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Marrakesh is one of the most fascinating cities in the world, thanks to its rich history and culture. Set in the heart of Morocco, the city has an abundance of historical sites, stunning palaces, beautiful mosques, lively markets, and peaceful gardens.
The likes of Bahia Palace, Jardin Majorelle, and the Saadian Tombs are the city’s most popular tourist attractions, but there’s plenty more to see when you venture off the beaten path. Here, we highlight 15 of Marrakesh’s must-visit hidden gems to ensure your trip to this magical part of Morocco is an unforgettable experience.
1. Marrakesh Tanneries
Photo Credit: chronisyan
- Address: Rue Bab Debbagh, Marrakesh 40000
- Opening hours: 8 am – 6 pm daily
Fes, which lies some 300 miles northeast of Marrakesh, is famed for its tanneries district, and although the Marrakesh tanneries are smaller, they’re no less fascinating.
This is where the bags, shoes, and other leather products offered for sale in the city’s souks (markets) begin life in the form of hides. The tanners set to work in the morning, dying leather hides in a wide range of colors. Leather workshops surround the tanneries, and this is where artisans set to work to transform the hides into beautiful goods.
If you tip the owners of the workshops, they’ll often let you spend some time on their balconies or rooftops, where you’ll get fantastic city views.
2. Cactus Thiemenn
- Website: cactusthiemann.com
- Address: Route de casablanca, Ouahat Sidi Brahim 40000
- Opening hours: 10 am – 5 pm Wednesday to Saturday
Jardin Majorelle, the botanic garden of Yves Saint Laurent, is one of Marrakesh’s most popular public green spaces, but Cactus Thiemenn is a fantastic lesser-known alternative. It lies six miles out of the city, so you’ll need to take a taxi to reach it, but the journey is well worth it to admire the impressive collection of cacti. More than 150 different varieties are represented, including some that tower eight feet tall and are more than 80 years old.
3. Djemaa el-Fna Square Rooftop Cafes & Restaurants
Photo Credit: yellow magpie via Flickr CC 2.0
Djeema el-Fna is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most famous places in Marrakesh due to its historical significance. It has been a major gathering point in the city since its foundation in the 1200s, and it continues to draw big crowds, particularly at night when people flock here to visit street food stalls and listen to Berber music.
For all of its hustle and bustle, the square can be very overwhelming. If you’d rather avoid the crowds, a great way to experience Djeema el-Fna is to enjoy a mint tea or a bite to eat at one of the rooftop cafes and restaurants in the nearby area. Here are two excellent rooftop terraces to choose from.
Le Grand Balcon du Cafe Glacier
- Website: marrakech-riad.co.uk/2013/10/le-grand-balcon-du-cafe-glacier
- Address: J2G6+5J5, place Jemaa el-Fna, Marrakesh 40000
- Opening hours: 7 am – 8 pm daily
This cafe lies right on the edge of Djeema el-Fna, meaning you can watch all the goings-on in the square while sipping a refreshing drink.
Rooftop Dardar
- Website: rooftopdardar.com/en
- Address: 4 Rue Riad Zitoun el Kdim, Marrakesh 40000
- Opening hours: 12 pm – 2 am daily
Rooftop Dardar is a trendy restaurant that lies just five minutes away from Djeema el-Fna on foot. It offers fabulous views of the Koutoubia Mosque.
4. Dar Bellarj Foundation
Photo Credit: art4stock
- Website: darbellarj-fondation.com
- Address: J2J7+WCM, Marrakesh 40000
- Opening hours: 9.30 am – 5.30 pm daily
The Dar Bellarj Foundation is an art gallery set within a former hospital in the very heart of the Medina. It showcases nostalgic photographs of old Marrakesh to champion the city’s architectural heritage and celebrate Moroccan culture and art.
5. The Moroccan Doors in Souk el Khemis
- Website: themoroccandoor.com
- Address: J2V6+7V, Souk Lakhmis Chez Yassine Magasin N334, Marrakesh 40030
- Opening hours: 10 am – 7 pm Saturday to Thursday
Souk el Khemis is a large outdoor market set within two former hangars on the northern edge of the city. It’s the ideal place to shop for unique furniture and home furnishings that make beautiful souvenirs.
One part of the market is dedicated to the ornate, hand-carved solid cedar doors that are typical of Moroccan properties. If a door takes your fancy, you can arrange for it to be shipped overseas to your home.
6. Atlas Mountains
Photo Credit: MRMPICS
The Atlas Mountains run along the edge of the Sahara Desert and serve as a beautifully rugged backdrop to Marrakesh. They aren’t exactly a hidden gem, but many tourists don’t realize how easy (and enjoyable) they are to visit.
A visit to the city wouldn’t be complete without a day tour of the mountain range, which has been home to the Berber people for hundreds of years. There are several tour providers to choose from, each with unique itineraries. Highlights include Tizi n’Tichka, a pass positioned 7,400 feet above sea level, and Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou, a fortified village with 17th-century earthenware homes.
7. Jewish Cemetery
Photo Credit: posztos
- Address: Av. Taoulat El Miara, Marrakesh 45000
- Opening hours: 8 am – 7 pm Sunday to Friday
Juif de Miarra cemetery is the largest Jewish cemetery in Morocco, with more than 20,000 graves. Some of the tombs are around 500 years old but are incredibly well-preserved.
Several notable Moroccan rabbis are buried here, including Abraham Azoulai and David Hazan, who have their own mausolea. Many anonymous tombs serve as a sobering reminder of the epidemics that have torn through the city over the centuries.
8. The Secret Garden
Photo Credit: Balate.Dorin
- Website: lejardinsecretmarrakech.com/en
- Address: 121 Rue Mouassine, Marrakesh 40030
- Opening hours: 9.30 am – 7.30 pm daily
Le Jardin Secret has served as a tranquil escape for some of the city’s most important political figures for hundreds of years. Its roots are in the Saadian Dynasty, but it was in the 19th century that it developed its reputation as a private oasis in the heart of the city.
In recent years, it has been open to the public for the first time in its history. Its buildings and manicured grounds are excellent examples of traditional Moroccan palaces that feature Arabic, Andalusian, and Islamic influences.
9. The Mellah (Jewish Quarter)
The Mellah was established in 1558 by Sultan Abdallah al-Ghalib of the Saadian Dynasty. It serves as a safe haven for Jewish refugees who fled Spain during the height of its religious wars. At its peak, during the 16th and 17th centuries, the Mellah was home to around 30,000 Jewish people and served as a major commercial area for the entire city. Today, only two synagogues of 30 remain in the Jewish Quarter, and less than a thousand Jewish residents remain.
The narrow alleyways of the area are great to explore on foot. The architecture here is distinct from the Islam-inspired buildings throughout the rest of Marrakesh. Plus, the Mellah is home to the famed Spice Souk, where you can pick out your favorite Moroccan blends to take home with you.
10. Anima Garden
Photo Credit: Maleo Photography
- Website: www.anima-garden.com
- Address: Douar Sbiti Ourika, Marrakesh
- Opening hours: 9 am – 6 pm daily
Anima Garden is a unique two-acre botanical garden decorated with unusual contemporary sculptures and a colorful variety of plants. With the snow-topped Atlas Mountains serving as a stunning backdrop, these gardens offer a tranquil oasis on the southern edge of the city. There are even artworks by the likes of Rodin and Picasso to admire.
11. Agafay Desert
Photo Credit: casa.da.photo
The Agafay Desert lies 18 miles south of Marrakesh, and a day trip here is the perfect way to experience the impressive landscape of North Africa. Don’t expect the sand dunes associated with the Sahara. Here, rock dunes form the rugged landscape.
There are plenty of activities to try, including camel rides, horseback rides, and quad biking tours. If you’re adventurous, you could consider an overnight stay to watch the sunset and admire the crystal-clear starry night sky while camping in a traditional Berber tent.
12. Marrakesh Cooking School
- Website: marrakechcooking.com
- Address: 95 Derb Sakka, Marrakesh 40000
- Opening hours: Various
Moroccan cuisine is a unique combination of Arab, Berber, African, French, and Jewish flavors and cooking techniques. Once you try it, you’re bound to want to recreate it back home, which is why a cooking class is a great activity for keen foodies.
Marrakesh Cooking School can show you how to cook the likes of tagine, couscous, salad, and flatbreads using traditional Moroccan cookware. Before that, they’ll guide you through one of the city’s souks to buy supplies so that you can learn about the fresh produce and fragrant spices available to Moroccan home cooks and chefs.
Once you’ve cooked your dish, you’ll be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor in the relaxing setting of a pretty riad.
13. Ouzoud Waterfalls
Photo Credit: Alberto Loyo
Marrakesh’s inland position means that tourists don’t get to enjoy refreshing dips in the ocean as they would in Essaouira and other coastal destinations. That’s why Ouzoud Waterfalls is well worth a day trip.
The scenic falls are a 2.5-hour drive out of the city, but the easiest way to reach them is by taking a tour with a local operator. The waterfalls have a 360-foot drop, and there’s a cool river at the bottom, which is ideal for swimming. If you’d rather not take a dip, go for a boat ride along the river or simply relax and admire the epic Atlas Mountain surroundings.
14. Gueliz
Photo Credit: Elena Odareeva
The Medina, which is the oldest and most central part of Marrakesh, is where most of the city’s most popular attractions lie. Gueliz is a much more modern neighborhood, and wandering around here is a great way to see a different side of the city.
You won’t find the maze-like alleyways and packed cobblestone streets of the Medina here. Instead, there are large boulevards, spacious shopping malls, chic coffee shops, and upscale restaurants. It’s a great place to shop, enjoy a delicious meal, or relax in a rejuvenating hammam (public steam bath).
15. Ben Youssef Mosque
- Website: medersabenyoussef.ma/en/
- Address: Rue Assouel, Marrakesh 40000
Ben Youssef Mosque, often spelled Ibn Yusuf Mosque by English speakers, is an attractive structure with a mosaic-like facade and green roof. Although Koutoubia Mosque and its great tower attract many visitors, Ben Youssef Mosque is arguably a more impressive site due to its age.
It was originally built in the early 12th century, making it the city’s oldest surviving mosque. Non-Muslims aren’t allowed inside, but they can admire it from the outside, along with the adjacent Ben Youssef Madrasa, a beautiful Islamic college.
Stay and Explore Marrakesh
The must-see spots in this travel guide will help you see a different side of the extraordinary city of Marrakesh. Be sure to immerse yourself in the historic heart of the city to discover even more of its hidden gems — you’re bound to find secret spots of your own when you take yourself on a DIY walking tour.
