Is Marrakech Worth Visiting? – 11 Reasons to Visit in 2024

If you’re traveling to Morocco and wondering, “is Marrakech worth visiting?” then the short answer is yes, a thousand times yes. 

I live here and have been to some of the most beautiful cities in Morocco and Marrakech is easily one of my favorites. 

The Medina retains this old world charm that transports you to another time as you walk past handmade rugs, vibrant tajines, colorful spices, glowing lanterns, and full-on snake charmers in Jemaa El Fna square. 

Plus, you can spend the night in an authentic Moroccan riad with a pool (great for those hot days of summer) and enjoy one of the most truly Moroccan experiences ever. 

But, this article will dive into all of the many reasons why you should visit Marrakech – trust me, there are a bunch.

I’ll also mention some of the annoying things about Marrakech and give you local tips on how to deal with them.

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Is Marrakech Worth Visiting: The Short Answer

Please, please, please visit Marrakech and plan at least a one day Marrakech itinerary if you are heading to Morocco. The souks of the old Medina are absolutely amazing. 

Plus, there are a ton of cool sites for you to explore, like Badi Palace, Ben Youssef Madrasa, Jardin Marjorelle, and more. 

You can also watch the sunset from a rooftop restaurant and enjoy sweeping panoramas of the city. Just don’t leave without grabbing a delicious coffee from Bacha Coffee. 

Is Maarakech Worth Visiting? Reasons To Visit Marrakech

1. It’s Affordable

So, Marrakech is definitely not the cheapest city in Morocco. In fact, because it’s touristy, it’s easy one of the more expensive cities in Morocco – especially for Moroccans. 

However, Morocco on the whole is a lot more affordable than most countries in the western world. 

So, if you have a meal at a sit down restaurant, you’ll probably spend around 100 Dirham ($10.00) per person. If you go to a more upscale restaurant, the price will increase to maybe 200 Dirham ($20.00) per person. 

That is still way cheaper than anything I would get at home and you can definitely save money by grabbing some street food instead. 

Hotels/riads are also rather affordable and you can get a bed in a hostel for as little as $12.00 a night. Otherwise, private rooms in riads start at around $40.00 per night and go up from there. 

So, Is Marrakech worth visiting? If you are on a budget or just want to travel somewhere where your money will go a long way then Marrakech is a great option. 

2. It’s Nice and Warm

Is Marrakech worth visiting? A lot of people love traveling to Marrakech because of the climate. See, Marrakech sits in a giant desert. So, it never really gets super cold. 

In fact, in the coldest months, highs are around 65 F while lows dip down to 40 F. So, you won’t be swimming in the dead of winter, but can still walk around in a t-shirt and pants during the day. 

That being said, the best time to visit Marrakech is April through May and October through November. The weather is warm but not insanely hot. Plus, it’s not quite peak season yet. 

So, you won’t feel like you are packed into the Medina with 10,000 other people. 

Local Tip; Do NOT visit Marrakech in the summer unless all you want to do is sit by the pool. Highs regularly hit 100 F and it is just a miserable time to visit. 

Plus, AC at most places in the city is not super powerful. So, definitely avoid visiting at this time of year if you can. 

3. The Medina is Amazing

The ancient medina of Marrakech, encircled by towering walls, is a vibrant labyrinth of alleys and streets that are lively to say the least.

As North Africa’s most extensive medina, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with meets enthusiastic merchants, magnificent Moorish-style doors, and impressive historic sites.

Navigating the medina on foot is a true adventure, presenting the dual challenge and delight of perpetually feeling lost among the many souks of Marrakech.

During your visit, explore the botanical oasis of Jardin Secret, explore the famed Bahia Palace of the 19th century, or track down the pungent odor of the traditional leather tanneries on Rue de Bab Debbagh.

All paths eventually lead to the heart of the medina, the iconic Jemaa el-Fnaa square, where the city really comes alive. 

Once the sun sets, the square transforms into a cultural hub with a mosaic of performers—musicians, henna painters, and belly dancers—all adding to the square’s magnetic allure.

4. You Can Stay at a Stunning Riad

Riads in Marrakech are much more than a place to stay — they stand as breathtaking masterpieces of artistry and design. 

These authentic Moroccan buildings are treasured for their distinctive features: elaborate, mosaic tiles, intricate archways, towering columns, tranquil plunge pools, and colorful accents complemented by soft, luxurious cushions. 

Riads are designed with seclusion in mind, with inward-facing balconies and windows that open towards a serene courtyard sanctuary. 

These spaces offer a quiet retreat and a chance to engage closely with the local hosts, perhaps while enjoying a hands-on cooking lesson or sipping on a sweet mint tea that is affectionately referred to by local as ‘Berber whiskey.’ 

Just be sure to head to the roof for stunning views since the city’s medina restricts buildings to palm tree height. It’s a great place to enjoy unobstructed panoramas of the city’s dramatic red sunsets.

5. You Can Explore the Souks and Go Shopping

Marrakech’s central souk is a diverse and vibrant marketplace, neatly laid out to showcase an assortment of merchandise. 

Wander through the stalls and admire handcrafted purses, sample freshly-picked olives, marvel at local jewelry, and purchase native saffron as a unique Marrakech souvenir (just make sure you’re actually allowed to bring it back home). 

Dive into the souk’s extensive labyrinth of streets and engage with local artisans or fine tune your bargaining skills. 

For those keen on exploring Marrakech hidden gems, turn your attention to Bab El Khemis.

On Thursdays, this local flea market comes alive and fills up with budget-friendly, pre-loved treasures like intricately carved chests and vintage riad keys.

Is Marrakech worth visiting? If you love shopping then this is the place for you!

6. Stand in Awe of Local Architecture and Mosaics

Marrakech is renowned for its elaborate mosaic work, which adorns fountains in hidden alleys and the interior of Saadian tombs, which remained unseen for centuries. 

The city is a tapestry of lavish designs, featuring an assortment of colors. Every pattern is painstakingly painted, meticulously cut, and placed by hand, ensuring that no two are alike. 

Therefore, one of the many reasons to visit Marrakech is to thereby enjoy the unique charm and beauty of your surroundings. 

From afar, the blue tiles of Koutoubia mosque catch the eye, and up close, the Ben Youssef Madrasa, an ancient Islamic college, captivates with its complex, colorful art. 

These mesmerizing mosaics invite you to look closer, admire their minutiae, and immerse yourself in the incredible history of this amazing city. That should answer your question ‘Is Marrakech worth visiting?’.

7. You Can Go on a Ton of Epic Day Trips

Because of the city’s amazing location, you are able to go on a ton of cool day trips from Marrakech. 

So, even if you are only planning a short 5-day Morocco itinerary, you can still hike through the Atlas Mountains, spend the day in Essaouira on the beach, go stargazing in the Agafay Desert, or ride a hot air balloon in Marrakech near the Palmerie.

Trust me, Marrakech is a perfect home base from which to enjoy a ton of really cool day trips. So, get out of the city and get out into nature.

Plus, you’ll love that many of these tours are well-priced and will only cost between $20.00 and $40.00 per person. I love doing a fun Agafay Desert tour and think it’s a great way to spend the day.

If you want, you could even try some of the best quad biking in Marrakech while you’re here.

Local Tip: If you have a bit of extra time and cash then spend the night at a luxurious camp in the Agafay Desert.

8. You Can Relax at the Hammam

In Marrakech, the hammam is an essential cultural experience, cherished by both visitors and locals alike. 

If you decide to indulge in this age old tradition, you can enjoy an exfoliating treatment within the steamy chambers of a luxurious spa or a communal bathhouse. 

Be sure to use traditional black soap and a ‘kessa/kess’ glove for scrubbing or allow attendants at luxurious day spas to perform a series of age-old cleansing rituals. 

While nudity is part of bathing in these gender-separated spaces, some people opt to wear swimwear. 

Regardless of what you wear, hammams in Marrakech are a place for purification and tp build a sense of community. 

9. For the Delicious Food

What I love about Marrakech is that there is a ton of amazing food to try, especially if you’re vegan since many dishes are totally plant-based.

So, embark on a whirlwind culinary journey and get ready to try signature dishes like tagine and couscous as well as local delicacies like tanjia, harira, pastilla, briouates, msemen, and mint tea.

Additionally, Marrakech is well-known for its vibrant street food scene and you can experience some of it at the food stalls in Jemaa El Fna Square.

Here, you can sample local treats like kefta or merguez skewers, snails, mechoui, or even sheep’s head.

However, if you enjoy fine dining then you’re in luck because Marrakech is also home to some ot the best restaurants in the world, like Nobu, The Pavilion at La Mamounia, and more!

You can also head to some of the best places for brunch in Marrakech and enjoy western-style brunch too.

10. Visit Beautiful Gardens and Park

Bathed in perpetual sunshine, Marrakech is home to a wealth of serene parks and gardens that offer visits an escape from the chaos or the city. 

Among them, the renowned Majorelle Garden stands out since it was crafted by the French painter Jacque Majorelle and is home to his iconic blue house. 

It gained further fame under the stewardship of fashion icon Yves Saint Laurent, who transformed it into a vibrant retreat. 

Meanwhile, Arsat Moulay Abdeslam, or Cyber Park, is a popular spot among visitors due to its ample relaxation areas and complimentary Wi-Fi. 

For those wishing to unplug, the Palmeraie sanctuary is an idyllic getaway situated at the edge ot the city. 

It has minimal crowds and is a great place to go if you want to walk among a cool palm tree forest. 

11. The Hospitality

Vendors can be a bit pushy and there are some scams that you need to watch out for. But, most Moroccans are very friendly. 

They will warmly welcome you and ask you to sit down for a cup of mint tea and a cookie. You can also ask locals for directions (outside the medina) or help if you need it. 

My partner couldn’t use his cellphone one time and locals were very happy to give him their phone to make a call. 

So, expect a warm greeting from most of the people you meet. Just be cautious inside the medina since there are many scams there. 

What To Watch Out for When Visiting Marrakech

Scams

When you are making your way around the Medina, do not accept directions or help from locals. You may think they are being kind but 9 times out of 10 it is a scam. 

Sometimes they lead you in the wrong direction and take you somewhere to buy something.

Other times they take you where you want to go but then demand a ton of money from you upon arrival. 

Either way, just avoid help with directions while you’re in the medina. Just download an offline app or use your GPS to get where you need to go. 

Additionally, be cautious when shopping in the souks. A lot of jewelry and antiques here are not genuine, but they will charge you like they are. 

So, unless you know what you are doing, I would avoid buying these items in the Medina. 

Catcalling 

TBH, the catcalling in Marrakech wasn’t as bad as it was in places like Fes where I got hit on upwards of 20 times a day. 

However, if you are a woman and you walk around Marrakech alone then you will receive a lot of male attention. 

It is just a cultural thing and you can cover yourself up from head to toe and still get a ton of unwanted attention. It is also usually annoying but harmless. 

So, if you make it clear you are not interested or just keep walking then they will usually get the hint and leave you alone. You can also plan out a conservative Marrakech wardrobe that could help reduce unwanted attention.

You could also wear headphones (semi-effective) or walk around with other people as part of a tour. You could also make friends at a hostel and walk around with them. 

I traveled all over Morocco solo and found that the best way to avoid catcalling is to walk around with another man, even if he is just a friend and you are part of a group. 

I did walk around with other women and we still received a fair amount of unwanted attention. 

Eating at the Stalls in Jemaa El Fna Square

I tend to eat at places with a set menu so that I know exactly how much I will be spending on my meal. 

But, some visitors have had a problem with food vendors in Jemaa El Fna Square overchargning them for street food. 

Essentially, you sit down at a stall, order some food, and they charge you for a ton of things you didn’t order. 

To prevent this, join an organized food tour or just ask how much things are before you sit down to eat. 

You Need Cash

Like most of Morocco, Marrakech is a very cash-based city. It’s a bit annoying because you’ll have to go to a bank ATM and withdraw local Dirham so that you can pay for things. 

I also just hate carrying a ton cash because if someone steals my stuff then I have no way of getting it back. 

This is why I carry only what I need for the day and leave my other valuables in the safe back at my hotel. 

That being said, Marrakech is much more card friendly than most other cities in Morocco. So, you can definitely use a card to pay for things at large hotels, nicer restaurants, big grocery stores, etc.

Local Tip: I would withdraw a large amount of Dirham in Marrakech so that you don’t have to keep going back to the ATM and paying for foreign transaction fees.  

I found that many smaller cities have much lower withdrawal limits. So, you’ll need to keep keep going back to the ATM to withdraw more and more money since you’ll need cash at all times in Morocco. 

Why Visit Marrakech FAQs

How Many Days Do You Need in Marrakech?

Spend between 2 days in Marrakech or 3 days in Marrakech. This way you can enjoy all that the city has to offer, but at a much more relaxed pace. You can also go on a cool day trip if you have time. 

Is Marrakech Better than Casablanca?

Yes, Marrakech is WAY better than Casablanca IMHO. I found Casablanca to be much dirtier and to be more unsafe. 

Casablanca is also a much bigger city so it can be challenging to get from one place to another as you make your way around the city. In contrast, Marrakech is very walkable and you don’t have to worry as much about thieves. 

What’s So Special About Marrakesh?

Marrakech is special because the Medina is a super cool UNESCO World Heritage Site that instantly transports you to another world and time. 

Additionally, the city is one of the busiest on the continent, with Jemaa el-Fnaa being the busiest square in Africa. So, Marrakech is a major economic and cultural center too. 

Is Marrakech Very Touristy?

Yes, Marrakech is very touristy. But, if you visit one of the many hidden gems in Marrakech then you can get away from some of the tourists. 

What to Avoid in Marrakesh?

• Accepting help from anyone on the street since it’s usually a scam.
• Getting scammed by a taxi driver. Ask your hotel/riad about the price first. 
• Pay the first price asked for. Always haggle and remember that they charge foreigners more. 
• Don’t wear Babouche for walking. These sandals are great but not for walking all over the place. 
• Don’t take photos with the snake charmers in the main square. They will demand you pay them a lot of money. 
• Don’t have just a card. Always have cash on you. 
• Don’t forget you’re in a Muslim country and do respect local customs. .

When Not to go to Marrakech?

Don’t go to Marrakech in the summer. It is beyond hot and it is very easy to get dehydrated. Plus, many local businesses don’t have the best AC systems to help cool you down. 

That wraps up this guide and hope I thoroughly answered the question, “Is Marrakech worth visiting?”

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