In short
- The old medina is the heart of Marrakech.
- Jemaa el-Fna is the great square of the city.
- The Bahia Palace is a 19th-century palace with painted ceilings, tiled floors and shaded courtyards.
- The Saadian Tombs are a small royal burial ground from the 16th century.
There are so many things to do in Marrakech that first-time visitors often feel lost before they start. The medina is busy, the streets twist, and every guidebook says something different.
So we asked our licensed local guides what they would show a friend. This page covers the places, the food, the quiet corners and the evenings. Under each one, we say briefly what a guide adds, and where you can easily go alone.
Everything here is inside the city. You walk, you sightsee at your own pace, and nobody pushes you into a shop. You pay on the day, and the price of each tour is clear before you book.
Walk the medina with a local guide
The old medina is the heart of Marrakech. Its walls date back many centuries, and inside them you find houses, mosques, workshops, bakeries and schools. It is also easy to get lost in.
A guide shows you the main lanes first, then the quiet ones. You learn why a door looks the way it does, which craft is made in which street, and where locals really eat. Our €30 medina walk is a good first step.
2Jemaa el-Fna, morning to midnight
Jemaa el-Fna is the great square of the city. It changes through the day. In the morning it is calm, with juice sellers and a few snake charmers. By evening, food stalls, musicians and storytellers fill it.
A guide explains who is who in the square and what is worth trying. You also learn how to take photos politely, because performers usually expect a small payment. That removes the awkward moments.
3Bahia Palace and its quiet courtyards
The Bahia Palace is a 19th-century palace with painted ceilings, tiled floors and shaded courtyards. It is one of the easiest sights to enjoy, and it stays cool even in summer.
You can visit alone, but the rooms are mostly empty. A guide fills them with stories about the families who lived here, the craftsmen who built it, and the meaning of the decoration.
4Saadian Tombs
The Saadian Tombs are a small royal burial ground from the 16th century. The carved cedar and the tilework are among the finest in the city. The site is small, so queues can form.
Go early, or with a guide who knows the quiet moments. He or she also explains the Saadian dynasty, which makes the place far more than a pretty room.
5The Koutoubia minaret, from outside
The Koutoubia mosque is the symbol of Marrakech. Its minaret rises above the old town and you can see it from many rooftops. The mosque itself is not open to non-Muslims, so you admire it from the gardens around it.
A guide tells you about its history and why it matters to people in the city. It also helps to know the prayer times, so you can enjoy the garden in peace.
6Ben Youssef Madrasa
The Ben Youssef Madrasa was once a school for Islamic studies. Its central courtyard, with carved plaster and cedar, is a calm place in a busy part of the medina.
Students lived in the small cells around the courtyard. A guide helps you picture daily life here, and points out the details that most visitors miss.
7Majorelle Garden and Gueliz
The Majorelle Garden has cactus beds, bamboo and the famous blue villa. Tickets are for timed slots and you buy them online, so book before you go. Otherwise you may wait a long time, or not get in.
Afterwards, walk through Gueliz, the newer part of the city. It has cafes, galleries and design shops. Many guests like to pair this with a historical tour in the old town, for contrast.
8The Mellah, the old Jewish quarter
The Mellah is the old Jewish quarter, beside the Bahia Palace. It has its own balconies, its own market and a historic cemetery and synagogue. Few visitors explore it well.
A guide tells you how Jewish and Muslim families lived side by side for centuries. This is a topic that needs context, and that is where local knowledge helps most.
The souks, without the pressure
The souks are a maze of small streets, each with its own trade: leather, metal, wool, spices, lanterns. They are a joy to explore. However, they can feel tiring if you walk alone and sellers call out to you.
Our guides take you to artisans, not to shops that pay commission. You can look, ask questions and leave without buying. If you want something, your guide helps you agree a fair price.
10Food: street stalls, tagine and mint tea
Food is one of the best things to do in Marrakech. Try msemen for breakfast, tagine for lunch, and grilled meat at the evening stalls. Add fresh orange juice and mint tea, as often as you like.
On a food tour, a guide chooses stalls with good hygiene and honest prices. You taste more, and you avoid the tourist traps. Our €45 food tour is built around this idea. You can also learn to cook in a class for €45.
11A traditional hammam
A hammam is a steam bath with a scrub and a wash. Moroccans go every week. For visitors, it is a good way to rest after a day of walking.
There are simple local hammams and polished spa versions. Our guides help you choose the one that suits you, explain what happens, and make sure you feel comfortable. A hammam session starts from €40.
12Rooftops and mint tea above the city
Many riads and cafes have rooftop terraces. Sit up there at sunset, when the call to prayer rolls across the roofs and the Atlas mountains turn pink on a clear day.
A guide knows which terraces are quiet and which have the best view of the Koutoubia. Ask us, and we will plan your walk so you arrive just before sunset.
13Gardens: Agdal, Menara and the quiet green
Marrakech is hot, so gardens matter. The Agdal and Menara gardens are large olive and orange groves with old pools. They are ideal for a slow afternoon, away from the noise.
Locals picnic here, especially on weekends. A guide can explain the old irrigation system that made these gardens possible, which is a clever story in itself.
14Things to do in Marrakech at night
After sunset, the city feels different. Lanterns come on, the square fills up, and the air cools. Many visitors find this the best time for photos and food.
An evening walk with a guide is a calm way to see it. You do not need to worry about the way back to your riad, and you can ask any question. We bring you home safely.
15Things to do in Marrakech with kids
Children enjoy Marrakech if you plan for them. A calèche ride along the ramparts, a cooking class and the stories of the square keep them busy. Short walks with breaks also help.
Our guides adjust the pace, pick quieter lanes and add games, such as finding animals in the tilework. Tell us the ages of the children when you book, and we plan around them.
16Things to do in Marrakech on a rainy day
It does not rain often, but when it does, you still have choices. Visit the Ben Youssef Madrasa, the Bahia Palace or a museum. Join a cooking class, or spend the afternoon in a hammam.
Covered souks also give shelter. Ask your guide to change the plan on the day. We are flexible, and we would rather change a route than leave you wet.
17How to choose from this list
You do not need to do everything. If you have one day, pick the medina, one palace and the square at night. With two or three days, add Majorelle, a hammam and a cooking class.
If you are unsure, send us a message on WhatsApp. We suggest a simple plan and tell you honestly what is worth your time. There is no pressure and no obligation.
Also remember that Marrakech rewards a slow pace. Two good visits in a day beat five rushed ones. Leave time for a long lunch, a rest and a walk without a plan. Those small moments often become your favourite memories of the trip. Choose a few places, enjoy them fully and let the city surprise you.