Welcome to Marrakesh

From the moment you arrive in Marrakesh, you’ll get the distinct feeling you’ve left something behind – a toothbrush or socks, maybe? But no, what you’ll be missing in Marrakesh is predictability and all sense of direction. Never mind: you’re better off without them here. Start at action-packed Djemaa el-Fna and head north into Marrakesh’s maze of souqs, where Berber tribes once traded slaves, gold, ivory and... Read More

Top experiences in Marrakesh

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Treasure hunting: shopping in Marrakesh

Marrakesh has been a trading town since the 11th century and it can still satisfy the most ardent shopaholic. Its warren of souks are the quintessential Moroccan shopping experience, but there's more: in-the-know buyers also make a beeline for the design district of Sidi Ghamen or upscale Gueliz for contemporary crafts, one-of-a-kind fashions and that quirky lamp that would look just amazing in the dining room...

Shop for everything from leather to lanterns in Marrakesh's souks. Image by Amos Chapple / Lonely Planet Images / Getty
Sarah Gilbert
Lonely Planet Writer

Morocco through the lens

From the spirit-lifting landscapes of the Atlas Mountains to Marrakesh's colour-charged souks, Morocco is light fantastic. There is no place like it to learn the art of photography.

The muezzin's raspy call to prayer is my wake-up call, as dawn spreads slowly over the dusky pink walls of the medina. Our little group gathers for breakfast on the roof terrace of Riyad Edward (riyadedward.com). Photographer Chris Coe (chriscoe.com), our tutor for the next six days, is sharing his expert tips on exposure, giving us the lowdown on apertures, shutter speeds and ISO to control light and sharpness.
Kerry Christiani
Lonely Planet Writer

Travel guides

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Marrakesh adventures

$91.47 Sightseeing tours

Ouzoud Falls Day Trip from Marrakech

Escape the heat and hustle-bustle of Marrakech on this day trip to the stunningly beautiful Ouzoud Falls. Surrounded by an emerald cape of thousands of olive trees, these majestic falls plunge 360 feet (110 meters) to the ground below. Admire the falls from various viewpoints and hire a local guide to take you closer if you like. In a country known for its stark desert landscapes, these falls are a dramatic contrast and offer amazing photo opportunities.This small-group tour is limited to 6 people for a more relaxing, personalized experience. After morning pickup from your hotel or riad in Marrakech, travel by 4x4 vehicle or minibus 93 miles (150 km) northeast to the village of Tanaghmeilt in the Atlas Mountains, the home of Ouzoud Falls. As you drive past lush green valleys, old water mills and acres of fruit trees, your knowledgeable guide will share facts and anecdotes about this scenic region. At 360 feet (110 meters) high, Ouzoud Falls are the highest falls in North Africa. Ouzoud means ‘olive’ in the Berber language of Morocco, so it’s no surprise the plateau above the falls is draped with thousands of olive trees. The ground below is brick-red because of iron oxides in the soil. Follow a short path to see the magnificent tableau of six different waterfalls cascading down the cliffside. It is a refreshing and rejuvenating sight here in a land often stricken by drought. Keep your camera handy for one photo opportunity after another. In the morning, if you’re lucky, you may glimpse a macaque monkey nearby. In the afternoon sun, you may see a gorgeous rainbow over the falls!If you’d like to get a different perspective on Ouzoud Falls, you can walk down stone steps to the bottom of the falls. Better yet, hire a guide who can show you some caves along the way. Savor a traditional tagine (own expense) at a restaurant in the shade of the olive trees before heading back to Marrakech. Your relaxing day trip to Ouzoud Falls concludes with drop-off at your hotel or riad at about 5pm.

$50.31 Guided tours

Marrakech Medina Walking Tour Including Bahia Palace and the Photography Museum

Navigate Marrakech’s labyrinthine medina and visit other city highlights with a local guide on this half-day walking tour. Visit the grand Bahia Palace and hear fascinating stories of sultans and slaves from your guide. Head into the medina to sample some freshly baked bread and finally, admire photographs of Marrakech from a century ago and learn more about the city’s rich culture at the Photography Museum of Marrakech.This small-group tour is limited to seven people for a more intimate experience. Begin your small-group walking tour of Marrakech in Djemaa El-Fna, the bustling central square in the medina. Your local guide will lead you through the maze of souqs -- or markets -- and vendors and escort you through the confusing alleyways of the medina, the old part of Marrakech. Instead of having to worry about finding your way around, you'll be able to marvel at the many carpet shops, spice stalls and artisans you pass. Your first stop is Bahia Palace (Palais de Bahia). Wander the numerous rooms and courtyards and admire the mosaics, woodwork and fountains as your guide shares tales of the sultans who once lived here with their wives, concubines and slaves. Next, head back into the medina with your guide and stop at a local bakery. See how locals prepare their own bread at home but bring it here to be baked. You'll get to taste some of the delicious bread on offer before moving on to another spot in the medina where the traditional dish tanjia is prepared.Continue your tour at the Photography Museum of Marrakech, which has a collection of 4,500 photos that offer a glimpse of life in Marrakech a century ago. Admire stirring portraits of locals, village scenes and images of the Berber tribes of the Atlas Mountains that will give you a better understanding of Marrakech's history and culture. Finish your educational and exciting 4-hour walking tour of Marrakech back in Djemaa El-Fna, where your guide can give you directions back to your hotel or you can continue exploring the mesmerizing medina on your own.

$61.74 Food & drink

Experience Marrakech: Food and Market Tour of Djemaa El Fna Including Traditional Dinner

Indulge in exotic Moroccan foods and feast your senses on the spectacle of Marrakech’s chaotic main square, Djemaa El Fna, during this unforgettable walking tour. With the help of your local guide, learn about Morocco's vibrant spices, witness the art of haggling at a local meat market, and sample local delicacies including cow’s hoof, sheep’s head andghoulal, a snail soup. Your gastronomic adventure culminates with a traditional Moroccan dinner amid the snake charmers, henna artists and fortune tellers in eye-popping Djemaa El Fna.This small-group tour is limited to 12 people to ensure more personalized attention from your guide. Begin your Moroccan food odyssey at Djemaa El Fna at 6pm, as countless food vendors begin to fill this riotous main square of Marrakech. Soak up the heady atmosphere of this UNESCO World Heritage Site before following your guide into the small side streets off the square to discover food shops and stalls most tourists don't know about. Try several varieties of olives, nuts and other popular Moroccan snacks before heading to a poultry and beef market to watch locals haggle for meat. Bargaining is very much a way of life here and observing this tradition will give you deeper insight into the local culture. Next, it’s time to visit a spice market and learn how Morocco became a spice trading center. Marvel at the myriad of colors and fragrances of spices such as saffron, cardamon, anise, cumin, paprika and turmeric, and learn how they’re used in Moroccan tagines and other dishes. Tear yourself away from the marvelous array of spices and head into the souks, or open-air markets, to discover Morocco’s many traditional breads including the pan-fried msemen and crepe-like beghrir. Dare to try Moroccan delicacies such as cow hoof, sheep’s head or ghoulal, a snail soup.Finally, after exploring the abundance of intriguing foods at Marrakech’s souks and markets, it’s time to eat! Settle down with your small group of fellow foodies to a traditional Moroccan dinner at a restaurant in the heart of Djemma El Fna as it reaches its daily crescendo of activity. Enjoy some of the best people-watching of your life as you delight in the complex flavors of your meal amid peddlers, monkeys and snake charmers.Your 3.5-hour food tour of Morocco ends here, though the unique sights, smells and tastes of Marrakech are sure to stay with you.

$594.54 Small group tours

3-Night Kasbah Experience from Marrakech

If you are starting the discovery of Morocco from Marrakech this tour is a good introduction to see colors and architecture of the desert part of Morocco, the way of construction in the south is typical made by basic material inherited from the old generations, the result of that is the number of the monuments we found edified specially the kasbah of telouet and the kasbah of Ouarzazate.many sites to discover.
$500.79 Small group tours

2-Night Desert Experience Trip from Marrakech to Fez

This tour is for all the guests who are interested to start their stay in Marrakech and finish it in Fez or in the north of Morocco, by this tour they will discover the High Atlas and Medium Atlas crossing the desert area with an experience of Berber tent and camel ride.
$799 Small group tours

Northern Morocco on a Shoestring

Modern, ancient, bohemian, sophisticated – no matter how many superlatives you can think of, Northern Morocco surpasses them all, and we’ve put together a trip that shows you all the best sights while still leaving money for bargaining in the medina. Over eight days, you’ll tour charming Tangier, old-world Fes, and the famous blue-and-white buildings of Chefchaouen, then explore mysterious Marrakech and the bustle of Djeema El Fna. If exotic magic exists anywhere in the world, trust us – it’s right here in beautifully cultured Morocco.
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