🇲🇦Morocco·Africa
Marrakech
The Red City — ancient medina, souks, riads, and the gateway to the Sahara
dest.flightsFrom
£149
dest.hotelsFrom
£35/per night
dest.budgetPerDay
£70
dest.avgTemp
22°C
dest.bestTime
March to May, September to November
dest.safety
7.8/10
dest.about Marrakech
Marrakech is one of the world's great sensory experiences — a medieval city where the 21st century barely exists. The ancient medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a labyrinth of souks, mosques, hammams, and riads (traditional courtyard houses) that has changed little in 900 years. Djemaa el-Fna square transforms from a market by day to a carnival of storytellers, musicians, and food stalls by night. Beyond the city, the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert are within easy reach — making Marrakech the perfect base for one of the world's most diverse travel experiences.
dest.topHighlights
Djemaa el-Fna
The world's greatest square — a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage site that transforms from market to carnival every evening, with storytellers, musicians, and 100 food stalls
The Medina Souks
Lose yourself in the ancient labyrinth of souks — leather tanners, spice merchants, carpet weavers, and silversmiths in a medieval marketplace unchanged for centuries
Majorelle Garden
A botanical masterpiece — Yves Saint Laurent's cobalt-blue villa and garden, now home to the Berber Museum, is the most visited monument in Morocco
Bahia Palace
A 19th-century palace of extraordinary craftsmanship — intricate zellij tilework, carved cedar ceilings, and lush courtyards that showcase the pinnacle of Moroccan architecture
Atlas Mountains Day Trip
The High Atlas rises just 60km from Marrakech — day trips to Berber villages, Ourika Valley waterfalls, and the ski resort of Oukaimeden are all easily arranged
Sahara Desert
A 2-day trip from Marrakech takes you to the Erg Chebbi dunes — camel trekking, sleeping under the stars in a Berber camp, and the most extraordinary sunrise of your life
Marrakech dest.inPhotos
Marrakech's ancient medina — a UNESCO World Heritage labyrinth of souks and riads
dest.thingsToDo Marrakech
- Watch the sunset over Djemaa el-Fna from a rooftop café
- Get lost in the medina souks
- Visit Majorelle Garden and the Berber Museum
- Traditional hammam experience
- Day trip to Atlas Mountains and Berber villages
- 2-day Sahara Desert camel trek
- Bahia Palace and Saadian Tombs
- Cooking class with a local family
dest.weather Marrakech
dest.bestMonthsToVisit March to May, September to November
4-dest.day Marrakech dest.itinerary
Medina & Djemaa el-Fna
- ·Check in to riad in the medina
- ·Explore Djemaa el-Fna square
- ·Bahia Palace and Saadian Tombs
- ·Rooftop dinner overlooking the square
Souks & Gardens
- ·Morning souk exploration with guide
- ·Majorelle Garden and Berber Museum
- ·Traditional hammam afternoon
- ·Sunset cocktails at a rooftop bar
Atlas Mountains
- ·Day trip to Ourika Valley
- ·Berber village visit
- ·Atlas waterfall hike
- ·Mint tea with a local family
Cooking & Culture
- ·Morning market shopping with chef
- ·Moroccan cooking class
- ·Koutoubia Mosque gardens
- ·Final evening at Djemaa el-Fna
dest.whereToEat Marrakech
Le Jardin
Moroccan-Mediterranean · Medina · $$$
Nomad
Modern Moroccan · Medina · $$$
Café des Épices
Moroccan Café · Rahba Kedima, Medina · $$
Dar Yacout
Traditional Moroccan Feast · Medina · $$$$
dest.practicalInformation
dest.visaRequirements
EU, UK, US, Canadian, and Australian citizens: visa-free for 90 days. No visa required on arrival. Always verify current entry requirements.
dest.gettingAround
Petit taxis (small red taxis — always use the meter or agree price first), walking in the medina (cars not permitted in most areas), horse-drawn calèches for sightseeing, Uber available.
dest.currency
MAD (Moroccan Dirham)
dest.timezoneLanguage
GMT+1 · Arabic, Berber, French (English in tourist areas)
dest.frequentlyAskedQuestions
Is Marrakech safe for solo female travellers?
Yes, with sensible precautions. Dress modestly in the medina, be firm but polite with persistent vendors, and use licensed guides. The main tourist areas are well-patrolled and generally safe.
How many days do I need in Marrakech?
3–4 days is ideal for the city itself. Add 2–3 days for a Sahara desert trip or Atlas Mountains excursion. 7 days gives you a complete Moroccan experience.
Should I hire a guide in the medina?
For your first day, yes — a licensed guide helps you navigate the labyrinth, understand the history, and avoid the most aggressive touts. After that, getting lost on your own is half the fun.
Expert Guides
