The Ultimate Travel Guide for Marrakech, Morocco (Itinerary included!)
Things to know before you go
I visited Morocco in June 2024. Since it was the start of summer, the weather was not too hot but still bright and sunny, making it the perfect time to go. The best time to visit Morocco is during spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November). The hottest months are July and August, so I recommend avoiding travel during those months to prevent overheating.
I would also reconsider traveling during Ramadan. Because Morocco is a Muslim country, it may be harder to find restaurants open, have access to certain entertainment, and other restrictions. It’s also important to dress modestly while in Morocco, especially during Ramadan.
Flights
For tips on how to find the best affordable flights read my blog post: “How to Use Google Flights to Find the Best Deals“.
Accommodation: Hotel vs. Riad/Airbnb
During my trip to Marrakech, I chose to stay in a riad. A riad is a traditional Moroccan home designed with a central courtyard, garden, or fountain. From the outside, riads often appear simple, but once you step inside, you’re welcomed into a beautifully designed, spacious home. I went on this trip with four other girls, making a total of five of us. I chose a riad so everyone could have their own room and bathroom while staying in the same shared space.
I booked the Nomada Riad on Airbnb, and it was the perfect place for my stay. The riad had five bedrooms, each with an ensuite bathroom, providing both comfort and privacy. One of the best perks? Daily breakfast was prepared by the housekeeper, and it was a great way to start each morning before heading out to explore Marrakech. Our housekeeper also kept our rooms clean throughout our stay and did our laundry before we traveled back to the US.
Hotel vs. Riad: Which One is Right for You?
If you prefer hotels over riads/airbnbs, Marrakech has plenty of beautiful and affordable options. While I didn’t stay in a hotel myself, I noticed that many of them include breakfast, either as a buffet or made-to-order meal. This is something worth considering when choosing your accommodation. I think hotels are a great option specifically for smaller groups like a duo or trio.
If you’re planning a trip to Marrakech and want a more authentic and immersive experience, I highly recommend staying in a riad. It allows you to appreciate Moroccan architecture and hospitality in a way that hotels simply can’t replicate. Check out my post on how to find the best Airbnbs so you can book the best riad.
👉 Check out a tour of our riad here: [Riad Tour]
Excursions
Here are the things I did in Marrakech and my experience:
We started our desert adventure with helmets and goggles, followed by a quick briefing on how to use the quad bikes. After snapping a few photos, we hit the desert. We stopped at some hills where each of us took turns riding and feeling the thrill of the mini sand dunes. After a short break with tea and bread, we continued our journey through a beautiful desert area filled with palm trees. Our guide took some amazing photos and videos of us. We got sand and dirt all over us, but they dusted us off at the end, leaving us feeling almost brand new. I highly recommend this experience.
2. Hot Air Balloon Flight and Camel Riding
I booked this on Airbnb experiences, and it included roundtrip transportation, the hot balloon ride, breakfast, and a camel ride. We were picked up early and enjoyed a light breakfast of croissants and drinks before the ride. Even though the day was cloudy, the views were still stunning, and we got some amazing pictures. Bring a digital camera if you can. After the balloon ride, we had tea and a big traditional Moroccan breakfast served before heading to the camel area. We rode camels for about 10-15 minutes before returning home. I’d definitely recommend this!
This cooking class was the highlight of our trip. We were welcomed into our host’s home with a lovely breakfast. Then we went to the local market to pick out fresh vegetables and ingredients for our dishes. Our host was friendly, funny, and very knowledgeable. They also offered vegetarian options. The food we made there was the best we had in Marrakech, and they even helped us arrange a taxi back to our riad at a reasonable price. This is a must do!
4. Jardin Majorelle & YSL Museum
For about $30, you can visit both the Jardin Majorelle and the YSL Museum by booking a combined ticket. The gardens are beautiful, though it can get crowded with people taking pictures. Be patient, enjoy the scenery, and take your turn for photos. The YSL museum doesn’t allow photos inside, but it’s worth seeing the exhibits and learning about the history of Yves Saint Laurents pieces.
Ouzoud Waterfalls is a three-hour drive from Marrakech, but it’s well worth it. This excursion included roundtrip transportation, a guide for the short hike, and a boat ride to get closer to the waterfalls. Our guide brought us through the hike and was very informative. There is a stop in between where you’ll learn about argan oil and how it’s made.
Food is not included but they give you time to eat after a quick boat ride. The “restaurant” overlooks the waterfall. The food options were couscous, or chicken skewers and fries for around $14 per person. Make sure to bring cash (in their currency: MAD).
6. Jemaa el-Fnaa Market (FREE)
Jemaa el-Fnaa is Marrakech’s vibrant shopping and market area. It’s free to explore, but how much you spend depends on your haggling skills. The market is especially beautiful at sunset. It’s worth visiting multiple times if you have the chance to do so.
If you’re looking for relaxation, I highly recommend a day pass at Es Saadi Palace. They have multiple spa packages to choose from but we chose option three. This included an choice of a 45-minute hammam, 30-minute facial, or 30 min massage along with a three-course meal, and access to both their indoor and outdoor pools for the day for $120. The experience was peaceful and calming. This was a perfect way to unwind before our flight home. Be sure to book in advance, as they don’t accept walk-ins. You can email or call them to make a reservation. Their contact information can be found on their website when you click the link above.
Extras:
Here’s a short list of things I didn’t have time to do but I would recommend
- Bahia Palace ($7)
- pay in person with cash
- Ziplining and Atlas Mountain Hike
- Beach Clubs
- Nikki beach
- The Famous Beach
Food
Breakfast was served daily at our riad so we didn’t have to eat out for that. It was a great way to start each morning with fresh breads, local jams, mint tea, yogurt, eggs, and more.
Below are the restaurants I visited along with some that I would recommend based off of my research. I recommend making a reservation ahead of time to avoid being turned away or having a long wait time.
- Located in the heart of Jemma el-Fnaa square
- Great service and traditional Moroccan food
- Perfect for people-watching with a lively market view
- Great for lunch
- Garden-style restaurant with greenery and pink accents
- Ideal for both brunch and dinner
- Stylish and peaceful atmosphere
- Reservation recommended!!
- Romantic and aesthetic setting
- Serves Italian cuisine with delicious pasta dishes
- Perfect for a date night or elegant dinner
- Reservation required!!
- Lively and upbeat vibe
- Features interactive entertainment like live music and dance performances
- Great spot for a fun night out
- Reservation required!!
- Rooftop restaurant with stunning sunset views
- Relaxed ambiance, great for dinner and cocktails
- Reservation required!!
- Known for its entertainment: belly dancing and live shows
- Unfortunately, the food was underwhelming and the service was very slow
- While the show was enjoyable, I wouldn’t recommend it overall
- Reservation required!!
Additional Food Recommendations
I didn’t try these personally, but they I had them on my list and they were recommended. These are worth checking out based on your preferences, but be sure to read the reviews.
- Rooftop spot with a trendy, modern vibe
- Offers cocktails and light appetizers
- Moroccan fusion
- Rooftop seating with great city views
- Well-known spot serving modern Moroccan cuisine
- Vegetarian-friendly options available
- Rooftop dining with Instagram-worthy views
- Cozy café located in the spice market
- Casual menu, perfect for a quick bite or tea break
- Great for taking in the medina’s atmosphere
Comptoir Darna (dinner with a show)
- Classic dinner-and-show venue
- Has belly dancers, DJs, and vibrant nightlife energy
- A popular choice for an exciting night out
Exchanging Money
Hotel Ali is the best place to exchange your money once you arrive to Marrakech. Make sure to add up the money they give you in front of them so you know you got the full amount. Also, if possible ask for a receipt.
Transportation
For airport transportation I chose to go through my airbnb/riad host. She offered a private driver who picked us up and helped us with our luggage. If your airbnb host or hotel doesn’t offer airport pickup you can check Getyourguide, Viator, and/or Tripadvisior to find a private pickup. Be sure to read the reviews and check that their overall rating is high before booking.
For transportation around the city of Marrakech my friends and I used yellow taxis. You can raise your hand up to get there attention in the street.
The rates in the city should be around 50-80 dirahms, but at night the rates increase and can go up to 150+ dirahms. A lot of rides throughout the city are no longer than 10 minutes so negotiate with them if they are overcharging. I always settled on a final price and shook hands before getting into the taxi. Make sure you have smaller cash notes on you so you can avoid having issues with getting change back.
Once you find a good taxi driver be sure to get his whatsapp so you can keep using them as a continuous driver throughout your trip. Sometimes if they are not available they will refer a friend of theirs that is also a taxi driver and the friend will contact you and pick you up instead.
Language
The main languages spoken in Morocco are Arabic, French, and English. I didn’t find it difficult to communicate, but there were a few instances where we had a driver who didn’t speak much English. In those cases, we relied on gestures and basic French to get by.
To make things easier, I recommend downloading Google Translate on your phone, just in case. However, overall, language is not a major barrier when visiting Marrakech. There are many people in tourist areas that speak enough English to assist you.
Data/Sim Card
Staying connected in Morocco is relatively easy, whether you have an international data plan or use an alternative like an eSIM. If your phone carrier offers an international data plan, you should have no issues staying online during your trip. If not, I highly recommend Holafly for international eSIMs. I used Holafly during my time in Morocco and enjoyed unlimited data with up to 5G speed.
Wi-Fi is available at hotels, resorts, and restaurants, but some locations may require a password, so be sure to ask for it. I also recommend downloading and setting up WhatsApp before your trip, as it’s the primary way people in Morocco communicate. Whether you’re messaging friends and family or contacting local tour guides, having WhatsApp ready will make staying in touch much easier.
Itinerary
Comments (2)
Karim
Amazing guide! I also visited Marrakech recently and the quad biking was an absolute highlight — such an adrenaline rush! Your tips about the yellow taxis and negotiating are spot on. For anyone looking for quad biking and other adventure activities in Marrakech, I found mesloisirs.ma/marrakech/quad to be really useful for comparing options and prices.
Lora
I’m so glad my guide was helpful and you had a great time on your trip!!