Marrakech Travel Guide – Best Things to Do, Hidden Gems & Tips

View of Marrakech and Atlas Mountains, huge Mosque in the middle.

6 days in Marrakech

Feel alive in North Africa

Marrakech really had a huge impact on us. With it’s colorful markets, vibrant places, incredible food and the nicest people we’ve met you start to feel alive the second you step foot in this beautiful city!

We came here in February to escape the cold and grey weather in Germany and could not be happier with our decision to come at this time of the year. With 22 degrees Celsius and not a single cloud in the sky we could really enjoy all the advantages of Marrakech! The six days we spent here almost filled us with a lifetime of memories and we can now say: Marrakech is one of our favorite cities so far!

We collected all the must-see places, hidden gems, adventurous city escapes and best food spots you need for your next trip to Marrakech in this blog post! Keep reading to find out what six days in Marrakech can look like – definitely beyond 1001 nights!


Day 1 – Into the Heart of the Medina

Arrival in Marrakesh: Where Winter Turns into Summer

The moment we stepped off the plane, Marrakesh greeted us with sun-drenched skies, swaying palm trees, and a skyline dotted with elegant towers rising above the city like a mirage. It was exactly what we needed—especially coming from a rainy, 10°C February in Germany. To enter Morocco, you pretty much have to strip down your life story. They want to know everything—yes, even your job back home.

🚨 Never bring a drone without declaring it beforehand!

Outside the airport, we met our gentle driver, who gave us a crash course in Marrakesh 101. But as we soon discovered, this city isn’t something you can be told about. You have to see it, feel it, smell it, and taste it. Marrakesh is a jewel of North Africa that reveals itself only to those who truly show up.

Rooftop of the Riad in the Medina of Marrakesh.

Our accommodation was a traditional Moroccan guesthouse, known as a riad—a peaceful oasis tucked behind ancient walls. And that’s where we met Hamid

Hamid didn’t just greet us. He welcomed us like we are the only guests here. With a warm smile and mint tea in hand, he sat down beside us, unfolded a map of the city, and began to share his Marrakesh. Every morning, Hamid made us breakfast with heart. Every evening, he shared stories, wisdom, and the kind of life advice you don’t find in guidebooks. For some, it might be too much. For us, it was unforgettable. By the end of our stay, he wasn’t just our host — Hamid still is a dear friend and even invited us to come stay with his family in the Atlas mountains next time.

With everything sorted, we made our way toward the legendary Medina—the historic old town where life spills into narrow alleys packed with endless shops and colors. Instantly, you can feel it: the pulse, the chaos, the beautiful, electric energy.

Starving from our 4 a.m. wake-up, we found the perfect spot: Café des Épices, tucked into the chaos of the old town, at Rahba Kedima Square. We sat down ordered some grilled veggies, a hot Tajine with baked eggs and tomatoes, juicy Beef Brochettes, and Zaalouk, a smoky, rich eggplant dip that came alongside freshly baked bread, landed on our table. We paired it all with a classic Moroccan salad: diced tomatoes, cucumber, onions, and green olives tossed in olive oil and lemon juice.

Morrocan food at café des épices in the Medina of Marrakech.

Beneath the winter sun that felt like summer, every bite was pure joy. Full and happy, we drifted back into the Medina labyrinth. Every turn pulled us into a new world. Shopkeepers called out in every language imaginable, while motorbikes and donkeys squeezed past crowds and kids played football in the dusty streets.

In Marrakesh, life doesn’t happen behind closed doors — it spills right out into the alleys, and you can’t help but get caught in it.


Day 2 – Collateral Beauty

After a delicious breakfast served by the ever-friendly Hamid, we made our way back to the Medina, soaking in the warm February sun – a gentle 22 °C that felt like spring. It’s a fascinating experience to watch the Medina awaken: early in the morning, the market streets are quiet, almost serene. But as the sun climbs higher, the once-empty alleys come to life – a beautiful chaos of colors, scents, and sounds.

Everywhere you turn, you’ll spot the iconic juice stands, offering freshly squeezed pomegranate or orange juice – a refreshing must-try! We found our favorite spot and returned daily, paying just 20 DH (about 2 €).

A little tip: in Marrakech, you can bargain for almost everything – except food!

Recharged by our juice, we headed to the Musée de la Photographie – a small yet captivating museum showcasing powerful images of Marrakech and insightful exhibits on the history of photography. But the real surprise waits above: a rooftop café with an incredible panoramic view of the city. Entry is 60 DH (around 6 €), and it also grants you access to another gem – the Musée de la Musique.

The Musée de la Musique offers a fascinating journey through Morocco’s musical heritage, but the highlight once again is its rooftop restaurant. We were honestly blown away – great food, unbeatable prices, and a view that will stay with us forever. If you’re in Marrakech, don’t miss this spot – it’s a true hidden gem!

Rooftop terrace in Marrakech. a man is drinking some mint tea. The table is filled with amazing Moroccan food
Rooftop restaurant at Musée de la Musique

They even invited us to come back for a concert that evening, which would’ve been amazing — but, truth be told, another food spot stole our attention later (more on that soon).

Strenghtened from the fresh and delicious food at the rooftop, we wanted to see the Ben Youssef Mosque as one of the most famous monuments of Marrakech. The moment we stepped inside, it felt like another world. Walls and the ground were completely covered in colorful mosaics, endless little details carved into wood and stone… it honestly looked like a movie set. You don’t need hours here — half an hour is enough to get the vibe — but it’s one of those places that stays with you.

Back in the streets, Marrakesh quickly reminded us of its other side: the hustle. Especially when you slender slowly through the streets, some locals will often stop you, smile, and offer to “show you the way.”

Pro tip that saves your pocket money:

Mostly they send you to some other guy who leads you to the next tourist attraction and then pleases you for money. So just ignore those people saying hi to you, even if they seem friendly in the beginning. That’s the hardest thing for Gianni because he always loves to speak to everyone. You can talk to them but be careful when they start leading you somewhere.

Not falling for the trap we promenaded further through those colorful narrow streets. Then came one of those perfect little finds: a tiny street shop selling trays of baklava and nut cakes that looked too good to pass. We walked away with two bottles of water and three sticky, delicious pastries for about five euros. The kind of snack you eat standing in the street while life buzzes around you — kids kicking footballs and motorbikes squeezing through the crowd while the smell of gasoline and spices getting mixed up.

That’s Marrakesh: you set out to see one thing, but it’s always the unplanned stops that turn into the highlights. Dinner that night was no different.

We had two restaurants in mind — one we found online, the other recommended by our friend Hamid. After freshening up at the riad, we strolled through the Medina at sunset, ready to decide between the two. But then we spotted this tiny shop: a grill, a sink, and a cashier squeezed into maybe two square meters. It didn’t look like much — but it smelled like heaven.

We looked at each other and thought, Alright, this is it. Either we’ll regret it tonight in our beds… or this will be the best meal of the trip.

And oh, were we glad we took the risk. For just €20 we got five full dishes (yes, five!) plus three drinks. Every bite was bursting with flavor, but the real discovery of the night was Tfaya — sweet caramelized onions piled on top of couscous. We immediately fell in love with it!

We even tried to recreate it at home later. And while Lara is a fantastic cook, let’s be honest: what those two guys pulled off in their tiny kitchen was on a whole different level. Sorry, Lara!


Day 3 – Into the desert

Oasis in the middle of the city

To kick off the day, we wanted to get away from Marrakech’s chaos for a bit. Instead of paying for an overpriced garden full of tourists, we went to Cyber Parc – and honestly, it was the best decision ever. Hardly any people, completely free, and full of beautiful palm trees, flowers and shady spots to just sit and breathe. Perfect place to recharge before our next adventure: the Agafay Desert.

Off to the desert

We booked a sunset tour with dinner. Pickup in Marrakech, about an hour drive, and the first stop: an argan oil cooperative. And let me tell you – these stops are a classic in Morocco. Every tour has them. In theory: a small local factory.

In reality: two women pretending to work and shelves stacked with products that looked more like they came straight from a supermarket chain. After some obligatory mint tea (and no purchase from us) we moved on.

Second stop: camel riding. Biggest mistake ever. We couldn’t find a single tour without it, so we thought: why not try? Answer: never again. It was honestly awful to see, and for someone who loves animals more than most humans, this was tough. Please don’t do the same mistake – just skip it. Later we’ll tell you how to do this trip better.

Sunset in Agafay & Dinner in the desert

Finally, desert time! And honestly, the sunset spot was magical. The Agafay Desert may not have the massive golden dunes of the Sahara, but the rocky landscape with the Atlas Mountains in the distance? Stunning. Just don’t expect soft sand everywhere – it’s more rocks and dust, but still absolutely worth it.

And then came dinner. The idea: a “traditional” Berber village. The reality: a tajine (good!) and a DJ with a bonfire show (not so traditional, hahah). Let’s just say: not exactly the authentic experience we imagined.

Our honest tip

The Agafay Desert is 100% worth a visit. But if we’d do it again, we’d skip the touristy tour and instead spend a night (or two) in one of the desert camps. It costs more, but the experience is sooo much more authentic. And trust us – it’s worth every cent.


Day 4 – Culture, Coffee & Souvenir Hunt

For our fourth day in Marrakech, we decided to slow things down a bit. After all the chaos, colors and noise of the souks, we felt like it was time for a calmer day. So our main stop was Dar El Bacha Museum – and let me tell you: absolutely worth it!

A women standing in the beautifully decorated doorway in the Dar El Bacha Museum in Marrakech, Morocco.

The building itself is stunning. Think beautiful courtyards, detailed mosaics, dreamy fountains and rooms that make you want to take a photo at every corner. It’s one of those places where you don’t just walk through, you actually feel the history and the craftsmanship that went into every single detail. Entrance is around 6 €, which in my opinion is a bargain for such a beautiful place.

Now… let’s talk about the museum’s coffee house. This spot is super hyped on Instagram – and yes, it does smell incredible. BUT: when we were there, the waiting time was three (!!) hours for a cup of coffee. Sorry, but nope. 😅 As much as we love coffee, no drink in the world is worth standing in line that long. Still, if you’re patient (or really curious), it might be an experience – we’ll never know.

After our museum visit, we just strolled through the streets again, soaking in the city one last time. We picked up a few souvenirs and enjoyed wandering around without a big plan. Sometimes those relaxed, no-pressure days end up being the best ones.

So while Day 4 wasn’t packed with highlights, it was exactly what we needed: culture, a bit of calm, and the joy of just exploring the city at our own pace.

Day 5 – Exploring the Ouzoud Falls

On day five, we set out for a little adventure and booked a tour to the Ouzoud Falls, one of Morocco’s most breathtaking natural sights. It’s about a 3-hour bus ride from Marrakech, winding through beautiful landscapes that make the journey part of the experience. Once you arrive, you’re greeted by massive waterfalls cascading down green cliffs, charming cafés right by the water, and playful monkeys that aren’t shy about grabbing snacks (trust us, keep an eye on your bag 🐒😂).

We loved it so much that we put together a complete guide to the Ouzoud Falls, with all the details you need to plan your own trip.

Day 6 – See you again, Marrakech!

Our last day in Marrakech was all about soaking up the city’s unique vibe one final time. We visited the Jardin Secret, a beautiful and tranquil garden tucked away in the medina. While it was lovely, it didn’t quite capture the magic of the city that had completely stolen our hearts.

Spices at the market in the Medina of Marrakech.

We spent the rest of the day doing some last-minute shopping, wandering through the bustling souks, and picking up a few souvenirs to remember this incredible trip by. Every corner of Marrakech seemed to have its own story – from the colorful markets to the fragrant spices and the lively streets filled with music and chatter.

Leaving Marrakech was bittersweet. This city truly blew us away, and we fell in love with its energy, colors, and rhythm. We can’t wait to come back and get lost in its magic all over again.

Hey, fellow traveler!

Are you interested in our travel stories, hidden gems & how we manage to travel so much with out 9 to 5 jobs?


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