Why Visit Now: Marrakesh

Marrakesh, a city that has always captivated hearts worldwide, showcased its resilience in the aftermath of the 6.8 magnitude earthquake that struck in September 2023. The global outpouring of support highlighted the deep affection many hold for this vibrant city. Marrakesh has not only bounced back but has flourished, turning the disaster into an opportunity for renewal and growth.

In the wake of the earthquake, the city and the surrounding Atlas Mountains region saw a wave of reconstruction and expansion. Properties that had to close due to damage took the opportunity to rebuild better and bigger. Now, less than a year after the earthquake, support scaffolding is being taken down and tourism numbers are back up.

The bustling scenes at the airport, with queues in the arrivals halls and busy pick-up zones, reflect this resurgence. A new fixed-price ticketing system for public taxis at the airport has been introduced, streamlining transit to the city center for visitors.

If you like places with a buzz, you’re going to love Marrakesh.

1. Ben Youssef Medersa is back  

The Ben Youssef Medersa has finally reopened after closing for extensive renovations in 2018. This former Islamic school dating back to the Saadian dynasty of the 16th century and named after the adjacent mosque, is one of the city’s best-preserved historic and religious sites.

The Saadian sultans are remembered for bestowing much wealth and knowledge on Marrakesh. Ben Youssef Medersa being one of them, this mosque is an architectural treasure, packed with Islamic history, calligraphy, intricately carved cedar wood ceilings, water features, and colorful zellige tiles.

Post-renovations it is stunning, and busy – go early or late to enjoy without too many crowds. 

2. Find your niche 

While the much-loved Dar Si Said museum, known for celebrating Moroccan rugs and weaving, remains closed, several other niche museums are seizing the opportunity to shine. Check out Dar el Bacha for a compact cultural experience and an elegant coffee house. A new addition for 2024 is the immersive "History of the Caftan" exhibition.

History of the Caftan Exhibition

Dar el Bacha interior

Sally Kirby

Dar el Bacha courtyard

Sally Kirby

Dar el Bacha citrus trees

Sally Kirby

The Jardins Majorelle are celebrating their 100-year anniversary in 2024. Its mature, cacti-filled botanical gardens offer a refreshing space to recharge and find inspiration. Be sure to explore the fascinating Pierre Bergé Museum of Berber Arts, also within the gardens, for a glimpse into the ancient traditions of Morocco’s indigenous Imazighen people.

3. Drumroll for the riads

There are a staggering number of riads in Marrakesh these days. Fortunately, popular classics are still standing, and some have even expanded their offerings. For instance, El Fenn has rebranded from a riad to a hotel, and Riad Kniza recently opened a stunning private museum and a new rooftop restaurant.

The modern exterior of the Maison Brummell Majorelle - contemporary design hinting at old architectural traditions.

Maison Brummell Majorelle

There's a noticeable trend of design and art-oriented riads opening. Maison Brummell Majorelle, an architectural and design gem, opened last year right next door to the Jardins Majorelle.

In September 2023, Izza opened in the Medina, boasting over 300 art pieces, and Rosemary near the Bahia Palace features neutral walls designed as a blank canvas for art exhibits. These design-centric properties share a common goal of bringing like-minded people together to create community, forge new pathways, and exchange ideas.

4. W is for wow and wellbeing 

The city is growing as a destination for wellness retreats and luxury spas, offering a much-needed counterbalance to its frenetic energy. For some, the mosque's Call to Prayer is a constant call to presence; for others, it may be a mild annoyance, depending on their state of mind. Spa enthusiasts can enjoy the ultra-effective traditional Moroccan hammam, an age-old bathing ritual available in many forms throughout the city.

The elegant interior of the Royal Mansour spa, designed for a relaxing retreat in the bustling city.

Isaac Ichou

Public hammams, catering mostly to locals and a handful of adventurous tourists, charge around MAD 100/USD 10 per steam and scrub. At the opposite end of the scale, the 2500 sqm wellness center at the Royal Mansour is one of the world’s most exquisite spas, fit for a king – it’s his hotel, after all. Their hammam rituals will leave you feeling royally pampered, with a 75-minute hammam ritual priced at MAD 1600/USD 160 per person.

In addition to hammams, there is a growing number of yoga studios and sound healing offerings, attracting international healers and yogi masters from around the world. This trend is most prominent from September through May, when the city's courtyard gardens and rooftops provide an ideal spot for tuning into nature under cloud-free African skies.

5. Pool play 

Summer is a sizzler in Marrakesh. In response to the need to stay cool, both literally and figuratively, pool day passes have become a popular trend. These passes allow you to experience the city's luxury hotels without paying the full room rate. For instance, you can buy a pool day pass at the Mandarin Oriental, which includes access to lunch and time by the pool on a sumptuous daybed.

For a more rural luxury vibe, the new Farasha Farmhouse, a countryside and artist’s hub, offers day passes for €60. This includes a delicious lunch, a pool lounger, and towels.

If you prefer the excitement of a wave park and water slides, Oasiria Waterpark boasts the largest wave pool in Africa. It also features 10 hectares of gardens, a lazy river, slides, chill-out cabanas, and a free shuttle to and from the city center.

6. Sidi Ghanem shopping district

On the outskirts of Marrakesh, Sidi Ghanem is rapidly earning its title as the design district. Shoppers looking for home decor, fashion, food, and art at fixed prices can easily enjoy spending a half day there. Stores like Chabi Chic welcome visitors to their showrooms, with their Tutti Frutti ceramic collection setting trends on tables from Paris to New York.

Sally Kirby

Sally Kirby

Several chic soft furnishing stores, such as The Boho Lab, offer Moroccan rugs, scented candles, and beautiful cushions. Additionally, there are a couple of bright and friendly cafés, including Jajjah, by Hassan Hajjaj, and Marrakesh Fine Food, providing nice spots for refueling, and galleries such as MCC Gallery who relocated from the Medina for a bigger space. 

Be sure to ask your taxi to wait or come back for you.

7. A food scene like no other

Time Out recently conducted a reader survey that ranked Marrakesh among the Top 20 Global Cities for Food in 2024. Michelin-starred chefs, renowned in the world of gastronomy, are taking the reins at the city’s finest dining establishments. This includes Hélène Darroze at La Grande Table, Royal Mansour, and Rohit Ghai, a true connoisseur of Indian cuisine, at Rivayat, The Oberoi. Meanwhile, the Djemma el Fna food stands and Medina streets stay true to their Moroccan culinary roots, serving up hearty, regional specialty dishes.

While Marrakesh’s culinary scene continues to evolve and transform, Djemma el Fna’s food stands maintain old traditions alive.

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8. Film festival feels 

For cinephiles, the prestigious Marrakesh Film Festival runs annually in the city. This year's 21st edition will take place from 29 November to 7 December 2024. The festival is an important platform for Moroccan cinema and an increasingly popular event on the international film festival calendar.

The festival is free to everyone, from local cinephiles to cinema professionals, whether residents of Morocco or travelers from abroad. Screens are set up at venues around the city, including an outdoor one at Djemma el Fna and Palais des Congrès. The festival also offers interactive sessions where the public can interact with filmmakers, as well as workshops aimed at supporting local and regional filmmakers.

Film is becoming more popular in Morocco, a country with three official languages, and the screen serves as a tool to share culture and address issues in a visual and accessible way.

9. Fashion 

Marrakesh has been inspiring fashion designers for decades and is famously known as the city that captured Yves Saint Laurent’s heart. The French fashion designer’s career is celebrated at the YSL Museum, where a special exhibition will run from September 20, 2024, to May 4, 2025.

Vibrant colors and rich textures define Moroccan fashion of the past and the present.

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The exhibition, presented by the Yves Saint Laurent Museum Paris, is titled "Les Fleurs d'Yves Saint Laurent." Learn more about the exhibition here. 

Many fashion designers speak of drawing inspiration from the city's rich colors, light, and textures. This influence is evident in another major highlight on the city’s fashion calendar, Marrakech Fashion Week, usually held in March. Dates for the 2025 event are yet to be released.

10. Celebrate African art

Marrakesh has long inspired creativity and is now championing African art, providing platforms for artists to reach an international audience. The Al Maaden Museum of Contemporary African Art (MACAAL), devoted solely to contemporary African art, originally opened in 2016 and has since hosted over 14 major exhibitions.

Currently closed for renovations and upgrades, anticipation is high for its grand reopening on September 24, 2024. The reopening will feature a permanent exhibition of the owner’s 40-year art collection, showcasing 2500 pieces for the first time.

MACAAL has become the heart of Marrakesh’s contemporary art scene - visit for regular exhibitions and the 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair, held in January and February.

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