In the heart of North Africa, lies a city of souks, ancient palaces and a culture infused with Arabic, French and Berber influences – Marrakech.
I visited this city for the first time in November 2024, and was immediately enchanted.
I put together all my thoughts in a full travel vlog (see it here), but here’s a handy guide to go with it, with links to all places and services I recommend.
This blog post may contain affiliate links.
Where to stay in Marrakech
We stayed at Riad Farasha.
This riad, in the Kasbah area of Marrakech’s Medina, is a peaceful and practical base for exploring the city.
Designed to accommodate up to five people, it’s both spacious and affordable if you’re travelling with a group! We paid £600 for five nights.
The riad features a swimming pool, several comfortable seating areas and a rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the Kasbah.
Its three bedrooms are ornately decorated and some have an en-suite bathroom.
There’s also a fully equipped kitchen, though with the city’s vibrant food scene, most meals are best enjoyed out!
Airport transfers can be arranged directly with the riad for a hassle-free arrival.
Click here to see their Airbnb listing.
Where to eat in Marrakech
Kasbah Café, near the Medina, is a laid-back spot serving Moroccan staples like tagines and couscous. It’s simple and reliable if you’re after classic local flavours.
Dar Cherifa is set in one of the oldest riads in Marrakech. The courtyard dining area is a calm retreat, while the rooftop terrace offers a nice escape from the streets below. This place is part of a larger effort to restore riads and turn them into spaces for dining or boutique hotels, so it has a certain charm to it.
Juice stalls at Jemaa el-Fnaa Square are worth a stop if you fancy something fresh. They’ve got a range of options, depending on the season – I had pomegranate juice. Head to juice stall number 15, they’ll look after you!
Ayaso is a small, low-key restaurant focusing on organic dishes. There are a few decent veggie options here, and it’s a good choice if you’re after something a bit lighter.
Café des Epices sits right at the Spice Square. It’s a popular choice, especially for its rooftop seating. The menu mixes Moroccan classics with some lighter bites.
Zeitoun Café, near the Kasbah Mosque, serves up traditional Moroccan food in a more relaxed setting. Its rooftop and garden seating make it a pleasant spot for lunch or dinner.
Lastly, the food stalls at Jemaa el-Fnaa are a bit hit-and-miss. While they’re an iconic part of the square, they’re often overly touristy and can feel rushed.
Marrakech travel tips
Cash is king here – while larger restaurants and hotels might accept cards, many smaller businesses and local markets operate on a cash-only basis.
ATMs are widely available, but they often have withdrawal limits and may charge fees, so it’s worth withdrawing a larger amount at once. Dirhams are a closed currency, so you can’t secure them before you go.
Here are the exchange rates of 100 Moroccan Dirhams at the time of writing:
| Amount (Currency) | Equivalent in Other Currencies |
| 100.00 MAD | 7.92 GBP (British Pounds) |
| 100.00 MAD | 10.01 USD (US Dollars) |
| 100.00 MAD | 9.50 EUR (Euros) |
Airport and Transport
Marrakech Airport can be busy – especially at passport control, where queues often last 1-2 hours.
Be prepared for some waiting time.
Many riads offer airport transfers, which can save the hassle of navigating the Medina’s maze-like streets when you arrive. Or, you can book one like this online.
Alcohol is less common in Marrakech, as Morocco is a predominantly Muslim country. However, you can find it in licensed establishments like certain restaurants, bars and larger hotels. I loved the selection of mocktails you’ll find in many restaurants!
For staying connected, I’d recommend a physical SIM – eSIMs are pricey in Morocco, especially if you need a lot of data.
At the airport, you can pick up a SIM with Maroc Telecom with 20GB of data for around 20 euros (they didn’t accept card so bring some euros in cash – or take dirhams out at the airport).
Prices may be slightly lower if you purchase in the city. Make sure to bring your passport, as it’s required to register the SIM.
If you do want to go down the eSIM route, check out Saily, who I’ve found to be more affordable than other proviers.
Local pharmacies are very accessible and helpful for minor health concerns. Many staff speak French, and some have a decent level of English too. For anything more serious, private clinics are a better option than public hospitals.
Historical and Cultural Sites
Here are all of the main attractions in Marrakech that we saw on our day tour with local guide, Youssef.
I highly recommend his tours to learn tonnes about Marrakech’s history and culture and work out an itinerary that will easy check off all the must-visits!
Take a look at Youssef’s tours on Get Your Guide here.
Koutoubia Mosque
The Koutoubia Mosque is one of Marrakech’s most iconic landmarks – it’s easily identifiable by its towering minaret.
Built in the 12th century by the same architect behind the Giralda in Seville, it showcases Almohad design with clean lines and detailed craftsmanship.
Its name, “Koutoubia,” comes from the Arabic word for “book,” as the area was once home to a bustling book market.
Although non-Muslims cannot enter (this is the case for nearly all mosques in Morocco), it’s worth seeing the outside alone!
Bab Agnaou
This grand gateway, Bab Agnaou, is a striking piece of Marrakech’s history.
It served as the main entrance to the Kasbah, leading to royal palaces and military quarters.
The intricately carved stonework and distinct blue-grey tone set it apart from other city gates.
Medersa Ben Youssef
The Medersa Ben Youssef is a former Islamic school and a masterpiece of traditional Moroccan architecture.
Built in the 16th century, it features intricately carved cedarwood, zellij tiles and Arabic calligraphy.
At its peak, it housed up to 900 students studying theology and law.
Visitors can explore its dormitory-style rooms and the central courtyard.
Jemaa el-Fnaa Square
Jemaa el-Fnaa is the heart of Marrakech, buzzing with energy day and night.
The square is a melting pot of sights, sounds, and scents, with juice stalls, street performers and hawkers vying for attention.
While it’s an exciting place to experience local life, the restaurants here cater heavily to tourists and often lack authenticity.
Foundations of the First Mosque
The site of the first mosque in Marrakech is a significant piece of the city’s history.
Though little remains of the original structure, you can see the foundations and learn about its reconstruction to ensure alignment with Mecca.
Foundouks
Foundouks (similar to Caravanseris in Central Asia) were vital to Marrakech’s role in trans-Saharan trade.
These complexes served as rest stops for merchants, offering lodging for travellers and storage for goods.
Some foundouks also housed scales to weigh items like spices and gold.
Today, a few have been restored and repurposed into artisan workshops or cultural spaces.
Hidden Gems in Marrakech
I’ve wrote a full blog post about hidden gems in Marrakech so do check that out too, but you can find some below:
- Music Museum: A riad-turned-museum showcasing Moroccan musical heritage, with a rooftop café.
- Photography Museum: Features historic photos of Morocco and stunning rooftop views.
- Leather Souk: One of the last traditional souks, home to handmade leather goods and a unique shop selling replica footballs.
- Metalwork Souk: A noisy but fascinating market for handcrafted locks, mirrors, and ornaments.
- Traditional Bread Oven: Visit a local oven where neighbourhood bread is baked daily.
- Hammams: See behind the scenes of traditional Moroccan baths, often located next to bread ovens.
- Dar Bellarj: A peaceful cultural space showcasing Moroccan art and heritage, once a sanctuary for storks.
I explored these hidden gems with the help of local guide Youssef. His bespoke tours bring you to Marrakech’s less touristy spots.
If you’re looking for an authentic experience, I highly recommend booking a tour with him!
Are you ready to visit Marrakech?
The colourful streets, fascinating artwork and friendly culture of Marrakech is ready to welcome you! Don’t forget to save this guide and follow me on TikTok and Instagram for daily videos.
