Marrakech, Morocco

03 | What to Do

Where to Stay: a Riad in the Medina

Marrakech is full of places to stay, but I'd pick a riad over a hotel. A riad is a traditional house or palace built around an indoor garden or courtyard, usually in the old part of the city, the Medina. Most have a pool and a rooftop with views across the city. We stayed at Riad Bindoo & Spa: our room was on the ground floor right next to the pool, and breakfast was fresh and amazing every morning. The spa is next door, and a massage there is 100% worth it.

Medina & Jemaa el-Fnaa

The Medina is the old, traditional part of Marrakech, and the most touristy too: narrow streets in every direction, full of shops and places to eat. I'd give it at least one day just to wander. At one end you'll find Jemaa el-Fnaa, the huge square where everyone comes together. During the day it's quieter, with a few street vendors, juice stands and some animal "charmers" (watch out for the snakes). At night it comes alive as a massive street food market, with street performers and singers everywhere.

Jardin Majorelle

A little overrated. Entry to the gardens was cheap (we paid around £9 in 2024), but going inside the building costs extra, and the guards keep pushing people along to avoid crowds, which gets a bit annoying. Prices have since gone up (about 170 MAD in 2026), and tickets are now sold online only, so book before you go.

Bahia Palace

Definitely worth a visit. The architecture is far better than Jardin Majorelle. Check the current ticket price before you go. It gets crowded during the warmest hours, but it's still worth it.

Koutoubia Mosque

The tallest building in Marrakech, so it's hard to miss. The building is incredible, and the gardens around it are usually full of locals hiding from the sun.

Desert Tour

I've always loved this type of tour (I did one in Dubai too). Our tour included a proper camel ride of about 45 minutes, then dinner and a night show at a desert camp, with pick-up and drop-off near our accommodation. We also stopped at a women-only cooperative to try local food and cosmetics, before being taken to the shop (and yes, we bought something).

Atlas Mountains Tour

A full-day tour, as the mountains are about 1h30 from Marrakech. After another cooperative stop, we went to Setti Fadma, a small village in the mountains, and walked up to see the waterfalls and some incredible views. The village lives a lot from tourism, and we bought most of our souvenirs here. Lunch was by the river, literally: you can eat with your feet in the Ourika River. This was the tour we took, and at the time we paid £25 including lunch.

Walking Tour

We do a walking tour everywhere we go. There's no better way to get to know a place than from the locals. Our guide was Mustapha, full of knowledge about the city and Morocco in general. The tours are free, so don't forget to tip your guide.

04 | Tips & Thoughts

Safety & Scams

Marrakech felt pretty safe. I walked around with my camera day and night without any problems. People might look at your camera, but mostly because they don't want their photo taken. Still, always be aware of where you are. From day one we were told to always negotiate the price (even locals do), or you'll end up paying more than double. Also be aware that people will offer help without you asking, then ask for money.

Food & Drinks

Try the local food: there are restaurants for every budget, so go for a tagine and Moroccan couscous. A local advised us not to eat at the street food stalls. Get some fresh fruit juice too. We went to a small juice place near our riad almost every night. Just skip the avocado and milk.

Street Animals

There are at least two cats on every street. They look adorable, but none of them are vaccinated. Donkeys are still used for hard work in streets where cars aren't allowed.

Driving & Crossing the Road

There are no rules, as far as I could tell. Crosswalks are ignored, motorbikes skip traffic lights, and cars and motorbikes won't stop for you. They'll slow down and go around you, so just embrace it. If your airport taxi creates an extra lane on the motorway to skip traffic, you know you're in the right place.

Money

The local currency is the Moroccan Dirham. Apart from your accommodation and some fancier restaurants, everything is cash (some places accept euros). Take cash from a cash machine at the airport, not the exchange stand after baggage collection, which charges a lot. A Revolut card works like your card at home, with the best exchange rate possible.