Things to do in Marrakesh

Morocco seems to be the IT place at the moment! We love it there, and we’re so glad everyone is now discovering how amazing it is! Whether you want to visit for a city weekend break and just explore Marrakesh, or you want to stay for longer and explore more of Morocco, here are some ideas of what to do in Marrakech when you visit it! You can’t skip this city, it’s busy, but it has some beautiful spots and amazing markets that make it a great place to wander around and soak up the vibes.

 

Here are our top things to do when you are in Morocco. There’s something for everyone, whether you are there solo or with your friends. Add these to your itinerary for the perfect time exploring this amazing city!

 

What are the best 3 things to do in Marrakesh?

 

1) Explore the Medina

2) Visit Jardin Majorelle

3) Take Part in a Local Cooking Class

 

 

 

 

 

1) Explore the Medina

Of course, we were going to include shopping in this list! If there’s something to buy, we’re there, and whatever is on your list, you’ll be able to find it in the souks/markets of Marrakech. Some of the best things to look out for are leather goods (the jackets are gorgeous), belts and ceramics! The Medina is BIG, like big big, and it is easy to be overwhelmed, but the shopkeepers throughout are lovely and are so proud of the product that they produce. That being said, barter! They will likely add on 50%+ to the value of the product, so make sure you barter and get the price down! It’ll feel strange, but it’ll save you from being ripped off and get you much better prices for the products you buy! We’d recommend saving about half a day for the Medina and exploring in the early morning or later evening, and Morocco can be hot, and if you are travelling over the summer months, you won’t want to shop in the heat of the midday sun!

 

We spend time here on the amazing Gals Who Travel Morocco trip, and with a local guide to show you the history of these markets, as well as where to get the best buys, it is an incredible experience!

 

Top tips for the Medinas:

 

1) Bring space in your luggage for your purchases. There is so much to buy, so you won’t want to be limited by suitcase space - pack light if you are coming to Morocco, and even consider packing some bubblewrap if you have your eye on some ceramics. Trust us, you won’t want the heartbreak of opening up your suitcase to find your precious souvenirs smashed!

 

2) Take your time - We say save half a day for the Medina because it's big and you won't want to rush. Spend a few hours browsing and stop for lunch or find a nice rooftop bar along the way - sounds dreamy, right?

 

3) Pin your hotel on maps - as we said, the Medinas are big and you’ll want to be able to find your way back to your hotel. Pinning it on your maps will mean you’ll be able to get your bearings at any time and find your way home.

 

 

 

2) Explore Jardin Majorelle

The Jardin Majorelle should absolutely go on your must-do list. Trust us, you need to see this garden! Created by a French painter and later saved and restored by Yves Saint Laurent, this isn't just a garden, it’s like a piece of art! The bold walls, amazing greenery and relaxing vibe are a huge contrast to the rest of Marrakech. There are countless cacti, huge palm trees and hidden corners to chill in. It’s a photographer's dream!

 

Top tips for visiting Jardin Majorelle

 

1) Go Early or Late! One of the best things about this place is its peaceful vibes. So you’ll want to go when it's quieter! To avoid the worst of the crowds and the midday heat, aim for the first time slots in the morning (opening is typically around 8:00 AM) or an hour or two before closing (around 6:00 PM). On our Gals Who Travel Morocco tour, we’ll head there early so we’ll almost get the place to ourselves!

 

2) Allow Enough Time! While the garden itself is not huge, you'll want to save a few hours to wander through slowly and appreciate the little things. Make sure to save more time if you want to visit the Berber Museum or the YSL Museum.

 

 

 

 

3) Experience a local cooking class

Once you have been in Morocco for a few days, you’ll have tried a fair few tagines. This slow-cooked dish is a staple here, and it’s a really fun thing to learn to make in a local cooking class. In a local Moroccan cooking class, you’ll get to prepare your own tagine in the traditional way, and of course, get to try it at the end! If you have done a Gals Who Travel tour before, you’ll know we love getting our chef hats on and learning how to cook local dishes. It is always so much fun, and the group dinner at the end is so satisfying!

 

Top tips for cooking classes in Marrakech:

 

1) Don't plan a huge lunch before this! You get to sit down and enjoy everything you made, from the salads to your perfectly seasoned tagine, and you’ll likely finish with traditional mint tea - when in Morocco, right?

 

2) Choose one that is run locally. On Gals Who Travel Trips, we always love supporting local families and businesses, so we always recommend getting one that is run by people from the local area. This way, you’ll also guarantee you'll get a genuine and authentic experience!

 

 

 

 

If you are visiting Marrakesh soon, these are three things you HAVE to add to your to-do list! They are included on the Gals Who Travel trip, so if you have a little bit more time and want to do all of the above, plus a trip to the desert, Imlil and much more, the 9-day Morocco tour is a great option!