City guide · Morocco
Marrakech
Marrakesh or Marrakech is the fourth-largest city in Morocco.
4 ready itineraries · 3, 5, 7, 10-day plans
Marrakesh or Marrakech is the fourth-largest city in Morocco. It is one of the four imperial cities of Morocco and is the capital of the Marrakesh-Safi region.
The city lies west of the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. thumb|Wonderful detailed walls in the Dar Si Said Museum thumb|Metal craft area of a market There is much to see and do in Marrakech. An entire day can be dedicated to wandering around all the different souks, seeking out the best bargains.
- Best for
- First-time visitors who want Marrakech without a car. The 3-day plan stays inside walking range of City.
- Skip if
- Skip Marrakech if you only want a beach week or an airport layover. This cluster is for people who will walk most days.
Pick a trip length
One plan per length — open it and walk the days in order.
- 3days3-day itineraryA long weekend walking Marrakech.Open plan →
- 5days5-day itineraryPopularA first visit to Marrakech with room for one extra neighborhood.Open plan →
- 7days7-day itineraryA slower week in Marrakech, with one day outside town.Open plan →
- 10days10-day itineraryFirst-time visitors who want a full Marrakech trip with day trips.Open plan →
5-day preview
Skim the walking days, then open the full plan.
- 1
City
Walk City in Marrakech. Start at Medina, then Djemaa El-Fna and The Souks. Stay on foot.
Medina · Djemaa El-Fna · The Souks · Koutoubia Mosque · …
- 2
City
Walk City in Marrakech. Start at Moroccan Culinary Arts Museum, then Majorelle Gardens and Yves Saint Laurent Museum. Stay on foot.
Moroccan Culinary Arts Museum · Majorelle Gardens · Yves Saint Laurent Museum · Dar Si Saïd Museum · …
- 3
City
Walk City in Marrakech. Start at El Badi Palace, then The Menara gardens and Jewish Cemetery. Stay on foot.
El Badi Palace · The Menara gardens · Jewish Cemetery · Slat Al Azama Synagogue · …
- 4
City
Walk City in Marrakech. Start at Musee Farid Belkahia, then Maison de la Photographie and Ali Ben Youssef Mosque. Stay on foot.
Musee Farid Belkahia · Maison de la Photographie · Ali Ben Youssef Mosque · Agdal Gardens · …
- 5
Day trip toward Image:Ourika Valley.jpg
Leave Marrakech for the day. Come back to the same bed.
Image:Ourika Valley.jpg · Image:Cascades d'Ouzoud 014.JPG · High Atlas
Where to stay
Bases that fit the walking plan.
City
3 to 5 nights
First stay
Centrally located and easy to reach, Dar Attajmil has a sand colored courtyard shaded by a tall banana tree; 4 double rooms with bathroom, 1 family suite with private courtyard, several cozy sitting areas, fireplace and library, a large terrace garden where br
Guéliz (also known as Ville Nouvelle)
3 to 5 nights
First stay
A budget-friendly hotel with rooms going off two nice courtyards, located in a rear building and therefore quiet, no luxury equipment but clean, tidy and friendly and helpful staff
Getting there & when to go
Lock timing and airport basics early.
Best time
Marrakech works year-round for a walking trip. Shoulder months are easier on crowds and hills.
- Shoulder months
- High season
- Low season
- Rain days
Airport
Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK)
Once in the medina, everything can be seen on foot, though you'll be doing a lot of walking. Many tourist destinations are signposted by brown, red or green signs affixed to posts or to buildings. Bear in mind that many of these signs don't take the direct route, and some seem to deliberately send tourists via various markets or other places money may be spent. thumb|The signs used on buildings For exploring more of the city, buses and petits taxis are plentiful.
- Public transit from RAK30 to 60 minutes · Local ticket price. Check the operator the week you fly.
- Taxi or licensed ride hail20 to 45 minutes · Treat any number you see online as an estimate, not a quote.
Practical notes
Short reads before you book.
Understand
thumb|300px|Djemaa El-Fna in the evening The name Marrakech originates from the Amazigh (Berber) words mur (n) wakush, which means "Land of God". It is the third largest city in Morocco after Casablanca and Rabat, and lies near the foothills of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains and a few hours away from the foot of the Sahara Desert.
Its location and contrasting landscape have made it an enviable destination in Morocco. As the country's main tourist destination, Marrakech is where many Moroccans try to become rich fast by ripping off tourists.
Get in
thumb|Marrakech-Menara Airport thumb|Interior of the airport There are flights from many European cities, including flights operated by a number of low cost carriers. Connections via Casablanca (45-min flight) are also possible. * Easyjet — flights from Manchester, Stansted and Gatwick Airport (and also from Madrid, from Lyon, Amsterdam and from Basel) * Ryanair — direct flights from Oporto (Portugal), London Luton, and London Stansted, and also from Hahn (Germany), Berlin (Germany), Alicante, Madrid and Reus (Spain), Girona (Spain), Eindhoven (the Netherlands), Bergamo (Italy) (Spain), and Dublin (Ireland) * British Airways — from London Gatwick * TUIfly — flights from Cologne and several other European destinations. * Transavia — a low-cost airline from Air France-KLM group flying to Marrakech from several cities in Europe, including Paris * Norwegian — direct flights from Copenhagen, Oslo, Helsinki and Stockholm.
Get around
Once in the medina, everything can be seen on foot, though you'll be doing a lot of walking. Many tourist destinations are signposted by brown, red or green signs affixed to posts or to buildings.
Bear in mind that many of these signs don't take the direct route, and some seem to deliberately send tourists via various markets or other places money may be spent. thumb|The signs used on buildings For exploring more of the city, buses and petits taxis are plentiful.
Stay safe
Marrakech is a generally safe city, with police presence. However, staying alert about your surroundings and taking general safety precautions is always a good idea like everywhere.
Here are some tips: *Violent crime is normally not a major problem, but thefts are known to happen. Keep your money close and hidden, and avoid poorly lit streets or alleys at night.
Related guides
Helpful next pages for Marrakech.