Activities to do in Marrakech
Marrakech, Morocco is one of those cities that just captivate you! There’s a certain magic and mystery in the air here, making it a can’t-miss destination in 2025. If you’re planning a trip to Marrakech and need help finding things to do in Marrakech, Morocco, I’ve got your back! I visited this beautiful Moroccan city last year and loved it. Here’s 10 activities to do in Marrakech to make the most of your trip!
What Kind of Activities are there in Marrakech?
I truly believe that Marrakech is a city with something for everyone! Whether you’re looking for luxury experiences in Marrakech, exploring local treasures, or enjoying historic places in Marrakech, there ARE plenty of activities to do in Marrakech that will enhance your Morocco experience. From Moroccan food tours to hammams and browsing medinas, you’ll without a doubt have a rich and fun experience when visiting the city of Marrakech. That being said, you’ll want to make the most of your trip and check out these gems- my top 10 activities to do in Marrakech!
1. Jemaa el-Fnaa
If you want to experience a hotbed of Moroccan culture and capture the true energy of Marrakech, visiting Jemaa el-Fnaa square is a MUST! Jemaa el-Fnaa is the main square in the city of Morocco and is located right next to the Medina of Marrakech. Luckily, this Marrakech activity is actually free of cost (I love a good free experience during a trip!). With roots dating back to the 11th century, this area is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site for it’s intangible cultural heritage. Here, you’ll catch many glimpses of what makes Marrakech so magical.
The square is open all day, however the scene will be very different from day to night. In the daytime, you’ll find lots of open space to freely explore- in addition to the occasional vendor. The other thing you’ll find in Jemaa el-Fnaa during the day? Snake Charmers! Yes, they’re very real, and yes, they are of cultural significance in Morocco. The practice goes back centuries, and you’ll see vipers and cobras close-up.
When the sun goes down, Jemaa el-Fnaa comes alive! Truly. Numerous food stands go up- with traditional Moroccan street food such as Harira and escargot as well as fresh-squeezed juices and different teas, such as mint and 50-spice tea. The smell of delicious food and smoke will fill the air, and the square will be full of entertainment around fires. Join in on dance circles, magic tricks, and more. Just be sure to have change on you if you decide to participate in any of the entertainment, as they’ll be expecting a tip.
2. Bahia Palace
If you’re looking to see some beautiful Moroccan architecture on your visit to Marrakech, you can’t miss the beautiful Bahia Palace! Located just a short walk away from Jemaa el-Fnaa square, Bahia Palace was originally constructed to be a private residence in the 19th century for Grand Vizier Si Moussa. Passing from private to Royal hands, the palace opened for tourists in 1900 and is open daily from 9 am- 5 pm, with its busiest hours being from 10 am- 2pm. If you want to see moorish-style architecture, Bahia Palace in Marrakech is the place to be! The beautiful blue tiles, mosaics, and fountains will have your jaw on the floor- it’s a stunning place! Check out some tour options here:
3. The Medina of Marrakech
Any trip to Morocco isn’t complete without a visit to the Medina! Another UNESCO World Heritage site in Morocco, The Medina is essentially the walled Old Town of Marrakech. It consists of thousands of souks, or markets, selling a variety of items such as clothing, spices, souvenirs, and more. The two previously mentioned activities to do in Marrakech- Jemaa el-Fnaa square and Bahia Palace, are conveniently located in the Medina. You’ll also be able to see the beautiful Koutoubia Mosque and Saadian Tombs in the Old Town.
4. Hammam
Morocco is the perfect place for a spa day due to its Hammams. If you’re unsure what a Hammam is, it’s kind of like a public bath house. While it is a very relaxing, spa-like experience, it’s also a social activity deeply embedded into Morocco’s culture. It mostly depends on what exact services you book, but you’ll usually step into a steam room to relax and enjoy a sauna and an exfoliation + whole body cleanse. It can be a little uncomfortable, depending on where you go as you may not have complete privacy/modesty, in terms of both being alone and wearing clothes. I always suggest bringing a swimsuit with you, although they may not let you wear it when you go into the service (this is what happened when I went to the Hammam- they provided us with a paper bikini bottom to wear). But hey- when in Rome! We went to Les Bains de Azahara , and they did mine and my friends’ with a kessa glove and black eucalyptus soap. It was divine and some much needed relaxation. The scrubbing and treatment can be a bit intense at first, but afterwards you’ll feel immensely refreshed.
Most Hammams offer additional services, just as masks and massages. I added on an hour long whole body massage after the exfoliation treatment and it was DIVINE! Highly recommend. Do yourself a favor and book a trip to the Hamman after a long day of exploring Marrakech.
5. Moroccan Cooking Class at Chez Jafar Adouar
If you’re looking for a unique activity to do in Marrakech… look no further than Chez Jafar Adouar! Located about 40 minutes outside of central Marrakech, Chez Jafar Adouar is best described as a mix between a country club/activity park. It was created in 2017 by its namesake, Jafar, an immensely talented artist. Jafar offers a variety of activities you can do right outside of Marrakech, for interests of all kinds! From Moroccan art and crafting classes, to camel rides and ATV rides, a traditional Moroccan hammam, or even swimming in a serene and stunning pool. As an artist, Jafar will also take you on a tour of his small-scale Morocco that he made himself, capturing the authentic scenes of Moroccan cities such as the Blue City of Chefchaouen.
My recommendation for an authentic Moroccan activity at Adouar? The traditional Moroccan cooking class! You’ll first be served some delicious Moroccan Mint tea and fitted with aprons and headscarves. You’ll learn how to make bread, step-by-step, then begin cooking your own Moroccan tagine! Tagine is one of Morocco’s traditional and most popular dishes, characterized most typically as a sort of ‘stew’. It’s cooked in a Tagine- essentially a cone-shaped clay pot designed to trap moisture and enhance flavor (they say the clay traps spices and flavors of each dish you make in it; theoretically, each dish you make continues to get better and more flavorful than the last one). For our tagine, we made a lemon chicken tagine with spices, onions, and garlic. Once you learn the basic recipe, methods, and put the tagine together, the team at Adouar will bake both the bread and tagine for you while you sit back and enjoy the club. Then- you get to enjoy the authentic Moroccan meal you had so much fun making!
6. Jardin Majorelle
Looking for instagrammable places in Marrakech? This is one of them! I simply couldn’t list my top activities to do in Marrakech without mentioning the Jardin Majorelle. This garden is an expansive, lush escape in Marrakech. In it, you’ll find over 2 acres of beautiful exotic plants such as cactus, flowers, and trees, and beautiful buildings in a bold shade of blue called Majorelle Blue (trademarked by the French artist who created the gardens, Jacques Majorelle). You can also learn more about the indigenous people of North Africa, the Berbers, and their culture at the Berber Museum located within the Gardens.
Jardin Majorelle is a great place to visit in Marrakech if you’re interested in all things designer and fashion. Why? Because Yves Saint Laurent and his partner, Pierre Berge, took over the Gardens and lived just next to them in the 1980s. YSL’s ashes are located in the Gardens, and you’ll be able to visit the location where a beautiful memorial to him is. Be sure not to miss the YSL museum down the street to learn more about him!
Activities to do in Marrakech
Marrakech is such a vibrant and fun city to visit- and I hope you’ll get to experience some of the fun activities to do in Marrakech on this list! Let me know which one is at the top of your to-do list for your next trip to Marrakech!