Best Things to Do in Marrakech as a Solo Traveller
Heading to Morocco’s “Red City” on an independent adventure? Discover 10 of the best things to do in Marrakech as a solo traveller.
Few cities capture the imagination like Marrakech. It’s a city I first visited back in 2014 and have returned to again and again. Sometimes independently, sometimes with friends and sometimes with my Moroccan husband.
With its colour, chaos and culture, it’s a destination that rewards the curious and bold. For solo travellers, it’s also one of the best places to visit in Morocco in terms of tourist infrastructure and safety.
Whether you’re wandering through the ancient medina, sharing mint tea with locals or escaping to the Atlas Mountains, Marrakech offers both adventure and introspection.
In this article, I’ll highlight 10 of the best things to do in Marrakech as a solo traveller, based on my own experience. It can be used as a guide to help plan your own itinerary in this endlessly fascinating destination.
For more travelling planning inspiration, check out my suggested one-day Marrakech itinerary.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission when you make a purchase. Affiliate links cost you nothing and ensure my content stays free!
1. Lose Yourself in the Medina
Marrakech’s labyrinthine medina is the heart and soul of the city – it’s also designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s here that you’ll find many of the city’s most famous architectural landmarks, as well as its many souks.
While exploring the Marrakech medina, getting lost is all part of the experience – you’ll always find your way eventually. And throughout the day, you’ll discover plenty of things you never set out to. This is travel at its best!
Things to see and do in the Marrakech medina:
- Admire the soaring minaret and historic foundations of the Koutoubia Mosque – I love sitting beneath the orange trees in Parc Lalla Hasna.
- Learn about the country’s most iconic dishes at the Moroccan Museum of Culinary Arts, then grab a drink in the muralled Tea Salon.
- Get up close to ethnographic artefacts from across the globe at Le MAP – one of Marrakech’s best museums.
- If you don’t feel like a sit-down meal, grab a freshly squeezed orange and a hot, filled sandwich along Derb Dabachi
Solo tip:
Download an offline map (Maps.me or Google Maps) before heading off to explore the medina. I also try to find landmarks (a mosque, a square or a restaurant) that I can use as a reference point when finding my way.
2. Experience Djemaa el-Fnaa at Sunset
At sunset, Marrakech’s central square transforms into a living theatre. Musicians, storytellers, snake charmers and food stalls all set up here – the atmosphere really is something special.
While Djemaa el-Fnaa definitely isn’t my favourite place in Marrakech (I struggle seeing monkeys on chains), it is a quintessential “Red City” experience.
Don’t miss:
- Watch gnaoua musicians, spoken word poets and magicians in action – bring some small change to tip at the end of the show.
- Feast on street food classics like harira soup, kebabs and msemen pancakes from one of the food stalls.
- Settle in for dinner at a rooftop cafe overlooking the square to enjoy all the action from above.
Solo tip:
Generally speaking, Djemaa el-Fnaa is safe but crowded – keep an eye on your belongings and don’t leave anything valuable in unsecured pockets.
3. Relax in a Traditional Hammam
After a few days exploring the city, unwind Moroccan-style with a hammam (steam bath and scrub). It’s a fantastic way to indulge in a little pampering while also enjoying what is a unique cultural experience.
The great thing about Marrakech is that you’ll find hammams to suit all styles of travellers, whether you want a local experience or a high-end spa. In my opinion, it’s the perfect solo activity for unwinding after a day spent sightseeing.
Recommended hammams in Marrakech:
- LUXURY: Heritage Spa or Les Bains de Marrakech – both also offer massages and other spa treatments
- LOCAL: Hammam Mouassine (women only)
Solo tip:
Hammams are segregated by gender (unless you’re booking a private hammam at a day spa or hotel). Attendants will guide you through the process, so there’s no need to feel awkward if it’s your first time.
For more information about what to expect at a Moroccan hammam, check out my detailed article here. If you want to stay at a Marrakech riad with a hammam, you’ll find some of the city’s best options here.
4. Visit Jardin Majorelle & the Yves Saint Laurent Museum
Created by artist Jacques Majorelle and later restored by Yves Saint Laurent, Jardin Majorelle is one of Marrakech’s most photogenic spots. The cobalt-blue villa and botanical gardens offer calm and beauty in equal measure.
Adjacent to Jardin Majorelle is the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, which showcases the designer’s legacy and connection to Marrakech. Also on site is the Pierre Bergé Museum of Berber Arts. Its 600-piece collection includes objects from the High Atlas and the Sahara Desert.
Occupying the former servants’ quarters is Café Majorelle, which serves seasonal fruit juices, warm dishes and salads in an atmospheric setting.
Solo tip:
Visit Jardin Majorelle early in the morning to beat the worst of the crowds and capture people-free photos.
Tickets to Jardin Majorelle can be booked online. Combined tickets are the best option if you want to visit both the gardens and the museums.
5. Take a Cooking Class or Food Tour
Moroccan cuisine is as rich as its culture and taking a cooking class is a highlight for many solo travellers. Marrakech is a fantastic spot to embark on this culinary adventure, with both professional schools and home-style experiences on offer.
Foodies should also consider a walking food tour through the medina, which will take you well beyond tagines and couscous. They highlight street food favourites and Moroccan dishes that you might never have heard about.
Marrakech cooking class recommendations:
- La Maison Arabe hosts one of the most famous cooking schools in Marrakech. It features individual cooking stations and screens so you can see your instructor’s technique up close.
- Chef Khmisa is a beloved local woman who runs highly-rated cooking classes, including a guided visit to a local market to shop for ingredients.
- If you want to escape the city, this farm-to-table cooking class takes place at a nearby farm.
Solo tip:
Cooking classes and group food tours are great ways to meet fellow travellers in Marrakech
You’ll find more highly-rated cooking classes and food experiences in my detailed article here.
6. Join a Day Trip or Overnight Desert Tour
Marrakech is a perfect base for exploring Morocco’s spectacular landscapes and there are HEAPS of day trips on offer. Whether you want to join a half-day trip to the nearby Atlas Mountains or a multi-day adventure to the Sahara, there really is something for everyone.
For solo travellers, this makes it easy to explore beyond the medina, both safely and with the camaraderie of fellow travellers. In my experience, Moroccan group tours are social, affordable and ideal for independent adventurers looking to share the adventure.
Just make sure you book with a reputable tour company – check out Viator or GetYourGuide for traveller reviews.
Popular Marrakech day trips:
- Atlas Mountains & Ourika Valley – hiking, mountain views and traditional Amazigh villages.
- Ouzoud Waterfalls – a full-day escape to one of Morocco’s most impressive waterfalls
- Sahara Desert (Merzouga or M’Hamid) – camel trek to spend a night at a desert camp and enjoy incredible stargazing
You’ll find more inspiring day trips from Marrakech here.
Solo tip:
Don’t have time to go all the way to the Sahara? Agafay (just 45 minutes from Marrakech) offers a unique desert experience, with some incredible luxury camps to splurge on.
You can read more about the difference between the Sahara and Agafay in my detailed article here.
7. Shop (and Haggle!) in the Souks
The Marrakech souks are a sensory overload and shopping here is a quintessential Moroccan experience. Rather than being one continuous market, the souks are actually many individual ones that were traditionally associated with specific goods. Think handcrafted rugs, colourful ceramics and high-quality leather wares.
Souk Semmarine is one of the more famous and runs north to south from Djemaa el-Fnaa to the Ben Youssef Madrasa. At some point, it connects with Souk Nejjarine and Souk El-Kebir, so you can keep shopping for ages!
Many of the Marrakech souks are really photogenic – the dyers market of Souk des Teinturiers being one of them.
Shopping tips for the Marrakech souks:
- If it feels overwhelming, hire a local guide to show you around the artisan quarters – they’ll take you to the best places for the products you want to buy.
- When haggling, start at around half the quoted price and work your way up until you reach a price that works for you and the vendor. Always haggle with respect and have fun – Moroccans love to laugh and joke, even while doing business!
- Not all stall owners will accept cards, although some will accept foreign currency (Euros, GBP and USD). Check before you commit to a purchase.
You can learn more about shopping in Morocco’s souks in my detailed article here.
8. Discover Marrakech’s Palaces and Museums
Step back in time with a visit to some of the city’s ornate palaces and historical sites – there are so many it’s hard to know where to start. Many showcase traditional Moroccan architecture at its best – think gorgeous zellige tiles, stunning plasterwork and hand-carved wooden features.
That being said, the entrance prices to many of Marrakech’s palaces and museums aren’t cheap. So if you’re travelling solo on a budget, you may want to be selective about the ones you decide to visit.
My top picks:
- Bahia Palace: Intricate mosaics and tranquil courtyards that once housed a grand vizier’s harem.
- Saadian Tombs: A royal necropolis dating back to the 16th century – the decorative plasterwork is divine!
- Ben Youssef Madrasa: A beautifully preserved Islamic school with a pool in its central courtyard.
Solo tip:
Arrive early or late in the day for quieter visits and people-free photos.
9. Sip Tea on a Rooftop Café
Need a break from the hustle and bustle? Marrakech’s rooftop cafes and restaurants offer a welcome respite where you can refresh with a drink and people-watch.
Many offer incredible views across the medina and are a wonderful spot to listen to the call to prayer ring out across the ancient streets. I particularly love being up on the rooftops at sunset – it’s just so magical!
Great spots for solo travellers:
- Offering 360-degree views across the city, the Rooftop Garden is an unbeatable spot on the edge of the Medina. It forms part of the upmarket Nobu Hotel.
- Le Douar Medina is the rooftop restaurant of the Moroccan Museum of Culinary Arts. Its menu includes dishes you might not find elsewhere.
- Your riad! If you’re staying at a riad, most have rooftops with loungers where you can relax at the end of the day.
Solo tip:
Marrakech’s rooftops are great places to read, journal or just soak in the moment.
10. Experience Marrakech by Night
Evenings in Marrakech have their own rhythm, particularly in the summer months when the temperatures are deliciously warm. Many locals take to the streets (after staying in the cool of their homes during the day) and there’s such a wonderful energy.
Another great time to experience Marrakech by night is during Ramadan. Throughout this holy month, there’s a really celebratory atmosphere after locals break their daily fast.
Ways to experience Marrakech at night:
- Take in a belly dancing performance at Le Comptoir Darna or one of the fantastical shows at Palais Dar Soukkar.
- Join a guided small-group nighttime tour of the medina with a local guide.
- Enjoy a rooftop dinner under the stars, either at your riad or at one of Marrakech’s best restaurants.
Solo tip:
Stick to well-lit areas and use official taxis when moving around after dark. Always have the name, phone number and address of your riad handy, just in case you get lost and need to call for assistance.
Bonus: Stay in a Marrakech Riad
As you may have gathered while reading this article, I think staying at a riad in Marrakech is a “must”. The city boasts some of Morocco’s best and there really are options for all budgets, whether you’re saving your dirhams or looking to splurge.
When you stay at a riad, you’re not just getting a place to sleep but a cultural and architectural experience. Some come complete with hammams and onsite restaurants serving Moroccan specialties.
In my opinion, riads are really atmospheric places to relax (and feel safe), particularly if you don’t want to venture out at night as a solo traveller. You can settle in on the terrace with a good book, chat with fellow guests or simply listen to the hum of the city below.
Recommended Marrakech riads for solo travellers:
- BUDGET: Riad Aslal
- LUXURY: Riad 72
Discover more of the best riads in Marrakech for solo travellers in my detailed article here.
Embrace the Chaos
With its rich traditions, warm hospitality and intoxicating charm, Marrakech is one of the best destinations in Morocco for solo travel. It can feel overwhelming at first. But once you adjust to its rhythm, it can also be enchanting.
The architecture is incredible, the restaurants are world-class and the riads are gorgeous – what more could you want from an independent adventure?
PLAN YOUR TRIP WITH MY FAVOURITE RESOURCES:
Find hotels via Booking
Book tours and attractions via Viator or GetYourGuide
Find a rental car via Discover Cars
Book flights via Kiwi or Booking
Search for buses and trains via 12Go or Omio
Get travel insurance via SafetyWing
Buy a digital eSIM with Airalo
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About Me
I’m Malika, an Australian-born travel writer with an intense love for Morocco. I first travelled here solo in 2014 and after meeting (and marrying) a local, I made this North African gem my home. Since that time, I have explored the country extensively, travelling to all corners with my partner, friends and on my own.
Morocco is an incredible destination and one that I think everyone who has the “travel bug” should experience. The scenery is spectacular, the medinas are enchanting and the locals are among the friendliest (and funniest) people I’ve ever met.
It’s no secret, however, that there a lot of questions and concerns voiced online about solo travel to Morocco, particularly from female travellers. So I wanted to create this resource filled with honest and up-to-date information. It’s designed to help solo travellers explore the country safely and have an amazing time along the way.
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