Visiting Marrakech for the First Time? Here’s What To See and Do

From the chaos of Jemaa el-Fna to the reek of the Tanneries to the serene beauty that all the best riads in Marrakech share, the World Heritage–listed Marrakech Medina is at the core of any visit to the city. Discover some of the most fascinating historic sites in Morocco, including the 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque, the Bahia Palace, and the Ben Youssef Madrasa Islamic school.

Joining a walking tour will spare you getting lost—although for some that’s part of the joy—while a guide will save you hassle in the souks.

When you’re ready to take a break from old medina exploration, there’s no more tranquil way to experience Marrakech than through one of its gardens. Pierre Bergé and Yves Saint Laurent preserved the dazzling Majorelle Garden, created by landscape artist Jacques Majorelle. As well as hundreds of desert plants, it offers access to Saint Laurent’s fashion museum (Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech) and Bergé’s Berber Museum (Musée Berbère Jardin Majorelle).

You can also explore Le Jardin Secret, a traditional Islamic garden, or head out of the city to André Heller’s ANIMA Garden, a wonderland of contemporary sculpture.

From the traditional greeting with dates and milk to pigeon pie, meze, and the ever-popular tagine (Morocco’s signature stew), Moroccan cuisine comes in a world of tastes, aromas, and flavors. Dine like a pacha at the indulgent La Grande Table Marocaine or enjoy a more contemporary take on Moroccan signatures at Le Jardin. Whether you’re exploring by day or night, a street food tour can be a great way to explore the medina and beyond. Many Marrakech food tours include a stop in the souk to sample sweets, olives, spices, and more.

Moroccans have been cleansing, socializing, and unwinding at hammams for centuries, and a traditional steam ritual complete with black soap scrub is the ultimate Marrakech spa experience. From the sheer indulgence of the regal (and royal-owned) Royal Mansour to an invigorating rubdown at your budget neighborhood baths, Marrakech offers hammams to suit all price points. Hammam Mouassine, famed as the city’s oldest hammam, offers an experience that’s likely changed little since 1562. Or choose from a wealth of contemporary offerings, some including add-ons such as massages, wraps, and facials.

When it comes to cultural attractions, Morocco skews historical—at least at first blush. But Marrakech isn’t all about the history, and the city offers delights from the fashion of Yves Saint Laurent to modern art galore. MACAAL (Museum of African Contemporary Art Al Maaden) showcases works from an extraordinary private collection of African contemporary art. Macma Musée takes you on a whirlwind tour of Moroccan creativity, from vintage cinema posters to contemporary art. And Comptoir des Mines Galerie is an art deco space that works with contemporary artists from across the continent.

Marrakech has drawn artists for centuries, and a creative class or craft workshop is a great way to get up close with traditions from zellige mosaic tilework to pottery, painting, or even making your own Berber-style rug. Perfume-making classes at the Musée du Parfum let you mix and match essential oils to create your own unique scent—a fantastic and haggle-free souvenir. Or you can make your own argan oil, embroider a basket, decorate a hat or a pair of slippers, or try your hand at Arabic calligraphy or even leatherwork.

Cooking classes are some of the most popular things to do in Marrakech, and your options run from courses in professional kitchens to a trip to the market followed by traditional home cooking. From Berber favorites with a local family in the Atlas Mountains to tagine in a family home in the city or organic cuisine in a garden, the choice is myriad. And vegetarians need not miss out: Most meze are vegetarian and some providers offer vegetarian or even vegan tagine options.

Atlas Mountains day trips make the perfect escape from a city that (like many intoxicants) can leave you in need of a little fresh air. Around 40 miles (64 kilometers) south of the city, the mountains can offer a surprising wealth of green and even snow-capped peaks.

Hiking trips from Marrakech span the gamut from scaling Mt. Toubkal, Morocco’s highest peak, to gentle strolls through the Ourika Valley. But you can also experience the Atlas Mountains by camel, horseback, or all-terrain vehicle (ATV)—or enjoy spectacular views of the foothills from a hot-air balloon.

The seesaw motion of a camel is not to everyone’s taste, but if your itinerary doesn’t include a visit to the Morocco Sahara and its rolling dunes then Marrakech is a solid choice to bag that social media pic. Classic Marrakech locations for a camel adventure are the Palmeraie (Palm Grove), an oasis of palms outside the city, and the Agafay Desert, a rock desert without dunes that’s en route to the Atlas Mountains.

Many Agafay camel ride packages include dinner, a show, and a fire-dance performance, and others add an ATV ride for extra thrills.

From piles of colorful spices to vibrant lanterns to Berber rugs and Moroccan carpets, Marrakech souks and markets deliver souvenirs aplenty. Marrakech shopping tours can help you navigate the hubbub of the souks and the medina’s winding streets, while a private local guide can help with the fine art of identifying and haggling for good quality goods. Or head out of the medina and discover luxe boutiques such as the ateliers of MORO Marrakech or the handwoven high fashion of Marrakshi Life.

Insider tip: Wondering what to wear in Morocco? Long, loose, and flowy is the way to go—this is the spiritual home of the kaftan, after all.