Attractions & Sights
The top attractions in Marrakech
A thousand years of squares, palaces, gardens and craft, packed inside the rose-red walls. Here are the sights that define Marrakech.
The heart of the city
Squares & Landmarks
Every visit orbits these two — the great square of Jemaa el-Fnaa, a UNESCO 'masterpiece of oral heritage', and the Koutoubia minaret that towers over it. Free to see, unmissable, and the compass points of the medina.
Squares & Landmarks
Jemaa el-Fnaa
The beating heart of the medina — snake charmers by day, food theatre by night.
1–2 hours (best across day and evening) Free
Squares & Landmarks
Koutoubia Mosque
The 12th-century minaret that rules the skyline — and rose gardens all around.
30–45 minutes Free (gardens and exterior)
Squares & Landmarks
The Mellah
Founded in 1558 — spice lanes, hidden synagogues and the memory of a great community.
1–1.5 hours Free to wander (individual synagogue/cemetery donations apply)
Squares & Landmarks
Mouassine Fountain
A carved 16th-century drinking fountain hidden in the souks — cedar, stone and old charity.
10–15 minutes Free
Squares & Landmarks
Bab Agnaou
The 12th-century blue-grey stone gateway to the royal quarter — carved like a jewel.
15–20 minutes Free
Squares & Landmarks
Bab Debbagh
An ancient eastern gate with a twisting defensive passage — and the smell of the tanneries.
20–30 minutes with the tanneries Free (the gate); tanneries may ask a small tip
Squares & Landmarks
Place des Ferblantiers
A tranquil square ringed by tinsmiths hammering out the lanterns of Marrakech.
30–45 minutes with the workshops Free
Squares & Landmarks
Rahba Kedima
The old square of the herbalists — spices, potions and apothecary curiosities.
30–45 minutes Free
Squares & Landmarks
Kasbah Mosque
The Almohad mosque of the royal quarter, its minaret guiding you to the Saadian Tombs.
15 minutes with the surrounding square Free (exterior and square)
Squares & Landmarks
Jemaa el-Fnaa by Night
When dusk falls the square becomes a smoke-wreathed theatre of grills, storytellers and drums.
1.5–2 hours Free (you pay only for food and performances)
Dynasties in stone
Palaces & Monuments
The Saadians, the Alaouites and their viziers left Marrakech a legacy of painted palaces, hidden tombs and ruined splendour. These are the ticketed set-pieces where the city's imperial history is written in cedar, marble and zellij.
Palaces & Monuments
Bahia Palace
Painted cedar ceilings, tiled courtyards and the grand vizier's dream in stone.
1–1.5 hours About 100 MAD / 10 EUR
Palaces & Monuments
El Badi Palace
The stripped-bare walls of a once-golden palace, now ruled by storks.
45–60 minutes About 100 MAD / 10 EUR
Palaces & Monuments
Saadian Tombs
A royal burial ground sealed for centuries, gilded in cedar and gold.
45 minutes About 100 MAD / 10 EUR
Palaces & Monuments
Ben Youssef Madrasa
A masterpiece of Islamic geometry — courtyard, cedar and endless zellij.
45–60 minutes About 50 MAD / 5 EUR
Palaces & Monuments
Royal Palace
The king's Marrakech residence — monumental gates and vast parade squares in the Kasbah.
15–20 minutes Free (exterior and squares only)
Palaces & Monuments
Kutubiyya Minbar
A 12th-century pulpit made in Córdoba — marquetry so fine it stops you in your tracks.
20–30 minutes for the minbar pavilion About 70 MAD / 7 EUR (with El Badi Palace entry)
Palaces & Monuments
Almoravid Koubba
A small domed pavilion that is the only Almoravid building left standing in the city.
20–30 minutes About 30–60 MAD / 3–6 EUR; sometimes a joint ticket with the Musée de Marrakech
Palaces & Monuments
Zaouia Sidi Bel Abbes
The green-roofed sanctuary of Marrakech's patron saint, chief of the Seven Saints.
20 minutes for the exterior and quarter Free
Where the city breathes
Gardens & Oases
Marrakech was built on water, and its gardens are its cool green soul — from Majorelle's electric blue to the medieval royal orchards of the Agdal and the mountain-backed basin of the Menara.
Gardens & Oases
Jardin Majorelle
Electric cobalt blue, exotic cacti and the garden Yves Saint Laurent saved.
1–1.5 hours (more with the museums) From about 160 MAD / 15 EUR (garden); YSL Museum 100 MAD extra
Gardens & Oases
Menara Gardens
An olive grove, a great stone pool and the Atlas floating behind the pavilion.
45 minutes–1 hour Free (gardens); pavilion about 30 MAD
Gardens & Oases
Le Jardin Secret
Twin courtyard gardens and a tower, hidden behind the souks.
45 minutes–1 hour From about 100 MAD / 10 EUR (tower extra)
Gardens & Oases
Agdal Gardens
Kilometres of royal olive and fruit groves fed by Almohad water channels.
1 hour Free
Gardens & Oases
Cyber Park
An 18th-century royal garden reborn as a free, shaded park between medina and new town.
30–45 minutes Free
Gardens & Oases
The Palmeraie
A vast, ancient palm grove north of the city — camel rides, luxury hotels and desert calm.
Half a day with a ride or activity Free to enter; camel rides and activities charged separately
Gardens & Oases
Anima Garden
An artist's dreamlike garden of sculpture and exotic planting under the Atlas, south of the city.
1.5–2 hours About 120 MAD / 12 EUR (children reduced); shuttle extra
Gardens & Oases
Oasiria Water Park
Marrakech's big family water park — slides, wave pool and lagoons under the Atlas sky.
Half to a full day About 200–250 MAD / 20–25 EUR adults (children reduced)
Gardens & Oases
Jardin El Harti
A restored formal garden in the new town — palms, topiary and a local afternoon stroll.
20–30 minutes Free
Craft, faith & everyday life
Museums & Heritage
Beyond the headline monuments lie the quieter stories — a museum of Moroccan craft in a merchant's mansion, and the ancient tanneries where leather is still cured the medieval way.
Museums & Heritage
Dar Si Said
A merchant's mansion of carpets, woodwork and jewellery — the National Weaving museum.
1 hour About 30 MAD / 3 EUR
Museums & Heritage
The Tanneries
Stone vats, pungent dyes and a craft cured by hand since the Middle Ages.
30–45 minutes Free to view (a tip is expected for anyone who guides you)
Museums & Heritage
Dar el Bacha
The pasha's palace turned museum of coexistence — dazzling zellij and a famous coffee house.
1–1.5 hours About 60 MAD / 6 EUR
Museums & Heritage
Maison de la Photographie
Vintage photographs of old Morocco in a restored fondouk — with one of the best rooftop cafés.
1–1.5 hours with the café About 50 MAD / 5 EUR
Museums & Heritage
MACAAL
A private museum championing contemporary African art, southeast of the city at Al Maaden.
1–1.5 hours About 60 MAD / 6 EUR
Museums & Heritage
Musée Yves Saint Laurent
A striking terracotta museum beside the Majorelle garden, devoted to the couturier who loved it.
1–1.5 hours About 100 MAD / 10 EUR; combined Jardin Majorelle tickets available
Museums & Heritage
Heritage Museum
A private riad collection of Moroccan and North African artefacts — with a rooftop café.
45 minutes–1 hour About 40–50 MAD / 4–5 EUR
Museums & Heritage
Lazama Synagogue
A blue-tiled synagogue in the Mellah, still active, founded by exiles from Spain.
20–30 minutes About 20 MAD / 2 EUR (donation)
Museums & Heritage
Musée de Marrakech
A restored vizier's palace of painted ceilings and a vast chandelier, near Ben Youssef.
45 minutes–1 hour About 60–70 MAD / 6–7 EUR; joint tickets sometimes available
Museums & Heritage
Maison Tiskiwin
A riad museum that follows the caravan route from Marrakech to Timbuktu, room by room.
45 minutes–1 hour About 20–30 MAD / 2–3 EUR
Marrakech attractions: common questions
What are the top attractions in Marrakech?
The essentials are Jemaa el-Fnaa, the Koutoubia, the Bahia and El Badi palaces, the Saadian Tombs, the Ben Youssef Madrasa, Jardin Majorelle, Le Jardin Secret and the Menara basin.
How many days do you need to see Marrakech's main sights?
Two to three full days covers the headline attractions comfortably.
Which Marrakech attractions are free to visit?
Jemaa el-Fnaa, the Koutoubia exterior, the Menara and Agdal gardens, and viewing the tanneries are all effectively free.
Can I visit Marrakech's monuments with a guide?
Yes — a licensed local guide brings the history and navigates the medina for you.
What's the best time of day to visit the palaces?
Right at opening. Arriving first thing gives you quieter courtyards and better light for photographs.