Marrakech
Walk the lanes of a UNESCO-listed medina, browse its craft souks and unwind in a riad courtyard near the Atlas foothills.
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Marrakech is a city in western Morocco, near the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. Its walled medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to Jemaa el-Fnaa square, the souks and the Koutoubia Mosque. Red sandstone and clay buildings give Marrakech its name, the Red City. Founded as an Almoravid capital, it later became a centre of palaces and monuments under the Saadian sultans.
Start with the medina, where markets are grouped roughly by trade, including leather, carpets, metalwork and pottery. Haggling is expected when buying in the souks. At Jemaa el-Fnaa, musicians, storytellers, food stalls and street performers gather, especially in the evening. Try tanjia marrakshia, beef slow-cooked in a clay pot, or dishes such as tajine, pastilla and harira. A traditional riad has a central garden courtyard behind high walls; many now serve as guesthouses and hotels. For a change of pace, visit a garden such as Majorelle Garden or the Menara Gardens.
Marrakech in five
- Ask how your riad is reachedCars cannot enter most of the medina. Ask for the nearest drivable gate, and whether someone can meet you.
- Book the Jardin Majorelle onlineTickets are timed. Go at opening.
- Jemaa el-Fnaa after darkThe food stalls set up in the square from late afternoon.
- Insist on the meterPetit taxis should run it in town; otherwise agree the fare before you get in.
- Day-trip to the AtlasImlil and the Ourika valley are about 1–1.5 hours away by car.
Things to do in Marrakech
See all attractions in Marrakech
Need to know
- Airport
- Menara (RAK), 3 km from the center
- Getting around
- Walking in the medina, petit taxis outside
- Best base
- A riad in the medina, or Gueliz for a hotel
- Emergency
- 190 police, 150 ambulance and fire, 177 gendarmerie
- Heritage
- Medina on the UNESCO list since 1985
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear3 rainy daysHigh20°Low7°Sunny, cold nightsJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 17 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Sunny, cold nights
- FebruaryClear5 rainy daysHigh22°Low9°Mild, clearFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 36 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, clear
- MarchClear7 rainy daysHigh23°Low10°Warm, greenMarchClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 43 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, green
- AprilClear5 rainy daysHigh26°Low13°Warm, idealAprilClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 33 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, ideal
- MayClear3 rainy daysHigh30°Low16°Hot afternoonsMayClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 13 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot afternoons
- JuneClear1 rainy dayHigh33°Low18°HotJuneClear
Good
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 4 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh38°Low21°Very hotJulyClear
Poor
- High
- 38°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- AugustClear1 rainy dayHigh38°Low23°Very hotAugustClear
Poor
- High
- 38°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 3 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- SeptemberClear2 rainy daysHigh33°Low20°Hot, easingSeptemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 6 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, easing
- OctoberClear3 rainy daysHigh30°Low17°Warm, idealOctoberClear
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 17 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, ideal
- NovemberClear4 rainy daysHigh24°Low12°Mild, clearNovemberClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 21 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, clear
- DecemberClear5 rainy daysHigh20°Low9°Cool, festiveDecemberClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 31 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, festive
Average daily high and low in Marrakech, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Marrakech
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
26
- Feels like
- 24°
- Humidity
- 33%
- Wind
- 12 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 35%
Marrakech
08:05 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today27°18°35%Monday: Rain. High 27°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 35%.
- Tue26°16°68%Tuesday: Rain. High 26°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 68%.
- Wed25°15°25%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 25°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 25%.
- Thu25°16°1%Thursday: Cloudy. High 25°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Fri28°17°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 28°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat28°16°0%Saturday: Cloudy. High 28°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun32°19°17%Sunday: Cloudy. High 32°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 17%.
Updated 03:39 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 9.842 MAD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Essaouiraabout 3 hours by bus or carA cooler Atlantic port with a harbor and ramparts.Read the guide
- Imlil and the High Atlasabout 1.5 hours by carMountain villages and walking trails above the plain.Read the guide
- Aït Benhaddouabout 4 hours by carA fortified village on the Ouarzazate road; better as an overnight.Read the guide
Before you go to Marrakech
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Rules for Marrakech, checked
- Marrakech medina: UNESCO World Heritage listing since 1985, naming the Koutoubiya Mosque, Badii Palace, Saadian Tombs and Place Jamaa El Fna.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Guides: in a medina, use a guide with an official badge and local-authority permission; people posing as official guides are common.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Marrakech
Cities, coast and desert, with entry and money basics
Read the guideEssaouiraCooler Atlantic port, about three hours away
Read the guideFesThe other great medina, about 7 hours by train
Read the guideBest time to visit MoroccoHeat, rain and the shoulder months
Read the guideVisas and entryCheck your passport rules before you fly
Read the guideAgafay DesertStony desert camps close to the city
Read the guideMarrakech FAQ
How many days do you need in Marrakech?
Three days covers the souks, a garden, a palace and an Atlas or Essaouira outing. Two feels rushed in the heat or the crowds; four allows a slow day by a pool.
Should I stay in the medina or in Gueliz?
The medina for atmosphere and walking to the sights, with luggage carried through lanes. Gueliz for taxis at the door, restaurants and quieter nights, with a short ride to the souks.
How do I get from Marrakech airport to the medina?
By taxi or pre-arranged transfer in about 15 to 20 minutes. Agree the fare or insist on the meter before you set off, and ask your riad to meet you at the nearest gate.
Is Marrakech safe for tourists?
Mostly it is hassle rather than danger: touts, fake guides and pickpockets in crowded squares. Keep valuables out of sight and ignore anyone saying the road you want is closed.
When is the best time to visit Marrakech?
March, April, October and November bring warm days without extreme heat. July and August regularly reach the high 30s, so plan early starts and a pool.