Marrakech experiences - a guide to the Red City in Morocco. What is worth exploring?

Marrakech is one of Morocco's most fascinating cities. Bustling Marrakech is the quintessence of the country. Stunning and tiring at the same time. It combines an oriental atmosphere, rich history and unusual monuments. It even bombards tourists with colors, smells and good energy. It is difficult to describe, you have to feel and experience it. It is the perfect destination for both a short city break and a longer sightseeing tour combined with getting to know the culture of the Maghreb. I strongly encourage you to visit Marrakech and make up your own mind, because some people love this city, and others have had enough of it after a while. Check out important information in our guide to Marrakech from the UNESCO World Heritage List!

Where is Marrakech and how to get there?

Marrakech is located in the western part of Morocco, at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, about 200 km from the Atlantic coast, at an altitude of about 460-466 m above sea level. The city is a very important point on the tourist map of the country and is a great starting point for further trips around Morocco. The most convenient way to get to Marrakech is by plane, because Marrakech Menara Airport operates here, and low-cost airlines from Poland, e.g. from Katowice, arrive here. It is also possible to get there by train, including from Casablanca, as well as by bus from other Moroccan cities and international destinations. If you are planning to explore several regions, Marrakech is well connected by the Atlas route through the south of the country and desert areas of Morocco, such as Ait Bin Haddu, Warzazat or the Sahara.

Marrakech attractions - what to see? Map of top attractions in Marrakech

Marrakech is famous for its very dynamic medina, the Old Town inscribed on the UNESCO list. This is where the traditional character of the city is best seen. Narrow streets, fairs, unique, decorative dishes and historic walls in red create an atmosphere that cannot be confused with any other place. The most famous place is Jemaa el-Fna Square, the heart of Marrakech and one of the most vibrant places not only in all of Morocco, but also on the continent of Africa! It is also worth visiting the gardens, because Marrakech offers not only monuments, but also calmer, green spaces for rest. Here are the best things to do in Marrakech!

Medina - Old Town labyrinth, walls and Bab Agnaou Gate

The medina in Marrakech is enclosed by walls stretching for 19 km. The walls have a characteristic color, which is why Marrakech is sometimes called the red city. It's beautiful here, but also extremely chaotic. It is characterized by a labyrinth of narrow streets, so narrow that there is no car traffic in almost the entire old town. However, there are numerous motorcycles that you need to watch out for at all times, because drivers do not pay much attention to pedestrians. The fact that bitches, i.e. stands with various products intended for sale, are displayed on almost every metre does not make things easier. What's not here? There are ceramics, carpets, souvenirs, clothes, fragrant spices, vegetables and fruits, and even meat. In every corner, colorful dizziness and incredible hustle and bustle. But there are wonderful ornaments and mosaics everywhere. If you want to admire them in peace, come here early in the morning, when the bitches are still closed. One of the gates that leads to the medina is the spectacular Bab Agnaou Gate, which dates back to the 12th century, as well as the city walls surrounding the medina.

Jemaa el-Fna Square in Marrakech - Africa's largest and most dynamic market

Jemaa el-Fna Square is an exceptionally large medina square and a peculiar Marrakech market. It is the largest market on the continent. Oriental and very animated. During the day, you'll find vendors, musicians, and street artists. Your heart hurts a little when you see animals on display here. Apparently, cobra teeth are pulled out to be safe for tourists, and monkeys dressed in dresses are kept on chains and carried in tight cages. Photos are charged. We preferred to take a picture with the water carrier. Apparently, this is the oldest profession in this country.

Jemaa el-Fna Square is one of those places that is best viewed both during the day and after dark. In the evening, he changes his face and becomes even more bustling. A square at night is a space full of food, light and shows. A real spectacle of the senses, when the stalls with local cuisine, including hareira and snails, unfold. While we liked this thick tomato soup with chickpeas, we considered snails to be "salty mushrooms". Don't freak out. I don't think this place's Harmider ever ends. But the square was not always full of life and fun, because even death took its toll here. One of the translations of the square's name is "Gathering of the Dead". Why? Because public executions and slave fairs used to take place here.

Koutoubia Mosque with a high minaret - the symbol of Marrakech

The tower of the Koutoubia Mosque, 70 meters high, has become a permanent feature of the city skyline. It is one of the symbols of the city and an important landmark in Marrakech. The mosque was built in the 12th century and later other buildings in Seville and Cordoba were designed on its model. Minarets in Morocco have a four-sided structure and are crowned with a spire with usually three balls, the so-called jamur. This style is called Moorish. Five times a day, the muezin calls the faithful to prayer. We can only look inside from a distance, we are not allowed to enter as non-believers. Just like all mosques in Morocco except one in Casablanca. This is because even from the time of the French protectorate (1912-56) there was a provision that only Jews enter Jewish temples, only Muslims enter Muslim temples, and only Christians enter Christian temples. Just to keep it calm. 

Lalla Hasna Park with a fountain and a view of the mosque tower

Behind the mosque, an extensive Lalla Hasna park was built, in honor of the sister of the current king, because Morocco is a monarchy. Power is wielded by King Muhammad VI of the dynasty that has ruled the state since the 17th century. All parks and gardens are refuges of peace from the bustling parts of the medina, and here from under the fountain there is a very nice view of the mosque tower.

Le Jardin Secret - Secret Garden - Green Asylum of Marrakech

Interesting gardens, as well as other attractions in Morocco, are often hidden behind inconspicuous walls, so it is worth preparing for your trip at home. That's how we discovered Le Jardin Secret - Secret or Secret Garden. It is a small oasis of greenery among the red walls, but also for a not too low fee. The entrance ticket costs 100 dirhams (PLN 39, 2026). Here you will find exotic plants from around the world. Flora needs water, so only the wealthiest inhabitants of Morocco could afford the gardens in their residences. This wealth can be seen not only in the greenery, but also in the ornaments, because there are many extremely elegant architectural elements.

Bahia Palace - one of the most valuable monuments of Marrakech

Bahia Palace is an amazing mansion from the 19th century. Work on the building began in 1860. This is the quintessence of Marrakech and all of Morocco. The magnificent cedar ceilings formed in strange patterns, painted doors that are works of art and ubiquitous mosaics, which are a kind of reflection of the cultural crucible, delight here. For centuries, Berber, Arab, French, Spanish and Andalusian influences have been intertwined here. This is another example that Moroccans do not flaunt their wealth, because from the outside the palace does not seem as beautiful as its delightful interiors. In addition, the gardens give a respite in hot summers. All ornaments are made with great precision. It's a beautiful place. Admission costs 100 dirhams (PLN 39, 2026)

Medresa Ali ibn Yusuf - the largest Koranic school in Morocco 

Unless we enter mosques as non-believers, madrasas, or Qur 'anic schools, are often created next to them, also stunning with beautiful interiors and open to the public. This is how we visited the Madrasah of Ali ibn Yusuf in Marrakech - the largest Quranic school in Morocco. The ticket costs 50 dirhams (PLN 20), but usually other Moroccan madrasas can be visited for 20 dirhams (PLN 8). The madrasah of Ali ibn Yusuf (madrasah ben youssef) dates from the 12th century. It could accommodate up to 800 students. Mostly theology was taught here. On the ground floor you will see an extremely ornate courtyard, a masterpiece of Moorish art, where every square centimeter is covered with mosaics, carved plaster or cedar wood. Around the courtyard, 132 small rooms were built on the floors where students lived. Sometimes even 7 people lived in such a tiny space. Rooms with tiny windows overlooking the courtyard were given to the most talented and elderly students. These inferior or novices had to settle for dark targets. The school operated here until the 1960s. After renovation, it was opened to tourists who can taste the beautiful architecture and imagine the ascetic life that was the part of the former pupils. 

Attractions in Marrakech that we didn't reach, but it's worth it:

• Jardin Majorelle - gardens located outside the center, admission payable
• Tombs
• Dar Si Said Museum - allows you to better understand the history, art and lifestyle of former Morocco
• Yves Saint Laurent Museum - a museum in Marrakech dedicated to the famous fashion designer, located on the street of the same name

Agafay Desert - a substitute for the desert 30 km from Marrakech

From Marrakech to the Sahara is quite far, it's about 600 km and 9 hours drive. But if you don't have that much time, then about 30 km south of this city there is another Agafay desert. It is such a substitute. It is not a typical sandy desert, more rolling with hills, gravelly and rocky, and additionally greenery in spring. But you can catch a bit of the desert climate here. There are camels, there are quads. The commerce has entered here quite strongly, but you can make an interesting trip here to the sunset. We will not hide that it was a disappointment for us. First of all, because of the camels, which were tightly and briefly tied. They couldn't even take a step. They were probably a live advertisement visible from the street. Later, in the great desert, we did not encounter this practice anymore. But maybe if we went deeper into it, we would have a better feeling. However, we were planning a real Sahara, here too we were just a ride!

Where to eat? Restaurants in Marrakech. Local Moroccan cuisine

And now Marrakech practically. At almost every step you will find some gastronomic points and restaurants. Just search on Google for a moment. We stayed for a long time in the Beldi fusion kitchen Bahia. It's a restaurant right across from Bahia Palace. I recommend it, because the place is beautiful and tasty, with colorful and fragrant Moroccan cuisine, which you can easily find in every city and province. Here, for the first time, the waiter gave us a demonstration of pouring their national mint tea, which you will find in every restaurant and in every home. Morocco is great for food. Colours and smells strike all the senses. It's one of the best national cuisines we've ever tasted. There is an interesting balance between sweetness and spiciness. Spices such as saffron, cumin or cinnamon and turmeric give the dishes an unusual taste. 

Accommodation in Marrakech. Where to sleep while traveling?

In Marrakech, we slept in the nicest night of the trip. This is Riad Bayti in medina. It was also by far the most expensive, as it cost PLN 450 for 2 people, but it also included breakfast and tea at the entrance. I think it was worth the price, all the more so because in general, Marrakech is a little more expensive than other Moroccan cities. Riad Bayti was beautiful, great rooms and good, private bathrooms. In the evening, there was a place to sit together in a group. Breakfast was included in the morning. In Morocco, they are mainly served sweet. As in other medina buildings, there is a bit of mustiness in the rooms, because the windows overlook the courtyard and not the medina, but thanks to this it is much quieter, and cooler in the summer on hot days. As it is a medina, we had to leave the car somewhere else and walk.

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What is the best time to visit Marrakech?

When it comes to temperatures, we came at the turn of March and April and it was probably a very good choice. Ramadan was already over, which is also worth paying attention to, because then the restaurants are closed during the day. However, even before the season, when the temperatures are quite pleasant and there are not so many crowds. During the day it is warm, even very warm, you could even walk in a short sleeve, while in the evenings and at night it is cold. Also in the overnight stays, because there are thick walls and small windows. It is also cold, but there was often air conditioning.

Brief history

Marrakech was founded in the second half of the 11th century, more precisely in 1062, as a small settlement. It quickly developed into an important political and commercial center. In the 12th century, the city experienced intensive development. It was then that the decorative gate of Bab Agnaou was created. The characteristic red walls and buildings made Marrakech nicknamed the "Red City". Its historical medina survived as the heart of the city and to this day delights with the combination of ancient traditions with the everyday life of its inhabitants. You will experience peace in the medina only in the morning. From the south, it is the busiest city in Morocco that we visited. No wonder, there are a lot of residents here, but also tourists, after all, it is inscribed on the UNESCO list.

Tourist Marrakech - the gateway to Morocco

Marrakech is often called the gateway to Morocco, because it is easy to move further from the city towards the Atlas, Berber villages and the Sahara. This makes it one of the most frequently chosen starting points for your first trip to the country. The city also has a strong connection with traditional architecture, and the layout of the medina and riad shows how the Moroccan city functioned for centuries. For many travelers, Marrakech is a place that either delights right away or requires a moment of taming, but it almost always stays in their memory for a long time. This city combines the history, exoticism and energy of a great oriental market. If you are looking for a place full of colors, scents and monuments, the capital of the red walls will be a great choice for a trip to Morocco.

What else is there to see in Morocco?

We spent 7 days in this country, drove 1700 km and saw some unforgettable gems. We spent sunset and sunrise in the Sahara, the world's largest hot desert. We were delighted with the totally blue Shafshawan. We visited the Moroccan spiritual capital, Fez, with its characteristic green roofs. We were also enchanted by Tetuan with a white medina. The amazing gem was Ajt Bin Haddu - a clay city, or ksar, where the Gladiator or the Kingdom of Heaven were filmed.

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