If you are planning a vacation in Morocco, then Marrakech is the place to start your fascinating journey. It’s a beautiful city with historical attractions, great restaurants, and friendly people. The city is full of life, with countless restaurants and cafes, bustling markets, and souks. In addition, the Medina of Marrakech is also renowned for their historic riads and landmarks, making it one of Morroco’s popular tourist destinations.

Best Time to Visit

The best times to visit Marrakech are from March to May and fall from September to November. During this period, temperatures are mild, between 68 F – 78 F during the day, and night temperatures fells to the 50s. Hotel rates are also reasonable. However, I would avoid the hot season between July and August when the temperature may soar above 96 F.

How To Get there

By Air to Marrakech

There are daily direct flights from Casablanca, Europe, and the middle east to Marrakesh Menara Airport (IATA: RAK).

Train to Marrakech from Casablanca

There is a relaxing train service to Marrakech from Casablanca. Between 4:00 am and 10:00 pm, trains leave Casa Voyageurs Railway station, Casablanca, to Marrakech every 2 hours. The usual travel time is approximately 3 hours 30 minutes. A first-class ticket is about US$22.00, which guarantees you a seat. The first class has six seats per compartment, and the seats are more comfortable than 2nd class. I could not buy the ticket in advance from outside the country but didn’t have any problem getting a seat when purchasing at the counter.

marrakesh
Train from Casablanca to Marrakech

Bus to Marrakesh

There is a comfortable bus service to Marrakech from different cities; check out the CTM bus schedule and cost online. 

How To Get Around

There are plenty of taxis in Marrakech, but none are metered, so you need to negotiate the fare before hiring one. A taxi to/from Airport should not cost more than 100 Moroccan dirhams (9.20 Dirham = 1 US$). 

Visa – Requirement

For US Citizens, you must have a valid passport with at least one blank page. Visas are not required for visits lasting less than 90 days. Check your visa requirement based on the county of citizenship.

10 Top Things To Do In Marrakech

Visit Jardin Majorelle Garden

The Majorelle Garden is a two-and-a-half-acre botanical garden and artist’s landscape garden in Marrakech. Collections of cacti, exotic plants, and trees are landscaped to emphasize each one’s unique beauty. The iconic La Jardin Majorelle is one of the most popular tourist attractions and is definitely a must-do in Marrakech.

Jardin Majorelle Garden
Inside the Jardin Majorelle Garden, Marrakech
Marrakech
One of the popular destinations in Marrakech

Must Visit Koutoubia Mosque

The Koutoubia Mosque is the largest in Marrakesh. Located next to Djemaa el Fna Square, it is one of the iconic landmarks that must be visited while in Marrakech. 

The Koutoubia Mosque
The Koutoubia Mosque is the largest mosque in Marrakesh

Visit Jemaa El-Fna square (night market )

Jamaa el Fna is a square you need to visit both during the day as well as at night. By day, most of the square is just an ample open space, in which we saw a handful of snake charmers playing their cobras with flutes, a few medicine men, tooth-pullers, and others performing their unique activities to attract your attention.

Jemaa El-Fna
Jemaa El-Fna market gets busy at night

At dusk, the square gets its authentic look when it gradually fills up with people and restaurants all around, and they try to sell their food to passers-by—a scene you definitely need to experience. It’s also a great idea to go over to the rooftop restaurants around the squire for a beautiful view from the top.

Jemaa El-Fna night market
A view of Jemaa El-Fna night market from the nearby rooftop restaurant.

Visit Ben Youssef Madrasa inside the Medina

The Ben Youssef Madrasa is an Islamic college in Marrakesh, named after the Almoravid sultan Ali ibn Yusuf, who expanded the city and its influence considerably. It is the largest madrasa in all of Morocco. It was a challenge for me to walk through the narrow lanes of Madena (the old city) and get there without getting lost. 

Ben Youssef Madrasa
In the neighborhood of Ben Youssef Madrasa in Marrakech

Visit Souks in Marrakech for Shopping Experience

The heartbeat of Marrakesh is undoubtedly the market or Souks inside the historical median (in the old city). It’s a great place to explore and experience how for thousands of years, the neighborhood has acted as a thriving central hub for trade and commerce without very little change.

Spice market
Spice market in Marrakech’s Medina (the old city)

Visit Bahia Palace of Marrakech

The Bahia Palace is located in the Medina of Marrakech. It was built in the late 19th century and aimed to be the most magnificent palace with many gardens of its time—within walkable distance from Jamaa el Fna square.

Bahia Palace
Inside the Bahia Palace of Marrakech

Visit Bab Agnaou, One of the 19 Gates

Bab Agnaou is one of the 19 gates of the Marrakech medina and was built in the 12th century during the Almohad dynasty. It gives entrance to the Royal Kasbah neighborhood in the southern part of the Marrakech Medina. 

Bab Agnaou
Bab Agnaou – one of the nineteen gates of Marrakesh, Morocco

Explore Madina The UNESCO World Heritage Site Madina

Marrakech’s Medina (old city) is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Medina of Marrakesh. Founded in 1070–72 by the Almoravids, Marrakesh remained a political, economic, and cultural center for a long period. Its influence was felt throughout the western Muslim world, from North Africa to Andalusia.

Median of Marrakech
Medina (the old city) is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Marrakech.

Learn How To Cook Tagine at La Maison Arabe Restaurant

We took a Moroccan traditional cooking class at La Maison Arabe restaurant. The workshops were designed for the amateur and professional alike. At the end of our workshop, we dined on the chicken tagine that we had prepared. 

chicken tagine
Learning how to cook chicken tagine with apricot with Moroccan spices

Where to stay in Marrakech, Morocco

Palm Plaza Hotel & Spa, Marrakech

This luxury resort is located in Agdal, a new residential district in Marrakech. Palm Plaza Hotel features comfortable rooms and suites. Some feature a terrace. Savor exotic dishes in the hotel’s restaurant. Have a snack in the pool bar. In the evening, have a quiet time in the piano bar or an exciting night in the nightclub.

Riad Mouna, Marrakech

In Marrakech’s Medina, a 5-minute walk from Jamaâ El Fna Square and Koutoubia Mosque, this air-conditioned Riad Mouna features a rooftop terrace with sunbeds, a small pool, and views of the local area. It proposes a hammam and massages. Decorated with elements of Moroccan design, all include a private bathroom, and suites also have a seating area with a flat-screen TV. The Riad is a 15-minute walk from Ben Youssef Madrasa. Marrakech Menara Airport is 15 minutes drive, and Marrakech Train Station is a 10-minute drive. The Bahia and El Badi Palaces are 2,300 feet away.

My Opinion and Last Word

Have you been to Marrakech, Morocco? Any cool tips to share?

I loved being in Marrakech, Morocco, and want to go back again. I hope my story has motivated you to visit Morocco.

Please leave a comment below! I’d love to hear from you to improve my knowledge. 

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Hasan Mahmud

Traveler, Blogger, and Travel Photographer!

This Post Has 9 Comments

  1. Rusafa

    Great post! Will share with my friends!!

    1. DZTraveler

      Thank you for the comment!

  2. Armand

    indeed a fascinating journey. superb photos!

    1. Hasan Mahmud

      Thank you for the encouraging comments, appreciate it!

  3. Morocco tours

    A great article, thank you so much for sharing 🙂

    1. Hasan Mahmud

      Happy that you found the article great, appreciate your time posing the nice comment for me. 🙂

  4. It’s a great post Mr Mahmud and welcomes back again to Morocco, we would love to share such beautiful places that your friends may like to discover it.

    1. Hasan Mahmud

      Thank you so much for your comment, definitely I would love to visit Morocco again!!

  5. Sarah

    A great article, thank you so much for sharing!!

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