What are the top things to do in Marrakech? Find out in this article what are the top attractions in Morocco’s most iconic city. Here you’ll discover what to see in Marrakech and places you shouldn’t visit as well as the best restaurants in Marrakech and where to stay in Morocco’s red city.
Marrakech was the very first city I visited in Morocco, and well, let’s just say it wasn’t love at first sight. Marrakech was a shock to my system.
I arrived in Square Jemaa el Fna on a busy day. I was tired and stressed out after a long flight, didn’t speak a word of Moroccan Arabic, and got scammed by a taxi driver right out of the airport.
The square was full of snake charmers, women walking around selling henna tattoos, and men holding monkeys on leashes. The air was full of unknown smells and sounds.
Often time I would catch whiffs of incense in the little streets, at other moments it would be the smell of leather that would fill my nose.
The loud call to prayer kept resonating all over the city while street kids were running around me with their extended open hands, begging for a few dirhams.
The square was bustling with activity. Left and right I could hear the shouts of people trying to sell Moroccan lamps and fruit juices. Street performers were bumping into each other trying to attract the attention of a busy crowd. I had never seen so much chaos in my life.
Like many other tourists, I had decided to land in Morocco in the most chaotic city there is in the country instead of taking a flight to slightly calmer cities such as Casablanca or Tangier. A poor decision that lead to a dire situation. I was pickpocketed on my first day in Morocco and lost my wallet to some petty thieves.
Although my first impression of Marrakech wasn’t a good one, I eventually stayed there for a whole month and grew to love the hectic, busy jungle that is this Moroccan city.
I let myself get lost in the little back alleys every day and slowly learned to speak Arabic. I also decide to explore the rest of the country and eventually completely fell in love with Morocco.
Now, every time I think back about Marrakech, I feel flooded by an odd nostalgia. I feel a mix of love and longing for this huge, busy city.
I would absolutely recommend visiting Marrakech but I think it would be better to acclimatize yourself first in other calmer cities before if it’s your first time in Morocco. Not everyone will love their time in this city, but nobody will be able to leave it without an unforgettable sensory experience.
If you like to know what are the top things to do in Marrakech, I’ll tell you all about them in this guide. I’ll also cover what you should avoid in Marrakech as well as where you should stay and the best restaurants in Marrakech.
Tip: See my Morocco Travel Page for a complete overview of all my travel guides and blog posts about Morocco!
Disclaimer: This posts might contain affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase through these links, I may earn an affiliate commission. Thank you for helping to support this website!
Plan your trip to Marrakech
Where to stay
- Best budget pick: Kasbah Red Castel Hostel
- Best mid-range Riad choice: Riad Dar Tamlil
- Top high-end Riad choice: Riad Zoraida
Top experiences in and around Marrakech
Plan your trip to Morocco
Things you need to know before you visit Marrakech
Where is Marrakech?
Marrakech is located almost right in the center of Morocco. The majority of the touristic destinations in the country are within easy reach of this city.
The snow-covered mountains of the High Atlas and the beautiful dunes of the Sahara desert are relatively close to Marrakech so it’s generally the first city tourists will visit in Morocco.
Marrakech was at one point the capital of Morocco. It is 240 km south of Casablanca, 320 km southwest of the Moroccan capital Rabat and 574 km southwest of Tangier.
Merzouga, the famous desert village of the Sahara is just 9 hours away from Marrakesh so the city is often the starting point of expeditions to the desert.
A bit of history about Marrakech
The history of this beautiful city easily stretches back in the past a thousand years. Morocco is even named after Marrakech.
Marrakech, also written Marrakesh in English, was founded in 1070 by the dynasty of the Almoravids and became the capital of their empire.
Marrakech also went on to be captured by various other caliphates and dynasties such as the Almohad Caliphate and the Marinids who captured the city in 1269. Marrakesh was later captured by the Saadians who greatly embellished the city.
Over the course of Moroccan history, Marrakech has always maintained a rivalry with Fez to become the leading city in the country. The country was often fragmented into two with Marrakech as the southern capital and Fez as the northern one.
Eventually, Rabat was chosen as the capital of the country. This was seen as a compromise that afforded neither city supremacy over the other.
A few tips before visiting Marrakech
Before visiting Marrakech, I would suggest learning a few words of Moroccan Arabic.
Shop owners in the markets of Marrakech are very good at picking foreign languages but the vast majority of the people only speak Arabic. Learning a few words of Moroccan Arabic will help make everything easier and will go a long way!
I also highly recommend getting your hands on the Lonely Planet Moroccan Arabic Phrasebook.
It is packed with all the essential words and phrases you will need on your trip to Morocco and will help you in every situation โ from finding a hotel room to ordering tajine or joining the local festivities this book will cover almost every situation you could imagine.
I would also recommend getting a map software on your phone that works offline. Google maps has helped us navigate the narrow streets of Marrakech and many other Moroccan cities. One of the cool features of Google Maps is that it can be used both online and offline.
Connect to the wifi at your hostel and download a map of the part of Marrakech you wish to explore. This map works with the GPS chip in your phone so it will continue working, even when youโre offline.
And finally, I highly recommend getting a Lifestraw Water Filter Bottle. Although the tap water in Marrakech is not dangerous, it may contain many new bacteria that your body just isn’t used to.
If you drink water using this bottle, any dirt, bacteria, or parasites get trapped in its filter, while the clean water passes through.
Arriving at Marrakech Menara airport
Menara airport is the airport in which you’ll land if you take a flight to Marrakech. It’s located only 6 km from Jemaa el Fena, the main square of the city and getting there from the airport by taxi takes about 15 minutes.
Should you exchange money at Marrakech Menara airport?
Airport exchange offices are not the best place to change money. Exchange just a small amount of cash into dirham (MAD) at the Marrakech airport to pay for your taxi to the city center. Once you’re in Marrakech city, you’ll find plenty of currency exchange offices.
If you’re wondering where to exchange money in Marrakech, here is a link to Google maps with all the major exchange offices in the city. They usually offer a much better rate than what you get at the airport.
How much is a taxi from Marrakech airport to the city center?
There are a lot of scammer taxi drivers that park at the airport waiting for unwary tourists arriving in the country for the first time.
They know that these new arrivals are very often unaware of prices in Morocco. They have no qualms in tripling or even quadrupling the price of a taxi ride to the city center!
Unless the official taxi prices are somewhere near the exit of the airport on the wall (more and more airports in Morocco adopt this practice to avoid taxi scams), you shouldn’t pay more than 100 MAD for a ride to the city center.
Depending on your haggling and negotiation skills, fares to Jemaa el Fenaa should range from 50 MAD to 100 MAD.
Is Marrakech safe?
Marrakech is a relatively safe city. There are no violent crimes in this city, however, it’s a place that is quite notorious for theft, scams and con artists.
Traveling there requires you to be alert all the time as your attention will be solicited in all directions and the streets can be extremely crowded.
The best solution to avoid being pick-pocketed is to stay aware of your belongings and surroundings at all times.
You should leave all your important items at your hotel and walk around only with what you absolutely need.
I suggest always keeping your wallet in your front pocket or carrying a money belt. Another great option is to travel with a slash-resistant and lockable anti-theft bag. I would also recommend getting good travel insurance that covers theft.
Need Travel Insurance? I use and highly recommend HeyMondo Travel Insurance. As a reader of Journal of Nomads, you get a 5% discount off your insurance plan!
At times I found Marrakech to be quite tiring but ultimately it was worth it and if you take the time to really discover and get to know the city, you’ll surely grow to like it.
One thing you need to remember is that Marrakech is not all floaty dresses, ornate riad walls and water fountains like some social media influencers would like you to believe.
16 Top things to do in Marrakech Morocco
1. Go for an evening visit to Jemaa el Fna or stop there during the day
If you want to truly understand and feel what Marrakesh is about, you should visit its main square Jemaa el Fna. It’s a place unlike any other. It’s where youโll find the best and worst of the city.
Youโll find the freshest and cheapest fruit juice served all day in the square, the smell of grilled meat, snake charmers, monkeys who have been captured from the wild to perform for tourists, and ladies jumping on your hands to convince you to get a henna tattoo.
There are horse carriages parked on one corner of the square that will take you around the city. You’ll have the time to relax while seeing the best attractions of Marrakech.
You’ll be able to reach areas that are far from each other rather quickly and you’ll see things that would not be accessible by car.
When it starts getting dark the square becomes alive with street performers, musicians, snake charmers, and mouth-watering food stalls. There are thousands of people filling up the square and an endless amount of captivating street performances and shows.
I would recommend not bringing more money than you need to this square as it’s a hub for pickpockets but if you just carry the minimum in a money belt, you’ll be able to fully enjoy the square and its busy atmosphere.
If you want to explore Marrakech at night but you don’t feel safe to go by yourself, you can join this great Marrakech Medina Night Tour.
2. Take some cooking classes in Marrakech
I don’t think there is a better way to discover a city or a country than by learning about the local cuisine. There are plenty of great chefs in Marrakech offering cooking lessons. We highly recommend booking one of these cooking classes.
You’ll learn to cook some authentic Moroccan tagines, shop for ingredients at a souk and learn about the uses of different spices and herbs.
3. Visit the leather tanneries in Marrakech
Marrakech has, just like Fez, some pretty big leather tanneries. The two cities are known for their production of world-class leather.
The 11th-century tanneries in Fez are much bigger than the ones in Marrakech. However, if you arenโt heading to Fez, the Marrakech tannery still makes an interesting visit.
In Marrakech, it’s better to ask your hotel where the tanneries are located or have a good map of the city. On the way there, many scammers might offer to guide you but they will charge an exorbitant price.
You should walk to the tanneries by yourself and avoid the help of ”friendly” strangers offering to show you the way there (this is a common scam in Morocco).
The best way to visit the tanneries in Marrakech is to hire a local guide for 2 to 6 hours for as little as $30 USD to show you the local side of Marrakech including the medina and the tannery.
4. Go for a hot air balloon flight over Marrakech during sunrise
Float above Moroccoโs countryside and watch the sunrise over Marrakech and the surrounding Atlas Mountains on a hot air balloon flight!
This is absolutely one of the unique things to do in Marrakech and an experience you’ll remember forever!
5. Visit Jardin Majorelle, a stunning botanical garden
Jardin Majorelle is probably Morocco’s most gorgeous botanical garden. Although Marrakech can be quite hectic, this garden is the best place to escape from the noise and chaos of the city.
This peaceful place stands out so much from the streets that surround it that it can truly be called an oasis in the desert.
It was designed by the French painter Jacques Majorelle. He incidentally became more famous because of his botanical garden than because of his paintings.
The garden is home to more cacti and desert plants than any other garden in the world. This beautiful atmosphere is completed by the indigo blue walls of the house snuck between the plants.
This place is a prized location for Instagrammers who line up in front of the blue walls in the afternoon. I would suggest going there as early as possible to avoid crowds of photo bombers pulling up duck faces.
You can also visit this oasis of art and landscaping at Majorelle Gardens and then learn to ride a camel at the La Palmeraie on a half-day urban escape in Marrakech.
6. Get lost in the souks and the back alleys of Marrakech and buy souvenirs for friends
Marrakech and its tiny back alleys are often compared to a big open-air maze where one can get lost for hours. As much as some people can dread the feeling, I tend to enjoy it. I think getting lost in the streets is always a great way to discover a new city.
As you walk through these back alleys and small markets, you’ll find handmade pottery and ceramic, leather products, bags and shoes, and beautiful wood crafts.
Shopping in Marrakesh is almost like a sport. It’s a really fun experience but you have to follow a few simple guidelines if you want to avoid paying too much. If you plan to buy something in the markets of Marrakesh, be prepared to haggle and negotiate prices.
Prices generally start really high but don’t be scared to haggle and make an offer much lower than the starting price. Moroccans love to haggle and will generally expect you to do the same.
You can offer a bit more than half of what the seller was asking and take the negotiations from there. Whatever you do, keep the negotiations friendly and you’ll be bringing your friends a beautiful new rug for their living room or a Moroccan lamp for their kitchen.
7. Visit the Saadian tombs
In the modern world, we don’t often think of death and beauty as compatible. One look at the gorgeous Saadian tombs will convince you of the contrary.
These tombs are one of the only remains of the Saadian dynasty that reigned over Marrakech between 1524 to 1659. It’s a stunning place with great mosaic work.
You don’t always know whose tomb you are looking at but it’s hard not to be impressed by all the intricate carving and tilework of this stunning place.
The tombs are extremely well-kept. If you want to see the most famous hall there โ the Chamber of the Twelve Columns- you may have to wait in a queue but it will be well worth the wait.
8. Get a good scrub in a traditional hammam
One of the best and most traditional experiences you can have in Morocco is to visit a traditional hammam. The hammams in Marrakesh come in all different styles. Some are almost like spas and expensive while others are a bit cheaper and used mostly by locals.
The ones visited by locals are the establishments I would recommend. Popular local hammams are a great part of the Moroccan culture.
Before you go, you’ll need to get some natural Argan soap and a scrubbing cloth. Once you arrive at the hammam, you’ll be handed a bucket and you’ll undress before going to a closed room. There you’ll be in the midst of locals scrubbing each other’s back and talking about daily life.
All you need to do is fill your bucket with hot water and scrub yourself in the sauna-like room. These hammams are very cheap and cost around $3USD. they’re an important part of Moroccan culture and will make you feel like a local.
Spending time in a hammam is one of the most relaxing activities in Marrakech…
9. Visit the Koutoubia mosque
The stunning Koutoubia mosque is a must-see in Marrakesh. It’s the highest mosque and its minaret can be seen from almost everywhere in the city center.
The mosque is just 200 meters from Jemaa el Fnaa square. Non-Muslims can’t enter this mosque but it’s possible to admire it from the outside. Koutoubia is not only an important spiritual center but also an admirable piece of architecture. It has stunning arches and beautiful proportions.
The mosque becomes particularly gorgeous at night when it’s illuminated and covered in a golden light.
If your hostel or riad is not too far from the city center, you’ll hear the call to prayer coming from the top of Koutoubia’s minaret throughout the day and see people congregate together towards the building.
10. Stay in a traditional riad in Marrakech
Morocco is a country that is rich in its stunning mix of architecture. In Marrakech, there is a special type of building that combines both architecture and history. They are called Riads. They are typical Moroccan buildings that started appearing during the Idrisid dynasty.
They usually have indoor courtyards with gardens and fountains. Their walls are covered in colorful tiles and some even have indoor pools. These beautiful establishments can take you from the bustling streets of the city to a calm oasis of peace.
No stay in Marrakesh would be complete without at least one night in a riad. Further in this guide, I’ll tell you what are some of the best riads in Marrakech.
11. Visit Ben Youssef Madrasah
Madrasas are ancient Quranic schools. They can be found all over Morocco and in other Islamic countries such as Uzbekistan. They usually have beautiful intricate tile patterns and they are masterpieces of architecture.
Ben Youssef Madrasah used to be the biggest Quranic school in North Africa. It has a gorgeous inner courtyard and ornate tiles.
Make sure you go upstairs to look into tiny rooms that were once home to around 900 students. If you go there early enough during the day, the inner courtyard will be absolutely quiet and peaceful.
12. Walk around the ramparts of Marrakech
Marrakech has some ancient fortified walls that stretch 19 km around the city center. These defensive walls were built in the 12th century and much of the original construction still remains.
They were originally built to provide protection for the inhabitants of the city and there are nineteen gates that provide entrance into the heart of the Medina through these walls.
Bab Aganou is perhaps the most unique of Marrakechโs nineteen gates. It used to be a royal entrance to the city and it’s decorated with floral patterns and inscriptions from the Quran.
Bab al Khamis (Khamis means Thursday) marks the entrance to the flea market held around the gate each Thursday morning. If you love flea markets, this one is totally worth it!! In this weekly street bazaar, you’ll find old treasures, ancient wooden doors, and beautiful antiques.
The fortification around the Medina has a reddish color and that’s where the name of the city itself comes from. The city of Marrakech got its epithet the โOchre Cityโ from the color of the reddish-pink clay used to build its ramparts.
The best way to see the walls is to take a long walk around the city. It’s easier to see the walls from outside the perimeter of the old medina than from the inside. Don’t forget to bring a good paper map or install Google maps on your phone.
Another way to visit the walls is to hire a horse carriage at one corner of the Jemaa el Fenaa square (see above). Visiting the walls by calรจche takes around 40 minutes and the price can be negotiated.
13. Visit a traditional Berber carpet museum
Marrakech has a few carpet museums that were opened to promote the rich heritage of the Moroccan and Berber carpet and weaving collections.
One of the best carpet museums to visit in Marrakech is the Dar Si Said Museum of Weaving and Carpets.
The collection of carpets on display is not very different from the other ones you would find in Marrakech but the beauty of the building itself is what makes this museum worth a visit.
The museum is located inside a beautiful old palace, with small yards and gardens filled with flowers and shrubs. Each room of the museum is decorated with intricate wooden ceilings and multicolored tiles. If you want to see the most beautiful halls, you’ll have to go to the second floor.
14. Visit the Bahia palace
The Bahia Palace is probably the highlight of the tourist attractions in Marrakech.
It was built in the 19th century and intended to be the greatest palace of its time. Its name Bahia means “brilliance” in Arabic. It’s a beautiful building that captures the essence of the Islamic and Moroccan styles.
It’s one of the masterpieces of Moroccan architecture, one of the major monuments of the countryโs cultural heritage, and one of the main places of tourism in Morocco.
It’s absolutely worth a visit but because the courtyards are exposed to the sun, I would go there on a cloudy day.
15. Enjoy a traditional mint tea in one of the many small cafes of Marrakech
The traditional mint tea that Moroccans are so fond of is absolutely delicious and it’s a drink you should try during your visit to Marrakech. If my time in Morocco could resume itself in one flavor it would be the flavor of mint tea. Iโve never drunk more tea in my whole life than when I was in Morocco.
Moroccans are so fond of this sweet drink that they call it the โMoroccan Whiskeyโ. It is served with almost every meal and tastes absolutely delicious.
I liked the Moroccan tea so much that it became one of the 13 things that made me fall in love with Morocco.
There are many small cafes and restaurants in Marrakech where you can enjoy this traditional drink. One of the best cafes in Marrakech to have mint tea is Zwin Zwin Cafe. The cafe has a beautiful rooftop terrace from which you can enjoy panoramic views and the sight of the Atlas mountains.
16. Visit Marrakech with a guide
If you like to learn more about this historically and culturally rich city, you can visit Marrakech on a guided tour.
There are many different tours to choose from: from guided walking tours and historical tours to visiting hidden sites in Marrakech.
Here are 3 tours we highly recommend:
Things I don’t recommend doing and places I don’t recommend visiting in Marrakech
Here are a few places and activities I deem worth skipping in Marrakech. Now bear in mind that this is only my opinion but the following activities really didn’t appeal to me and I’ll tell you why.
1. Don’t Visit the Yves Saint Laurent museum
Yves Saint Laurent spent a good deal of time and money in Marrakech and he built this small but beautiful modern museum to showcase himself, his work, and his models and friends.
Unless you’re a fan of Paris high-fashion designer clothing, this museum risks being quite boring. The entrance is 7 euros per person and that’s a very high cost for such few exhibits.
There’s nothing in the museum related to Morocco or Marrakech. Even if you are into fashion, all you will see are rooms full of dresses.
2. Don’t Take a picture with snakes or monkeys
In the large squares of very touristic cities such as in Jemna El-Fna in Marrakesh, you might encounter people walking around with animals such as snakes or monkeys.
When you walk by, these scammers place the animal on you and invite you to take a picture. They may even snatch your camera out of your hand to take a picture of you with the animal.
They then try to convince you into paying them a super large sum of money for the picture you took with their critters.
If you give less than what theyโre expecting (which is usually something around 100 MAD or 10 euros), theyโll throw the money back at you and start shouting while asking you to pay more.
The first way to not fall into this trap is to avoid people insisting on you taking a picture with their animals. If you do like a photo, however, pay them only what you consider to be a fair price and then walk away.
3. Don’t go to the Marrakech museum
There is not much to see in this museum apart from the exterior of the building itself. The building is nice but the displays are not so interesting. Also, you have to be able to read French or Arabic if you want to learn anything about what you’re looking at.
What are the best day trips from Marrakech?
Marrakech is a fantastic city where you can see tons of beautiful sights but at times it can become a bit overwhelming.
Because it’s so close to many interesting destinations, it’s easy to take a small break from the hustle and bustle of the city.
You can leave Marrakesh in the morning, visit cool waterfalls and mountain villages during the day and come back in the evening.
To help you make the best of your time in Morocco, I wrote a complete guide to the best day trips around Marrakech.
In this guide, I explain how to reach each destination by public transport and with your own car from Marrakech and what you can do there.
Where to eat: the best restaurants in Marrakech
Marrakech has a wide selection of restaurants that can satisfy travelers with different budgets.
Whether you want a fancy restaurant where you can try some Moroccan wine or a local eatery, you’ll find some savory options in the city.
Here are some of the best restaurants in the city:
- Le Trou au Mur
If you want some authentic Moroccan food, this is the place to visit. They have a delicious mechoui and mixed salads that you can savor from a rooftop terrace with a view over Marrakesh.
This restaurant has some beautifully stunning decorations and the staff is super friendly and helpful.
When we called the restaurant to confirm our reservation, the owner offered to send one of his employees to meet us so we could easily get to the restaurant without getting lost. They even had someone walk us back to our hostel.
This is where you’ll find Le Trou au Mur:
- Libzar
This restaurant is a bit outside the city center but it’s well worth the 45-minute walk or the 5-minute taxi ride to get there. It’s the perfect place if you love salads and fresh vegetables.
I had a fantastic grilled eggplant with honey and almonds, a cauliflower fritter, and sweet pumpkin puree.
Here is where you’ll find Libzar in Marrakech:
- Dar Zalij
This place is slightly expensive but so worth the price. It was probably our most expensive meal in Marrakech but compared to restaurant prices in Europe it wasn’t too pricey.
They serve generous portions and have delicious vegetarian options. If you eat meat, I absolutely recommend the lamb tajine or the chicken tajine with lemon.
If you have a sweet tooth, the chocolate and orange pastila will be the perfect dessert.
There seems to be live music in this restaurant every evening. There were some Sitar players while we were there and a belly dancer.
Here is where Dar Zalij is located in Marrakech:
Where to stay in Marrakech?
Marrakech is a city that is worth taking the time to discover, so you will want to stay there for at least a night or two.
It’s a city rich in traditional architecture. One of the best experiences you can have in Morocco is staying in a riad, a typical rich Moroccan house with indoor courtyards and fountains, designed with zellij (Moroccan tiles).
Marrakech also offers a wide choice of hostels for budget travelers who want to save money to explore during the day and swap stories with fellow backpackers in the shared kitchen or bar in the evening.
What are the best hostels in Marrakech?
This hostel has some of the friendliest staff in Marrakesh and it felt like they were old friends we hadn’t seen for a while. They were very helpful and diligent.
This gorgeous hostel has a great rooftop terrace where there are plenty of long chairs to lounge.
For digital nomads who work from their laptops creating online content, this hostel will be the ideal location. The hostel has a lot of power sockets in the dorms as well as in the shared areas.
Jemaa el Fnaa, the main square of Marrakech is just 15 minutes away from this establishment so the location of the place is ideal to see all the main sights of the city.
Click to check out rates and availability for โKasbah Red Castel Hostelโ
This hostel is located right in the heart of the medina. Although it’s located right in the center of the city, it’s still an oasis of peace and tranquility.
There is a great breakfast served in the hostel every morning composed of delicious pancakes, omelets, and fruits.
The staff of the mosaic hostel was super friendly. They recommended some awesome things to do around the city and made us feel at home.
They also had an awesome music playlist that played every morning and it was the perfect way to start the day.
Click to check out rates and availability for โMosaic hostelโ
This is the cleanest and most beautiful hostel in Marrakech, hands down. The rooms, bathrooms, and shared areas are impeccably clean.
The hostel is also covered in beautiful decorations. Although this is a hostel, you’ll find the same level of comfort here than you would in a fancy riad.
The place is managed by a young Moroccan entrepreneur who is really keen on providing his guests with the very best experience possible.
He speaks English very well and can help you with anything you would need during your visit to Marrakech.
Click to check out rates and availability for โBe Nomadโ
What are the best riads in Marrakech?
Marrakech has so many beautiful riads that we couldn’t possibly put them all here. They are becoming more and more affordable and give you the impression of being part of a Moroccan royal family without breaking your piggy bank.
These are the ones we recommend in Marrakech:
This riad is smaller than other establishments so it has a cozier and more private atmosphere than what you would get in other places.
The rooms are very comfortable and they are painted in very light shades of colors as you can see in these pictures.
Riad les 2 Portes is in a perfect location in the heart of the Medina. It was ideal for our quick visit to Marrakech and was very enjoyable.
The staff was excellent, they were always available to answer all of our questions and the breakfast was really varied.
Click to check out rates and availability for โRiad les 2 Portesโ
Luxurious is the best way to describe this lavish palace. Riad Jomana seems to come straight from the Arabian night’s novel.
It has a very traditional look with colorful tiles and a water fountain. This riad is famous for its super huge rooms with humongous beds.
If you want to feel like a royal without spending too much money, this is the place where you should stay.
Click to check out rates and availability for โRiad Jomanaโ
This riad is full of lovely trees, shrubs, and flowers. It feels very quiet and peaceful even though it’s very close to the city center.
Riad Dar Tamlilhas a washing machine and getting some clothes washed while you’re there is not a problem.
This riad is quite small with only 4 rooms but the rooms are really spacious.
Click to check out rates and availability for โRiad Dar Tamlilโ
How to get to Marrakech?
how to get from Casablanca to Marrakech by train?
Marrakech can be reached from Casablanca by taxi, by bus, and by train. However, the cheapest and most convenient way to travel between the two cities is by train so that’s the option I will cover here.
Traveling around Morocco by train is a great choice because theyโre cheap and they are a great way to see the stunning Moroccan landscapes.
Itโs very easy to buy your train tickets directly at the train station. Ticket prices and time schedules can be found on the ONCF website.
Once you know which train you will take, you can head over to the train station to buy your ticket. Bring cash to buy your ticket as itโs not always possible to pay by debit or credit card.
There are eight trains per day between Casablanca and Marrakech departing every couple of hours. Travel time between the two cities is around 2 hours and a half.
Here is where you can hop on the train in Casablanca:
How to get from Casablanca to Marrakech with your own car?
If you have your own car or if you’re renting one, reaching Marrakech from Casablanca becomes very easy. To reach Marrakesh from Casablanca, just follow the highway N11 towards the south until you reach highway A7. Follow highway A7 and you’ll arrive in Marrakech.
The distance between the two cities is 244 km and getting there will take around 3 hours.
Reading Tip: Top things to do in Casablanca – Casablanca City Guide
How to get from Essaouira to Marrakech by bus?
One of our favorite cities in Morocco is Essaouira and if you travel along the coast you’ll probably end up visiting it as well.
Marrakech and Essaouira are both very traditional cities and it’s a great idea to visit both if you want to understand the Moroccan culture in greater depth.
To reach Marrakech from Essaouira you’ll have to reach one of the bus stations in the city first.
There are two bus terminals in Essaouira, one is used only by CTM and the other one is used by Supratour and the various other bus companies that operate there.
The Supratour terminal is much closer to the old city while the CTM one is located a bit farther. The Supratours bus stop can be found just southwest of the square known as Bab Marrakech.
Here is the location of the two bus terminals in Essaouira where you can get a bus for Marrakech:
You can find the bus schedules on the CTM and the Supratour websites.
How to get from Essaouira to Marrakech with your own car?
If you have your own car, it doesn’t take a lot of time to reach Marrakech from Essaouira. There is only 191 km between the two cities and it takes a bit more than an hour and a half to get to Marrakech from Essaouira.
Reading Tip: Top things to do in Essaouira – Essaouira City Guide
How to get from Fez to Marrakech by bus?
Fez has a bus station with buses departing to Marrakech every single day. Buses in Morocco usually tend to be old, rusty and without lights but the main company that connects Fez and Marrakech, CTM, has really modern and comfortable vehicles.
They offer European-quality service, for double the price by Moroccan standards, but they usually include the 5 to10 dirham required for transporting luggage (malletas), and they’re not overcrowded.
People go to the station in the morning to book their ticket for the afternoon or the day after, and collect stickers for luggage, so beware of showing up at the last minute and not finding a place.
Here is the location of the CTM bus station in Fez:
How to get from Fez to Marrakesh in your own car?
If you have your own car and you want to drive to Marrakech, it’s easier to get there using the coastal highway.
The highway that follows the coast is almost brand new and by using it you won’t have to drive through the treacherous windy mountain highways in the center of the country.
Reach the coast by driving to Rabat first and then drive south from there to Casablanca and then to Marrakech.
More MOROCCO TRAVEL Resources:
- What you need to know before you go: 23 Travel Tips for Morocco
- Is Morocco Safe? Safety Guide to Morocco
- How to avoid the 12 most common scams in Morocco
- See the best of Morocco by following these 3 great travel itineraries
- Visit these beautiful 17 places in Morocco
- Tips for traveling to Morocco during Ramadan
- Morocco City Guides: Fez, Tangier, Essaouira, Chefchaouen, Rabat, Meknes, Marrakech, Casablanca, Agadir
- The best daytrips from Marrakech
- Fun things to do in the Sahara: how to plan a desert trip to Merzouga
- The Complete Guide to Imlil and Hiking Mount Toubkal
- Everything you need to know about visiting the Ouzoud Waterfalls
- Rock climbing and other fun things to do in the Todra Gorges and Tinerhir
- How to get to the Akchour Waterfalls from Chefchaouen
- A guide to visiting the Ouzoud Waterfalls
- Surfing in Morocco โ The best surfing spots in Morocco
- How to visit Paradise Valley in Agadir
- What to wear in Morocco: Complete packing list for Morocco
- Morocco photography tips: How to take portraits of people in Morocco
- Extend your stay in Morocco using one of these 3 ways to renew your Morocco visa
- Useful tips on how to take the ferry from Tangier to Spain
- Books about Morocco: 10 Great Novels set in Morocco
I hope this guide was useful and that you’ll have a great time in Marrakech. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to write them in the contact below or contact us directly.
Related Posts:
What are the 9 Best Things To Do in Casablanca Morocco? Casablanca City Guide
9 Best Things to Do in Agadir Morocco – The Complete Agadir City Guide
The Fes tannery In Photos: The best way to Visit the Leather Tanneries of Fes
20 Top Things to Do in Tangier Morocco – The Complete City Guide
14 Best Things to do in Essaouira Morocco, the Complete Guide to Morocco’s windy city
By far this is the best and most comprehensive guide in one blog. Kudos!
Planning to visit in January 2023.
Thanks so much Arfah!
Love this blog! do you have recommendations of riads in marrakech with pools? asking for my 8 year old ๐
Hi Jimena, there are quite some Riads with pools in Marrakech. Here are some suggestions:
Riad Africa
Riad Ayadina
Riad Sidi Mimoune
Amazing Blog Thank you for sahring with us your experience
Thank you! ๐