Koutoubia Mosque minaret framed by palm trees in Marrakech – Marrakech Travel Guide — Koutoubia Mosque minaret framed by palm trees in Marrakech. Marrakech, Morocco: a view from our travel guide.

Marrakech Travel Guide · A city of colours, culture and life

Marrakech: The Red City at Its Best

Ancient walls, busy souks, quiet riads and the High Atlas on the horizon: Marrakech is where most journeys through southern Morocco begin.

Destination overview

The Essence of Marrakech

Marrakech has been a meeting point for caravans, traders and travellers for almost a thousand years, and it still feels like one. The medina is a maze of covered souks, workshops and small squares that all lead, sooner or later, to Jemaa el-Fna, the great square that fills with food stalls, musicians and storytellers every evening. Behind plain doors are riads with tiled courtyards and orange trees, and above the rooftops rises the minaret of the Koutoubia.

Beyond the walls the city opens into gardens, palm groves and wide avenues, with the snow line of the High Atlas visible on clear days. That position is what makes Marrakech such a good base: the mountains are an hour away, the Atlantic at Essaouira under three, and the road over the Tizi n’Tichka pass leads to Ait Ben Haddou, the valleys of the south and the Sahara.

The Menara pavilion and its pool at sunset in Marrakech. One of the sights in our Marrakech travel guide.

Brass lanterns glowing in a Marrakech souk. A corner of Marrakech worth the journey.

A riad courtyard with a tiled pool in the Marrakech medina. Marrakech, Morocco: a view from our travel guide.

Quick Facts

RegionMarrakech-Safi
Ideal stay2 to 3 days
Best seasonMarch to May, September to November
Famous forMedina, souks, palaces and gardens

Iconic landmarks

Must-See Places in Marrakech

Jemaa el-Fna Square

The beating heart of the medina

Koutoubia Mosque

The 12th-century symbol of the city

Bahia Palace

Painted ceilings and tiled courtyards

Ben Youssef Madrasa

A masterpiece of carved cedar and stucco

El Badi Palace

The vast ruins of a Saadian palace

The Souks

A maze of crafts, colours and workshops

Unique experiences

Experience Marrakech Your Way

Guided Medina Walk – Hidden corners and workshops with a local guide. One of the sights in our Marrakech travel guide.

Moroccan Cooking & Food – Tagines, spices and a market visit. A corner of Marrakech worth the journey.

Hot-Air Balloon Flight – Sunrise over the plain with Atlas views. Marrakech, Morocco: a view from our travel guide.

Atlas Mountains Day Trip – Amazigh villages and terraced valleys at Imlil. One of the sights in our Marrakech travel guide.

Ouzoud Waterfalls – A full day out to Morocco's tallest falls — Ouzoud Waterfalls – A full day out to Morocco’s tallest falls. A corner of Marrakech worth the journey.

Featured tours

Popular Tours from Marrakech

Travellers riding camels across the Erg Chebbi dunes on a Marrakech to Merzouga tour. Marrakech, Morocco: a view from our travel guide.

3-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour

Marrakech · Dades Valley · Merzouga · Marrakech

Price On request

Palm groves and earthen kasbahs in the Dades Valley on the road to the Sahara. One of the sights in our Marrakech travel guide.

4-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour

Marrakech · Dades Valley · Merzouga · Ait Ben Haddou · Marrakech

Travellers riding camels through the Sahara dunes under a cloudy sky. A corner of Marrakech worth the journey.

5-Day Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour via Merzouga

Marrakech · Dades Valley · Merzouga · Fes

Explore Marrakech

Interactive Map

Discover the main attractions, neighbourhoods and nearby places to help you plan your visit.

Travel guide

When to Visit Marrakech

Marrakech can be visited all year. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons, summer afternoons are very hot, and winter days are mild and sunny with cold nights.

SpringMar – MayWarm days, gardens in bloom
SummerJun – AugVery hot; plan early starts
AutumnSep – NovIdeal weather, golden light
WinterDec – FebMild sunny days, cold nights

Useful Travel Tips

Dress modestly in the medina, with shoulders and knees covered
Wear comfortable shoes; the souks are best explored on foot
Carry water and take a midday break in summer
Agree a price before a taxi ride, a photo or a purchase

Travel blog

Stories from Marrakech

10 Things to Do in Marrakech for First-Time Visitors

Travel guideRead More

A Complete Guide to the Souks of Marrakech

When to Visit Marrakech: A Season-by-Season Guide

Frequently asked questions

Marrakech Travel Guide: Frequently Asked Questions

How many days should I spend in Marrakech?

Two full days cover the main monuments, the souks and an evening on Jemaa el-Fna. Add a third day if you want a day trip to the Atlas Mountains, Essaouira or the Ouzoud waterfalls.

What is the best time to visit Marrakech?

March to May and September to November have warm days and comfortable evenings. July and August regularly pass 40°C, and December to February is mild by day but cold at night.

Do I need a guide to visit the medina?

You can walk the medina on your own, but a licensed local guide saves time, explains what you are looking at and finds the workshops and courtyards most visitors walk straight past. Half a day with a guide is usually enough.

How far is the Sahara from Marrakech?

The dunes of Erg Chebbi at Merzouga are about 560 km away, a full day of driving, so we recommend at least three days for a desert tour, with a night in the Dades Valley on the way.

Is Marrakech safe for visitors?

Yes. Marrakech is used to welcoming travellers and serious problems are rare. Take the same care you would anywhere: keep valuables out of sight in busy places and agree prices in advance. On a private tour your driver-guide is with you throughout the journey.

Can you include Marrakech in a private tour?

Yes. Marrakech features in many of our private tours, and every itinerary can be adjusted. Tell us how long you would like to stay and we will build the route around it.

A traveller sitting on a dune as the sun sets over the Sahara. Marrakech, Morocco: a view from our travel guide.

Ready for your journey?

Make Marrakech Part of Your Morocco Story

Let us create a private itinerary around Marrakech, with the stops, pace and accommodation that suit you.

More than a trip…it’s a feeling

Planning your trip? For official information about Morocco, visit Visit Morocco, the website of the Moroccan National Tourist Office.