Marrakech Monuments: the 12 Sites Not to Miss
The Marrakech medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985, packs palaces, a madrasa, dynastic tombs and gardens into a few square kilometres. Here are the monuments truly worth visiting, the order to see them in and how to avoid the crowds.
The must-see monuments in Marrakech are the Bahia Palace (late 19th century, zellige tilework and painted cedar ceilings), the Ben Youssef Madrasa (a former Koranic school founded in the 14th century and rebuilt by the Saadians in the 16th), the Saadian Tombs (16th century, rediscovered in 1917), the El Badi Palace (the monumental ruins of Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur's palace) and the Koutoubia, whose 12th-century Almohad minaret towers over the city. Add the Majorelle Garden and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum outside the medina. The southern monuments (Bahia, El Badi, Saadian Tombs) fit into one morning on foot; the northern ones (Ben Youssef, Le Jardin Secret, Maison de la Photographie) into one afternoon. Arrive at opening time to beat tour groups, carry dirhams in cash for tickets and book the Majorelle Garden online in advance.
The 12 Monuments at a Glance
| # | Monument | Area | Period | Suggested time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bahia Palace | Southern medina | Late 19th century | 1 h |
| 2 | Ben Youssef Madrasa | Northern medina | 14th-16th century | 45 min |
| 3 | Saadian Tombs | Kasbah | 16th century | 30 min |
| 4 | El Badi Palace | Kasbah | Late 16th century | 1 h |
| 5 | Koutoubia (exterior and gardens) | Near Jemaa el-Fna | 12th century | 20 min |
| 6 | Majorelle Garden | Gueliz | 20th century | 1 h |
| 7 | Yves Saint Laurent Museum | Gueliz | Opened in 2017 | 1 h |
| 8 | Le Jardin Secret | Northern medina | Restored riad garden | 45 min |
| 9 | Maison de la Photographie | Northern medina | Museum and rooftop | 45 min |
| 10 | Dar Si Said | Southern medina | Palace museum | 45 min |
| 11 | Mellah and Lazama Synagogue | Southern medina | Historic Jewish quarter | 45 min |
| 12 | Jemaa el-Fna square | Centre | UNESCO intangible heritage | Evening |
Monuments in the Southern Medina
Bahia Palace
Built in the late 19th century for the grand viziers, the palace strings together courtyards, planted gardens and halls covered in zellige and painted cedar ceilings. It is the most photogenic site in the city and the most visited: come at opening time.
El Badi Palace
Built from 1578 by the Saadian sultan Ahmad al-Mansur, the "Incomparable Palace" was stripped in the 17th century. Huge walls, pools and a terrace remain, with views of stork nests and, on clear days, the Atlas.
Saadian Tombs
The necropolis of the Saadian dynasty, walled up and rediscovered in 1917. The Hall of Twelve Columns is one of the finest rooms in Moroccan art. The site is small: queues build quickly by mid-morning.
Dar Si Said and the Mellah
Dar Si Said houses a museum of weaving and carpets. A few minutes away, the Mellah, the former Jewish quarter, keeps the Lazama Synagogue and a spice market.
Monuments in the Northern Medina
Ben Youssef Madrasa
A former Koranic school, one of the largest in the Maghreb, with a central courtyard of stucco, cedar and zellige and student cells upstairs. Restored, it has recently reopened to the public.
Le Jardin Secret and Maison de la Photographie
Le Jardin Secret is a former riad-palace whose Islamic and exotic gardens have been restored; its tower looks over the rooftops. The Maison de la Photographie shows vintage photographs of Morocco and has a rooftop café.
The souks start right next door: see what to buy and how to haggle.
Koutoubia and Jemaa el-Fna
The Almohad minaret of the Koutoubia, about 77 metres high, is a landmark across the medina. The mosque's interior is reserved for Muslims, but its gardens are open to all. Next door, Jemaa el-Fna square comes alive at sunset.
Outside the Medina: Majorelle and the YSL Museum
The blue garden created by painter Jacques Majorelle, later saved by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé, is the most visited site in Marrakech. The Yves Saint Laurent Museum, opened in 2017, is next door. Tickets are sold online with time slots: full details in the Majorelle Garden.
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Our One-Day Walking Itinerary
| Time | Stop | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | Saadian Tombs | Before the groups arrive |
| Mid-morning | El Badi Palace | Go up to the terrace |
| Late morning | Bahia Palace, then the Mellah | Lunch near Place des Ferblantiers |
| Early afternoon | Majorelle Garden and YSL Museum | By taxi, slot booked |
| Late afternoon | Ben Youssef Madrasa, Le Jardin Secret | Walk back through the souks |
| Sunset | Koutoubia and Jemaa el-Fna | A café terrace |
For a full stay, see Marrakech in 3 days and things to do in Marrakech.
Where to Stay to Visit on Foot
A riad in the medina, near the Kasbah or Riad Zitoun for the southern monuments, or in Mouassine for the northern ones, lets you do everything on foot. See where to stay in Marrakech and the best riads.
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FAQ — Marrakech Monuments
Which monuments should you not miss in Marrakech?
How long do you need to see Marrakech's monuments?
Can you visit the Koutoubia Mosque?
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What is the most beautiful monument in Marrakech?
In Short
- Top 5 → Bahia, Ben Youssef, Saadian Tombs, El Badi, Koutoubia.
- Outside the medina → Majorelle Garden and YSL Museum, booked online.
- Method → south in the morning, north in the afternoon, Jemaa el-Fna at sunset.
