The Top 8 Must-Do Activities in The Red City – OUR CROSSINGS

Last Updated on the 3rd of July, 2025

Visiting Marrakech is an unforgettable experience that blends culture, history, and stunning landscapes.

My recent trip to this vibrant Moroccan city was filled with many memorable moments. Over five days, I explored the heart of the Medina, embarked on several day trips, and immersed myself in the local culture.

Marrakesh is one of the largest cities in Morocco, home to 1 million people, and offers an incredible number of sights, places, and attractions.

In this blog post, we highlighted a few spots worth visiting.

If you are tempted to see incredibly beautiful architectural wonders and roam around the sunlit souks of Marrakech, keep on reading to see what’s in store for those heading to Marrakech.

Let’s get to it!

Taking in the sights and the smells of the pink city

How Many Days Do You Need For Marrakech

If you are planning your first trip to Marrakech and are thinking about how many days you should devote to the city, I would suggest at least a couple of days.

By now, I’ve been to Marrakech a few times and can say that, ideally, 2 – 3 days would offer a brief yet enriching experience.

If you have more time to allocate for visiting Marrakech it’s even better as it would allow you to explore the city at a more relaxed pace.

You would be able to spend longer at each attraction, linger more around the vibrant souks and even embark on a few day trips outside of the city walls.

Local vendors at the Jemaa el-Fnaa square

#1. Uncover the Magic of Bahia Palace

Bahia Palace spans over two acres and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Marrakech.

This nineteenth-century place is one of the true masterpieces of Moroccan and Islamic architecture and also one of the busiest places we visited in Marrakech.

Here, in addition to 150 rooms, you’ll also find stables, a Koranic school and even a mosque.

You’ll get a chance to marvel at displays of impressive mosaics, colourful patterns, cedar-wood carvings, stained glass windows, painted cedar ceilings and marble features.

In the pretty gardens, you’ll see a great variety of lush trees – jasmine, olive, banana, lemon as well as date palms and loads of orange trees.

It’s hard to describe precisely what you feel standing in the middle of the central courtyard with a white Carrara marble floor underneath your feet and surrounded by the intense colours and those gorgeous patterns – it’s almost like embroidery.

Address: Avenue Imam El Ghazali, Marrakech 40000, Morocco

Opening times: The palace is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (this may be subject to changes or closures during royal visits and other events).

The entrance fee is 70 dirhams per person.

*Pro Tip – Visit early in the morning to avoid crowds and experience the palace in quieter moments.

*Fun Fact – the name ‘Bahia’ translates to ‘brilliance’

The wonderful interior of Bahia Palace in Marrakech

#2. Walk around Jemaa el-Fnaa Square

If there is one place that defines this incredible city, it’s definitely Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, a big open space with an electric atmosphere.

Overlooked by the distinctive Koutoubia mosque tower, this is where you can find citrus fruit stalls, snake charmers, donkey charts and a healthy mix of foreign visitors and locals.

Horse-drawn carriages called Calèches can be found near the square and can be used to go for a ride.

Early in the morning and during the daytime, Jemaa el-Fnaa Square is much quieter than when night rolls in.

If you wish to see it at night but don’t feel like walking around on your own, put your feet up in one of the rooftop cafes (consumption is required) and watch the square transform before your eyes.

Absorb how the guys pull charts through the square to set up the food stalls for the night. Witness how the square becomes even more alive when street performers try to attract tourist attention with rhythmic music and dancing. And be prepared for an exotic mishmash of fortune tellers, henna artists and monkey-tamers.

The Jemaa el-Fnaa is the epicentre of Marrakech.

#3. Pay a visit to the Marrakech Museum

Marrakech Museum is situated just beside the Medersa Ben Youssef and to understand all the descriptions of exhibits, you will need the knowledge of French or Arabic.

Although there wasn’t much on display regarding artwork or any other exhibitions you would expect from a similar type of museum, the interior of the building was worth seeing as the wooden ceiling and tilework were stunning.

Make sure you leave the main hall behind and visit smaller rooms as well, we found lovely paintings, fountains, mosaics and decorative art objects (most of them actually were dusty and poorly arranged, nevertheless we absolutely loved it).

Opening Hours – Open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Entrance – 70 DH or 7€

#4. Explore Marrakech Souks

Marrakech Medina is enclosed by 19 kilometres of pink walls built around 1122.

Until just over 100 years ago, the whole city lived within these walls. There are plenty of things to keep you entertained in the medina; palaces, mosques, museums and souks to get lost in.

The souks of Marrakech are the largest in Morocco. The rhythm of life here is so authentic and unique that even the best adjectives are nowhere near describing this place. It has to be seen in person.

If you are a first-time visitor, it can be a bewildering experience to explore the maze of shadowy alleys and passages dotted with overflowing stalls. Each souk is named after the product being sold there, and many of the products on offer are still similar to how they would have been a hundred years ago.

Be prepared to take your time and get lost; it’s part of the city’s charm. Don’t rush; devote a few hours to slowly walking around dimly lit alleys and absorbing eye-catching patterns and colours.

Try to identify exotic aromas, be in awe of delicate-looking glassware and let the silk scarfs run through your fingers.

Spices, lanterns, jewellery, and pottery are on sale in Marrakech souks.

#5. Relax at Le Jardin Secret

Le Jardin is a historic garden and museum that offers visitors a welcome retreat from the sensory chaos of the city.

The garden is divided into two parts – an Islamic Garden and an exotic garden, each showcasing different philosophies and design elements and featuring many ponds, fountains and even a 17-metre-high tower.

By taking a walk around the green oasis, you can listen to the tinkling water, enjoy mint tea on a rooftop and observe a wide variety of trees, plants, and flowers as well as features of several terraces and courtyards.

The museum exhibits textiles, jewellery and ceramics, offering a glimpse into traditional Moroccan arts and crafts.

Once owned by the powerful U-Bihi, this place exchanged many hands before it fell into despair after the death of its last owner.

Today, Le Jardin Secret is beautifully restored to its original splendour, thanks to the combined efforts of many gardeners, architects and craftsmen and is open to the public.

Entrance – 50MAD, Panoramic Tower – 30MAD

Le Jardin Secret is two gardens joined by a narrow linking path.

#6. Embark on A Hot-Air Balloon Ride

If you want to experience Marrakech from a unique perspective, then you have to book a hot-air balloon ride.

As rides typically take place at sunrise, you’ll be able to witness incredible sunsets and also have 45 minutes to an hour, all while gliding high up in the air above the mesmerising Moroccan landscape.

Baskets are spacious and can accommodate up to 16 people. If you don’t feel like sharing an experience with strangers, you can even treat yourself to a private hot-air balloon ride.

Once you are back on the ground, you can fuel yourself up with a typical Berber breakfast in a traditional Moroccan tent.

We arrived at the crack of dawn and had a chance to witness the crew preparing a balloon for take-off, all while nibbling on pastries, tea, and coffee.

Getting there | The tour includes door-to-door round-trip transfers.

How much | The experience usually costs around 150+ euros, depending on the season.

The magical hot-air balloon ride in Marrakech

#7. Visit Madrasa Ben Youssef

Nestled in the heart of the old Medina of Marrakech, Madrasa Ben Youssef is an architectural treasure and must-see for visitors, with stunning marble sculptures and mosaics on display.

For over 500 years, Madrasa Ben Youssef has served as a temple to education and was the most important centre of learning in Marrakesh.

But as students no longer study religious subjects here, visitors can take in the school’s special ambience and wonderful Andalusian-Arabic design details.

After the school closed its doors in 1960, the building fell into neglect, and it wasn’t until 1982 that it reopened so that the public could appreciate this magnificent historic site.

One of the most beautiful parts of the building is the main courtyard with a water basin in the centre, where a fountain imparts a feeling of calm to visitors of the building.

Opening Times: Daily 9am-6pm; closed on some holidays

Address: Rue Assouel, Marrakech, 40000

#8. Stop by the Koutoubia Mosque

The Koutoubia Mosque and its 77-metre-high minaret are the most distinguished monuments in Marrakesh as no other building stands taller in the city than its minaret, a landmark that can be seen from every corner in Marrakesh.

The first stone of today’s Mosque was laid in the middle of the 11th century, and the first of the buildings that form part of this religious complex opened its doors in 1157.

While entry to the mosque is restricted to people of the Muslim faith, you can still walk around the mighty temple on the outside and admire its imposing walls and buttresses.

You can also stop by the Koutoubia Gardens, where you’ll find orange and palm trees. It’s a wonderful place to go for a stroll or relax on one of the benches.

Marrakesh’s most famous landmark. – the Koutoubia Mosque

How to set yourself up for a successful visit

It’s good to know the lifestyle and to understand the customs when going to another country for the very first time.

Fortunately, there is a wealth of useful information online, from tourist board websites to personal travel blogs, that you can use to educate yourself.

Arrange a transfer | If you are staying in one of the traditional riads within Marrakech’s old city, organise a transfer because arriving at your hotel may be a bit more complicated than you realise. Most taxi drivers will leave you outside the Medina, from where you can hire someone to help you with your bags.

Pick a good place to stay | We chose our riad located in the heart of Medina because of the great reviews and good value, both of which proved to be true. The ancient Medina is arguably one of the best places to stay in Marrakech, as many of the city’s top attractions can be found within its walls.

Hire a guide | If you are travelling solo and it’s your first time in Northern Africa, hire a guide. Some of the official guides are qualified historians who can help you acclimate if you are feeling overwhelmed.

Communication | In addition to Arabic and Berber, French is also widely spoken in Morocco. If you speak none of those languages, you’ll be OK with English.

What to wear | Showing bare shoulders and legs is frowned upon. Street harassment is common, and very often, the amount of attention that you get will depend on what you wear.

Use sun protection | The sun in Morocco can be intense throughout the year, especially during the summer months. Bring sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen.

Stunning landscape just outside of Marrakech

Where To Stay In Marrakech

Deciding where to stay in Marrakech is no easy feat, especially if it is your first time in the city.

Luckily, Marrakech has many wonderful neighbourhoods that offer a wide range of accommodations, from luxury hotels and resorts to budget-friendly hostels and traditional riads, catering to various preferences and budgets.

Staying in Medina would be the best option as that’s where you can find riads, typical Moroccan houses built around a central courtyard, often equipped with a pool and lush greenery, offering an authentic Marrakech experience.

You’ll find that many riads have been transformed into guesthouses and boutique hotels, and thoughtfully turned into a small corner of paradise where you can unwind after a busy day in Marrakech.

On the last trip, we stayed at the Riad Kasbah & Spa, and I couldn’t be happier because we had a wonderful space filled with a sun-drenched rooftop, wooden furniture, Berber rugs and a serene atmosphere.

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Now, over you!

Have you been to Marrakech? What sites did you see?

Let us know if you are planning a visit to Marrakech and have travel-related questions

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The Top 8 Must-Do Activities in The Red City – OUR CROSSINGS

How Many Days Do You Need For Marrakech

#1. Uncover the Magic of Bahia Palace

#2. Walk around Jemaa el-Fnaa Square

#3. Pay a visit to the Marrakech Museum

#4. Explore Marrakech Souks

#5. Relax at Le Jardin Secret

#6. Embark on A Hot-Air Balloon Ride

#7. Visit Madrasa Ben Youssef

#8. Stop by the Koutoubia Mosque

How to set yourself up for a successful visit

Where To Stay In Marrakech

Now, over you!

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