Best Things to Do in Marrakech
Jamaa el Fna square
A good starting point is the Jamaa el Fna Square Best Things to Do in Marrakech, it is the heart of the city and one of the most beautiful places in Marrakech. The square has been declared Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO and is the clear example that Marrakech looks like something out of a movie.
We are not going to lie to you, the square is quite intense. It’s one of those kind of extreme places that you either love or hate. We loved it, but it’s quite a show what you’ll find here. Important: be a responsible traveler and don’t contribute to the different booths they have set up with the animals in the square. This is one of the things that catch my attention the most. From monkeys, snake charmers and a long etcetera that can be overwhelming.
What I do recommend is to go up to one of the rooftops of this square to have a nice mint tea. Especially at sunset. Seeing this square at sunset from the heights, especially when the call to prayer begins is a marvel.
Souk of Marrakech
Get lost in the souk of Marrakech, literally speaking. Stroll through all the stalls: from lamp stores, carpets, dishes, various ceramics, spices or slippers. If you are a fan of this kind of gifts it will be really impossible not to fall into temptation. We saw people at the airport returning to Spain with their suitcases bursting at the seams.
Besides coming to buy at the souk you have to go to show your commercial skills. Bargaining is not an option, it is an obligation, in Marrakech and in Morocco in general. The sellers when they give you a price are waiting for you to make them a counteroffer. They can’t conceive that you don’t haggle. So good luck! We know that sometimes haggling is tiring, but there is no other way, my friend.
Get used to hearing henna? henna? during your walk through the center of Marrakech. If you are a woman, you will hear this word a thousand times. Don’t even be surprised if Moroccan women come after you to insist on getting a cool henna tattoo. You decide whether you want it or not. Another of the most demanded products in Marrakech is argan oil. They will try to put it in your eyes. In Spain it costs much more so if you are a fan don’t think twice and buy it!
A typical photo to take in Marrakech that is a hit on Instagram is the most beautiful ceramic plate stand we have ever seen. It’s located in the souk alley just across from the Café de France, in the Place Jamaa el Fna. The guy at the stall must be a bit fed up with everyone going there to have their picture taken. Either he tells you seriously to just take a picture and leave, or he is going to ask for money. While we were there, we took the opportunity to do some shopping.
Bahia Palace
The Bahia Palace is, for us, the most beautiful palace in Marrakech. It is a palace built in the nineteenth century by order of Sultan Abdelaziz Si Moussa. A palace full of rooms, courtyards and gardens that are a true work of art. We especially loved the ceilings and details typical of Arab architecture. The entrance fee is 70 dirhams and the opening hours are from 9 am to 5 pm.
Ben Youssef Medersa
Come to the Medersa Ben Youssef, is the most important medersa of Marrakech and the largest in Morocco. If right now you are wondering what is a medersa, don’t worry, we will tell you all about it. It is a higher school of religious studies. We had to be content with seeing only the exterior as it was closed for restoration work when we were there. The building is from the mid-sixteenth century and it houses almost a thousand students to overcome their Muslim studies.
Museums to see in Marrakech
If you like museums, the Museum of Marrakech can be your next stop. It is next to the Medersa of Ben Youssef and this former palace today houses collections of contemporary art and traditional objects of the country. The entrance fee is 70 dirhams. The building itself is beautiful, but nothing different from other palaces in the city.
We continue talking about museums and the Dar Si Said Museum is the most important museum in Marrakech, a symbol of Spanish-Moorish architecture. We visited it during the free tour. The entrance fee is also 70 dirhams. As you can see, all the places to visit in Marrakech have a standard price of 70 dirhams hehe.
The Majorelle Gardens
Most of the places I have proposed in this article are within the medina, but now I propose a place on the outskirts that I have no doubt that you will love. The Majorelle Gardens are a haven of peace in the bustle of the city. So you can see that this place is photogenic and special in equal parts, since 1980 is owned by Yves Saint Laurent.
Mellah Quarter
You can not leave Marrakech Stroll through the Mellah, the Jewish quarter of Marrakech. Without realizing it, you will see that you have reached it for something as simple as the houses have windows.
In Arab houses there are no windows. The reason is related to the veil. Muslim women at home remove the veil and no man, other than their direct family, can see them without it. But, Jewish women do not have this problem. They do not wear the veil and for that reason there are windows in the houses of the Jewish quarter.
