Buzzing with life, Marrakech exudes vibrancy, with the exotic smell of spices in the air to the hustle of the inner souks and varied aromas from the street stalls in the medina. With super cheap flights from London me and one of my girlfriends headed to this North African city for a 10 day girls adventure.
Here is a girl’s guide for things to do in Marrakech!
Is it safe for women to travel alone to Marrakech?
For groups of girls or solo female travellers, Marrakech is pretty safe to visit as long as you keep smart about things. The unwanted attention from men is something that may be off putting but as long as you take correct safety precautions, there’s no need to worry.
Also be cautious and aware of your surroundings. There are many scams in Marrakech so do your research and have a heads up of what to expect. Walk like you know where you’re going, dress modestly and don’t flash valuables around.
For more on how to stay safe as a solo female traveller read this: Solo female travel: How to stay safe on the road
Places to visit in Marrakech, Morocco
Stroll through Jemaa el-Fna, Marrakech
This is the main square in Marrakech and is used by both locals and tourists. Here you will find food stalls, story tellers, snake charmers, musicians and dancers. It comes alive after sunset and loads of food stalls open up.
The food sellers will try and bring you to their stall, take pictures with you and are all really friendly (doing what they can to bring in the business!). Still it’s fun to talk to the locals and try the different street food available.
During the day there are many stalls selling the juiciest orange juice around, as well as ladies doing henna tattoos. Just make sure you get the brown henna (the black henna is not good). We got ours done by a lady behind one of the juice stalls- felt a bit dodgy at the time but it turned really good.
Shop at the Medina of Marrakech
Just off from Jemaa el-Fna is the medina and the souks, full of everything from leather goods, clothing, carpets, shoes, spices and jewellery. It’s definitely geared up for tourists and much of the stuff is probably cheaply made but if you’re looking for some cool clothes to wear around Morocco, or for some souvenirs you can find some nice things here.
Be aware of the shop owners, they can sometimes be quite pushy trying to get you into their stall. If they ask you “do you want to buy something”, make sure you don’t lead them on buy saying “maybe or yes” as they will put the hard sell on you!
You could get lost for days here, there’s so many little nooks and crannies. Give yourself enough time to explore as there’s so much to see.
Admire the pretty Majorelle Garden’s
Although popular with tourists, this pretty garden created by French painter Jacques Majorelle is a calm away from the busy streets of Marrakech. French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent bought the blue villa and the gardens and kept them open to the public, restoring them to former glory.
The gardens are a nice way to spend the morning and to take some time to chill out and admire the natural beauty of this place.
Day trip to the Ouzoud Waterfalls
One of my favourite things I did on this trip was visit the Ouzoud waterfalls. They exceeded my expectations and are spectacular when your standing down below. The Ouzoud falls are 110 metres high and you can see them from many different viewpoints.
There were even people swimming in the bottom. On the same day tour they also took us to some smaller falls where we jumped in over the cascading water. A little scary at first but after a few times it was a lot of fun!
Spend a day in the Altas Mountains and Berber villages
Another day tour from Marrakech, this one took us again to the Atlas mountains where we were guided around one of the local Berber villages, talking with the local children and meeting several camels too! (such funny animals).
We also took a break in the traditional Berber village where we enjoyed a cup of refreshing mint tea. It tasted so good in the heat and the mint tea in Morocco is so delicious.
Lunch by a pretty stream was really good, before heading to the waterfalls of Imlil (not as good as Ouzoud but still nice).
Enjoy Bahia Palace
Built in the late 19th century by Si Moussa, Bahia Palace is a beautiful historical site in Marrakech, Morocco. With it’s enchanting gardens to the colours, textures and patterns of its walls and floors, it’s a charming visit close to the city.
Just a 15 minute walk from Djemma el-Fna, it’s perfectly situated and easy to get to. The ceilings, floors, decor, walls are so intricate and colourful, as well as tranquil gardens to match.
Camels and Quad bikes in Beachside Essaouira
This was a super fun day trip from Marrakesh which took 3 hours by coach. Once at windy Essaouira town it instantly felt more relaxed from the city, not including many street sellers trying to convince us to buy their ‘happy cakes’.
After looking around the artsy medina section, we headed to the beach for a camel ride. Such a fun activity, especially when they make the camels run a bit and you’re bouncing around like crazy!
But the most fun I had at Essaouira was going on a quad bike tour. Me and my friends took it in turns to drive the quad bike up and over the sand dunes, where we got spectacular views of the beach and desert.
Wind down at a Moroccan Spa
There are so many spas in Marrakesh that cater to most budgets. We were on a pretty tight budget but managed to find a decent looking one. In our bikinis, the lady washed and gave us a full body scrub (pretty vigorously I might say!) and then hosed us down.
It was actually an amusing experience as we were both in the small room together watching as she sprayed us with this powerful water. However my skin did feel amazingly soft afterwards so I guessed it worked!
Enjoy the Local Food
The traditional tajine- a stew like meal can be seen cooking everywhere you go and there’s no better place to try it than when in Morocco. Also give the street stalls a go in the main square- we tried to go to several of the stalls, where you sit at a long table along with everyone else. This would be a great opportunity to talk to other travellers if you are travelling solo.
The traditional Tajine
See the Koutoubia Mosque
Lit up beautifully at night, the Koutoubia Mosque is the largest mosque in Marrakesh, Morocco. 5 times a day you will hear the call to prayer which is quite an atmospheric thing to experience in this cultural city. Try going at sunset for some great photography opportunities.
Dine at a Rooftop bar
There are many rooftop bars in Marrakech and I happened to stumble across this beautiful one, tucked away in the medina. Enjoying a cocktail and some bread and olives, it was great to sit and watch the city from a viewpoint.
There was no one else there and the place was so calming, playing through some strange meditation type music but it just added to its charm and tranquillity.
If you are looking to go out to some bars and clubs, there are some in the city- the bigger ones will charge an entry fee though. We went to a cosy bar close to the new city and danced out in the open air. There are many cocktail bars around the city that cater to tourists.
Where to stay in Marrakech?
Hostels are cheap in the city and are always in convenient locations. They are great for solo female travellers wanting to make friends and to find someone to walk around with.
Check out these hostels from £3-£14 (so cheap!)
I stayed in a cheap hotel in the new city, close to the plaza. Even though we had a big room and our own sitting room I wished I had booked a traditional raid. There are some absolute stunning raid’s in Marrakech.
Check out these riads from £23- £80
Getting Around in Marrakech
The public transport isn’t great but luckily most things are walk-able distance or a cheap taxi ride away. For day trips out of the city, you can book these easily once there, at the tour shops around the Medina or from your accommodation.
When to visit Marrakech?
The peak season is from September to October and from March to May. These are warm months as opposed to July and August which are hot. December to February can be pretty chilly. Even in the peak times to temperature can drop off at night so bring something warmer for the evenings.
Hope you enjoyed this female traveller’s guide to Marrakech, please share if you can ladies!
Click here for: 5 Adventurous Countries for Solo Female Travel
26 Comments
Bahia Palace looks so amazing – you can almost feel the temperature dropping under the shade of all those trees! That’s exactly the type of spectacular historical site that makes Morocco so unique!
Yes it really is ‘typical morocco’ with all the colours and patterns- very pretty place!
I loved wandering the medina in Marrakech and the Majorelle Gardens. I missed out on the Ouzoud Waterfalls. That sounded so cool that you could jump off the smaller ones. Visiting the Berber village was such a neat experience. I wanted to get over to Essorina but didn’t make it there. I stayed in a Riad and am so glad I did!
shame about the waterfalls- if you go again check them out! A riad sounds great btw.
Great post! Marrakech is on the top of my to-go list, especially the Majorelle Gardens, tajine, and spas. Thanks for the tips.
glad you liked it 🙂
That sounds like such a fun girls getaway! I’d love to go to Morocco – one of the country’s high on the list! Sidenote: those tagine and other food pics = yummmm!
haha yes it was a great holiday and cheap flights if you live in Uk/Europe 🙂
I loved your post and the picture by those falls look so exhilerating- this is one place I dream of visiting, but yes little scared. thanks for the tips!
Valerie
no need to be scared honestly!
Oh wow this trip looks like so much fun! Those palace gardens are STUNNING. I was supposed to go to Morocco for a friend’s wedding but our trip fell through when her dad got sick. We’re still waiting to go together as she’s from there. Thanks for all the tips girl!
I hope you get the chance again, would be great to get advice from someone whos from there as well 🙂
I haven’t been there. But all photos including your are so attractive. Have you done a dessert safari as well?
I didn’t do the desert safari no but it looks a great ting to do there!
Looks like a fantastic trip! Morocco has been on my list for a while. Did you find it cheaper to book day tours after reaching Marrakech than buying it online beforehand?
Yes for sure- this is true for most countries also. It’s so easy to book once there and a lot cheaper!
Looks like an amazing place to explore with a lot of stuff to do. Out of curiosity did you find the strappy white dress caused unwanted attention>
Looking back now I’m not sure I’d wear it again but I found the longer we were there the less attentions we got. I think if you walk around looking a bit lost then the locals may try and scam you buy asking for money for directions! I have a post about all the mistakes I made in Marrakech if you wanna check it out!
I’ve always wanted to stay in a gorgeous Riad in Morocco! Your post is quite detailed. It’ll be helpful when I plan my trip soon. Thanks a ton!
Yes the riad’s are a calm away from the city, glad you liked the post 🙂
OMG, the food looks so good. The tajine and especially the marguez sausages. Visiting Morroco is high on my list and seeing your pictures makes me want to so bad! Love how friendly the people seem. Can’t wait to visit soon. Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
Hope you get to visit soon!
Great guide! I’d live to visit Marrakesh, the culture sounds so interesting. Ouzoud waterfall looks amazing to!
Glad you liked it 🙂
Such a good guide with lots of helpful information! It looks like you had a great time!
thank you!