What to Do in Marrakech (2026): A Local Expert’s Guide
Al Maaden Museum of Contemporary African Art (MACAAL)
Marrakech offers a mix of culture, food, and design, with top things to do including visiting Ben Youssef Medersa, exploring Jardin Majorelle, experiencing street food at Djemaa el-Fna, staying in a traditional riad, and relaxing in a hammam. The best time to visit is from September to May, when temperatures are milder and ideal for sightseeing. Independent travellers can enjoy a balance of historic sites, artisan workshops, vibrant souks, and modern dining across the city.
Having co-authored multiple “Best Things to Do in Marrakech” guides for Time Out and Lonely Planet, I present my personal, curated list of 16 places and experiences I recommend to friends and family visiting Marrakech.
What to do in Marrakech depends on when you visit, your travel style, and what you want from the city: culture, food, design, relaxation, or something else. Marrakech is a year-round destination, with mostly sunny days. But temperatures can swing: hot summers, cool winter nights, and the occasional rain shower. Read more about what to do in different weather conditions at the end of the post.
In 2026, Marrakech is buzzing. Visitor numbers are rising, and the city feels more dynamic than ever: creative, open-minded, and playful. Known locally as “bhja”, the city of joy, Marrakech is a place that rewards curiosity and sparks creativity.
That said, I always like to remind people that Marrakech is in an Islamic country. Dress modestly, behave respectfully, and you’ll be met with warmth and generosity. A little cultural awareness goes a long way here.
Planning your trip? You can also explore my other guides to the city:
16 Best Things to Do in Marrakech
Ben Youssef Medersa
Best for: Islamic architecture and cultural insight
Recently reopened after extensive restoration, Ben Youssef Medersa is one of Marrakech’s most impressive historic sites. This former Quranic school dates back to the Saadian dynasty in the 16th century, a period of wealth and intellectual flourishing in the city. Inside, expect intricate zellige tilework, carved cedar wood, Arabic calligraphy, and serene courtyards.
Top tip: Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid peak crowds.
Jardin Majorelle
Best for: Gardens, design, and a calm escape from the Medina
Created in 1924 and later restored by Yves Saint Laurent, Jardin Majorelle is Marrakech’s most iconic garden. The cobalt-blue villa, exotic cacti and plants, and shaded pathways offer a welcome break from the Medina’s intensity. Don’t miss the Pierre Bergé Berber Museum, also in the gardens, which explores Amazigh culture and heritage.
Top tip: Guarantee your preferred time slot by booking entry tickets online a few days in advance. This is one of the city’s busiest attractions.
Djemaa el-Fna
Best for: Street food and atmosphere
Visit Djemaa el-Fna at sunset and into the evening, when the square transforms into a lively open-air theatre of food stalls, musicians, and performers. Nearby, the Koutoubia Mosque dominates the skyline. Whilst non-Muslims cannot visit inside the mosque, its Minaret, a striking feat of Islamic architecture, can be enjoyed from the outside for free.
Top tip: Try tangia, a slow-cooked lamb dish traditionally prepared in clay urns, some of the best versions are found at the food stalls in the Djemaa el-Fna.
Bahia Palace & El Badi Palace
Best for: History and architecture
The Sultans who founded Marrakech built their opulent palaces in what is now the Kasbah district as a marker of their status and wealth. The 16th-century El Badi Palace, once a palace with 300 rooms, now in ruins, is still beautiful, in a crumbled way, to explore. Meanwhile, the nearby 19th-century Bahia Palace has preserved its floor-to-ceiling mosaics, intricate roof patterns, and courtyard gardens, bringing to life the Saadian palace behind the scenes. I also really loved a quick visit to the Saadian Tombs, a necropolis with marble tombs, built in the 16th century, only recently rediscovered (1917).
Top tip: Arrive at opening time for a quieter experience.
Stay in a Riad
Best for: Authentic accommodation
Staying in a riad, a traditional Moroccan home built around a courtyard, is one of the best experiences in Marrakech. From budget-friendly stays to luxurious hideaways, riads offer an intimate, design-led alternative to hotels.
Top tip: If you get lost in the Medina, remember: “derb” means alley—many are dead ends.
Have a Hammam
Best for: Wellness and recovery
A traditional Moroccan hammam is a must-do. Expect steam, exfoliation, and deep relaxation. Options range from: local public hammams, riad ‘at your home-from-home’ spas, pampering day spas like Le Farnatchi, and all-out luxury at the five-star hotel resort spas.
Top tip: Book a hammam followed by a massage for the full experience (around 2 hours total).
Yves Saint Laurent Museum
Best for: Fashion and culture
Next door to the Jardin Majorelle, you’ll find the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, dedicated to the iconic fashion designer’s life’s work. The museum showcases the designer’s work through rotating exhibitions. From 30 January 2026 to 05 January 2027, Enscène Yves's work as a costume designer for theatre and ballet.
Top tip:Prebook tickets online a few days in advance to avoid missing out on your preferred time.
Artisan Workshops
Best for: Hands-on cultural experiences
Marrakech excels at artisanal workshops; a way to experience its creative soul first-hand. In 2026, artisan workshops are available for all interests, from Arabic script calligraphy, pottery throwing, and perfume making. Being with artists, working alongside them in their workshops, is also an easy way to connect cross-culturally.
Take a Cooking Class
Best for: Foodies
Moroccan cuisine is surprisingly accessible once you learn the basics. Cookery classes are offered all over the city. I usually recommend booking a class at your riad or hotel, if it’s offered, for an ‘at home’ experience. If you’re not staying at a riad but want to experience that style of class, check in with Dar Attajmil for their in-house classes. Another great option is the recently renovated Moroccan Culinary Art Museum, which runs several courses a day and throughout the week.
Top tip: At the Moroccan Culinary Art Museum, the 11 am class is best if you want to enjoy what you cook for lunch afterward.
Explore by Bike or Sidecar
Best for: Seeing more of the city
Some parts of the city are easily explored on a bicycle, Pikala arranges tours or rentals. Also, for a 3-wheel guided option, and something unique to do in Marrakech, check out Insiders Marrakech; their vintage sidecar tours of the city are an unusual way to get around the city for sure.
Top tip: Pikala also has a lovely, nutrition-minded café in the Medina if you want to check out the bike community before booking a tour.
Spend a Day by the Pool
Best for: Relaxation and water therapy
Pool day passes are widely available to enjoy the city’s top resorts, Agafay Desert swimming pools, and countryside retreats. If you prefer to be more active in the water, Oasiria waterpark has one of the largest wave pools in Africa, sprawling gardens, a lazy river, waterslides, relaxation areas, and a free shuttle to and from the city centre.
Top tip: research and book your Pool Day pass here.
Shopping in the Souks
Best for: Crafts and local culture
Souks are a sensory experience. Marrakech has long been a centre for trade, and shopping in the city’s souks provides an opportunity to practice the ancient art of bartering. Friendly negotiation is all part of the experience, and it is meant to be a fun, social interaction. Shop around for items until you are clear on approx prices, have your maximum price in mind, what it’s worth to you, then start to haggle. Aside from shopping, the souks are a wonderful place to chat with the craftspeople and watch them at work. Nowadays, there are also many fixed-price shops if you prefer to shop that way. If you’re interested in reading more about how souks work, read this handy “Guide to Souqs in Morocco” I wrote for the Lonely Planet.
Top tip: Browse first, set your price, then negotiate.
Discover Marrakech’s Food Scene
Best for: Foodies!
Voted as one of the World’s Top Cities for Food in 2025 by Time Out readers. Marrakech has everything from Michelin stars in the five-star hotels to tasty street food in the Djemma el Fna. I love to mix and match: a spoiling dinner at fine-dining restaurants, a lively night at trendy tables in Gueliz, a simple evening of local food in Djemma el Fna, and rooftop dining in a riad for a cosy, candlelit evening.
Top tip: Discover Marrakech’s top dining options via my “Where to Eat in Marrakech in 2026” guide.
Party time!
Best for: Cocktail lovers and dancing
Marrakech is synonymous with nightlife. For a lively rooftop to watch the sunset, head to Kabana, where sushi and truffle fries are served alongside punchy margaritas, or, more exclusively, El Fenn’s rooftop. In Gueliz and the Hivernage, you’ll find the late-night bars and clubs. Nobu’s rooftop has 360° views of the city, Barometre serves innovative signature cocktails, and for dancing, head to Theatro.
Museum hopping
Best for: Culture enthusiasts
Marrakech has an extraordinary number of small, special-interest museums. Some of my personal favourites for bite-sized culture that can be easily visited in an hour or two include Morocco’s Culinary Arts Museum, Musée du Parfum, Dar el Bacha Museum, and the Photography Museum, where you can journey through Morocco’s past and present through photos.
Top tip:Perfume Museum, book ahead for their make your own perfume workshop.
Explore African art
Marrakech is championing African art, providing spaces for artists’ work to be seen. The Al Maaden Museum of Contemporary African Art (MACAAL) is dedicated to contemporary African art. I love the size of the museum, not too big, not too small, a clean space with well-curated collections. Reopened in 2025, it features a permanent exhibition of the owner’s 40-year art collection, comprising some 2,500 pieces. Al Maaden is a short drive from Marrakech Medina, and there are also smaller art galleries in Gueliz.
Top tip: For full immersion into Marrakech’s art scene, time your visit to coincide with the annual 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair, considered the world’s leading platform for contemporary African art.
Marrakech Travel FAQs
Best day trips from Marrakech
It’s worth mentioning that the city’s main sights are busiest on weekends. I usually recommend using weekends for a day trip to the Agafay Desert, Atlas Mountains, or a pool day in the Palmeraie; all are easy day trips from Marrakech.
When is the best time to visit Marrakech?
Marrakech’s main season for international visitors is from September to May. The peak season is over the festive weeks at Christmas and New Year, prices are increased by around 15%. In Winter, from November to February, it gets cold at night due to its desert climate. Check if your accommodation has fires or heating. In Summer, from June to August, lots of local tourists travel to Marrakech, peak Summer temperatures can climb well into the 40s, air conditioning is essential. Summer is the season when you can find bargains, as hotels cut their rates by up to 50%.
What to do in Marrakech in winter
Some of my favourite things to do in Marrakech in Winter are; take in the snowy peaks of the Atlas Mountains, the views can be enjoyed in the city, or take a day trip to hike Imlil or Ourika Valley. In Oukaimeden, you can ski or snowboard in North Africa. Winter in Marrakech is also a great time to visit the Agafay Desert, an easy 1 hour drive from Marrakech. Winters in Marrakech are great for spending time in the hammam and spa, and sightseeing in the city without the intense Summer heat. Pack warm layers for the cold evenings, sunny days, and something to read by the fire in your riad.
What to do in Marrakech in summer
Many of the riads in Marrakech are designed to be cool naturally. However, I would always check a place has airconditioning if travelling there in peak Summer. Also, bear in mind that many local taxis don't have air conditioning, so if you are doing longer journeys, book a reliable driver-guide. Contact me if you’d like a recommendation. In Summer, you can enjoy long sunny days. Early mornings and late sunsets. This is a good time to relax in shaded gardens by the pool. Active visitors can seek out air-conditioned galleries, museums, restaurants, and shopping malls. There will be less overseas tourism, but lots of local travellers.
Top tip: the heat will slow you down, embrace it. Pack light, no need for warm layers, the average temperature is 40°, it’s a dry heat.
What to do in Marrakech when it rains
The city looks quite different when it rains. The souk streets can get a little wet and slippery. Take shelter if you need to. It’s still a lovely time to visit, and there’s lots to do in Marrakech when it rains. A few ideas include: visit one of the city’s museums, Yves Saint Laurent, MACAAL, and the Water Museum are all undercover. Book a workshop, calligraphy or cookery. Enjoy a long lunch at Sahbi Sahbi or Le Trou Au Mur, both of which have lovely indoor dining spaces. My personal favourite is to book a hammam and massage.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, Marrakech is a place that people often remember for the frenetic energy. It is full of life, ‘bhja’ joy. With the right mindset, some pre-travel research and booking, it’s easier to embrace the chaos, and even with the crowds, you’ll find there is space for everyone.
👉 Planning a trip? Here’s my guide to visiting Marrakech in 2026
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Sally Kirby is a UK-born travel writer based in Morocco. She co-authored Lonely Planet Morocco and DK Eyewitness guidebooks, writes regularly for Time Out, adventure.com, and The i Paper, and helps travellers bring their dream trips to reality through her consultancy services.