Whether you’re a backpacker, mid-range traveller or looking for a luxe escape, Marrakesh is a city you can visit however much you want to spend.
Here’s our guide to the best things to do in Marrakesh for every budget, so you’ll have a great time no matter how much you’ve got in your wallet.
This article may include mentions of products from one or more of our affiliate partners. Unless explicitly stated, we are not being paid to include these. To learn more about our advertising policy, please refer to our Terms of Service.
The Best Free Things To Do in Marrakesh
Need to keep your spending to a minimum? The good news is Marrakesh isn’t super expensive compared to a lot of other cities. There are a few things you can do without even needing to get your dirhams out!
Explore the medina
The medina – the old walled part of the city – is one of the biggest draws of Marrakesh, and it’s completely free. Take your time to wander this maze of streets in the old city; just enjoy getting lost and finding your own way amongst the souks.
The souks are where the vendors sell their products – you can find everything here, from leather goods like bags, belts and wallets to textiles like carpets and rugs, soaps, spices, sweets, jewellery, trinkets and more. It’s pretty standard to see about five different tea sets you want to take home with you – or is that just me?!
Now it’s fun – and free – to just stroll and window shop, but if you do want to buy anything, remember haggling is the way you shop here! So don’t accept the first price you’re told – bargain for one you feel is appropriate. At the same time, don’t take the mick; if you’re not sure, step into a few shops selling the same type of thing and see the kinds of prices the vendors ask for. It can help you gauge what to counter offer.
When you spot something you like, it could be worth making a mental note and coming back for it, as you might find something similar you prefer along the way!
Take a break in Cyber Park
If the heat of Marrakesh and the busyness of the souks gets a bit much, then head to the Cyber Park (officially Arsat Moulay Abdeslam Park) for a rest.
It’s a big green space in the middle of the city that’s an ideal place to cool off. Head right into the park to escape the city’s bustle – you’ll find attractive plants, shady trees and even fountains and paths too. You might even spot a tortoise!
The park was developed by a telecoms company – hence the name – and has free wifi, although it sometimes can be temperamental.
Another free garden is Menara Gardens, which is just outside Marrakesh (near the airport) and is another nice retreat from the city. It’s very peaceful here, with epic views of the Atlas mountains. Stroll through the olive and palm trees, and admire the huge lake that gets its water from the mountains via some ingenious underground tunnels.
Swing by Koutoubia Mosque
The Koutoubia Mosque is Marrakesh’s largest and most famous mosque, with a minaret stretching 77m high. It’s beautiful and worth a stroll past, as it’s such an iconic building in the city.
It’s a working mosque so only Muslims can go inside to pray. If you’re not you can still admire the gardens and fountain outside, and take a moment to soak it all in.
The mosque is located just to the west of the main square Jemaa El Fnaa, so you can combine it with a visit there.
Travelling to Marrakesh on a budget?
Check out our list of ways to save money on your Marrakesh trip.
The Best Cheap Things To Do in Marrakesh
Whilst there’s not a huge amount of free attractions in Marrakesh, tickets for most places are actually pretty cheap, so you don’t need a big budget to make the most of your surroundings.
Sip a mint tea at Le Grand Balcon du Cafe Glacier
Watch Marrakesh’s central square transform at sunset from the rooftop vantage point of Le Grand Balcon du Cafe Glacier. You’ll get to see the food stalls start cooking for the evening and the entertainers and artists come out in force.
It gets pretty lively in the square – so retreat to the terrace of Le Grand Balcon du Cafe Glacier and sip a mint tea as you watch things unfold. Yes this is a very touristy and chaotic part of town, but it’s still special to see.
When you start to feel hungry for dinner, you’re well placed to try one of the food stalls in the square – bear in mind they will vary a lot in quality and price. A good bet is to opt for one that’s really busy, as reputation goes a long way – even if it does mean you wait a little longer for your meal!
- Mint tea from 25 MAD / £2
Pop into Le Jardin Secret
Judging by the queues outside, this should be called the not-so-secret garden! But it’s popular for good reason.
It’s a really beautiful spot that’s a little haven of peace and quiet in the heart of the medina. It’s a piece of historic Moroccan architecture which has been carefully restored for us to enjoy today.
When I went I saw a few people just sitting here with a book and it looked like a dreamy way to spend a few hours.
- Entry from 100 MAD / £8
Check out Bahia Palace
Bahia Palace is one of the most beautiful buildings you’ll find in Marrakesh, once built for an important official.
The architecture and decor was designed to show off his wealth and reputation – which it does in spades. Marvel at the colourful tiles, intricate wood work and elegant rooms – and the courtyards with their beautiful arches are a total must-see.
Head over here first thing to beat the crowds. And while you’re here, check out Mellah – the Jewish quarter where there’s also a synagogue and spice market.
- Entry from 70 MAD / £6
Visit Madrasa Ben Youssef
Ben Youssef is a historic Islamic college, known as a madrasa. It was once the biggest Islamic college in North Africa and the architecture is seriously impressive – expect to marvel at more amazingly intricate woodwork, mesmerising tile patterns and ornate carvings. You can even peek at the students’ rooms too.
- Entry from 50 MAD / £4
Grab a sandwich from Sandwich Dada
Now one thing you won’t need to spend a lot of money on in Marrakech is food. Whether you want to grab a sandwich to go or have a sit-down meal, you can find meals for super-affordable prices.
I had the most delicious hot sandwich at Sandwich Dada which had onions, tomatoes, minced beef, cheese and hot sauce in a huge roll for just 15 MAD – that’s less than £1.25!
There are several places serving similar sandwiches here and there are veggie options too.
- Sandwich from 15 MAD / £1.25
Visit the Maison de la Photographie
This photography museum is a real gem, and you’ll find it hidden away in the medina.
It houses a big collection of photos from the 1800s and 1900s in Morocco – giving you a great insight into every day life back in the day. It’s really interesting if you love photography, history, or just seeing what people used to get up to!
And that’s not all – the building it’s in is beautiful. It’s a traditional riad-style one, with a courtyard in the middle. When you’re done, treat yourself to a mint tea at the rooftop cafe.
- Entry from 60 MAD / £5
Shop for artisan crafts at the Centre Artisanal
If haggling just isn’t your thing – don’t worry! There is a place in town where you can shop at fixed prices.
Ensemble Artisanal is a local co-operative that’s funded by the government – here you can find Moroccan crafts to buy without the hassle of haggling.
The item prices are displayed here – bear in mind they’ll probably be a bit higher than you could get in the medina, but you’re paying to avoid all that bartering! Plus, profits go right back to the makers.
- Various prices
The Best Affordable Things To Do in Marrakesh
Spend a little bit more and you can add all sorts of activities to your Marrakesh itinerary.
Visit Jardin Majorelle and YSL Gardens
Jardin Majorelle is one of the most iconic spots in Marrakesh, and you might recognise from social media, as it’s seriously photogenic.
The garden is named after the French painter who designed it, Jacques Majorelle. But it was later bought and lived in by the fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent, so it’s sometimes called the YSL gardens too. They are really gorgeous – a lush oasis filled with amazing plants and tinkling water features. And of course in the midst of it all is this incredible cobalt-blue building that really pops.
This place gets busy, so book your timed ticket for first thing and get in there for some peace and quiet before the crowds descend. Make sure you double-check the entry time on your ticket, as you won’t be able to get in if you miss it!
If you’re into your fashion, make a beeline for the Yves Saint Laurent Museum next door – you can get a combined ticket for both attractions.
- Tickets from 170 MAD / £14
Take a Moroccan cooking class
Why not try your hand at making some of the delicious local eats you’ve been enjoying, at a Moroccan cooking class?
This is a fun and interactive way to understand a bit more about the food and culture here – and you get a meal thrown in!
Some classes will take you on a market tour as well to pick up ingredients – which is a nice addition to the experience. Then you’ll make your way to a traditional kitchen and learn how to make classics like tagine, cousous, Moroccan salads and dessert.
When all your hard work is done, you’ll sit down to enjoy the meal you’ve created as a group.
- Moroccan cooking class from £33
Go quad biking in the desert
Get an adrenaline hit with a quad biking adventure in the Agafay desert, just outside Marrakesh. Think red and rocky landscapes that look like they could be on Mars!
You’ll be zipping over hills and weaving your way along dried-out river beds, with the Atlas Mountains as your backdrop. Lots of tours include a pit stop for refreshments at a Berber family home or desert camp.
Choose an early morning or sunset tour for some unreal light – just bring a scarf and your sunnies to ward off the dust.
- From 160 MAD / £13
Treat yourself to a hammam
A typical thing to do in Marrakesh is to go to a hammam, and there are LOADS to choose from.
The first thing you need to decide is – do you want a posh, spa-like experience that’s all rose petals and towels, or do you want a more authentic experience, where you’ll get a no-nonsense vigorous scrub?
For a spa experience, head to Hammam Rosa Bonheur. Their treatments start at just 370 MAD / £30, although you can spend three times that on a package that includes a hammam, massage, facial and more. Book yourself in and get scrubbed, soaked and massaged into a state of pure bliss!
Alternatively, and for a much cheaper price (around 170 MAD / £14), you can head to a spot like Hammam Mouassine, that is less oriented to tourists and costs half the price. Here, you’ll get a more authentic hammam experience. Expect to sit on a tiled floor whilst an efficient Moroccan lady or gentleman scrubs off all your dead skin and washes you from head to toe!
- Hammam from 170 MAD / £14
Need some help planning your Marrakesh trip?
Browse our ultimate 3-day Marrakesh itinerary.
Chill out at Beldi Country Club
At Beldi Country Club, a luxury-yet-somehow-rustic-at-the-same-time retreat, you can visit to swim in the gorgeous pool or get loosey goosey in the spa.
The absolute winner here is the village-style setting and the extensive grounds. They stretch to a pretty epic 35 acres, from which you can see fab views of the Atlas Mountains. Take a stroll through the shady olive and palm trees, and then retreat to a cabana for an afternoon by the pool.
There are also some serious shopping opportunities, Beldi has its very own on-site souk, as well as shops selling local pottery, glassware and textiles, as well as clothing and accessories by Moroccan designers.
You can even ride horses at their Kasbah and tee off at the nearby golf courses. You can also stay here if you like – they have 82 guest rooms, and it’s a short drive from the medina.
- Day pass from 250 MAD / £20
The Best Luxury Things To Do in Marrakesh
Marrakesh is somewhere you can enjoy some seriously luxe experiences if you have the cash. From dreamy hotels to epic estates, you’ll easily find places to indulge.
Take a hot air balloon ride
Splash out on an adventure and escape the bustle of the souks by soaring up into the skies on a hot air balloon ride.
This is an awesome way to see Morocco from a different perspective, and if you’re tired of getting lost in the winding streets of the medina, it’s the perfect tonic!
Now hot air balloon rides tend to leave early doors, so have that backup alarm set! But it’s an unmissable experience, as you watch the skies turn from black to gold and see the sun coming up, all against the fabulous backdrop of the Atlas Mountains.
Once you’ve had your fill of the epic views, you’ll come back down to earth, and some rides will finish with a traditional Berber breakfast after you land.
Be sure to wrap up warm for this experience as it’ll be pretty cold first thing in the morning, particularly when you’re in the skies!
- Hot air balloon ride from £102
Stay at La Mamounia
Super-luxe La Mamounia seems to be the place that everyone wants to be seen at in Marrakesh. Even if you can’t shell out on a night’s stay, you can pop in for a posh meal or hammam experience.
This legendary hotel has some serious glamour, with opulent interiors, immaculate gardens and a pool that’s straight out of a coffee table book. Guests rave about the dreamy spa, the attentive service and the sense of fabulousness that comes from just being in this place.
On-site restaurant Le Marocain is all fancy fine-dining and serves up excellent tagines by candlelight. Whether you’re there for a mint tea on the terrace or a full-on pamper session, La Mamounia is all about soaking up that five-star fantasy, even if just for an afternoon.
- Twin room from £440 per night
Splurge at the medina
Wandering through the medina is like stepping into a treasure trove – and if you’re up for a bit of haggling, you can bag some seriously beautiful pieces for a fraction of what you’d pay back home.
Think big homeware or accessories purchases, like handwoven rugs, intricate lanterns, colourful textiles and leather goods that would cost at least triple the price in the UK. Lots of sellers can help arrange shipping straight to your door, so if you can splurge a little extra, you can enjoy these amazing creations back in your home when you return!
- The sky's the limit!
Plan Your Trip With Our Best Things To Do in Marrakesh for Every Budget
Fill your days in Marrakesh with incredible sights, great shopping and delicious food, thanks to our list of the best things to do in Marrakesh for every budget. No matter what you prefer to spend, you’ll find plenty of activities within your price range.
