Tourist Attractions & Monuments Marrakech

Through photo exhibitions and projections, this pretty dar plunges you into the daily life of Moroccans between 1870 and 1950, between portraits of inhabitants and scenes of life. Bringing together the documentary collections of two collectors, this museum holds around 5,000 photographs and 2,000 glass plates. The scenography, with its alcoves separated by dark curtains reminiscent of 19th century photographic chambers, is very well thought out.

This riad is a jewel of Moroccan architecture. The building, which dates from the 17th century, was restored by three friends who fell in love with the place and decided to open it to the public. You will be able to discover many exhibitions on Moroccan music and instruments, but also the history of its meticulous restoration. It also houses the Mellakh Foundation. Abdellay Mellakh is a painter who finds his way at the crossroads of figurative, abstract and symbolism. He was born, grew up and established his first studio in this house.

This former foundouk was once a bird hospital. Since the 1930 s, this residence transformed into a museum pays homage to Moroccan culture by presenting a beautiful collection of traditional arts. In the lounges and the patio, you can admire thematic exhibitions devoted to crafts or photography and attend dance or music shows. 

Bags, poufs, slippers... all the leather you see in the souks comes from here. Even if the tanners' district of Marrakech is not as impressive as the one in Fez, it is worth the visit, if only to get acquainted with this long transformation process. You will understand the ancestral methods that allow the skins to be transformed into pieces of soft leather. The smells are strong, a bouquet of mint will be offered to you at the entrance. When you leave, you will not look at your future leather purchase in the same way!

The city's Regional Tourism Board has a comprehensive, responsive and intuitive website that lists numerous activities, events and tourist points of interest. Visitmarrakech.ma is a good resource for your stay. Other websites provide useful information on tourist stays. For example: www.officetourismemaroc.com or the Moroccan National Tourist Office www.visitmorocco.com

This mausoleum built in 1957 is a high place of pilgrimage in Marrakech. Firstly because Youssef ben Tachfine is considered as Bou L'Bled, the founding father of the city. It was he who, in the 11th century, installed the Almoravid dynasty on the throne and built the ramparts that defend Marrakech. The legend reports very strange phenomena concerning this small whitewashed marabout and covered with green tiles: of all the domes, or koubba, built in the memory of the great man, none would have resisted; all would have been mysteriously destroyed during the night! The ghost of Youssef ben Tachfine believed that only the celestial dome was worthy of the founder of Marrakech, according to the legend... And if this marabout was spared, it is because it is a cenotaph: there is no tomb inside. Some historians argue that the founder of Marrakech is buried in the heart of the medina, probably in the vicinity of the koubba El-Ba'adiyne. His tomb would have been desecrated by the Almohads when they took over the city and destroyed everything in their path. For others, Youssef ben Tachfine would rest at the foot of a palm tree, in this palm grove that he loved so much and which is said to have originated from the date pits consumed by the Almoravids. For many, this mausoleum without pomp is unworthy of its prestige. To find your way around, you will find the entrance to the Ibn Zohr hospital (or the Mamounia hospital) on the right.

It was built by the Almohads when the Almohads found the existing kasbah too narrow to accommodate their families, imams and personal guards. So it was Yacoub el Mansour who undertook the construction of this kasbah located south of the medina, defended by Bab er Robb. Of the original kasbah only the Golden Apple Mosque remains today. In the 18th century, Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah built the Royal Palace (Dar el-Makhzen), a residence still frequented by the current king, Mohammed VI.