Ultimate Guide to Marrakech, Morocco

Last Updated on March 2, 2026 by Lauren Allen

Looking for a guide to Marrakech? Then you have come to the right place. This bustling city is unlike any other that I have visited and instantly stole my heart upon arrival. So much so that I am already planning my return.

The smells, sounds and sights of Marrakech ensure you encounter a unique cultural experience that should be on every travel lover’s bucket list. Check out this ultimate guide to Marrakech to get clued up on all of the major attractions, restaurant recommendations and crucial tips for visiting this Moroccan tourist hotspot.

Read more: Solo female travel in Morocco | What it’s REALLY like

Things to know before visiting Marrakech

Currency: Moroccan Dirham.

Language: Arabic and French. English is also widely known.

Weather: Typically, Morocco is sunny for most of the year. June-August is when the country is at it’s hottest, which is when the high heat can sometimes feel unbearable. April-May and September-October are more pleasant months with cooler but still warm temperatures, making these months perhaps the best to visit Marrakech.

Winter in Morocco (November-March) can still see a lot of sun, however, temperatures are much colder. During these months, it sometimes even snows! Additionally, rainfall is at it’s highest in the country during this time.

Best time to visit: The best time to visit Marrakech (and Morocco as a whole) is entirely based on personal preference. If you want the hottest weather, visit between June and August. If you don’t cope well in the heat, visit during shoulder season.

To determine the best time to book your trip, you will need to consider the weather, events and your perfect itinerary. For example, sand storms are most likely to happen in the Sahara Desert during April. If camping under the stars is on your Morocco bucket list, consider visiting later in the year.

Read more: Camping overnight in the Sahara Desert, Morocco

How to get to Marrakech

If Marrakech is your first stop in Morocco, it is highly likely that you will be arriving by plane. Flights to Marrakech run from many cities across Europe. I flew from Manchester, UK which took approximately 4 hours.

If you are travelling from elsewhere in Morocco, there are plenty of ways to get to Marrakech. Consider travelling by…

Taxi

Perhaps the most convenient way to get between cities in Morocco is to get a taxi. Private taxis can be quite expensive, however, shared taxis are very popular and can be a great way to cut costs if you are travelling on a budget. For example, after camping in the Sahara Desert, I and some others in my tour group wanted to head to Fez instead of going back to Marrakech. We arranged for a shared taxi to take the six of us from the Sahara to Fez and paid approximately £22 each. Considering the drive was around 7.5 hours in an air-conditioned car, the price was very reasonable.

Tip: If you are travelling solo, I would advise being wary about who you share a taxi with. As a female travelling alone, I made sure I felt safe with my fellow passengers. I had just spent three days with them on a group tour so although I didn’t know them a great deal, I wasn’t sharing a taxi with complete strangers.

Bus

Supratours and CTM offer bus routes between many of the cities in Morocco at very reasonable prices. The bus can be a great way to get around the country if you are travelling on a budget or are in no rush to get to your next destination.

Train

Compared to buses, trains are a quicker way of getting between cities in Morocco and sometimes there isn’t much of a price difference. For example, getting the bus from Fez to Marrakech can take around 9 hours by bus, whereas by train it only takes 6.5.

Top Tip: Always do your research when planning how to get from A to B. Sometimes, a faster more comfortable route may be around the same price as something less than convenient.

Read more: The ultimate guide to visiting Fez, Morocco

Where to stay in Marrakech

Hostel Riads

Travelling on a budget? Then you’ll be pleased to know that Marrakech (and Morocco in general) is a cheap city to visit. With several hostel riads scatted inside the medina, you can score yourself a nice place to sleep for as little as £8 per night.

Personally, I can highly recommend both Amour d’auberge and Rodamon Riad. Amour d’auberge is located conveniently a 2-minute walk from Jemaa El-Fnaa, boasts clean rooms and includes a free breakfast. Although double the price, Rodamon Riad is still a complete steal at £16. Its modern decor, rooftop bar and gorgeous pool area make it very much worth splashing the extra cash on.

Insta-Worthy Riads

Other popular Riads include Riad Yasmine and Riad Farhan which are very highly rated online and on social media. Next time I visit Marrakech, I will be sure to check them out.

Luxury Hotels

For those who can stretch their budget a lot further, Marrakech is home to a number of luxury hotels. The incredibly Insta-worthy La Mamounia is the most lavish hotel in the city and although very beautiful, the cheapest room comes with a very hefty price tag of £315 per night.

Another stunning (and slightly cheaper) option, El Fenn is another stand-out hotel in the city. It boasts beautiful rooms starting at £237, stunning swimming pools, a spa and a great rooftop bar. In fact, I loved the rooftop bar so much that I went there almost every night during my time in Marrakech.

How to get around in Marrakech

If you are staying in the medina, the majority of the major attractions in the city are within walking distance. However, the Majorelle Gardens and the YSL museum are located outside of the medina walls in the new city. Although only a 30-minute walk from Jemaa El Fnaa, I would not recommend this in hot weather. The easiest and best way to get to the Majorelle Gardens is by taxi. It doesn’t cost a lot of money and will cut your travel time in half.

Top Tip: Ensure the taxi driver puts the meter on to get the best price OR agree to a price before getting in the taxi. Make sure you’re not getting ripped off by asking staff at your hotel or riad how much the taxi should cost.

Read more: 7 of the best day trips from Marrakech, Morocco

What to wear in Marrakech

Dress respectfully

As a Muslim country, all visitors and tourists should dress respectfully in Morocco. As a general rule, this means covering your knees and shoulders and not wearing revealing clothing.

In Marrakech, the locals are used to tourists walking around in skimpy outfits. However, if you do not wish to draw unwanted attention to yourself, I advise avoiding this. Even more so if you are a solo female traveller.

Consider weather

In the peak of Summer, Marrakech reaches very high temperatures which as mentioned earlier, maybe overbearing if you are not used to the heat. Because of this, it is wise to also dress in loose-fitted clothing. That way, you can be at your most comfortable while also remaining respectful.

Despite the city’s sweltering temperatures in the summer months, Marrakech does also see rain and cold. Consider what time of the year you are visiting and pack appropriately. Even in the Summer months, you may need a cardigan or a jacket at night.

The perfect footwear

There is so much to do in Marrakech all within walking distance of each other. If you wish to hit up all the main attractions, it is likely that you will be doing a ton of walking. Due to this, it is wise to wear the perfect footwear. Be it sandals or trainers, I recommend packing your comfiest shoes. There is no need for heels in Marrakech!

Read more: Essaouira day trip from Marrakech | 6 things to see and do

Where to eat in Marrakech

Marrakech boasts some great cafes and restaurants that offer some delicious Moroccan dishes. Be sure to check out:

Cafe Henna

Looking to get a henna tattoo whilst in Marrakech? Cafe Henna is the place to be! Not only do they use natural ingredients and have a vast array of tattoos to choose from, but the food here is fantastic. Grab lunch here before getting your henna, you will not regret it!

NOMAD

If you chose just one place from this list to eat at whilst in Marrakech, make it Nomad. The food I ate here was the best I ate during my whole time in Morocco! I left feeling VERY full, but honestly, it was worth it. The ice cream is to die for!

Top Tip: Opt to eat on the roof terrace during sunset for some great views while you eat.

Read more: Atlas Mountains | The ultimate day trip from Marrakech

La Mamounia

Want to check out Marrakech’s most luxurious hotel without forking out a few weeks worth of wages? Why not book a slot for dinner at one of the hotel’s four restaurants? That way you can see what all the fuss is about (and snap some cheeky shots for Insta, don’t pretend you don’t wanna). Alternatively, book the best spa day you will ever experience and receive access to a fantastic buffet lunch.

El Fenn

In addition to beautiful hotel rooms and a fab rooftop bar, the food at El Fenn is delicious. I would highly recommend a trip here, even if it is just for dinner and drinks!

Read more: La Mamounia, Marrakech: The best spa day EVER

Things to do in Marrakech

To realistically have enough time to visit all the best attractions in Marrakech, you will need at least five days. From palaces and tombs to museums and secret gardens. From drinking cocktails on rooftop terraces to spa days at La Mamounia. Marrakech has a lot of must-do activities that you absolutely can not miss.

Read more: 15 things that you absolutely must do in Marrakech, Morocco

Is Marrakech safe for solo female travellers?

Despite the concern of my family and friends when I told them of my plans, I headed to Morocco for a two-week solo trip. Before booking the trip, I had done a lot of research and knew what to expect as a solo female traveller. Because of this, I felt safe 90% of the time in Morocco. Yes, bad things can happen in Morocco, but they can also happen in your home town.

Don’t let fear put you off travelling solo to Marrakech. It is an incredible city to explore. Just ensure you take precautions to keep safe, trust your gut instinct and use your common sense.

Read more: Staying safe in Morocco | A Guide for Solo Female Travellers

Tips for visiting Marrakech

• Carry change: Always carry change. That way you have coins for tips or to hand to performers for photos instead of getting ripped off with notes.
• Drink bottled water: Drinking tap water in Morocco is likely to make you feel ill. To avoid this, ensure you stick to bottled water. Additionally, drink plenty of it to keep hydrated!
• Be aware of scammers: Some people in Morocco are sneaky. For example, guys dressed in costume may offer to take a selfie with you “for free” yet after the photo has been taken, demand you pay for the “dancing” they performed (yes, this happened to me).
• Don’t get henna in the main square: Be cautious around Jemaa El Fnaa. Some women will attempt to grab your hands and force you to pay for henna you did not ask for. Furthermore, the outcome is messy and could cause reactions. If you wish to get henna in Marrakech, head to cafe henna located just a short walk away.
• Don’t be too nice: Leading onto my next point, don’t be a pushover. Stand your ground and tell them that isn’t what you agreed. If you wish, give them a few coins and walk away when they complain. You don’t owe them anything.
• Haggle for bargains: You can’t visit Marrakech without haggling for bargains in the souks. My top tip is to walk away from offers seemingly uninterested. They will shout you back and offer the cheapest price.

Read more: Shopping in Morocco | 5 things that I regret not buying

Have I missed anything from this guide to Marrakech? Share your knowledge and let me know in the comments below!