When I think back to our time in Marrakech it’s a blur of intense heat, winding, tiny streets full of people and animals, tagines for every meal, and saying “la, shukran” 100 times a day. Anyone who’s been will tell you the same thing – it’s a lot.
They’d be right to say so, but just because it can be overwhelming doesn’t mean it isn’t well worth the trip. For some, the overwhelming part is what makes it all so exciting (I wish that were me, but I just roll at a slower pace)!
We went into Morocco a bit underprepared but learned a lot along the way. Hopefully, this list can act as a jumping-off point for a great trip to Marrakech!
Explore The Souks (Marrakech Markets)
That’s what you’re here for, isn’t it? There must be a thousand videos and articles waxing poetic about the tiny side streets, the vibrant colors, and just winding in and out of the crazy maze. The romantic idea of “getting lost in the souks” can very quickly turn into “sh*t, where are we?”. With a little knowledge at the start, you’re in for a much better experience.
HIRE A GUIDE: If you want the best experience possible, hire a licensed guide to walk you through the souks and take to you the places you are most interested in. This way you can avoid actually getting lost as well as any scammy situations, which are certainly prevalent in Marrakech.
EXPECT TO BARGAIN: As with many cultures around the world, there is an expectation of striking a deal at each stall you come to. A good rule of thumb is to ask for the price, offer ⅓ of that and let the dance begin. Always keep your interactions with shopkeepers respectful and friendly, even if you can’t agree on a price. Walking away is certainly an option but be sure not to agree on a price if you aren’t planning to follow through. That’s rude.
BE AWARE OF YOUR BELONGINGS AND SCAMS: Don’t let this scare you off. You are just as likely to be pickpocketed in the souks as you are in almost any major city around the world. Where there are people in close proximity, there are petty thieves. Just keep your things secure (wallet in the front pocket, purse across your body and zipped closed, etc.) Common sense goes a long way. We never felt unsafe, maybe just a little hassled.
Scamming comes in many forms around the Medina, being aware in advance will make things much smoother. First, learn Arabic for “no, thank you” which is “la, shukraan”. Just keep saying it as you walk away from any of these scams.
If a woman offers you free henna tattooing, it’s likely she will continue to decorate your arm or hand and expect to be paid. If you do want henna, negotiate the price before she ever starts.
Another especially common occurrence is being offered “help” with directions or with your luggage. Usually what happens is a local (usually a young man) will see you trying to find your way and 1. tell you directions (that are often wrong) then demand payment 2. try to grab your bags and offer to help take them to your hotel or 3. (our favorite) sit outside a restaurant and try to tell you that the place you are looking for is elsewhere (likely somewhere that pays them to send patrons). We encountered this one and were almost fooled. As we approached the entrance to our dinner location, a man was sitting in the doorway of the restaurant and asked if we were going to “X Restaurant”. We said yes and he proceeded to insist it was around the corner even though the sign above him clearly showed we were in the right place. He proceeded to insist we were wrong the entire time it took us to walk upstairs to the main dining area.
If you need help, especially with directions, ask a family or shopkeeper (they usually cannot leave and are thus less likely to send you to the wrong place) or a woman. I almost always prefer to ask women for help when traveling, it’s just easier for me.
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Get Scrubbed Clean at a Hammam (Traditional Bath)
Hamman is the word for “bath” in Arabic but a regular bath this is not. Moroccans usually visit the Hamman once a week and it is a huge part of social life. There is a ritual to it and performing the ritual for another is considered an act of “Habibi” or love. You can find all sorts of different experiences when it comes to the traditional bath in Marrakech. Hammams range from the neighborhood place filled with locals around a communal pool or bathing area (fully nude, btw) to the super-luxe spa treatments (in private rooms). Generally, the experience consists of washing/bathing and very thorough exfoliation of your entire body with a special hand towel/glove, called ‘kessa’. It’s not always a relaxing experience for the uninitiated but you will be clean when you’re done, I can promise you that.
The more local hammams will often mean hanging out all together in one room (separated for men and women, of course) so if you want something more private you can head to places like Hammam De La Rose or Les Bains. Other great options are Mouassine Hammam, Hammam Essalama, Farnatchi Spa, and Royal Mansour. You are in for a treat at any one of these spots. If you opt for the public/local spots, be sure to bring extra dirhams to buy your kessa and soap.
Try All The Food
Let’s get a little caveat out of the way – we mostly eat vegetarian or pescatarian. The why and the how don’t matter so much but what does matter is that food in Morocco, even for us meatless types, is delish! We found almost everything we ate to be beautiful and really made with care.
You will of course want to try tagine – that’s the go-to and the dish we ate the most of! Try it at lots of places because everyone has their spin. Couscous is another great option, especially for vegans or vegetarians. The main square, Jemaa el Fna comes alive as a street food market at night so be sure to scope out all the goods including the orange juice, which is a must-try. Oranges grow really well in Morocco and the OJ is a definite step up from Minute Maid.
Other great dishes to try are:
- Bread and Olives – you will likely be served bread and olives at each meal and as someone who doesn’t usually go for olives, they are GOOD. Try them! The bread is also very common at breakfast. Our riad served us some gorgeous, fluffy loaves every day!
- Briouats – These fried pastries can be filled with savory or sweet mixtures and are sort of like samosas. They have light, flaky layers and all sorts of options for fillings.
- Harira (Moroccan Chickpea Soup) – you can find this dish from restaurants and street vendors. It’s a savory, comforting dish that’s great for lunch or dinner!
- Mint Tea – we were served mint tea with every breakfast and as a welcome drink when we arrived at our riad. It’s a delightfully bright tea that is both beautiful and delicious.
- Dates and Dried Fruits – dates are a huge part of the culinary culture in Morocco and you can find them all over the souks alongside other colorful dried fruits like apricots. Gran them as a snack or try them in any of the dozens of desserts and pastry items in the bakeries around town.
- Pastries – As I mentioned, you will not be wanting for sweet treats in Morocco. Whether served with your tea or picked up from a street vendor you can try all kinds of amazing confections and delights. Try the Ghoriba Cookies, M’hanncha (“snake cake” filled with almond paste, or Sfenj (donut-ish).
Stick to the spots frequented by locals and you can’t go wrong. Some places we enjoyed were Cafe Chez Zaza, Cafe Guerrab, Cafe Clock, and our favorite (which ironically was not Moroccan food) La Famille.
Explore Beautiful Gardens
It can feel like there is only brown and beige as far as the eye can see when you’re out in the deserts of Morocco but believe it or not there you can find an oasis in some beautiful gardens.
We spent a morning at Jardin Marjorelle, a very well-manicured garden attached to the Yves Saint Laurent Museum. Since we had no interest in the fashion side of things we enjoy a walk through the huge cacti and beautiful greenery of the garden. For Morocco, it is pricey ($7 USD pp) but it’s a great way to mix it up and get out of the hustle and bustle. As with all tourist attractions, it gets busy at the usual times so plan accordingly. We even took the public bus out to the garden successfully. That can add an element of adventure to your day if you are so inclined.
Another, far less manicured or crowded option is Jardin Menara. The Menara gardens are a 12th-century botanical garden filled with olive groves and gorgeous flora. Entrance is free although if you want to explore the pavilion that will set you back Dh70 – I think you could skip that part and just enjoy maybe one of the best green spaces in Marrakech.
Take a Day Trip to the Desert
Ugh, if you do this one please take us with you! This is our biggest regret of our time in Morocco. We opted to be more budget-friendly and skipped this but I really wish we hadn’t. Just thinking about it now has me pouting like a toddler.
There are probably hundreds of tour operators who can take you out to camp in the Atlas Mountains under the stars for 1 to 3 nights. You will stay in tents in the desert, escape the heat, and see a whole other world outside the chaos of the medina. Do a little research and be sure to book with a licensed, well-reviewed tour company/guide.
While we haven’t gone ourselves, we really want the best for you and this is what’s best for you. So plan your trip and send us a postcard!
Stay in a Riad (Traditional Moroccan Guest House)
We *highly* recommend staying in a riad for your time in Marrakech. Our place, Riad Amira, was an absolute oasis for us. When the streets and the heat were too much, we could spend the afternoons hidden away poolside enjoying mint tea or a book. The hospitality of the women who prepared and served breakfast each morning was excellent. Riad is essentially just the word for “home” or “house” but has evolved to mean the traditional guesthouses you will find all over Morocco. They are characterized by the breezy center courtyard, usually with a pool or fountain, and often decorated with beautiful tiles.
A stay in a riad will elevate your entire trip, we think it’s a must-do!
Check Out The Saadian Tombs
For a bit of history and culture check out the Saadian Tombs. The entrance is a bit tucked away but the tombs are actually right in the middle of the medina, on the south side of the Kasbah Mosque. After paying the Dr10 entrance fee you will make your way into the necropolis dating back to the 1500s!
The tile work alone is worth a quick visit but the woodworking was what really stood out to me. Be sure to read up a bit before you go for some context as there wasn’t a ton of explanation in English.
The tomb complex isn’t huge so a visit ends up being a quick, affordable stop in your day. Definitely add it to the list as you plan your time in Marrakech!
Now that you’ve got a bit of a primer for your plans in Marrakech you can fill out the rest of your itinerary however you see fit. Other great spots to add are Bahia Palace, The Ramparts, and Medersa Ben Youssef. Remember to stay hydrated and take breaks during the day and you are in for a great time. Happy planning!
If you enjoyed this post and want more on Things To Do in Marrakech you can check out our vlogs from Morocco on YouTube.
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