Things to do in Marrakech

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.

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 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 horse and carriage tour with Jemaa el-Fnaa Square

Marrakech by night is magical – and as the sun begins to set over the medina, the night-time entertainment turns the atmosphere electric. You'll enjoy your own magical experience with a horse-and-carriage tour, and time to soak up the heaving Jemaa el-Fnaa square in the evening. Fatima, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘My family owns a riad in the medina and I would often go by horse and carriage to get to school. Horses, donkeys and mopeds are the only means of transport to traverse the narrow alleys of the medina – if you're in a rush, too bad.'Start your evening by hopping on to your horse-drawn carriage to tour the main sights in and around the medina. You'll trot along the 12th-century ramparts and down the main avenue. Then take in the views from the Hivernage district, and ride through Bab Jdid and Bab Ighali, two of Marrakech's imposing city gates. Next, you'll tour Mechouar – the Royal Palace district – and continue towards La Kasbah Mellah and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jemaa el-Fnaa. At this time of day, it's less crowded.The square is the life and soul of the city. By day, it's a space for vendors to sell their fresh produce, but by night it takes on a completely different air and the show begins to unfold. As the sun sinks low, stallholders begin to set up for the evening. Acrobats perform, storytellers sit cross-legged as crowds gather round, fortune-tellers proffer their wisdom. And cooks' grills sizzle with various street food staples – an absolute must-do in Marrakech.

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.

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.

Sunrise hot air balloon ride with traditional Berber breakfast

Experience the tranquility of a dawn hot air balloon flight over Marrakech, complete with panoramic views and a traditional Berber breakfast.

Marrakech camel safari

The palm groves on the outskirts of Marrakech are just a short trip away and provide a welcome respite from the busy city streets. What's more, you'll explore them on a two-hour camel trek, complete with that favourite Moroccan pastime of drinking mint tea.You and your family can create special memories with a camel ride through the palm groves, located just a short distance away from the city. You'll follow in the footsteps of tribesmen as you explore the desert-like landscape, palm groves and traditional Berber villages. These gentle giants slowly transport you with complete ease and your camel handler will be there to help at every stage. At the midway point you'll be able to take a short break for a refreshing mint tea.By the end of the journey, you'll know the individual, and sometimes mischievous, personalities of the camels and ticked off a must-do activity in Morocco. To round off your experience, you'll then be transported back to your hotel or riad in 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.

High Atlas Mountains private 4x4 tour with lunch

If you're looking for remote Berber villages, mountain panoramas and bucketloads of adventure, you've found it. This 4x4 tour begins as you approach the High Atlas foothills, just a short drive from Marrakech. Soon you'll be deep into north Africa's highest mountain range, passing typical farms and rust-coloured peaks. Yasmine, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Our olive grove in Asni valley was once enough to support the whole family, but when the crop reduced due to lack of rain, we had to move to Marrakech. These days, I work as a tour guide, and I'm proud to show our guests what life in the Berber villages I know so well is like.'Your private, air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle is exclusively for you and your party. As you wind into the rugged terrain, you'll stop at the most panoramic locations to admire the view and snap some photos of the distinctive landscapes. You'll also see a local pottery studio where artisan potters use traditional methods to make ceramic products, and you can buy some items if you like.Next up, you'll explore a typical Berber village. Your guide will accompany you to a traditional home to enjoy a mint tea and try freshly baked bread. Wave goodbye to your hosts and continue through the mountains into the Asni valley, where it's time to stop for a traditional lunch. You'll round off your 4x4 adventure at the Plateau de Kik, calling in at the Tahanaout gorges on the return trip. On a private tour, the guide is at your disposal, so itinerary tweaks are possible.

Private horse-drawn carriage tour of Marrakech by night

Marrakech by night has to be seen to be believed. When dusk falls over Jemaa el-Fnaa, the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and the atmosphere is electric. You'll experience it with a private horse-and-carriage tour of the city in the evening, with time to soak up the magic of the square afterwards. Fatima, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘I'd often go by horse and carriage to get to school from my family's riad in the old medina. Horses, donkeys and mopeds are the only way to travel in the narrow alleys, and there are usually pedestrians, too. There's no point trying to rush in the medina.'Say hello to your horse and driver, then set off on your horse-drawn carriage tour to see the main sights in and around the medina. You'll trot along the 12th-century ramparts and down the main avenue, see the highlights of the Hivernage district, and ride through Bab Jdid, and Bab Ighali, two of Marrakech's ornate city gates. Next, you'll visit the Royal Palace district of Mechouar and head for La Kasbah Mellah, before finishing up at Jemaa el-Fnaa, the UNESCO World Heritage Site that is the beating heart of Marrakech.By day, it's a spacious town square, but by night it reinvents itself and puts on a spellbinding show. As the sun sinks low, stallholders arrive and set up shop. Acrobats flip. Storytellers enchant their audience. Fortune-tellers twist their cards. And cooks' grills sizzle with sweet-scented street food staples. An unmissable Marrakech experience.