What to Do in Marrakech, Morocco

What to Do in Marrakech, Morocco

A hauntingly beautiful abandoned palace, a perfumed garden and an art museum dedicated to the continent’s contemporary creative output: here are the places we always return to when in Marrakech



Take
Jemaa el-Fnaa square as your launching point and you’ll be
right in the thick of Marrakech’s action. After gulping down a
fresh juice from one of the stalls, venture along the medina’s
labyrinthine streets and get exploring. Mobile signal can be
temperamental in this area, so it’s useful to pre-plan your route
where possible (My Saved Places on Google Maps is your friend
here). From fragrant gardens on Rue Mouassine to impressive
museums – spanning fashion to African art – a little
further out, there’s no shortage of things to see and do in this
colourful city.

Entrance to Musée Yves Saint Laurent
Photo credit: Alex Cimbal / Shutterstock.com

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Musée Yves Saint Laurent

French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent was smitten with
Morocco from his first visit in 1966. Cementing his connection to
the city, Musée Yves Saint Laurent opened in 2017 next door to
Jardin Majorelle – Saint Laurent’s second home – as an homage to
YSL’s life and 40 years of creative work. Designed by Studio KO,
the terracotta facade guards the designer’s sketches, haute couture
fashions – including the famed peacoat and Mondrian dress – and
accessories, in addition to a 150-seat auditorium, research
library, bookstore and terrace café.

Address

Rue Yves Saint Laurent, 40000

Le Jardin Secret

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Le Jardin Secret

It’s not the best-kept secret in the city, but Le Jardin Secret
remains a worthwhile pit stop. The riad-museum dates back to the
16th century and the complex comprises two bountiful gardens: one
is an exotic marvel; the other, a traditional Islamic display.
Intended as a centre for sharing knowledge and the latest research
on Moroccan and Islamic gardens, the property is also home to a
rooftop café offering gloriously verdant views.

Address

121 Rue Mouassine, 40030

A ruined room at El Badi Palace Marrakech

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El Badi Palace

El Badi’s crumbly majesty precedes it. Plans for this palace –
constructed by sultan Ahmad al-Mansur in the 16th century – were
grandiose, right down to the gold, turquoise and crystal paving,
but its destruction in the 18th century and ensuing pillage left it
a shell of its former self. Today, there’s a stripped-back elegance
to the ruined edifice – all bare rock, fragments of fallen pillars
and rooms left wide open to the cerulean sky. Explore its expansive
courtyard, sunken gardens and reflecting pools, all of which are
surveyed by nesting storks.

Address

Ksibat Nhass, 40000

MACAAL
Photo credit: Omar Tajmouati

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MACAAL

Away from the main fray, on the outskirts of the city, you’ll
find the Museum of African Contemporary Art Al Maaden (MACAAL).
Worth the taxi ride, the independent, not-for-profit museum is
dedicated to contemporary African art, with works on display
presented across a diverse range of media. In addition to the
permanent collection, regular exhibitions focus on art that engages
in a dialogue with the continent, showcasing works by local and
international artists.

Address

Al Maaden, Sidi Youssef Ben Ali, 40000

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