Top 4 Things to Do in Marrakesh, Morocco

Morocco continues to enjoy a positive reputation as the safest country in the Northern African region. One of its largest cities, Marrakesh is often described as magical and almost reminiscent of medieval times, boasting sprawling palaces, bustling markets, beautiful gardens, and grand mosques.

There’s a lot to discover and things to do in Marrakesh, Morocco, and the only way to experience all the city offers is to immerse yourself in the culture. You can begin by visiting Djemma el Fna in the heart of Marrakesh, which hosts several street theatres, henna tattoo artists, snake charmers, chefs, and even food masters who set up their nightly food stalls. If you are lucky, you might encounter friendly Berber people who are always quick to offer help.

To help you make the most of your trip, I’ll share some fun things I did in Marrakesh.

Top 4 things to do in Marrakesh, Morocco

An overnight stay in the Sahara Desert

Here's a fun tip for your birthday: spend an exhilarating night in the Desert!

I was looking for some epic adventure for my birthday, and with 19 new friends, I made my way to the Sahara Desert. From Marrakesh, it was about 8 hours by road. Sometimes, the road would get windy and make us nauseous, so we called for regular stops to settle our stomachs. Once we arrived in the Desert, we all felt better, but we found the air to be quite chilly (so be sure to wear layered clothing).

To get to our accommodations in the middle of the Desert, we had to ride camels for about 30 minutes. Once we arrived at our tents, we experienced the renowned hospitality of the Berber people, who entertained us all through the night. We danced around a bonfire and sang songs we barely knew. We also tried a famous Moroccan dish called Tagine, a stew made with chicken and flavorful spices.

The Desert provided the most epic landscapes and backgrounds for Instagram-worthy pictures.

PS: Your accommodations will be in a safe tent with really comfortable beds.

Visit Djemma El Fna

The Djemma El Fna (pronounced Jemma, the D is silent) is located in the heart of Marrakesh. The busy square hosts various market stalls, businesses, restaurants, and more.

At night, the square transforms into a night market with various vendors selling street food and other wares. It’s an enthralling sight and perhaps overwhelming if you have never been to one. You will find vendors who light up the streets with their open stalls and displays of foods that range from rice, meats, and seafood varieties.

For unique accommodations, opt for a stay in a Riad

While in Marrakesh, we opted for Riads when deciding on accommodations. Riads are traditional houses constructed to give privacy to those staying within. You will find that people outside can’t look in to see what is going on. Even the swimming pools are built within the courtyard to give the utmost privacy. Riads in Marrakesh are actually very affordable and went for the same price as a regular hotel. Just remember to book ahead, and if you can get a group deal, even better.

Experience Hammam

For utmost relaxation, some Riads also offer Hammam services, a Turkish bath used for cleansing and relaxation.

This bath uses hot steam and a unique kind of soap rich in vitamin E and essential oils for deep exfoliating. Please note that Hammam is a form of public bathing, as you’ll likely not be alone.

Have fun in Marrakesh!

Already visited? Please share your experience in the comments.