Jemaa el-Fnaa is the main square of Marrakesh's medina and one of the liveliest places in Africa. By day it hosts juice sellers, snake charmers and henna artists. In the evening, food stalls fill the square with smoke and music, and storytellers draw crowds. It is part of the UNESCO-listed Medina of Marrakesh. Watch the scene from a rooftop café at sunset.

The Koutoubia Mosque is the largest mosque in Marrakesh, built in the 12th century under the Almohads. Its 77-metre minaret became a model for the Giralda in Seville and the Hassan Tower in Rabat. Only Muslims may enter, but visitors can admire the minaret and gardens. It stands near Jemaa el-Fnaa and is beautifully lit at night.

Bahia Palace was built in the late 19th century for the grand vizier of Morocco and was intended to be the greatest palace of its time. Its courtyards, gardens and rooms show fine zellij tilework, painted cedar ceilings and carved stucco. Its name means brilliance. Arrive at opening time to enjoy the rooms before the tour groups.

Majorelle Garden was created by French painter Jacques Majorelle from the 1920s and later restored by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé. Its bright cobalt blue studio, cactus groves, bamboo and lily ponds make it one of the most visited sites in Marrakesh. The Berber Museum is in the studio, and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum is next door. Book tickets online.

Ben Youssef Madrasa was the largest Islamic college in Morocco, rebuilt in the 16th century under the Saadians. Its central courtyard with a marble pool is surrounded by carved cedar, stucco and zellij tiles. Upstairs, small student rooms open onto inner courtyards. It reopened in 2022 after restoration. Visit early in the morning for soft light.

The Saadian Tombs hold members of the Saadian dynasty who ruled Morocco in the 16th and 17th centuries. Sealed off for centuries, they were rediscovered in 1917. The Hall of the Twelve Columns, with Carrara marble and carved stucco, is the highlight. Queues can be long, so arrive early. The tombs are close to the Kasbah Mosque.

El Badi Palace was built by the Saadian sultan Ahmad al-Mansur in the late 16th century and was once one of the most magnificent palaces in the world. Its riches were later stripped by Sultan Moulay Ismail. Today its vast ruined courtyard with sunken gardens and pools is home to storks. Climb the walls for views over the medina.

The Ouzoud Falls are among the highest waterfalls in Morocco, dropping about 110 metres in several tiers into a red-rock gorge. Paths lead down past olive trees and cafés to the base, where boats take visitors close to the spray. Barbary macaques live in the area. The falls are a popular day trip from Marrakesh.