Marrakech, the rose city, is the obvious destination for your first visit to Morocco. With its sun-baked walls, tropical gardens, covered markets and a magical main square, it is a city just waiting to be explored and with nine UNESCO World Heritage sites there is certainly plenty to see.
It has wide Parisian-style boulevards in the new part of the city and narrow rabbit warren-like alleys within the old walls of the Medina. It’s fringed with palm trees, olive and orange groves and is sheltered from the fierce Saharan winds by the snow-capped peaks of the Atlas Mountains. It is a bustling and energetic city that wears its Muslim heart on its sleeve with pride and shouts about its colourful influences including; Berber, Roman, Arab, French and even Andalusian.
Here our the top 10 things to do whilst in Marrakech…
1 – Bhaia Palace
Bahia meaning beautiful, sums up this impressive 150 room palace, which dates back to 1859, built by Si Musa, grand vizier of Alaouite sultan Muhammad ibn Abd al-Rahman.
2 – The Souks
The area of the Medina, just north of the Jemaa el Fna, is a network of souks, the endless alleyways with their tiny retail cubicles become more interesting the further you delve in. This is where Berber tribes once traded slaves, gold, ivory and leather. Now tourists and locals barter for everything from carpets to kaftans, cooked snails to spices, and clothing to baskets. The two main routes into the heart are Rue Semarine (aka Souk Semarine) which is the full-on bazaar route or Rue Mouassine which is calmer and leads to boutique shops (with their fixed and fair pricing).

3 – Le Jardin Majorelle
Le Jardin Majorelle, in the grounds of the former home of designer Yves Saint Laurent, is amazing. The colours and the cacti in this botanical garden are incredible.
4- Jemaa el Fnaa
The main square of Jemaa el Fnaa is just a big open space during the day with snake charmers, medicine men and soothsayers to entertain you. However, come back at dusk and the square becomes an open-air theatre of storytellers, acrobats, musicians and entertainers. It has been like this ever since this plaza was the site of public executions around AD 1050 – hence its name, which means ‘assembly of the dead’. When you want to escape the bustle, head up to a rooftop terrace, like the Café du Grand Balcon, for a great view over the square.

5 – Koutoubia Mosque
Walk through the luscious gardens around the Koutoubia Mosque, Marrakech’s most famous symbol. The minaret, built in a traditional Almohad style and topped with four copper globes is visible from near and far as local ordinance forbids any other building in the Medina to be higher than a palm tree, it towers majestically over its surroundings. Listen out for the regular call to prayer, which can be heard for miles around and use the tower as a ‘compass’ and focal point when scurrying through the mystical Medina maze.
6 – Yves Saint Laurent Museum
The former house of the French designer is now a museum and one of the most popular attractions in Marrakech. There is a permanent display of hundreds of garments spanning his 40-year career.
7 – El Badi Palace
El Badi Palace, which although predominantly in ruins, and entirely reduced to its red pisé walls, is still breath-taking. The scale of the palace, its sunken gardens and impressive mosaics are well worth visiting.
8 – Saadian Tombs
Next to the Kasbah Mosque, the Saadian Tombs were forgotten about until 1917 when they were rediscovered by aerial photography. The lavish tombs were built in the 16th Century using pure gold and Italian marble.

9 – The Mellah (Jewish Quarter).
The Jewish quarter of Marrakech has undergone an extensive renovation programme and is an unexplored part of the city, but well worth a visit. Also make sure you stop at Al Azama synagogue and the Miara cemetery.
10 – Arset El-Mamoun gardens
The world-famous Arset El-Mamoun gardens just outside the Medina were established in the 18th century by Crown Prince Moulay Mamoun. Designed in traditional style with walkways, flowerbeds, orange groves and olive trees, non-residents who want to enjoy the gardens can visit by having a buffet lunch at the poolside restaurant, afternoon tea at Le Menzeh tea and ice-cream pavilion in the gardens, or on the back terrace overlooking the gardens.
Combine the city with more stops…
Marrakech is well connected to its surroundings. Team up your stay with other Moroccan cities for a multi-centre holiday with a difference. Travel first class inexpensively by train to Casablanca, Rabat & Fez in the North or have a few days relaxing on the east coast beaches at Agadir. Trek up in to the High Atlas Mountains for the experience of a life-time visiting the Berber tribes or lay low in a Gite in the foothills or even try out the ski slopes if you’re there between November & March.

The sun is always shining in Marrakech and from March to October it’s pretty difficult to avoid. There are lots of fabulous places to relax & unwind and watch the world go by. There’s so much to see & do with the famous gardens, tombs & palaces, so many more places to explore and so much more to write about…you’ll wonder why you didn’t stay for longer.
More guides you may like
- City Guides
- Morocco Guides
- Guides by this author
City Guides
Singapore is one of the Far East's most popular city stop-overs . Check out our list of all the things that can't be missed.
Read MoreFrom futuristic architecture and deep-seated traditions to desert landscapes, the cosmopolitan city of Dubai offers it all.
Read MoreSomething about Italy is just irresistible. That effortless charm. Quite possibly the best food in Europe.
Read MoreLas Vegas is somewhere everyone has to visit at least once, especially if you're after a wild weekend, USA-style.
Read MoreMorocco
Top 5 Cities With The World’s Best Street Food Where To Tuck In (Hidden Spots And All)
Read MoreChoosing where you want to spend your honeymoon is a BIG decision
Read MoreIf you're looking for an action-packed holiday, it could be a idea to go to a destination that allows you to get on some skis
Read MoreMorocco’s incredible landscape stretches from one sensational extreme to the next with flawless ease.
Read MoreOther Guides from this author
Why choose eShores?

One to One Service
Our experienced personal travel consultants will ensure you find the most suitable holiday, whilst taking care of every last detail. Everything from start to finish will be effortless.

100% Tailor Made
We can use any hotel, in any destination, so we will craft an itinerary to suit your exact needs. Also, as we can provide any itinerary, the only holiday we'll offer, is the one that's right for you.

Fully Protected
Our ATOL bonding provides you with the financial protection you need and as a member of the Travel Trust Association, you'll have 100% financial protection. Covering you for any eventuality.

Competitive Pricing
As a tour operator & travel agent, we'll search the market to ensure that we find you the best price. Also as an online business, we can ensure our prices are as competitive as possible.
Linda
Fabulous service. I rang to ask about our short break to Istanbul and it was booked for us within the hour. You can’t get better service than that. Thank you Dave Felton
Posted 1 hour agoStephen
Kelly arranged my recently booked multi centre holiday, having used eShores on a couple of occasions previous the usual high standards remain! They get an understanding of you requirements, pull together a proposed itinerary, and then happily amend/ provide alternative costings for different hotels/ flights as required once you get in to the detail of what you want (easier to do with their proposed itinerary!). Great service, and at a good cost!
Posted 9 hours agoTinaSmyth
Just returned from a trip to Singapore and Bali arranged by Andy had a brilliant time, couldn’t fault the service I had he arranged everything from flights accommodation and transfers. I would highly recommend eShores and would definitely use them again. ThankYou Andy
Posted 1 day agoStephen
Kelly from eshores listened and understood what we wanted from our holiday of which she was fantastic,very patient and set the whole holiday up. Very professional. Thank you.. Ste Leather
Posted 3 days agoSarahC
Used eShores to book a multi destination holiday for 4 days in Miami then 10 days Jamaica. Really pleased with the hotels chosen especially Shelbourne in Miami and the service received especially follow up call to check everything was ok. Whole trip when smoothly
Posted 6 days agoStephen
We are looking forward to our 3 centre holiday in November to the USA, everything has been set up for us Chris was excellent in giving us all the details. We changed a few things after the first quote like you do but sorted it straight away. Excellent service, reasonable price and quick response just looking forward to the trip
Posted 1 week agoANDREWand Caroline McKie
We recently travelled to Bali much delayed by covid restrictions but found eshores very good with excellent communication keeping us up to date with advice on travell restrictions as circumstances changed. Our holiday when we were able to travel was fantastic exceeding our expectations ,and we feel certain that we will be using eShores for our next trip .
Posted 1 week agoTom& Gloria
We have just returned from a fantastic holiday at the Habtoor Grand Resort in Dubai - all organised by Kadie. The location of this hotel is at the end of the beach, near to the Sky Diving school, and the new Marina. It's also close to The Walk which has many shops and restaurants. Staff and service at the hotel were 5* and we would reccommend the upgrade to Club Rooms. We have travelled several times with eShores to different regions all of which were organised by Kadie. From our initial enquiry we are always given options on where to stay, activities and excursions and any potential offers that are available. The service provided by Kadie and eShores is exemplary and we have never had an issue using them. Looking forward to our next adventure to Australia - organised by Kadie of course.
Posted 1 week agoPatricia
I can’t rate eShores enough and Andy in particular. Not only did he find us the best package for the best value but he was also very supportive and reassuring when I needed to contact him before and even during the trip with a couple of questions. Everything was organised like clockwork and took all the stress out. Next time I won’t bother shopping around and will go directly to eShores.
Posted 1 week agoLiz
Matthew has looked after our holidays for several years and is very efficient and friendly. I always feel we have got the best deal and have never had any cause for complaint with E Shores
Posted 1 week ago