Marrakesh, Morocco is a place that beckons travelers from across the globe with the promise of a novel adventure. When I think of Marrakesh, I think of the sound of beating drums and the clacking of finger cymbals. I imagine the aroma of warm spices slinking out of bustling restaurants and open-air markets. I remember the savory goodness of a freshly-made vegetable tagine and mouth-watering couscous. I can almost feel the woolen texture of a handmade Berber rug. Most vivid of all, I see color all around me in silk scarfs and flowing kaftans, in pastel buildings and lush gardens, in souvenir trinkets and giant piles of rainbow spices. Marrakesh is a city that commands you to experience it with all your senses; to be present and know what it feels like to be fully alive.
If you’re considering paying a visit to this magical city, here are my suggestion for 10 things to do as a solo traveler once you get there!
1. Take a tour of the medina
A woman walking in the alleyways of the medina.
The medina is the old, walled city of Marrakesh and the center of all the action. Built in the 11th century, the medina’s pink stone walls and buildings are a defining feature of the city. With most streets being much too narrow to navigate by car, the medina’s ancient cobblestone streets are traversed instead by pedestrians, whizzing motorcycles, and donkey carts.
Luxury riads, humble homes, restaurants, rooftop terraces, mosques, museums, monuments, and a maze of souks all share space within the medina. Here you will also find the iconic Jemaa el-Fna, a bustling open market full of street vendors, street performers, snake charmers, and musicians.
In the medina, but especially in Jemaa el-Fna there can be something or someone vying for your attention in every direction which can get quite overwhelming.
The streets are winding and confusing, and it’s easy to get a little turned around. It is, for this reason, I believe it’s a good idea to hire a guide to take you on a tour through the medina. A guide can show you where to shop for certain goods, help you gain your bearings, provide context and information about any points of interest, and help you get over any initial culture shock.
2. Shop in the souks
Spices in the souks of Marrakesh.
A souk is a marketplace common in Northern Africa and the Middle East that is comprised of a collection of small shops and stalls. In Marrakesh, there’s a souk for almost any and everything you might like to buy: souvenirs, jewelry, herbs and spices, carpets, fabrics, and more. Even if you don’t typically enjoy shopping, perusing the souks is a really unique experience and pretty much a must-do when in Marrakesh. Expect to haggle!
See this post on 10 Tips for Shopping in the Souks of Marrakesh to assist your mission. In addition, there’s always the option to hire a guide if you really want to find the best goods at the best prices.
3. Dine on a rooftop terrace overlooking Jemaa El-Fna
Jemaa el-Fna at night viewed from above.
Take a moment to observe the action at Jemaa el-Fna from the comfort of a rooftop terrace. That way, you can see everything that’s going on below without having to be in it. Many of the cafes around the square offer sidewalk seating which is great for people-watching, but there’s a chance you might be approached by persistent salespeople or the occasional beggar while on the ground level. Opt for the balcony so you can really sit back and relax.
The cafes around Jemaa el-Fna are mostly geared towards tourists, but that doesn’t mean the food is not up to par. I thoroughly enjoyed my vegetarian lunch at Zeitoun Cafe, and highly recommend giving it a shot! If you’re not interested in having a full meal, there’s always the option to simply sip on a pot of Moroccan mint tea instead.
4. Visit the Jardin Majorelle and YSL Museum
Jardin Majorelle historic villa.
In the 1920s, French artist Jacque Majorelle purchased a plot of land on the edge of a palm grove in Marrakesh. What began as a hobby for botany transformed into a near obsession. The artist spent over 40 years cultivating a large and impressive botanical garden on the property filled with hundreds of species of exotic plants, flowers, and trees. He painted his on-site studio and various accents a striking cobalt blue which would later become known as Majorelle blue. The garden he created was fantastical but costly. Majorelle opened the garden to the public in 1947 to help cover the costs, but at the end of his life, he was forced to sell it. The garden was essentially abandoned and began to fall into disrepair.
However, in 1966, Yves St. Laurent and his partner, Pierre Berge, discovered the Jardin Majorelle and became captivated by its magnificence. The pair visited repeatedly over the years, and in 1980, they discovered that the garden was in danger of being sold and turned into a hotel complex. So, they purchased the garden and spent years revitalizing it to honor the vision of the Jacque Majorelle.
Both Jacque Majorelle and Yves St. Laurent seemed to draw inspiration from Marrakesh. Yves St. Laurent is quoted as saying, “Marrakesh taught me color. Before Marrakesh, everything was black.”
Today, guests can visit the Jardin Majorelle and the Yves St. Laurent Museum (located just next door) to discover why these two visionaries fell in love with the city.
5. Visit the Museum of Photography (Maison de la Photographie)
The Maison de la Photographie is located in the heart of the medina within a gorgeous, traditional Moroccan riad. Spanning three floors, this small yet stunning collection of photographic works that cover a period from 1870 - 1950 share a story of Morocco’s history that words could never convey. This is a great place to find peace and solitude in the middle of the bustling medina. Located on the roof is a breezy terrace perfect for sipping an afternoon tea and taking in the views of the city around you.
6. Take a day trip to the High Atlas Mountains
Located just an hour’s drive from Marrakesh, the High Atlas Mountains are part of North Africa’s tallest mountain range. They serve as a barrier between the mild Mediterranean climate to the North, and the scorching heat of the Sahara desert to the south. Though it does not often rain in Marrakesh, the city has constant access to water thanks to rivers and underground irrigation systems which originate in the High Atlas Mountains. A day trip to this region of Morocco not only offers you the chance to experience a completely different ecosystem from Marrakesh but also a distinctly unique culture. Here, you will discover a traditional Berber culture with its own language, cuisine, and way of life.
For this activity, I recommend hiring a guide who can share with you insight into the local Berber culture and escort you on any hikes you may wish to take.
7. Visit a Berber pharmacy
Berber Pharmacy.
While on a day trip in the Atlas Mountains, my mountain guide informed me that his grandfather, a Berber, was over 100 years old and that many Berbers living in the High Atlas live to be over 100. This made me wonder, “What do Berbers know that the rest of the world doesn’t?”
One way to gain insight into this question is by visiting a Berber pharmacy. This is not your typical western idea of a pharmacy. In fact, you will find no familiar medication at all. Instead, you will find a room filled with colorful spices, fresh herbs, teas, plant extracts, essential oils, and other nature-derived products.
Visiting a Berber pharmacy offers an alternative perspective to the narrative being pushed by Western society and pharmaceutical companies about human health and wellbeing. Overall, I found the experience to be very fascinating and eye-opening.
8. Stay in a dar or riad
Dar Ayniwen, Marrakesh.
A riad is a traditional Moroccan or Moorish house characterized by an inward-facing garden or courtyard. Many of these mansion-like houses in Marrakesh have been lovingly restored and now serve as luxury hotels and guest houses. Typically, when this kind of structure is found within the medina, it is referred to as a riad and when it is found outside the medina, it is referred to as a dar.
One of the pros of staying in a riad within the medina is you’re close to all the action. However, staying a little outside the medina offers a peaceful contrast to the constant activity of the city.
Our absolute favorite place to stay in Marrakesh is The Dar Ayniwen Villa Hotel.
This hotel is unlike any other hotel in the world. Located a short drive outside the medina (accessed by complimentary private shuttle), The Dar Ayniwen is a tranquil, urban oasis featuring a 5-acre garden filled with thriving olive and palm trees, swaths of fragrant flowers, and a plethora of exotic birds that roam the property and fill the air with their melodious songs. Along with the aspects of a traditional dar or riad, Dar Ayniwen features a host of unique and luxurious amenities including a formal Arabic dining tent, a full-service hammam and spa, a year-round heated pool, and butler-like service for every guest.
Spoiler: The Dar Ayniwen is the hotel of choice on our annual AstridTravel Club Trip to Marrakesh!
9. Take a food tour
Before visiting Marrakesh, I had never really experienced Moroccan cuisine so I wasn’t quite sure what to my expect. To my surprise, the food ended up being one of the highlights of my trip. From freshly-picked olives to delicate and savory lamb tagine, to light and fluffy couscous, I was continually stunned by flavors I never knew I was missing out on. Perhaps I was just lucky, but I never experienced a bad meal in Marrakesh.
To really optimize your experience, I recommend taking a food tour to learn about traditional Moroccan dishes, delicacies, and specialties. A walking food tour is a great way to get to know the city, learn where to go, and what to try during the rest of your stay in Marrakesh.
Our favorite tour? This one.
10. Brave a hammam experience
Heritage Spa. Image source.
Visiting the hammam is a tradition in Moroccan culture, and has been for centuries. Hammams were originally designed as public bathing houses used to cleanse and purify oneself before prayer and also for socializing. Today, Moroccans still treat themselves to weekly hammam treatments and one can be found in every neighborhood of Marrakesh. Traditionally, hammams are segregated by sex and divided into three rooms: a hot steam room for opening the pores, a warm room for bathing and scrubbing, and a cool room for relaxing and/or receiving a massage.
Whether visiting a public or private hammam, the procedure goes something like this:
You will be asked to strip your clothes. If you’re not comfortable with the idea of being totally nude, you may choose to leave on your underwear or swimsuit bottoms. Best to leave your inhibitions at the door!
After a quick rinse, prepare to be overwhelmed by the hot steam room. Breathe and relax before moving onto the warm room.
It is customary in public hammams for friends and loved ones to assist each other in the bathing process, but if visiting alone, you may hire an attendant to help you. You will then scrub down with a black soap made of olive oil and black olive pulp designed to soften the skin in preparation for exfoliation. Then you or an attendant will rinse off the soap and begin the exfoliation process with a kess, a rough-textured glove. This is where things can get uncomfortable considering nearly every inch of your body is scrubbed - really, really, scrubbed. The goal is to remove dead skin cells, so the process can be a bit rough. If it’s too much, don’t be afraid to say so.
Once the dead skin is removed, you’ll be lathered with a concoction of aromatic oils to rehydrate the skin. Rinse off once more and move to the cool room.
In the softly-lit cool room, you’ll have the opportunity to relax with a glass of water or sweet Moroccan mint tea. Some hammams will also offer a massage.
Redress, and be on your way, hopefully feeling wonderfully refreshed!
Visiting a Moroccan hammam is a unique, slightly uncomfortable, interesting, and oddly relaxing experience. It is part of Moroccan culture, and something I feel is worth trying - even if only once!
For the optimal luxury experience, consider booking a treatment at the opulent Spa at the Royal Mansour. Read this post for more tips on how to hammam in Marrakesh!
Hesitant to Visit Alone? Join a Small Group of Fellow Solo Travelers
If the idea of visiting Marrakesh has piqued your interest, yet you’d rather not visit totally alone, we invite you to consider visiting Marrakesh with the AstridTravel Club. Traveling with us allows you to travel in comfort and style without breaking the bank. In addition, our itineraries venture far beyond sightseeing and instead dive beneath the surface to facilitate both personal and cultural enrichment. Connect with other like-minded travelers and experience the magic of Marrakesh with newfound friends! Click the button below to discover what this fabulous trip has to offer.
