12 Things to Do in Marrakech at Night
Finding the best things to do in Marrakech at night is easier than you think.
Marrakech is one of the biggest cities in the North African country of Morocco. It’s become increasingly popular as a tourist destination for many years, making finding things to do in Marrakech at night a commonly asked question.
With more visitors making their way over to explore this lovely gem, it’s easy to see why.
Marrakech has a culture that’s unlike anything else in the world. From delicious food to gorgeous mosques and busy markets, there are many things to do and see in Marrakech.
To top it off, the area around the city offers many day trips, which can be mixed with longer tours such as sleeping under the stars in the Sahara desert making Marrakech the perfect place as your base for other adventures.
Top Things to Do in Marrakech at Night
While Marrakech is certainly an incredible city to see during the day, it also offers a unique experience for those who prefer to explore Marrakech at night.
This makes it one of the best travel destinations for night owls. Here are some things that we like doing in Marrakech at night.
1. Get a Bite to Eat at Jemaa el-Fnaa
There’s a 90% possibility that you’ll find us wandering the Jemaa around sunset. We love watching the hustle of the day get swapped out with eclectic night energy.
Jemaa el-Fnaa is a famous market in Marrakech and is easily one of the busiest parts of the city. This square can have a very different character depending on the day you visit.
During the day, it’s bustling with entertainers, snake charmers, and merchants. During the night, the square is bustling with an array of food stalls that offer mouth-watering Moroccan food.
Even if you have already seen it during the day, it is still worth visiting because of the abundance of delicious street food available.
This is an excellent opportunity to sample some of the city’s amazing street food, making it one of the best things to do in Marrakech at night.
2. Have Fun at Comptoir Darna
Nightlife in Marrakech is different from what you might expect. This isn’t the place to go for loud rave music and dancing until sunrise.
On the contrary, the clubs and bars you’ll find here are more reminiscent of speakeasies. This is partially because alcohol can’t be served within the view of a mosque.
One of the best places to sample Marrakech’s unique nightlife is at Comptoir Darna. This is easily one of the most popular clubs in the city.
It’s a beautiful spot to hang out, with traditional Moroccan food and live belly dancing shows.
3. Visit Ben Youssef Madrasa
Ben Youssef Madrasa is one of the most famous landmarks in Marrakech.
It is Morocco’s largest madrasa, which is the Arabic word for educational institutions. It was built in the 14th century and could hold up to 900 students.
The building itself is also absolutely beautiful. It is almost entirely decorated with the amazing geometric shapes that are characteristic of Islamic artwork.
There are 130 rooms to explore in all, which can make this an all-day adventure in itself. Ben Youssef Madrasa is also open later than most of Marrakech’s other attractions.
It’s just as magnificent after the sun goes down as it is in the day.
4. Wander Around the Medina
You haven’t truly experienced Marrakech until you’ve spent time in the medina. The medina refers to Marrakech’s walled-off old town, and it’s where you’re really going to experience Moroccan culture.
If you want to see what the country looked like hundreds of years ago, then this is the place to go.
The medina is a massive area where every turn can lead to something new. You’ll find everything from old homes, markets, restaurants, and many other surprises.
It’s safe to explore at night, and many places have a different character once it gets dark. Just make sure you exercise some common sense while you’re exploring.
5. Indulge in a Hammam
Very few things are more relaxing at the end of a long day as a hammam. A hammam is a traditional Turkish spa that is integral to Moroccan culture.
The locals go to a hammam almost weekly, and you’ll soon find out why.
A typical hammam consists of a steam room, a scrub down, and a massage.
There are dozens of these located throughout the city, and they range from high-end 5-star spas to the more humble hammams used by the locals.
Some of these are as cheap as ten dollars, so there’s no reason not to try it. You’ll be glad you did.
6. Sleep at a Riad
A riad is a traditional style of Moroccan house or palace. They’re usually characterized by having an inner courtyard.
They can be found throughout the medina; many have been converted into hotels.
This makes them the perfect place to stay in Marrakech.
Sure, you can find plenty of resorts in the city, but you won’t get the full Moroccan experience that way.
Besides being a more fun place to stay, riads are often cheaper. This way, you can experience Moroccan culture’s incredible artwork and architecture without going broke in the process.
7. Get a Drink at Churchill Bar
Churchill Bar is another spot where you can taste Marrakech’s nightlife. It’s named after the bar’s most well-known guest and can be found at the Palace Hotel of La Mamounia. Giving this bar a visit is among the best things to do in Marrakech at night.
This particular bar is also known for its jazzy atmosphere.
There’s a piano player softly playing music at all times and pictures of jazz legends adorning the walls. Remember to dress as this place does have a dress code.
8. Eat Dinner at a Moroccan Restaurant
Of course, no trip to Marrakech is complete without trying some delicious Moroccan food. This savory tradition is influenced by the country’s interactions with many different cultures over the years.
As a result, Moroccan food combines the traditions of Arabic, Mediterranean, and Andalusian cuisines. Tagine is one of our favorites (we eat it at least once every other day) and very delicious. This slow-cooked stew is made of meats, vegetables, fruits, and spices.
Where to eat:
- The rooftop restaurant of Nomad is always a good choice.
- La Maison Arabe is another great restaurant located in riad. Along with serving traditional Moroccan cuisine, they also have many house specialties that you’ll want to try.
Read more: The Best Riads in Marrakech
10. Go Shopping at the Souks
A souk is a traditional Moroccan marketplace, and Marrakech is full of them. You’re bound to find countless numbers of these shops while exploring the medina. You can find virtually anything you want here, including food, clothing, crafts, ceramics, and more.
Shopping at the souks is also a shopping experience unlike any other.
This is part of the fun of shopping in Marrakech, and you can get some really good deals if you play your cards right. While at it, the souks are also one of the 9 most Instagrammable places in Marrakech.
11. Visit the Tanneries
The tanneries are another fascinating glimpse at Morocco’s old-world charm. In this place, you’ll get a firsthand look at how many of the products in Marrakech are made.
It’s a process that the Moroccans have been using for years and is an interesting alternative to factories.
You can find the tanneries in the northeastern part of the medina, although you’ll most likely need a guide to show you the way.
Once you’re there, you’ll get to see how leather is processed to make bags, belts, shoes, and other items. It’s another example of how Morocco hasn’t changed much in the last few centuries.
12. Visit the Koutoubia Mosque
The Koutoubia Mosque is one of Marrakech’s major landmarks. It is the largest mosque in the city, with a minaret that stands 77 meters high.
Although the building itself is banned to non-Muslims, its beautiful architecture still makes it worth a visit. It features curved windows, decorative arches, and pointed merlons.
Koutoubia Mosque is brilliantly lit up during the nighttime making it one of our favorite places to explore at night. You can find it in the southwestern part of the medina.
Read more: 7 days in Morocco Itinerary
12. Hang Out at Le Palace
Le Palace is another great place to have fun at night in Marrakech. Its low lighting and beautiful chandeliers give a very elegant atmosphere. It also has a cocktail bar, a cigar lounge, and a menu with French-inspired cuisine.
On top of all this, an in-house DJ plays music throughout the night. There’s even a dance club if you really feel like having fun.
It’s a great place to go if you want to get some drinks, listen to good music, and meet beautiful people.
Read More: The Best 4 Days Tour from Fes to Marrakech Options
These are some of the things to do in Marrakech at night. It is a marvelous city, and a person can easily spend all day and night seeing everything it offers.
If you love eating great food, shopping at busy marketplaces, and experiencing unique cultures, you must book this trip immediately. You’ll be very happy you did.