ANIMA Garden, a fantasy landscape of exotic plants and quirky installations framed by the Atlas Mountains, is the brainchild of Austrian multimedia artist André Heller. Besides over 250 different plant species, works by the likes of Keith Haring and Pablo Picasso deck the 5-acre (2-hectare) grounds. There’s also a museum and a café.
Perched around 6,000 feet (1,800 meters above sea level among the rugged peaks of the High Atlas, overlooking Lake Takerkoust’s azure waters, the Kik Plateau (Plateau du Kik is the Morocco that time forgot. Tiny donkeys still plow the fields, while Berber villages offer warm hospitality amid gnarled olive trees.
Just minutes from the bustling medina of Marrakech, the Menara Gardens (Jardin de la Ménara) offer a tranquil oasis with olive groves, towering palms, and citrus trees. Arranged around a 12th-century pavilion, the botanical gardens feature a large lake and a stunning view of the distant Atlas Mountains.
Established in 1980, the dinner show at Chez Ali restaurant is a Marrakech institution. Dine on Moroccan signature dishes as musicians and dancers perform folk songs and dances from around the country. Then transfer to the arena for a traditional show that includes a cavalry charge and horseback riders, as well as belly dancers, acrobats, fireworks, and more.
Built in the 16th century by King Ahmad al-Mansur of the Saadi dynasty, the lavish el-Badi Palace (Palais el-Badi) was designed to be one of the grandest in the world: "el-Badi” means “The Incomparable.” Today, this architectural masterpiece lies in ruins, but it’s still among the most visited monuments of Marrakech’s UNESCO-listed medina.
Few places on earth compare to the Sahara Desert, a natural wonder of sun-baked dunes that dominates the south and east of Morocco. The world’s largest hot desert, the Sahara stretches a staggering 3.6 million square miles (9 million square kilometers) over several countries, with its Moroccan edges some of the most accessible for tourists. The Saharan sands are one of Morocco’s highlights, despite the effort required to see them.
With its deep-blue waters set against a backdrop of sweeping desert plains fronting the Atlas Mountains, Takerkoust Lake (Lac Lalla Takerkoust) is a world away from the heat and bustling atmosphere of Marrakech. The French made the lake in the 1920s to provide the city with water and electricity; today it’s a recreational area popular with both locals and visitors.
Dar el Bacha Museum of Confluences (Dar el Bacha Musée des Confluences) was built in the Marrakech medina by Pasha Thami el Glaoui in 1910. Visit to see the lovely gardens and zellige mosaic tilework of this opulent palace, and to enjoy exhibitions focused on Moroccan culture.
For a day of family-friendly fun, head straight to Morocco’s biggest water park, at Oasiria Marrakech. You’ll find attractions for all ages, from river rapids and corkscrew slides to pools and restaurants nestled in 25 acres (10 hectares of palm-shaded gardens.
The Photography Museum of Marrakesh (Maison de la Photographie de Marrakech) is devoted to historical Moroccan photographs—with some images dating back to 1870. The three-story space showcases prints from the owners’ impressive archive of plates, slides, and negatives, most of which are for sale. There are also special exhibitions.
Housed in the 19th-century Dar Mnebhi Palace, at the heart of the medina, is the Marrakesh Museum (Musée de Marrakech). Founded by Moroccan journalist and activist Omar Benjelloun in 1997, the museum houses a small but impressive collection of Moroccan art and artifacts.
The Mohammed VI Museum of Water Civilization in Marrakech explores Morocco’s management of one of the world’s most vital resources—water. Sitting in palm-dotted gardens, the cutting-edge museum charts everything from the country’s history of water usage and hydraulics to the legends and mysteries of this vital, life-giving substance.
The covered markets of Marrakech form a dense network of alleyways pierced by intermittent shafts of sunlight. Each souk has a specialty, such as rugs, leather goods, ceramics, spices, metalwork, and clothing. When you make a purchase, haggling—ideally over a cup of hot mint tea—is an important part of the transaction.
Located in the heart of the medina of Marrakech, Dar el-Bacha is one of the city’s most beautiful palaces. Inside this former home of Pacha Thami El Glaoui, who ruled Marrakech from 1912 to 1956, are audaciously luxurious and elaborate tilework, wall paintings, and woodwork.
Housed in a beautifully restoredriad (a structure built around a courtyard), tucked between the Bahia and Dar Si Said palaces, the Tiskiwin Museum (Musée Tiskiwin) fascinates visitors. Crammed with North African art, handicrafts, and artifacts, the Maison Tiskiwin collection immerses visitors in the region’s vibrant cultural history.
In a city famous for its indulgent hammam baths, Les Bains d’Orient stands apart. This luxurious spa is located at the entrance to Marrakech’s bustling medina but seems worlds away with its quiet steam rooms, calming massage treatments, and indoor and outdoor relaxation areas. Take a break from the chaos of the city’s sprawling souk in this spa’s serene confines.
This traditional hammam experience is special because it takes place in one of the oldest riads and hammam complexes in Marrakech. Hammam Mouassine offers several treatments designed to make you feel your best. This isn’t a completely gentle affair since you’ll be scrubbed. But after this experience, you’ll feel smooth and rejuvenated, ready to hit the souks and medinas and take in the sights.
Morocco is known for its bold-colored carpets created from handmade materials, and the Dar Si Said Museum in Marrakech celebrates this artisan tradition. Step inside to see intricate carpets made by master craftsmen from all over the country. The building’s 19th-century architecture is another draw, with beautiful painted ceilings and detailed doors and gates.
Combining the age-old traditions of a Moroccan hammam with the modern innovations of a Western-style spa, Les Bains de Marrakech is a popular choice for travelers seeking a Marrakesh hammam experience. Opened in 2001 by Frenchman Kader Boufraine, this was Marrakech’s first luxury private spa.
