Marrakech Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Marrakech, Morocco)

Known as the Rose City, Marrakech in Morocco sits near the High Atlas Mountains in northern Africa, and is a rich cultural 'hodgepodge' of snake-charmers, belly dancers and enticing tourist attractions. Although nowhere near the coast, Marrakech has much to keep visitors enthralled, including grand colonial architecture, massive mosques, and bustling squares and markets.

Among the main tourist attractions found within Marrakech are the 360-room El Badi Palace, a 16th-century masterpiece, and the lively Djemaa El Fna square. If you want to see how the locals engage in making leather works, visit the city's tanneries. There are also many gardens to duck into to escape the city heat and noise, and the orchards of the Agdal Garden are quite refreshing.

Djemaa El Fna (Jemaa-el-Fna)

Address: Djemaa El Fna, Marrakech, Morocco, MA
Djemaa El Fna is a buzzing square in the heart of Marrakech and comes alive at night. This is central the main tourist attraction in the Old City (Medina Quarter) and is surrounded by appealing places of interest, such as hotels, gardens and market traders. Hawker stalls sell food and drink (mainly orange juice) during the day, while at night the place throngs with entertainers of every ilk, from musicians and dancers to acrobats and snake charmers. As the evening arrives, crowds begin to arrive here.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Souks (Souqs)

Address: Central Souqs, Marrakech, Morocco, MA
'Souks' are traditional North African markets and Marrakech is awash with them. At the city's lively souks you can pick up anything from fine leather goods and hammocks to souvenirs and food. The market next to Place Jema El Fna is one of the best in town, where everything and anything is on sale, but you must bargain hard. The attractions and excited locals found within the souks are not to be missed.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Tanneries

Address: Marrakech, Morocco, MA
If you are interested in learning how skins and hides are tanned, take a look at Marrakech's tanneries. Although perhaps not as impressive as the tanneries of Fez, the tanneries reveal their processes which have not changed much over the centuries. Dyes used to come from pigeon guano and pomegranates, yet today they are mainly chemical-based and the products to be dyed come from local artisans.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Saadian Tombs

Address: Marrakech, Morocco, MA
Tel: +212 024 389 192
One of Marrakech's creepier attractions, the Saadian Tombs are perhaps not suitable for younger kids. There are over 100 graves here, many of which are decorated with elaborate mosaics, while the building itself is stunning and held up by innumerable pillars. Dozens of the Saadian royal family are buried here, with the Saadian Tombs dating as far back as the late 16th century and only actually discovered as recently as 1917.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Majorelle Garden

Address: Marrakech, Morocco, MA
If you need to escape the din and chaos of the markets and traffic of Marrakech, head for the beautiful Majorelle Garden. These tranquil gardens were the brainchild of French painter, Louis Majorelle, and were set out in 1924. They feature innumerable attractive plants and trees, as well as several tranquil ponds.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Agdal Garden

Address: Marrakech, Morocco, MA
Another peaceful part of chaotic Marrakech is the Agdal Garden (Jardin de l'Aguedal), which can be found south of town. It is stunning in every respect, featuring as it does fine orchards, many pools and a large lagoon. Olive, pomegranate, fig and citrus orchards reside here and the whole place is surrounded by mud-clay walls known as high pisé.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free