The 15 best free activities in Marrakech

The 15 best free activities in Marrakech

The 15 best free activities in Marrakech: Then follow this Top 15 list of free visits, museums and activities to do in Marrakech that we’ve created so you can enjoy without breaking the bank.

Jemaa el-Fna Square:

The heart and soul of Marrakech, Jemaa el-Fna Square is the place to go if you want to see what the locals are up to.
With food and drink stalls serving delicious Moroccan dishes and fresh orange juice, as well as a host of entertainment including snake charmers, storytellers and belly dancers, it’s the absolute place to go for a cheap, lively and joyful cultural experience.
Of course, half the fun of Jemaa el-Fna is simply being there, so you don’t need to spend a penny there to enjoy yourself!

Discover the souks of Marrakech:

Vibrant, noisy and carrying the spirit of a traditional Arab bazaar, Marrakech’s souks are an explosion of colors, smells, sounds and tastes.

We suggest wandering through the narrow streets where you can expect to find Moroccan-style lamps, ornate cushions and carpets, genuine leather bags, babouches (Moroccan slippers) or djellabas (traditional dress), as well as many other traditional objets d’art.

The aim is not necessarily to buy something, but above all to appreciate the incomparable atmosphere.
If you had to visit only one souk, we’d recommend Semmarine: it’s the city’s biggest, and the range of products on offer is simply unbelievable!

Watch craftsmen at work:

As we said earlier, souks aren’t just for shopping. The deeper you go, the more often you’ll see workshops and not just storefronts designed to attract customers.

So we encourage you to simply take the time to watch craftsmen assemble leather shoes or carve wooden tools: after all, their work is an integral part of Moroccan culture and well worth a museum (minus the entrance fee)!

The medina’s surrounding walls:

Marrakech’s medina is surrounded by ramparts once designed to protect the city’s historic heart. These ancient walls feature beautiful architecture and numerous gates leading into the medina.

One of the best ways to make sure you see all the different parts of the ramparts is to rent a bike. However, if you want to save money on your trip to Marrakech, we suggest walking along them.

The Tinmel mosque:

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and renovated by a French team, the breathtaking Tinmel Mosque is a must-see attraction on your visit to Marrakech!
Apart from its significance in history and architecture, the Tinmel mosque is a stunning structure situated above a verdant river valley.

We strongly urge you to go there to enjoy a breathtaking view, thanks to the kindness and helpfulness of the local population who will guide you to it. It is used on Fridays by practitioners, but is also open to tourists.

The Tinmel mosque sits proudly atop a small hill overlooking the river below, so the views from the top are quite impressive.
Although it’s not the most entertaining place for children, it’s undoubtedly a must-see cultural experience in Marrakech. And you’ll come home with some great photos!

The Menara gardens:

The Majorelle garden, a tourist favorite, charges admission, but fortunately for visitors and locals alike, the Menara gardens do not!
With a breathtaking view of the Atlas Mountains, this UNESCO World Heritage site is a popular picnic and relaxation spot away from the crowds. Orchards and olive groves surround this idyllic spot.

The Koutoubia mosque:

The magnificent Koutobia Mosque is located in the southwestern quarter of Marrakech’s medina. Its 77-metre-high minaret can be seen for miles around!
Built in the 12th century, the mosque features curved windows, a ceramic band, pointed merlons and decorative arches.

Although non-Muslims are not allowed to visit the interior of the mosque, we still urge you to visit, as it’s well worth strolling around the large square and gardens that surround the building. What’s more, you might even hear the muezzin’s call to prayer.

Rahba Kedima Square:

The Place Rahba Kedima bazaar is another great souk that you should add to your list of Marrakech’s best free attractions.
This bazaar is one of the calmest and quietest souks in the city of Marrakech. So it’s a much better option if you’re traveling with children and don’t want to risk them getting lost in the big souks.

Place Rahba Kedima is an ideal spot in the city to sample some delicious traditional sweets, or simply to people-watch for a while before moving on to the next point on your Marrakech itinerary.
We advise you to visit Rahba Kedima Square with your camera in hand, as you will undoubtedly take a ton of pictures of the locals going about their everyday lives.

Eat on the go by the street:

Moroccans typically eat their cuisine at home rather than in restaurants. So, if you sit down and pay 100 dirhams (around 10 euros) for a tajine, you’re getting tourist fare.
On the other hand, if you wander into a little street-side store serving roast chicken, harira soup or pan-fried msemmen (a kind of flaky pancake), then you’re eating like a Moroccan; It also indicates that your dining expenses are Moroccan.

For breakfast, a cup of tea and sfinge (doughnuts) will cost you 5 to 10 dirhams (around 1 euro), while a dinner of grilled chicken skewers with Moroccan salads and bread could cost 20 to 30 dirhams (2 to 3 euros).
You’ll find a variety of offers at any time of day! If you don’t want to spend a fortune on meals while traveling, we recommend this option.

Take a free tour of the Marrakech train station:

Although you may find it strange to include a train station in this list of the best free attractions in Marrakech, the city’s central station is actually one of the best things to see in Marrakech It’s a place we’d definitely invite you to visit if you love Moroccan architecture, as the station’s facade is truly breathtaking!

Although there’s not much to see or do inside (apart from catching a train or grabbing a refreshing drink from the juice bar inside), you can take advantage of the free attractions nearby, such as the opera house and the many parks.
You certainly don’t need to spend all day visiting Marrakech station, but it’s well worth a look if you like the local architecture!

The old Jewish quarter of Mellah:

The 15 best free activities in Marrakech: The old Jewish district of Marrakech is called the mellah. Here you’ll see a distinctly different style of architecture. As you stroll through, we suggest you look for the synagogue (no longer used as a place of worship).

And don’t forget to visit the spice market on Place des Ferblantiers. A stroll through the streets of this district will almost give you the impression of being in a completely different setting!

Art galleries:

The modern art scene in this historic city is flourishing, and the majority of the stylish galleries are free! Many of them can host vernissages and parties, also free of charge.
Leading galleries include the Matisse Art Gallery (focusing on young Moroccan artists), Galerie David Bloch (mainly Moroccan and Mediterranean artists).

Galerie 127 is the third-largest photography gallery in Africa, and can boast that King Mohammed VI has purchased some of its works. Ask at individual galleries about free events or visiting hours.
Address: 61 Rue de Yougoslavie, N° 43 Passage Ghandouri, Marrakech, Morocco (Matisse Art Gallery); 8 bis Rue des Vieux Marrakechis, Marrakech 40000, Morocco (Galerie David Bloch); 127, Avenue Mohammed V, 2ème étage, Guéliz, Marrakech 40000, Morocco (Galerie 127)

Free cultural performances:

Café Clock is relatively new to town, but it has some amazing offerings, as well as good food for not too much money.
Sure, you’ll have to pay for a drink, but a mint tea might be enough to attend some of the original evenings the place offers, such as storytelling of traditional Moroccan tales (in French) and concerts of local music.

Arsat Moulay Abdeslam Cyber Park:

If you’ve been in Marrakech for a few days and need a little respite from the hectic streets and noise of the city, then a visit to the Your list of things to do in Marrakech has to include visiting Arsat Moulay Abdeslam Cyber Park!
This park offers a peaceful haven away from the city’s sights and is one of Marrakech’s best free attractions if you’re visiting with children.

It’s close to the city center, so you don’t have to worry about going too far to find it.
It also has a large number of trees, so if you visit during the hottest part of the day, you can get some much-needed shade from the scorching Moroccan sun.
Just so you know, it’s “cyber” because it provides walkers with free Wi-Fi.

El Harti Park:

The 15 best free activities in Marrakech: When you get here, you won’t believe how tranquil Cyber Park looks! Parc el Harti is a beautiful, small and pleasant park with lush greenery, divinely beautiful fountains, and two kid-friendly looking dinosaurs in the play area at the entrance.

When you’ve finished your picnic, we recommend a stroll through the tropical-looking cactus garden.