Marrakesh

MOROCCO

A Love Letter to the Beautiful Madness of Marrakech

Marrakesh mesmerized me from the first second. Immediately we were surrounded by “guides” eager to lead us to our Riad. We would have never found our Riad, even though the taxi left us only about 300 m from the entrance. The unimposing door was hiding a beautifully decorated and colorful Riad. We were confronted with the incredible detail of Moroccan style. We stood there with our mouths open: Deeply impressed and taken aback by so many impressions and beauty.

Marrakesh is often the first stop for visitors coming to Morocco. The colorful and lively media attracts people from around the world. Moroccans are not only very talented artisans but genuinely talented in languages. In Marrakesh, you will find people to help you, no matter which language you speak. Marrakesh offers so many things to do and experiences guaranteed to keep you entertained for a while. However, if you ever feel like the medina swallowed you up, Essaouira, with its laid-back vibe, is only a 3,5 hours bus ride away. When people think of Morocco, the first city that comes to mind is usually Marrakesh. This ancient and vibrant city is full of things to do and see, from the Jemaa el-Fnaa square with its snake charmers and storytellers to the beautiful palaces and gardens. So if you’re looking for an introduction to Moroccan culture and history, Marrakesh is a great place to start.

SIGHT SEEING
CULTURE
ACTIVITIES
NIGHTLIFE

I first visited Marrakech a few years before starting this blog. None of us had been to Morocco before, and I arrived curious, slightly cautious, and quietly hoping the city would live up to its promise. I had heard both sides: that Marrakech could be spellbinding, but also demanding.

Both were true.

The medina had the theatre I imagined — lanterns, spice stalls, carved doors, courtyards hidden behind plain walls. But it also asked a lot of you. Some sellers were relentless, and at times the attention from men felt less like harmless curiosity and more like something I had to constantly navigate.

Still, Marrakech left a mark. Not because it was easy, but because it was so alive. It overwhelmed me, surprised me, and then, slowly, won me over.

riad botanica in marrkech
  • Marrakech gives a lot to visitors. Choosing where to stay with a little more care is one way to give something back.
Hotels & Riads

Best places to stay in Marrakech

Marrakech is full of beautiful riads, but the most memorable places to stay are not only about tiled courtyards, rooftop breakfasts and candlelit rooms. The riads below are beautiful, but also special — chosen for the way they connect design with craft, sustainability, local sourcing or community impact.

A small, design-led riad with one of the strongest social-impact stories in the city. Part of its revenue supports Skate to Create, a foundation offering free skating lessons and equipment to young people in Morocco; the riad has also been noted for solar water heating and greywater recycling.

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A calm, elegant medina stay with a more conscious approach behind the beauty. The riad highlights recycled glassware, locally designed dinnerware, seasonal food sourcing and efforts to reduce food waste.


The more classic Marrakech choice: intimate, quiet and close to Jemaa el-Fna, but with a stated sustainability policy around local suppliers, eco cleaning products, water and energy use.

Explore the medina of Marrakesh

Colored in pisé, the walls of Marrakesh’s medina shine in many shades, from pink to terracotta. Walking inside the medina for the first time was a bit overwhelming. We mixed with donkeys and people as we passed colorful souks. We stopped every once in a while to marvel at the exquisite architecture. The closer we got to Djemaa El Fna, the busier the streets would get. The medina of Marrakesh is a delightful mix of lively streets and quiet alleys. Even though the salespeople tend to be a little too persuasive, it’s still interesting to visit the shops and souks to learn about the art of creating traditional handicrafts.

Marrakesh’s rooftops

Whenever the hustle and bustle of the medina got too much, we would retreat to one of Marrakesh’s rooftop cafes. Sip a fresh mint tea and enjoy the view! Check out Atay Cafe or Cafe Nomad right across from it.

La Pergola Jazz Bar makes its claim of “house of wonders” justice: it’s stunning! The decor, food and drinks are superb! It is sitting on top of the stunning Monceau Hotel right in the center of Jemaa El Fna square.

Jemaa el-Fnaa

The “Place of the dead” is, without a doubt, Marrakesh’s heart and one of Morocco’s most famous sights. To me, no other place represents the dream of 1001 nights more. Jemaa el-Fnaa comes to live at night. You’ll find food stands, Snake charmers, monkey men, healers selling mysterious potions, and fortune tellers competing for the favors of the visitors. Walking across Jemaa el-Fnaa, you’ll hear anything from modern Morrocan music to traditional Gnaoua sounds.

Koutoubia Minaret

Standing at Djemaa El Fna, we could glimpse the top of Koutoubia Minaret. With its 77 m high minaret, the minaret is the second tallest in the world and sets the limit to Marrakesh’s skyline. According to Islamic law, no other building is allowed to be higher. We used the impressive tower of the minaret many times for orientation and guidance. But, unfortunately, as non-muslims, we couldn’t enter.

Moroccan Hammam – the ultimate pampering experience

The small, hidden hammam Le Bain Bleu was my first-time visit to a hammam. Let me tell you: It’s an experience I won’t ever forget! Le Bain Bleu in Marrakesh has become my heavenly place. Never, ever have I been pampered in such a way. This wasn’t the typical hammam experience one gets in a public hammam, yet it’s something I can only recommend to everyone! After being thoroughly scrubbed and soaked in soap, we were guided to a room covered with black tiles and two bathtubs. The room was lit by candles only. It was incredible. While each of us enjoyed a bath with roses, petals, oils, and lots of foam, two employees washed our hair. I thought I’d gone straight to heaven. We finished with a massage, a mani- and a pedicure. By the time we left, we almost felt too relaxed to walk. I highly recommend visiting a hammam on our Morocco trip

Find peace in El Jardin Majorelle

The garden is often referred to as the Garden of Yves Saint Laurent. It’s home to more than 300 species of desert flowers. The garden is somewhat unimpressive by size, but I loved how the walkways were arranged alongside colorful vases. The smell and the view of lush green were relaxing to the eyes, which had become a little tired from the business of Marrakesh’s medina. Yves Saint Laurent’s donation of a garden to the city of Marrakesh is indeed a generous and fantastic gift. The park began cultivation in 1924 and is a beautiful oasis with 300 plant species from five continents. Thanks to Marrakshi ethnobotanist Abderrazak Benchaâbane, the garden is wellmaintained and continues to be a psychedelic desert mirage. If you’re ever in Marrakesh, visit this one-of-a-kind garden!

Marvel Villa Oasis

Pay an homage to Yves Saint Laurent. Marrakech was a second home to Yves Saint Laurent, who often stayed in the famous La Mamounia hotel. He was so inspired by the city that he created a fashion collection based on traditional Moroccan clothing. A visit to his former home, now a museum, is a must for any fan of the late designer. The electric-blue villa is now home to Marrakech’s fashion museum. The museum celebrates the life and work of one of fashion’s greatest icons, and his timeless style is on full display. From his early days as a designer for Christian Dior to his groundbreaking work with YSL Couture, the museum traces the evolution of YSL’s unique vision. The museum also features a beautiful garden and art-deco studio, both worth a visit. After exploring the museum, check out the Musée Berbère, which showcases the rich panorama of Morocco’s indigenous inhabitants through displays of some 600 artifacts. Finally, the Yves Saint Lauren Museum is a must-see for anyone interested in fashion or history, and it offers a glimpse into the mind of a true style icon.

Party the night away in the Ville Novelle

We met Simon and Sami at the beginning of our time in Marrakesh. The two passionate entrepreneurs showed us around the medina, and we got to see it through the eyes of young, aspiring, and modern Moroccans. We almost couldn’t believe them when they asked us to go out and party. We didn’t expect a lively nightlife scene in Marrakesh, where alcohol is prohibited inside the medina’s walls. While there certainly is no party within the walls of the medina, the bars, and clubs found in Ville Novelle attract tourists and locals alike. To our surprise, the nights in Marrakesh’s club are quite wild and definitely worth a try!

Popular Tours in Marrakesh

Practical travel tips for Marrakesh

The main languages spoken in Marrakech are Moroccan Arabic, known as Darija, and Amazigh languages, alongside French, which is widely used in tourism, restaurants, shops and administration. In hotels, riads and many tourist-facing places, you will also get by with English, but a few words of Arabic or French go a long way. A simple salam alaikum, shukran or la, shukran often changes the tone of an interaction.

Morocco uses the Moroccan dirham, usually written as MAD or sometimes DH. Euros are sometimes mentioned in tourism settings, especially for hotels, tours or higher-end services, but everyday payments should be made in dirhams. Cash is still important in Marrakech, especially for taxis, souks, small cafés, tips and local shops, while Visa and Mastercard are commonly accepted in larger hotels, restaurants and boutiques.

Yes. English is widely spoken in many hotels, riads, restaurants and tourist-facing businesses. French is still very useful, and a few Arabic or Darija words are appreciated. Even simple phrases like salam alaikum, shukran and la, shukran can make interactions feel warmer and more respectful.

Many women travel to Marrakech alone and have a good experience, but it is worth being honest: unwanted attention can happen, and it can become tiring. For me, the key is not to move through the city fearfully, but with calm confidence. Stay somewhere central and well-reviewed, arrange an airport transfer for arrival, avoid walking through quiet medina lanes late at night, and trust your instincts if a situation feels uncomfortable.

Spring and autumn are usually the most comfortable seasons for Marrakech, especially if you want warm weather without the intensity of summer. Winter can also be lovely, with sunny days and cooler evenings. Summer is possible, but the heat can make sightseeing in the medina more exhausting.

Marrakech is used to visitors, and you will see many styles of dress, especially in hotels, restaurants and tourist areas. Still, dressing with a little modesty is a simple way to move through the city more respectfully and often more comfortably. Loose clothing, covered shoulders, longer skirts, dresses or trousers work well, especially in the medina and more traditional areas. A Moroccan-woman-led travel guide frames it well: think about comfort, climate and customs together.

The best approach is calm, polite and firm. A simple “No, thank you” or “La, shukran” is enough. Avoid long explanations, because the more you engage, the more you may be pulled into a conversation. Do not feel guilty for walking away; you can be respectful without buying something you do not want.

If someone becomes too persistent, do not argue. Keep walking, avoid eye contact for a moment, and step into a café, shop or busier street if needed. It helps to remember that bargaining and selling are part of the rhythm of the souks, but you still have the right to your own space.

Yes, alcohol is available in many hotels, riads, bars and restaurants, especially in more international parts of the city. But Morocco is a Muslim-majority country, so alcohol is not part of everyday public life in the same way it may be in Europe. Drink respectfully, and avoid being visibly drunk in public.

I wouldn’t overcomplicate transport in Marrakech. Inside the medina, I mostly walk — partly because cars cannot enter many lanes, and partly because that is how the city slowly starts to make sense. For longer distances, Marrakech does have ALSA city buses, which are very affordable, with local tourism information listing regular bus fares at around 4 MAD per trip. They are useful for straightforward routes, but not always the easiest option if you are only in the city for a few days.
For the airport, the ALSA Line 19 airport bus is the budget-friendly option. It connects Marrakech Menara Airport with central stops including Jemaa el-Fna and the train station area, with fares commonly listed around 30 MAD one way. I would use it if arriving during the day and travelling light; for a first arrival into the medina, especially at night, I would still book a transfer through the riad. It is simply less stressful when someone knows exactly where to drop you.
For apps, I would keep Google Maps, Google Translate and Moovit on my phone. Google Maps is helpful, but not perfect in the medina, where lanes can be confusing and signal can jump.

Moovit is useful for checking bus routes and schedules, including Marrakech bus lines.
For taxis and ride apps, Marrakech can feel less straightforward than cities where Uber-style apps are fully established.

Petit taxis are everywhere, but it is best to agree the fare before getting in if the meter is not used. Apps such as Careem and inDrive are often mentioned by travelers in Morocco, but availability and acceptance can vary, and there have been questions around the status of some ride-hailing services. I would treat them as helpful backups, not as something to rely on completely.

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