Marrakech event weekends: what to do between sessions
The red city: souks, palaces and Jemaa el-Fnaa square, with the Atlas mountains and the Agafay desert an hour away.
Events we cover in Marrakech
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Marrakech, MoroccoMarathon12 Apr 2027*GITEX Africa
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Marrakech, MoroccoWorld Cup 2030
Arriving
Marrakech Menara (RAK) is 6 km from the Medina, 15 to 20 minutes by car. Bus 19 runs to Jemaa el-Fnaa and Gueliz for about 30 dirhams. Taxis ask 150 to 200 dirhams; most riads offer pickups, which helps because cars cannot reach many riad doors.
Where to stay
| Budget | Where | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Medina riads near Jemaa el-Fnaa | Courtyard guesthouses with roof terraces, walk to the souks. Expect noise and narrow lanes. |
| Mid-range | Gueliz and Hivernage | Modern hotels with pools, restaurants and easy taxis to the stadium. |
| Splurge | Palmeraie and the Medina palaces | Resorts with gardens and spas, or a palace riad in the old town. |
Three hotels we would book
- Budget: Riad Dar Anika
- Mid-range: Movenpick Hotel Mansour Eddahbi Marrakech
- Splurge: La Mamounia
Tours
Atlas mountains and Berber villages day trip
Imlil or the Ourika valley, waterfalls and lunch with a family.
Agafay desert sunset, camel ride and dinner
Rocky desert 40 minutes away, camels at sunset and dinner under the stars.
Hot air balloon at sunrise
Over the palm groves and the Atlas foothills, back by mid-morning.
Medina and souks guided tour
Ben Youssef Madrasa, the souks and the tanneries without getting lost.
Jardin Majorelle and YSL museum
Cobalt-blue villa and gardens, then the Yves Saint Laurent museum.
Hammam and massage
A full ritual is the best cure for a long match day.
Street food tour after dark
Jemaa el-Fnaa stalls, tanjia and snail soup with a guide.
Where to eat
- Nomad
- Café des Épices
- Le Jardin
- Al Fassia
- Jemaa el-Fnaa food stalls
- Mechoui Alley
- Dar Yacout
- Amal Center
With kids
- Camel rides in the Palmeraie for younger kids.
- Oasiria water park on the road to the Atlas.
- Le Jardin Secret, a calm restored garden in the Medina.
Rainy-day backups
- Bahia Palace and its painted ceilings.
- Dar El Bacha museum and its coffee house.
- Museum of Moroccan Art (Dar Si Said) and the Photography Museum.
Free things to do
- Jemaa el-Fnaa square at dusk, when the food stalls light up.
- Koutoubia Mosque gardens and the minaret at sunset.
- Cyber Park garden between the Medina and Gueliz.
Getting around
- Within the Medina you walk. Taxis drop you at the gates; carry a map offline.
- City buses run from Jemaa el-Fnaa to Gueliz and the Palmeraie.
- Petit taxis run inside each city on the meter: ask the driver to switch it on, or agree the fare before you get in. Grand taxis are shared and run fixed routes between towns.
- Careem and inDrive work in Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, Tangier and Agadir. Expect to pay in cash in dirhams in most places.
- Al Boraq high-speed trains link Tangier, Kenitra, Rabat and Casablanca. Classic ONCF trains continue to Marrakech and Fez. Book on the ONCF app; first class is cheap and worth it on busy days.
- Fridays around midday prayers and the evenings during Ramadan change opening hours and traffic.