Morocco is a land of amazing diversity. It offers grand mountains, vast deserts, and ancient cities, and welcomes visitors with friendly hospitality and a refreshing glass of mint tea.
Jardin Majorelle, once the private haven of French painter Jacques Majorelle, was lovingly restored by fashion icon Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé in 1980. Today, it stands as Morocco’s most visited tourist attraction, drawing nearly 900,000 visitors each year.
Founded in 1924, the garden is home to over 300 plant species from five continents, laid out in a dazzling, dreamlike setting. The signature electric-blue art deco studio at its centre now houses the Musée Berbère, featuring more than 600 artifacts that celebrate Morocco’s indigenous heritage.
Though no longer the tranquil retreat it once was, Jardin Majorelle remains a place of style and beauty. With expanded grounds including the late Bergé’s Villa Oasis, a charming courtyard café, and boutique shops offering Majorelle blue keepsakes and YSL-inspired Amazigh jewellery, it offers a unique blend of nature, history and design. The garden is fully accessible for both wheelchairs and strollers.
Roll up, roll up for the greatest show on earth. In Djemaa El Fna, Marrakesh’s legendary main square (pronounced “jema”, with a silent d), drama unfolds at every turn. Since the 11th century, this open-air stage has hosted a vibrant mix of halqa (street theatre), storytelling, and public spectacle.
Once a bustling food market for mountain traders, today it pulses with the whine of snake-charmer flutes, henna artists, fortune tellers, and monkey handlers by mid-morning. But the real magic begins at sunset, when smoke rises from sizzling grills, the square fills with the beat of drums, and musicians and performers take centre stage.
Djemaa El Fna isn’t just a square – it’s a living tradition, a cultural crossroads, and a sensory overload that captures the spirit of Marrakesh.
Opened in 2017, the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakesh is more than a fashion museum – it’s a love letter to Morocco from one of the greatest designers of the 20th century. Dedicated to the life and legacy of Yves Saint Laurent, this stunning institution showcases 40 years of haute couture within a space as artful as the collections it holds.
Designed by Studio KO, the museum is one of the finest examples of contemporary architecture in Marrakesh. From the outside, its textured terracotta brick façade mimics woven fabric – an homage to Saint Laurent’s craft. Inside, the sleek surfaces contrast beautifully, much like the lining of a couture jacket.
Key architectural highlights:
No external-facing windows, resembling the private courtyards of traditional Moroccan riads.
Two serene patios: one circular with stained-glass details inspired by Matisse; the other tiled in zellige, featuring a central rain-catching dish in emerald green, a nod to Amazigh and Islamic symbolism.
A dramatic, all-black space hosts the permanent exhibition, displaying sketches, signature garments, accessories, and rare audiovisuals. The exhibit begins with a touching biography, including a letter young Yves wrote to Vogue at age 17.
In a nearby room, rotating exhibits present top-tier international fashion, art, and photography.
A 150-seat auditorium pays tribute to Saint Laurent’s love of cinema and stage. With state-of-the-art acoustics, it screens films and performances – check the schedule online. Outside the entrance, don’t miss the “Costumiere” section, with sketches of YSL’s costume designs.
By appointment, visitors can access a research library holding over 5000 volumes on fashion, botany, and North African culture – many from the personal collections of YSL and his partner Pierre Bergé.
YSL first visited Marrakesh in 1966, instantly enchanted by the city’s colors, textures, and traditions. From gardens bursting with life to earth-toned architecture, Marrakesh deeply influenced his designs, inspiring collections filled with bold colors, rich fabrics, and flowing silhouettes.
Location: Next to Jardin Majorelle in Ville Nouvelle, Marrakesh’s modern district.
Tickets: Buy a combined ticket for Musée YSL, Jardin Majorelle, and the Berber Museum at the YSL museum itself to skip queues.
Opening Times: Check the museum’s official website for updated timings and exhibition details.
Getting There:
Bus: Line 12 from Bab Doukkala.
Taxi: From Djemaa El Fna, expect to pay between Dh20–Dh50. Bargaining is essential.
Eat:
Le Studio – On-site café serving elegant Moroccan and French dishes.
Pause Gourmande – Just outside, offering home-style tajines, bastilla, and more.
Stay:
Ville Nouvelle offers modern hotels with larger pools and bars.
For charm and ambiance, the medina (old town) is unbeatable.
Rising majestically above the bustling Djemaa El Fna, the Koutoubia Mosque is Marrakesh’s most iconic landmark. Built in the 12th century by the Almohads, its 250ft-high minaret calls the faithful to prayer five times a day and stands as a masterpiece of Moorish architecture, adorned with scalloped arches, merlon crenellations, and elegant proportions.
The Koutoubia’s square minaret design inspired later structures like the Giralda in Seville and Tour Hassan in Rabat. Unlike domed minarets seen in the Middle East, its square structure reflects Amazigh (Berber) influence. Inside, a spiraling ramp—no stairs—was once used by the muezzin on horseback.
The three brass balls atop the minaret, now filled with special mineral salts to resist oxidation, were once made of gold—legend says they were forged from the melted jewelry of Sultan Yacoub Al Mansour’s wife as an act of penance.
The original mosque was allegedly torn down mid-construction due to incorrect alignment with Mecca, showcasing the Almohads’ religious devotion.
To the northwest of the mosque lie the ruins of the original prayer hall, possibly destroyed in the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. Columns, arches, and entryways still stand as a quiet tribute to this history.
Behind the mosque, the serene Koutoubia Gardens offer a leafy escape from the medina’s chaos. A favorite among locals, this park is perfect for a peaceful stroll with views of the minaret framed by palm trees and historic stone.
The mosque’s name comes from “kutubiyyin” (booksellers)—a nod to the 19th-century booksellers who gathered around its base. Before that, it was simply the Almohad Mosque.
Entry: Non-Muslims cannot enter the mosque or minaret, but the exterior is fully accessible. You may glimpse inside on Fridays during prayers.
Best Photo Spot: Under the archway left of the main entrance for a perfect shot of the minaret.
Djemaa El Fna: Just a minute’s walk east, this vibrant square is the heart of Marrakesh.
Getting There: Bus 16 from Gueliz stops directly opposite the mosque. It’s a 25-minute walk from Gueliz via Avenue Mohammed V.
Budget: Rue Sidi Bouloukat and Rue de la Recette, both near Djemaa El Fna, offer affordable options close to the mosque.
Luxury: For a traditional experience, opt for a riad along Rue Riad Zitoun El Jedid in the medina.
Café El Koutoubia: Enjoy mint tea with a view of the mosque.
Pâtisserie des Princes: Known for its delicious pastries and refreshing ice cream, ideal for a sweet break.
Hidden behind the Kasbah Mosque, the Saadian Tombs are a dazzling reminder of Marrakesh’s golden age. Built in the 16th century by Sultan Ahmed Al Mansour Ed Dahbi, these lavish mausoleums reflect his taste for opulence – think Italian Carrara marble, golden honeycomb plasterwork, and vibrant zellige tilework.
At the heart of the site lies the Chamber of the 12 Pillars, where Al Mansour and his sons rest beneath a carved cedar cupola supported by Roman columns from Volubilis. Nearby, the Chamber of Three Niches and a repurposed prayer room house other royal family members and court elites.
The tomb of Lalla Massouda, the Sultan’s mother, is found in a quiet courtyard mausoleum predating the main complex. Around it, nearly 170 others – including ministers, advisors, and court women – lie in the garden graves, their memory preserved by curious legends and a few resident cats.
Once sealed off by Sultan Moulay Ismail and forgotten for centuries, the tombs were rediscovered in 1917 thanks to aerial photography. Today, they are one of Marrakesh’s most striking historical sites.
Tip: Arrive early or late afternoon for fewer crowds and the best lighting for photos – the marble glows gold as the sun dips.
Step into the splendor of Bahia Palace – Marrakesh’s 19th-century jewel, where every inch of its 8000 square metres dazzles with intricate marquetry, carved plaster, and vibrant zouak-painted wood. Built by Grand Vizier Si Moussa in the 1860s and lavishly expanded by his son Bou Ahmed to house his four wives and 24 concubines, this palace truly lives up to its name: Bahia, meaning The Beautiful.
At the heart of the palace is the Cour d’Honneur, a 1500-sq-metre courtyard paved in gleaming Italian Carrara marble and bordered with vivid blue and yellow galleries. Nearby, the Grand Riad garden, alive with birdsong and fountains, offers a serene escape, while the Petit Riad stuns with Quranic calligraphy etched into hand-carved plaster walls.
Though only a portion of its 150 rooms is open to the public, the palace still hosts cultural events and remains a timeless tribute to Moroccan craftsmanship.
Don’t miss: The stained glass in the Grand Riad – one of the first examples of its kind in North Africa.
Set amidst fertile plains just 33km from Meknes, Volubilis is Morocco’s best-preserved Roman archaeological site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. Once a thriving Roman outpost, only half of its 40 hectares has been excavated, yet its mosaics, basilicas, and baths vividly reflect the empire’s legacy.
Highlights include:
Stunning Mosaics: Don’t miss the House of Orpheus, House of Hercules, and House of Venus with detailed depictions of Roman myths.
Triumphal Arch: Built in 217 CE for Emperor Caracalla, it marks the ceremonial Decumanus Maximus road.
Capitol & Basilica: Standing proudly on the site’s high ground, these structures overlook the 1300-sq-metre forum.
Roman Hammams & Olive Presses: A glimpse into ancient daily life with underfloor heating and communal baths.
Best Time to Visit: Spring is ideal, when wildflowers bloom around ancient stones. Early mornings or late afternoons offer cooler temperatures and magical lighting.
Getting There:
From Meknes: Hire a grand taxi (Dh350 return including a stop at Moulay Idriss Zerhoun) or take a shared taxi followed by a short ride (or one-hour walk) to the ruins.
From Fez: A round trip with a taxi costs around Dh1000.
Guided Tours: On-site guides offer 1-hour multilingual tours for Dh250—perfect for understanding the rich history etched into every stone.
What was once one of the most magnificent palaces in the Islamic world is now a hauntingly beautiful ruin. El Badi Palace—meaning “The Incomparable”—was built in 1578 by Sultan Ahmed Al Mansour, known as the Golden King of the Saadian dynasty. Lavished with gold, turquoise, and crystal, the palace was so opulent that even the court jester joked, “It’ll make a beautiful ruin.” And he was right.
By the early 18th century, Sultan Moulay Ismail dismantled the palace to build his imperial city in Meknes. Today, all that remains are vast courtyards, sunken gardens, and scattered remnants of splendor—now home to nesting storks and sweeping views from the ramparts.
What to See:
The Grand Courtyard: With reflecting pools and traces of once-glorious gardens.
CGI Visuals: A looping film reconstructs the original palace, inspired by Andalusian Moorish architecture.
Subterranean Exhibits: Photography from early 20th-century Marrakesh and a display on former prison conditions.
Khayzuran Pavilion: Hosts rotating contemporary art exhibitions.
Koutoubia Minbar Room: Showcases a masterpiece of 12th-century Cordoban craftsmanship—cedar-wood steps inlaid with gold and silver, bearing the artisan Aziz’s signature rediscovered during restoration by the Met.
Getting There: Walk through Place des Ferblantiers, then turn right along the ramparts to find the entrance.
