The old and magical Marrakech, full of palaces, mosques, markets and gardens, is one of those cities that should always be on your travel itinerary.

Known as the "Red City" because of the reddish-ochre color of its buildings, this city has in its fantastic Medina a chaotic network of narrow streets that will take you through its most charming corners and its endless souks, giving you moments that we are sure will become unforgettable.

Keep in mind that Marrakech is the most visited city in Morocco and probably, during your visit, you will find a lot of tourism, even becoming a bit overwhelming if you are at rush hour in the most visited places like the souk. It is for this reason that we recommend you to organize well the days you will spend in the city and the visits in order to savor its true essence.

Although the city has many attractions, if it is your first time we recommend you to invest a minimum of two days and avoid the hottest months of summer (July and August) during which temperatures can reach over 40 degrees. If you have more time you can make an excursion to the coastal town of Essaouira or spend a night watching the stars in the desert of Merzouga or Zagora.

Based on our trip to Marrakech and Essaouira in 5 days, included in the guide to Marrakech, we have made this list of what we believe, are the 15 places to visit in Marrakech essential. Let's start!

1. Jamaa el Fna Square

The Jamaa el Fna Square is the nerve center of Marrakech as all routes through the old Medina end or begin in this square.

Besides being the heart, it is a place with a special magic, which invites you to visit it at various times of the day as it is constantly changing. It is not uncommon to find in the morning various animals, snake charmers, water carriers or sellers of fresh orange juice, while at night the square is completely transformed, filling with food stalls.

One of the best places to see this amazing change and the constant movement in the square is from the terrace of Café Glacier or Café de France (quieter) sipping a mint tea while waiting for the sunset.

An alternative to have a good first contact with the Medina and the Jamaa el Fna Square is to book this free tour, considered one of the best free tours in Marrakech with Moroccan Desert Tours, or this private 3 days tour from Marrakech to Fes in which you choose the itinerary, both with English speaking guide.

2. Medersa Ben Youssef

Entering the Medersa Ben Youssef, the largest Muslim school in Morocco, is one of the best things to see and do in Marrakech, without any doubt.

This former Muslim school of higher studies built in the 14th century falls in love at first sight when you enter its central courtyard presided over by an incredible iron chandelier and calmly observe all the details of the walls covered with handmade zellige, cedar, stucco and marble panels, as well as arches and walls decorated with tiles.

At its peak, 800 students memorized the Koran in its 130 austere cells until its closure in 1960 and is now one of the most essential places to visit in Marrakech.

A few meters from this medersa is the Qubba Barudiyne, the only remnant of Almoravid art that remains in the city of Marrakech.

Visiting hours: daily from 8 am to 6 pm.

3. Saadid Tombs

Finding the Saadian Tombs in the Medina, one of our favorite places to see in Marrakech, is a bit complicated, so no wonder that these tombs dating from the sixteenth century were not discovered until 1917. To access them you will have to go through a narrow passageway, located on the right side of the Moulay El Yazid mosque, near the great Bab Agnaou gate.

Once in the funerary complex we recommend you to approach the mausoleum of the Hall of the Twelve Columns that has twelve white marble columns supporting a handmade cedar wood dome that is a real wonder. The Hall of the Three Niches and the Hall of Mirhab are next door, but are smaller and not as decorated, but of course, also worth a visit. In all rest members of the Saadi Dynasty while in the gardens there are more than 100 tombs of servants and soldiers decorated with mosaics.

4. The Souk, one of the best places to visit in Marrakech

Get lost, bargain, buy or even get a little angry, are some of the premises that you have to be clear before entering the souk as well as being one of the best tips for traveling to Marrakech with a Morocco Sahara Trips.

In the middle of the Medina and entering the north side of the Jamaa el Fna Square you will enter a maze of narrow streets full of stores and the occasional food stall, which will delight lovers of shopping.

It is important to know that in the souk you can find many things: from the typical metal lanterns, slippers, djellabas, tea sets, spices, nuts, to clothing. In addition, as you enter this magical place, you will see that the artisans of the same branch are grouped in the same area of the souk, making it much easier for the traveler to find what he is looking for.

Our favorite is the dyers' souk, with its colorful wool dried in the sun, although there are many others worth visiting such as the henna souk, with cosmetic items, the silk, cotton and slippers souk called Kissaria Serrajine, the carpet souk known as the Tillis souk, the cauldron souk called Es-Seffarine or the Nejjarine souk with wooden items.

Another picturesque place is the Spices Square (Rahba Kedima) full of stalls selling spices of a thousand colors and aromas where you can also find natural henna artists.

It is very important not to ignore the guides who want to make you a route through the souks, as you will surely end up in a store buying more expensive. It is for this reason that we recommend you to visit them on foot, letting yourself go and above all, enjoying the place. Although at some point it can become overwhelming, this is certainly one of the most essential places to visit in Marrakech.

Visiting hours: every day from 9 am to 7 pm. Closed on Friday mornings.

5. Mellah

Mellah or the old Jewish quarter is one of the least visited areas of the Medina, but also one of the most interesting places to see in Marrakech.

The creation of this neighborhood dates back to the sixteenth century with the expulsion of many Jews from the Iberian Peninsula ordered by the kings of Spain and Portugal, which caused the emigration and formation of one of the largest Jewish communities in Europe in this area. Although now its presence is testimonial, it still retains some synagogue as the Al Azama, which together with the Jewish cemetery are two of its main attractions.

To access the Mellah you have to get to the beautiful Plaza des Ferblantiers (square of the tinsmiths), gateway to the neighborhood, located about 15 minutes walk from the Jamaa el Fna Square.

Its streets are not full of stores like those of the souk but there are good markets and prices are cheaper than in the rest of the Medina.

6. Riads of Marrakech

The riads of Marrakech are small old Arab palaces with a beautiful inner courtyard that have been adapted as hotels.

These buildings are our favorite place to spend the night in the medina of Marrakech as you will enjoy pleasures such as the sound of the fountain in the courtyard, the smell of the plants, the views of the Medina from the rooftop while sipping a mint tea, the Arab hospitality, traditional breakfasts and the tranquility of its few rooms, things that we assure you, stay forever in your memory.

The first time we were in the city we stayed at Riad Assalam, a small oasis of peace that met all the requirements we were looking for and also ended up exceeding all our expectations.

Whether or not you stay in one of them, we also advise you to go to dinner at a famous riad like Dar Cherifa or visit the Tiskiwin House, an old riad converted into a museum. Be warned that sometimes it is difficult to find your riad in the labyrinthine medina, but don't worry, there will always be someone willing to guide you for a small tip.

Keep in mind that some of these riads are also perfect for tasting local specialties such as couscous, pastela or the delicious tajine, although we also recommend you to try them in restaurants like Bazaar Café, Cafe Babouche and Nomad, all of them ranked among the best restaurants to eat in Marrakech.

7. Majorelle Gardens

The Majorelle Gardens, located outside the Medina, are the most beautiful of the city and another of the most essential places to visit in Marrakech.

These botanical gardens designed by French artist Jacques Majorelle were acquired in 1980 by fashion guru Yves Saint Laurent and today are a small oasis to disconnect from the stressful Marrakech and take refuge from the heat sitting under the shade of its trees.

The garden has species from all over the world, from cactus, bamboo and aquatic plants to coconut and banana trees as well as fountains, lakes and blue buildings make the whole really beautiful and photogenic, being also one of the most visited places in the city.

The gardens are located about half an hour walk from the center, although you can also go by cab, or as we did, take advantage of a visit to the Palmeral to be dropped off nearby and then walk back to the center.

8. Wall of Marrakech

The Medina is surrounded by an impressive wall of 15 kilometers that separates the oldest part of the new neighborhoods and has become another of the places to see in Marrakech. Built in clay and adobe has a height of about 10 meters and has 10 impressive entrance gates among which highlights the Bab Agnaou Gate of the twelfth century, decorated with bas-reliefs and green stone of Gueliz.

You can walk a good part of this wall and find other interesting gates such as Bab el Robb, Bab Doukkala, Bab el Debbagh, Bab el Jadid and Bab el Khemis.

9. Koutoubia Mosque

The Koutoubia Mosque also known as the "minaret of the booksellers", because of the large library and manuscript stalls that once surrounded it, is one of the unmistakable buildings of the Marrakech skyline thanks to its minaret of 66 meters high.

The Koutoubia is the most important mosque to see in Marrakech and one of the largest in the Arab world. It is also very close to the Jamaa el Fna Square and you can see it from the terraces of many restaurants and rooftops of the riads around, from where you can take good pictures of the medina with the minaret towering on the horizon.

Remember that as in the rest of the mosques in the city is forbidden entry to non-Muslims, although it is worth approaching when the calls to prayer begin to see the atmosphere of the surroundings.

10. Bahia Palace

The Bahia Palace which was built in the late nineteenth century to be the most spectacular palace in the world, is another must-see in Marrakech.

This set of buildings and gardens made in Arabic style occupy 8 hectares and among its highlights is the harem, with a pond in the central courtyard surrounded by the rooms of the concubines.

Note that although it is far from the Jamaa el Fna Square (20 minutes walk), in a somewhat abandoned state and without any valuables inside, it is worth the visit to observe the decoration of the walls, wooden doors and ceilings.

Visiting hours: daily from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.

11. Dar Si Said Museum, one of the places to see in Marrakech

Near the Bahia Palace and located inside an ancient palace of the nineteenth century, is the Dar Si Said Museum, the oldest museum in the city, which has the most complete collection to see in Marrakech besides being a beautiful two-storey building and several perfectly decorated courtyards that house an important collection of handicrafts, typical garments, copper objects, weapons and Berber jewelry and furniture.

Another of the museums we visited during our first trip was the Museum of Marrakech, which is worth entering if only to see the courtyard with three fountains and mosaics that are preserved on the walls.

Visiting hours: every day from 9am to 12pm and from 3pm to 6pm.

12. The Palm Grove

If you need to release adrenaline or just disconnect from the hustle and bustle of Marrakech, we recommend you take a cab to get closer to the area of the Palm Grove.

In this vast space of more than six thousand hectares and more than 100,000 palm trees, where it is popular to take a camel ride (an activity not recommended for not preserving the rights and welfare of animals), you will be able to see a variety of animals.

and welfare of the animals) we suggest you to book this quad tour or this buggy tour that passes through its desert landscapes and traditional villages.

13. Badi Palace

The Badi Palace, built in the late sixteenth century by Sultan Ahmed al-Mansour to celebrate the victory over the Portuguese in the Battle of the Three Kings, is another of the most interesting places to visit in Marrakech.

Although in ancient times it had more than 300 rooms and numerous rooms decorated with the most luxurious materials, after a complete looting and the passage of time was left in the ruinous state that we see today.

Still, it is worth approaching the palace to imagine its grandeur, observe a large courtyard with a pond and climb the walls full of storks' nests to have a fantastic view of Marrakech.

Visiting hours: every day from 8 am to 5 pm.

14. Menara Gardens

The Menara Gardens, located at the gates of the Atlas Mountains, is the most romantic place to see in Marrakech when the sun goes down.

In addition to the incredible views of the Atlas Mountains, these gardens stand out for its imposing artificial pond that irrigates the surrounding orchards and olive groves, and for the magnificent Menara Pavilion topped with a small green pyramid, which gives its name to the whole complex.

The best way to reach these gardens, located 2 kilometers from the center, is by cab for about 10 dirhams.

Visiting hours: every day from 8 am to 5 pm.

15. Relaxing in a Hammam

To finish this list of the most interesting places to visit in Marrakech we suggest a relaxing bath and exfoliating massage in a hammam.

These traditional Arab baths, which have their origins in the Roman baths, were formerly frequented by the upper classes of the city until they were opened to the general public and tourists.

Keep in mind that in the most popular hammams, which are priced at about 10 dirhams (1 euro) you have to take all the products for the bath as a towel, flip flops, black soap and a glove kess also are not mixed.

The best option for tourists is to go to a mixed one that includes all the products such as Rosa Bonheur, Les Bains de Marrakech or Spa Click, where you can book in advance from this page.