Things to do in Ourika

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Jardin Majorelle

Jardin Majorelle was once a private villa built by French artist Jacques Majorelle, and was later purchased by French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent, who lived there for several years. It is now open as a popular attraction in Marrakech, with rare plants throughout the garden and fountains and pools interwoven in a scattered layout. At the center of the garden stands a Cubist-style villa, whose exterior walls are painted in the intense ultramarine blue that Majorelle created in 1937—"Majorelle blue"—a signature color that has since become the visual calling card of the entire garden. Strolling through the garden, the lush green vegetation forms a striking contrast with the deep blue buildings, and sunlight casts dappled shadows on the paths through the bamboo groves and palms, making it one of the most recognizable landmarks in Marrakech.

No. 3 of Night Attractions in Morocco

Marrakesh

Marrakesh is located in southern Morocco and is known as the "Red City" due to the ochre-red earth used in most of its architecture. The heart of the city is the Medina, a World Heritage site densely packed with winding alleys and open-air markets. Souk Semmarine is one of the larger markets in the old city, offering everything from handmade carpets and leather goods to spices and copper lamps. Wandering through it is a cultural experience in itself. The center of the old city is Jemaa el-Fnaa. During the day, the square is filled with fruit juice stalls and handicraft booths, while at night it transforms into an open-air food street where snake charmers, storytellers, and traditional musicians take turns performing. Near the square stands the 12th-century Koutoubia. Its towering minaret is the city's landmark, and the gardens surrounding the mosque are also worth a visit. Bahia Palace showcases the craftsmanship of traditional Moroccan architecture, with its exquisite courtyards, carved wooden doors, and inlaid tiles. Outside the old city, the Majorelle Garden is famous for its unique "Majorelle Blue" architecture and exotic plants. It was created by French painter Jacques Majorelle and later restored and preserved by fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent. At sunset, find a rooftop café in the old city, order a pot of mint tea, and watch the sunset cast an even richer glow on the ochre-red walls—this is one of the quintessential Marrakesh experiences.

No. 10 of Best Things to Do in Morocco

Bahia Palace

Bahia Palace is a well-preserved 19th-century palace complex in Morocco. Construction began in the 1860s under the direction of Si Moussa, a grand vizier to the Sultan of Morocco, and was later significantly expanded by his son, Ba Ahmed, between 1894 and 1900. "Bahia" means "brilliant" in Arabic and is said to be the name of one of Ba Ahmed's favorite wives. The entire palace covers nearly two hectares, with approximately 150 rooms arranged around multiple courtyards and interior gardens, creating a maze-like layout due to its phased expansion. The grand courtyard is paved with Italian Carrara marble and surrounded by painted wooden colonnades, with dozens of rooms nearby believed to have been the living quarters for Ba Ahmed's harem. The grand hall at the east end of the courtyard features the palace's most impressive painted cedar wood ceiling. The large garden on the north side is the oldest part of the palace and still retains trees planted in the 19th century. The palace's decoration embodies the essence of traditional Moroccan craftsmanship: walls are adorned with plaster reliefs carved with Arabic inscriptions, geometric patterns, and floral vines; floors are paved with hand-cut, colorful glazed mosaic tiles; and ceilings are decorated with painted cedar wood patterns. The materials used in its construction were brought from all over Morocco—marble from Meknes, cedar wood from the Middle Atlas Mountains, and tiles from Tetouan—and were completed through the collaboration of artisans from across the country.

Selected for Night Attractions in Morocco

Jemaa el-Fnaa

Jemaa el-Fnaa is located in theold city of Marrakech, the heart of this thousand-year-old city, serving as both a public square for local gatherings and a traditional open-air market. The square's charm lies in its completely different appearance by day and night. During the day, stalls selling freshly squeezed orange juice, spices, and traditional herbs line up, while snake charmers and monkey trainers occupy corners of the square, and traditional dentists set up shop on the street. After dark, the entire square is transformed, with stalls serving Moroccan snacks like grilled meats and tagines packed closely together, Berber musicians and Gnaoua dancers begin their evening performances, acrobats and storytellers improvise for the crowds, and henna artists set up stalls to attract customers.

Selected for Night Attractions in Morocco

Koutoubia

Koutoubiais located in the southwest of the old town of Marrakech, Morocco, and is one of the representative historical landmarks of this Red City. The overall structure is dominated by red sandstone tones, harmonizing with the red architectural style of Marrakech's old town. The striking minaret, with a height of about 77m, is an important part of the city's skyline. The four sides of the tower are decorated with distinctive geometric arched patterns, with regular lines and harmonious proportions, reflecting the simple and solemn artistic style of Almohad dynasty architecture. The top of the tower consists of a spire and metal spheres, with a distinct outline that is particularly eye-catching under the sunlight. Its unique tower design also had an important influence on the Giralda bell tower in Seville and the Hassan Tower in Rabat, making it of high historical and architectural research value.

Ourika River

Smile Park

No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Marrakech

Badi Palace

Badi Palace is located in the Kasbah district of the old town of Marrakech, Morocco, and is a palace ruin of significant historical value. Upon entering the site, you are greeted by an open central courtyard with a well-organized layout and expansive views. The remains of a long pool are preserved in the center of the courtyard, surrounded by symmetrical sunken gardens. The greenery and water features complement each other, adding a tranquil atmosphere to the ancient ruins. The palace interior primarily features open-air courtyards, historical ruins, and viewing areas. Thick rammed-earth walls showcase the characteristics of traditional Moroccan architecture, with surfaces that retain the natural textures formed by the erosion of time. Visitors can walk along the tour route and climb some of the walls to overlook the red roofs of the old town of Marrakech and the surrounding neighborhoods.

No. 4 of Best Things to Do in Marrakech

Yves Saint Laurent Museum

Yves Saint Laurent MuseumLocated in Marrakech, Morocco, this museum is dedicated to the renowned French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent. The museum integrates fashion art, architectural design, and cultural exhibitions. Through a rich collection of precious items and modern exhibition spaces, it presents the designer's artistic philosophy, creative journey, and profound influence on the global fashion industry to visitors. The museum building covers an area of approx. 4,000 square meters and features a unique exterior design. The exterior walls are constructed with locally fired terracotta bricks, layered to create a three-dimensional texture resembling woven fabric, cleverly echoing the fabric textures in fashion design. Inside, the spatial layout focuses on the combination of art display and visitor experience. The overall environment is elegant and well-designed, creating a quiet and comfortable atmosphere for visitors to appreciate art. The permanent exhibition hall is the core area of the museum. The exhibits cover classic designs from different eras, presented through various forms such as clothing, accessories, design sketches, historical photos, and video materials.

No. 1 of Family-friendly Attractions in Morocco

Le Jardin Secret

Le Jardin Secret, located in the heart of the old town of Marrakech, Morocco, is a historical garden restored from a traditional mansion and a unique attraction for experiencing traditional Moroccan architectural art and Islamic garden culture. The garden cleverly combines historical architecture, natural landscapes, and water features, creating a tranquil and elegant resting space amidst the bustling streets of the old town. Upon entering the grounds, visitors can feel an atmosphere completely different from the outside urban environment, where green trees, flowing water, and ancient buildings complement each other, showcasing a rich historical charm. The buildings within the grounds retain rich details of traditional Moroccan craftsmanship. In the corridors, halls, and wall decorations, one can see elements such as geometric patterned mosaic tiles, exquisite carved stucco, and inlaid cedar wood finishes. These decorative crafts are rich in color and delicate in pattern, reflecting the superb craftsmanship of local artisans.