Is Marrakesh Worth Visiting? 10 Reasons to Go in 2025

10 Reasons to Visit Marrakesh

1. The Medina is Pure Chaos (And You’ll Love It)

I’ll be honest: the first time I stepped into the Marrakesh Medina, I wanted to turn right back around. Scooters squeezing through narrow streets, calls from shopkeepers, the scent of incense, leather, and frying food all blend together. It is a lot!

But once you embrace the chaos, it becomes addictive. Wandering the Medina is like walking through a living museum, and no two strolls feel the same. You will want to save these amazing places in Medina to help you navigate the maze.

💡 Extra tip: Download an offline map and drop a pin at your riad. Trust me, you’ll need it.

2. You Can Sleep in a Riad

Staying in a riad is one of the best things to do in Marrakesh. These traditional Moroccan homes-turned-boutique hotels are built around peaceful courtyards, often with fountains, tiled walls, and rooftop views.

Some riads feel like luxury palaces, others are more cozy and homey, but they all let you experience authentic Moroccan hospitality. In 2025, more riads are offering modern amenities without losing their charm. 

If you’re wondering where to stay in Marrakesh for an authentic experience, a riad in the Medina is the way to go. It’s one of the best accommodation options in Marrakesh for first-time travelers looking for a mix of tradition and comfort.

3. The Food is Worth the Trip Alone

Marrakesh is a dream for food lovers and one of the best cities in Morocco for traditional cuisine. Between rooftop restaurants, tiny stalls in the souks, and stylish modern cafes, the city’s food scene is booming in 2025.

Tagine, couscous, harira soup, and mechoui lamb are classics, but what makes eating in Marrakesh special is the combination of flavors, colors, and the way locals make you feel like a guest, not a customer.

My favorite places to eat in Marrakesh (local cuisine!):

• Cafe Restaurant Dar L’hssira ($)
• Dar Essalam ($$)
• Folk Marrakech ($$)
• Al Fassia ($$$)

🥘 Other amazing restaurants in Marrakesh: L’mida Marrakech, Le Slimana Restaurant & Rooftop, Atay Cafe, Ben Jamil (Lebanese), Naranj Libanese.

4. Shopping in Marrakesh is an Adventure

If you love unique souvenirs and have a soft spot for handmade goods, Marrakesh is the place. The souks are overflowing with lanterns, rugs, pottery, slippers, baskets, jewelry, and everything in between.

I am sure that you will want to buy everything once you step into Medina, but don’t get overwhelmed. Wander around and see the available options, and don’t fall for every salesman in Marrakesh.

You will also need to step up your haggling game. Start by offering about one-third of the initial asking price and negotiate slowly. Don’t be afraid to walk away, it’s part of the game, and often the seller will call you back with a better price.

For a more detailed guide on navigating the souks and cultural etiquette, check out my Marrakesh travel tips. 

5. It’s a Photographer’s Paradise

If you’re into photography, Marrakesh will spoil you. From pastel-colored alleyways to cute doors, vibrant tiles, rooftop views, and scenes from everyday life, there are plenty of photo spots in Marrakesh.

Jemaa el-Fnaa is perfect at sunset when the market glows with golden light, while Ben Youssef Madrasa and Bahia Palace deliver beautiful tile work and symmetry. 

The souks are fantastic for capturing textures, hanging lanterns, and local life in motion. But make sure you ask if you are planning to photograph locals.

Majorelle Garden may be popular, but it’s worth it for that vibrant blue. And don’t miss the details at Dar El Bacha or the dramatic walls of El Badi Palace. 

My favorite moments often come from riads and rooftops at golden hour, especially with views over the Koutoubia Mosque.

6. The Hammams are Still the Ultimate Reset

After a day dodging scooters and haggling in the souks, nothing beats stepping into a hammam. Traditional Moroccan baths involve steam, black soap, scrubbing (really scrubbing), and a full-body cleanse that leaves you feeling reborn.

In 2025, many now offer spa menus and private options, great for first-timers or those looking to unwind. I can recommend this hammam experience in Marrakesh, but you can ask at your hotel as well!

7. You’re Only a Day Trip Away From Totally Different Worlds

One of the reasons Marrakesh is worth visiting is that it offers numerous epic day trips right at your doorstep. It’s also a great base for exploring Morocco beyond the city. 

Just about an hour away, the Atlas Mountains and Ourika Valley offer a nice break from the city noise, with beautiful hikes, waterfalls, and traditional Berber villages to visit. 

Close to the city, the Agafay Desert offers a peaceful desert experience with rocky landscapes where you can go camel riding or enjoy a sunset in a much quieter setting than the Sahara.

If you don’t mind a bit more driving, the Ouzoud Waterfalls are stunning and a perfect place to enjoy nature and maybe even see some wild monkeys. 

For a longer day trip, Ait Ben Haddou is a fascinating ancient village near the High Atlas Mountains, famous for its unique architecture and mountain views. 

Recommended day trips from Marrakesh:

• Ourika Valley
• Agafay Desert
• Ouzoud Falls

8. The Culture Shock is Real

Walking into Marrakesh for the first time can be pretty overwhelming; there’s no denying the culture shock is real. It’s loud, chaotic, and can feel a bit confusing if you’re not ready for it. 

The city hits you with so much all at once: shopkeepers calling out from every direction, scooters weaving through narrow streets, and a mix of smells everywhere. From spices to leather to street food frying right on the corner. 

But once you settle in, that crazy energy kind of grows on you. You start to enjoy getting lost in the winding medina, chatting with locals, and soaking up the buzz of the markets filled with colorful crafts and fresh mint tea. 

In 2025, the city is more tourist-friendly than ever, but it still stays true to its core. You’ll be challenged, yes, but also welcomed.

9. It’s (Still) Affordable Compared to Most Major Cities

One of the things I love most about Marrakesh is how affordable it is, especially compared to many other popular travel destinations. If you’re on a budget, the city offers plenty of ways to stretch your money.

Accommodation ranges from budget-friendly riads and guesthouses tucked inside the medina to mid-range hotels with great style and character. Many with rooftop terraces where you can enjoy a mint tea and watch the sunset. 

Eating well doesn’t have to be expensive either. Street food stalls and small local cafés serve up delicious tagines, couscous, and fresh pastries for just a few dollars. 

Shopping in the souks is another opportunity to save if you’re willing to haggle. You can find great deals on spices, leather goods, textiles, and pottery if you take your time and negotiate. 

On top of that, Medina is super walkable, so you don’t have to worry about transportation costs. Except for the airport transfer, which you absolutely need to book in advance.

Of course, you can splurge if you want; Marrakesh has no shortage of high-end riads and rooftop dinners. But you can also spend less and still have an incredible experience.

💡 A mint tea usually costs around 10-20 MAD ($1-2), and a hearty tagine about 50-70 MAD ($5-7). You can find cute riads in Medina for less than $100.

10. Marrakesh is Changing, But Still One-of-a-Kind

Marrakesh is definitely changing. You’ll notice new hotels, cool cafés, and more modern shops popping up all over the place. Some parts of the city feel more polished and maybe even a little more touristy than before. 

But even with all these changes, Marrakesh hasn’t lost that unique vibe that makes it so special. It’s still a place where you can watch artisans dye wool by hand, hear five calls to prayer across the rooftops, and wander into a centuries-old building.

That blend of old and new is what makes Marrakesh so exciting right now. You get to experience Morocco’s rich history and culture while seeing how it’s growing and evolving at the same time.

But what about the bad rep Marrakesh sometimes gets?

Marrakesh often comes with a bit of a bad rap, especially among first-time visitors who hear warnings before they arrive. Words like “overwhelming,” “aggressive,” or even “scam city” get thrown around a lot, and some travelers leave feeling frustrated or uneasy.

So why does Marrakesh get this reputation?

Part of it comes down to the overwhelming energy of the Medina. The endless noise, the crowds, the persistent shopkeepers trying to get your attention. For travelers used to calmer, more orderly places, it can feel chaotic and even intimidating.

Another reason is the hustling culture. Haggling is part of daily life here, and some visitors find the constant back-and-forth tiring or stressful. It’s easy to mistake firm bargaining for pushiness or to feel pressured to buy when you just want to explore.

There are also stories of petty scams, like inflated prices or unofficial guides demanding fees, which have given Marrakesh a reputation for being tricky to navigate safely.

But here’s the truth: much of this “bad rep” comes from misunderstandings or unrealistic expectations. When you learn the local customs, keep a patient attitude, and prepare yourself, Marrakesh’s true character shines through.