Things to do in Marrakech

Atlas Mountains 4x4 tour with lunch at a Berber village

If adventure and remote mountain villages are your thing, then this 4x4 ride into the High Atlas Mountains ticks all the boxes. You'll head into the rugged terrain just a short drive from Marrakech and discover typical Berber villages. Yasmine, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘My family owns a large olive grove in the Asni valley. It used to be enough to support my extended family, but due to lack of rain the harvests got smaller and smaller until we had to move to Marrakech. Now, I'm a tour guide, and I'm proud to show guests around the Berber villages I know so well.'Hop into an air-conditioned 4x4 and start your journey into the High Atlas Mountains. Swap city streets for palm-lined valleys, rose gardens and scented fruit trees as we head out into the wilderness. Photographers will love the widescreen mountain panoramas, and you'll have the chance to see local pottery being made in the traditional way, and buy some items if you like.We'll stop for a break to sip on a mint tea and try fresh local bread in a typical Berber house, before enjoying some free time to explore the village. Next, we'll take the scenic route through rust-coloured mountains and into the Asni valley, where we'll break for a traditional lunch of local specialities. Jasmine says, ‘I like to check that local olive oil is always served with lunch, and I love to see our guests enjoy it.' You'll round off your 4x4 adventure with a stop at the Tahanaout gorges on the return trip.

Marrakech medina and souks tour

Walking through Marrakech can only be described as a scene out of Scheherazade's ‘One Thousand and One Nights'. Spice-scented souks and tightly packed alleyways hiding blissful Arabian-style gardens and riads will immerse you in the city's captivating spirit. You'll visit top sights such as Jemaa el-Fnaa and the Medina.Kick off your afternoon in style with a guided visit to the UNESCO-listed Medina. Its streaming food carts, eye-catching bazaars and street merchants shouting to invite you into their stalls make the atmosphere truly electric. Every corner holds a different aroma, sight and sound, and the more you explore, the more you'll feel like a local. Head over to Jemaa el-Fnaa, the life and soul of Marrakech. Watch fruit and spice vendors selling their fresh produce and street performers entertain both locals and travellers alike. Finish off your arabesque adventure on a terrace cafe where you can sit down, relax and sip a refreshing drink as you get a bird's-eye view of the square.

Marrakech history tour

This half-day city tour is the ideal introduction to Marrakech. You'll unravel the city's history and culture by visiting some of its top attractions including Koutoubia Mosque, Bahia Palace and Museum of Marrakech.We'll kick off the tour at the 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque. Towering over Marrakech at 70 metres high, its minaret is the tallest building in the city and can be seen from almost all parts of the old town. You can admire its intricate stone carvings and pink-hued facade as your guide reveals more about its history. Next on the agenda is a special one, Marrakech's crown jewel - Bahia Palace. Wander through an extensive network of courtyards, gardens, and ornate pavilions, learning about its colourful past as you go. We'll round things off at the Museum of Marrakech. Here, you'll be able to delve into Moroccan history and culture, through vast collections of ancient objects, weapons and pottery.

Ouzoud Waterfalls tour with Imi-n-Ifri and lunch from Marrakech

The Ouzoud Falls are one of the top sights in Morocco and easily visited from Marrakech. You'll head into the Middle Atlas Mountains to see North Africa's highest waterfalls as well as a natural travertine bridge. Hamza, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘I've been guiding this excursion for many years, but I still love seeing the falls. They drop 110m down craggy red cliffs, and there are various places to view the cascading water, from above and below. Ouzoud means “olive” in the Berber language, and the falls are named after the ancient olive trees that thrive around this valley.'You'll cross palm groves, pass by typical Berber villages and weave through mountain passes en route to Ouzoud. Reaching the falls, you'll have plenty of time to take photos and marvel at the succession of tiered cascades. There's a permanent rainbow created by the mist thrown up from the natural power of the water, which is at peak flow during the spring.Your guide will point out the best viewpoints, and with luck you might even spot the Barbary apes that call this dazzling place home. Hamza says, ‘Many people think of Morocco as arid. Yet the Ouzoud Falls and the green surroundings bring a sense of vitality and life-force to the landscape.' After your visit, it's time to relax over a meal in a Berber restaurant where you'll tuck into a freshly-prepared local lunch including a typical dish of the region. And there's a photo stop at the nearby Imi-n-Ifri natural bridge on the way back to Marrakech.

Marrakech Hot Air Balloon Ride

This early morning hot air balloon ride is the ultimate way to start your day in Morocco. You'll get to soar the skies on an hour-long ride over Marrakech and the High Atlas Mountains. And once you land, you'll be treated to a traditional Berber breakfast served in a cosy tent.Your morning kicks off with an early pick-up from your hotel to begin making your way to the launch spot for your hot air balloon ride. First, you'll be served tea or coffee and a croissant as the balloon is inflated. Then climb in, and you'll be up, up and away – floating through the serene morning skies with views extending over the terracotta roofs of Marrakech, tiny Berber villages and snow-capped High Atlas Mountains in the distance.You'll see it all as everyone is waking up, and during an hour or so in the air, you'll see Morocco from a whole new angle. On landing, you'll be welcomed into a typical Berber tent for a freshly prepared breakfast.

Marrakech Buggy Adventure

Give your holiday an adrenaline boost with this dirt buggy adventure in the desert. Atlas Mountains as a backdrop, you'll power over sand dunes and rumble through Berber villages before zooming off again over the horizon. This trip has ‘excitement' stamped all over it.

Excursion to the Agafay Desert with dinner in a tent at sunset

Escape the noise and traffic of Marrakech for a night and discover the beauty of the near Agafay Desert at sunset. Enjoy a traditional dinner from a nomad tent.

Riad Dinner in Marrakech Medina with Transport

For a true Moroccan experience, dinner in a riad hits all the right notes. Riads are typical of the Marrakech medina, and though these historic palaces might not seem like much from the outside, as soon as you step inside, you'll feel as if you're in an Arabian daydream. Karim, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘In the old medina, lanterns illuminate the narrow alleys, at the end of which you will discover our riad. It's a hidden treasure. The décor inside recalls the Medersa Ben Youssef, one of the finest monuments in Marrakech.'The opulent yet intimate atmosphere of a riad provides the perfect setting for a special evening out. On arrival, you'll be served a welcome cocktail, which you can sip on as you relax by the courtyard and interior gardens. Karim says, ‘The Arabic word “riad” means “garden”, and most riads are arranged around a central courtyard filled with plants and fountains. When you walk in from the busy streets, there's an instant sense of serenity and peace.'The ornate detailing of the riad, with intricate geometric carvings and jewel-coloured tiles, sets the scene for your meal. Before you take your seat for a full-on gastro experience, there's the traditional orange blossom hot water handwashing ceremony. Then it's time to feast on a variety of local and European dishes expertly cooked using souk-sourced spices and the freshest produce, all washed down with wine. After your dinner and digestif, sit back and watch a belly dancer accompanied by a lute player.

1001 Nights dinner show in Marrakech

Buy your Fantasia 1001 Nights Dinner Show in Marrakech with Musement and enjoy the Moroccan authenticity in the heart of Marrakech.

Atlas mountains and Agafay desert day trip from Marrakesh

Admire the Atlas mountains and Agafy desert, visit Berber villages and sip tea with the locals on a day trip from Marrakesh.

Marrakech city tour

Marrakech is a city of intrigue, spice-scented souks, and exotic charm that holds thousands of layers of history. This day tour includes highlights such as the Koutoubia Mosque, Bahia Palace, Medina and fondouks allows you to scratch the surface and peel back the layers of this ochre-coloured city.You'll start at the Koutoubia Mosque and minaret, one of the largest in the western Muslim world. We'll head on over to the Bahia Palace and a local historical museum, before pressing through the labyrinth of the Medina's artisan area. Watch local cooperatives at work and browse traditionally-made handicrafts, after which we'll sit down for lunch in one of its famed riads.Then we'll dip into the Marrakech souks and fondouks where bright colours and oriental smells line the street. As part of this tour, we offer a shopping stop, where you can indulge in the city's vibrant shopping scene. This is an optional stop and can be customized to your preferences. We'll round off the tour at the buzzing Jemaa el-Fnaa square, the life and soul of the city.

Road of the Kasbahs 4x4 Tour with Lunch in Aït Benhaddou

The sands of the High Atlas are sprinkled with silver screen stardust. On this epic tour, you'll travel by 4x4 to Telouet, rumble across the dizzying Tizi n'Tichka mountain pass and visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Aït Benhaddou. It's a blockbuster. Youssef, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘I'm from the village of Tamdaght, just 6km from kasbah Aït Benahdou – a red clay village so untouched it feels like you stepped into a movie. Living here, films became a normal part of our lives. I boosted my income when I was a student by working as an extra.'Your 4x4 adventure in the Atlas Mountains kicks off with a scenic drive via Taddart to Telouet – a crumbling kasbah on the former caravan route that linked Marrakech to the Sahara. Then, with views over Aït Benhaddou, you'll break for a tasty lunch freshly prepared with locally sourced produce. Afterwards, your guide will take you inside the ksar walls of the kasbah, where Hollywood films such as Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia were filmed. This is one of Morocco's finest examples of earthen clay architecture.For the return trip you have the ascent to the spectacular Tizi n'Tichka pass to look forward to. Youssef says, ‘Tizi n'Tichka means “difficult mountain pasture” in Berber, and you'll soon find out why. It reaches the altitude of 2,212m with lots of switchbacks.' Once over the pass, the road descends through scenic valleys, passing villages and palm groves, before arriving in Marrakech.