handle on what I would recommend for a first-timer. Read on for my tips on the best things to do in Marrakech.
Experience Le Jardin Secret
If you only do one of the tourist attractions/sights in Marrakech, this would be my pick! These incredible gardens are so, so beautiful - full of wildlife, and just a really serene escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. It’s wild to think you can step off the hectic streets of the medina into this absolute oasis! Entrance prices are really affordable, too.
When you’re done wandering the grounds and the beautiful buildings, there is a mezzanine cafe overlooking the gardens, which is the perfect spot for a mint tea and some snaps from a vantage point.
Visit the YSL Museum and Le Jardin Majorelle
I’ve grouped these together, because 1) you get a discounted ticket if you buy admission for the two attractions together, and 2) I really would recommend doing both of these neighbouring attractions while you’re in the area. I decided to skip the YSL museum on my first visit to Marrakech and, having made the visit during my second trip, I now know that was a BIG error!
The YSL museum is well, well worth a visit - not just for fashion-lovers, but also to glimpse an insight into the 1970s Marrakech that Yves Saint Laurent and his glamorous crowd inhabited.
And as regards the Majorelle… well, I’m sure it needs no introduction and you’ll all have seen the striking colours and verdant cacti on your Instagram feeds! But seeing it for yourself really is something to behold. For the photographers among you, this place is pretty much a dream - there are so many interesting architectural features and beautiful flora to capture.
Camp in the desert
A stay in Morocco presents itself with the potentially once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the desert.
Depending on the time you have available to you, you can either make the trip to the nearby Agafay desert or further afield to the Sahara. Agafay is only a 45 minute drive, whereas the Sahara is a whole day of travelling.
There are several luxurious ‘glamping’ style camps, where you can either be as active as you want - quad biking, camel riding, you name it - or totally chill out with spa treatments and dinner under the stars.
Sadly I wasn’t able to make a visit to the desert on either of my trips - when I first visited Marrakech it was the height of summer when temperatures are insane (I know, big mistake), so the desert was off the cards! And on my latest trip in March 2021, we were unlucky with literally freak weather and had biblical rain for most of our stay (v sad). However, I have heard amazing things about Scarabeo Camp (check out the fabulous @kelseyinlondon’s review here), Inara Camp and Oxygen Camp in particular.
Go shopping in the souks
No trip to Marrakech would be complete without experiencing the warren of souks and markets in the medina!
Marrakech is an absolute haven for the interiors/homeware obsessed - like me - in particular, but there’s truly something for everyone in the souks, whether you’re looking to pick up authentic spices, cute accessories or stylish crockery.
It’s best to set out for a few hours at the souks without any set timing or plan, because you probably will get lost - just go with it! - and it’s impossible to wander the medina at any real pace. The streets are so busy that you really can’t get anywhere in a hurry.
Top tip: book a checked bag when you fly to Marrakech, as I’m pretty sure you will see something you’ll want in the souks and you don’t want to be restricted by hand luggage!
Watch the sun set over the medina at a rooftop restaurant
I can’t describe the feeling of sipping on a mint tea, perched on a cushion, while the medina bustles along below you and the haunting sound of the call to prayer fill the air. Total core memory, and undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Marrakech!
A couple of the best rooftop bars/restaurants which I really enjoyed and definitely lived up to the hype, beyond just an Insta snap, are:
El Fenn - probably the poshest rooftop I went to while in Marrakech, this incredibly stylish hotel-cum-restaurant-cum-bar is a must-do, and don’t miss the incredible boutique downstairs too - the stuff of my homeware dreams!
L’Mida - this was one of our favourite meals during our stay, and it just so happens to have a fantastic rooftop too.
Make like the locals and try a hammam
I was very, very unsure about doing this - after hearing horror stories about being scrubbed to within an inch of your life and having water dunked on your head so hard, it verged on waterboarding.
It was actually one of the hosts of our lovely riad, Julia, who persuaded me to give it a go - she said it was a cultural experience I couldn’t miss and that I would really regret it if I didn’t. I’m inclined to agree, and so I would say the same to you, but I do think you should go prepared with what it entails! I didn’t think I was a prude, but being stripped naked but for a cloth thong, while a stranger scrubs me raw, is perhaps a step too far for me…
In terms of specific hammams, I would ask the riad/hotel you’re staying at for their recommendations for nearby hammams that accept walk-ins - there are heaps of hammams and I’m sure they are all largely similar in terms of experience, but prices and booking processes do vary, so I think it’s best to accept a recommendation where you can.
Taste world-class coffee at Bacha
It was one of my lovely Instagram followers who recommended Bacha Coffee inside the Musee des Confluences to me, and I’m SO grateful as it was one of my fave parts of my recent trip - so now I’m returning the favour to you!
You can’t book, you simply queue outside (although this does present an opportunity to take some photos of the beautiful Musee des Confluences) - but once inside you can choose from literally hundreds of blends of coffee from around the world, and don’t miss the incredible vanilla chantilly cream to go with (sounds odd I know, and I hate flavoured stuff in coffee, but trust me!)
The setting is so unique - with colonial-era architecture and interiors, it really reminded me of Raffles in Singapore. Like stepping back in time!
Try a tagine
Moroccan cuisine is amazing and you simply can’t visit without trying a tagine. There’s no shortage of incredible dining options in Marrakech, but my favourite tagine - outside of our riad, where the food was incredible! - was at L’Mida. L’Mida serves up Moroccan dishes with a modern twist, has an amazing location and is beautifully designed. I highly recommend!
Some other restaurants that I really enjoyed and would firmly recommend are:
Dar Zellij, where we had a really authentic meal accompanied by traditional music in such a unique setting - a converted riad on the outskirts of the medina. Alcohol is also served here!
Comptoir Darna which is a lively dinner & music spot, perfect for something bouji and more ‘night out-y’, in the new town.
