Morocco
Marrakech
Plan two to three days: medina palaces and madrasas in the mornings, gardens in the afternoon and Jemaa el-Fnaa at dusk. This guide pulls together 4 sights, 1 activity and 2 outdoor spots from our curated routes.
- Places
- 10
- Curated routes
- 1
- Best season
- Mar – May
- Warmest month
- July
- Coolest month
- January
- Wettest month
- November
4 See · 1 Do · 2 Outdoors · 2 Eat · 1 Drink
Morocco Imperial Cities
from our route notes
40°C / 104°F avg high
19°C / 66°F avg high
about 54 mm rain
Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.
Things to do in Marrakech
10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.
See
The landmarks we would not skip in Marrakech across Medina, Mellah and Kasbah.
Photo: Wolfgang B · CC BY-SA 3.0SeeBen Youssef Madrasa
16th-century Koranic school with a carved cedar and zellige courtyard, restored in 2022.
Tip Arrive at opening for an empty courtyard.
Photo: Val Traveler · CC BY-SA 4.0SeeBahia Palace
19th-century vizier's palace with painted ceilings and tiled courtyards.
Tip Go early; tour groups arrive by 10am.
Photo: C messier · CC BY-SA 4.0SeeSaadian Tombs
16th-century royal tombs with a carved Hall of Twelve Columns.
Tip Expect a short queue to view the main chamber.
Photo: Ömer Subaşı · GoogleSeeMusée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech
Museum of the designer's work next to Jardin Majorelle.
Tip Buy a combined ticket with the garden.
Do
Hands-on ways to spend time in Marrakech in Medina.
Photo: Boris Macek · CC BY-SA 3.0DoJemaa el-Fnaa
Main square where snake charmers by day give way to food stalls and musicians at night.
Tip Settle prices before photos with performers.
Outdoors
Trails, views and open space in and around Marrakech.
Photo: Greg Stringham · GoogleOutdoorsLe Jardin Secret
Restored riad gardens in the medina with a tower view over the rooftops.
Tip Pay extra for the tower; it's worth it.
Photo: Anoush Kirakosyan · GoogleOutdoorsJardin Majorelle
Cactus and bamboo garden with the cobalt-blue villa restored by Yves Saint Laurent.
Tip Book timed tickets online; first slot is quietest.
Eat
2 places to eat across Gueliz and Medina, picked for groups who care about the food.
Photo: Al Fassia Guéliz · GoogleEatAl Fassia
Restaurant run by women serving classic Moroccan dishes like lamb shoulder and pastilla.
Tip Reserve; order the slow-roasted lamb shoulder a day ahead.
Photo: Nomad Marrakech · GoogleEatNomad
Modern Moroccan restaurant on a medina rooftop overlooking the spice square.
Tip Book the terrace for sunset.
Drink
1 bar or café in Medina for coffee, a round or a nightcap.
Photo: Café Des Épices · GoogleDrinkCafé des Épices
Rooftop cafe over the spice square for mint tea and light lunches.
Tip Head to the top terrace for views of Rahba Kedima.
How to fit Marrakech into a trip
Marrakech is stop 1 of 3 on our Morocco Imperial Cities route. Follow it as-is or lift Marrakech into your own plan.
Stop 1 of 3
Morocco Imperial Cities
Marrakech, Fes & Sahara edge
- Trip length
- 8 days
- Best season
- Mar – May
- Pace
- moderate
- Next: Fes
Getting here and onward
- Marrakech to FesFes is about 384 km / 239 mi away in a straight line
Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.
Marrakech month by month
Average daily highs run from 19°C / 66°F in January to 40°C / 104°F in July. November is the wettest month, with about 54 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.
- Jan19° / 66°F average high
- Feb21° / 69°F average high
- Mar24° / 75°F average high, in our recommended season
- Apr27° / 80°F average high, in our recommended season
- May31° / 87°F average high, in our recommended season
- Jun35° / 96°F average high
- Jul40° / 104°F average high
- Aug40° / 103°F average high
- Sep34° / 94°F average high
- Oct30° / 85°F average high
- Nov23° / 73°F average high
- Dec20° / 68°F average high
Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Marrakech weather and the best time to visit →
Near Marrakech
2 other destinations from our guides within about 400 km (249 mi), measured in a straight line.
Marrakech questions, answered
How many days do you need in Marrakech?
Our route notes suggest 2–3 days in Marrakech. On our Morocco Imperial Cities route it is stop 1 of 3 in a 8-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 10 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.
What is Marrakech best known for?
Plan two to three days: medina palaces and madrasas in the mornings, gardens in the afternoon and Jemaa el-Fnaa at dusk. Standouts on our list: Ben Youssef Madrasa (16th-century Koranic school with a carved cedar and zellige courtyard, restored in 2022); Bahia Palace (19th-century vizier's palace with painted ceilings and tiled courtyards); Saadian Tombs (16th-century royal tombs with a carved Hall of Twelve Columns).
When is the best time to visit Marrakech?
Our Morocco Imperial Cities route is best Mar – May. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (40°C / 104°F), the coolest in January (19°C / 66°F) and the most rain in November (about 54 mm).
What are the best things to do in Marrakech?
Start with Ben Youssef Madrasa, Le Jardin Secret, Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs and Jardin Majorelle. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 4 sights, 1 activity, 2 outdoor spots, 2 places to eat and 1 bar or café.
Where should a group eat in Marrakech?
Our picks: Al Fassia (Gueliz); Nomad (Medina). Reserve; order the slow-roasted lamb shoulder a day ahead (Al Fassia).
What is near Marrakech?
The closest destinations in our guides are Merzouga (about 382 km / 237 mi) and Fes (about 384 km / 239 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.
Plan Marrakech with your crew
Open the Morocco Imperial Cities route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.