Private Marrakech Medina Tour
Our Marrakech medina tour is a private guided walking tour of the old city with a licensed local guide: the Jemaa el-Fna square, the souks, the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs and the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter. It starts at your riad or hotel at the time you choose, and the pace is yours.
A half day covers the heart of the medina on foot. A full day adds the Majorelle Garden and the new town, with your driver taking you between them. Entrance fees are paid on the day, and we send the price of the tour with your plan.
- Length
- Half or full day
- Starts at
- Your riad or hotel
- Guide
- Licensed local guide
- Price
- On request
What You See on the Marrakech Walking Tour
The route changes with the day of the week and what you want to see, but most tours take in these places.
Jemaa el-Fna
The main square of the medina, and its meeting point for a thousand years. By day it has orange-juice stalls and snake charmers; at dusk the food stalls set up and the musicians and storytellers take over. UNESCO lists this living culture as intangible heritage of humanity.
The souks
North of the square the covered markets begin, still loosely grouped by trade: spices, leather, lanterns, dyers, carpets and metalwork. Your guide leads you through the maze and back out again.
The Koutoubia
The 12th-century minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque, about 77 meters tall, is the landmark of the city. Only Muslims may enter the mosque, but the gardens beside it are open to all.
The Bahia Palace
A 19th-century palace of courtyards, painted cedar ceilings, carved plaster and zellige tilework, built for the grand viziers of the sultan.
The Saadian Tombs
The 16th-century burial place of the Saadian dynasty, walled up for centuries and rediscovered in 1917, with some of the finest carved decoration in Morocco.
The Mellah
The old Jewish quarter, with the Lazama synagogue, the spice market and the Jewish cemetery. It tells a part of Marrakech history that many visitors miss.
On a full day
Your driver takes you to the Majorelle Garden, the cobalt-blue villa and cactus garden once owned by Yves Saint Laurent, with the Yves Saint Laurent Museum next door. It is busy, so we plan it early in the day.
How the Marrakech Guided Tour Works
| Half day | Full day | |
|---|---|---|
| What you see | Jemaa el-Fna, the souks, the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, the Mellah | The same, plus the Majorelle Garden and the new town |
| Getting around | On foot | On foot, with your driver between areas |
| Best for | A first look, or a hot day | Seeing the city properly in one go |
Meeting your guide
Cars cannot reach most riads in the medina, so your guide meets you at your door and you set off on foot. If you stay in Gueliz, Hivernage or the Palmeraie, your driver collects you and takes you to the medina.
Walking
The lanes are mostly flat but uneven, and busy with scooters and handcarts. Wear comfortable shoes, and tell us about anyone who cannot walk far: we plan more stops and shorter stretches.
Photos
Ask before you photograph people. The performers in Jemaa el-Fna expect a small tip for a photo, and your guide can tell you how much.
What it costs
The price covers your private guide and, on a full day, your driver and vehicle. Entrance fees, lunch and tips are paid on the day. Send us your date and group size and we reply with the price within 24 hours.
More from Marrakech
Private day trips from Marrakech, each with your own driver and back the same evening.
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Day tripAgafay Desert Tour from Marrakech
The stony desert hills 40 minutes from Marrakech, at sunset, with a camel ride or dinner at a camp if you like.About 6 hours · From about $40 pp -
Day tripOurika Valley Day Trip from Marrakech
The nearest green valley to Marrakech: villages, argan oil and the walk to the Setti Fatma waterfalls.About 7.5 hours · From about $40 pp -
Day tripAtlas Mountains Day Trip from Marrakech
Berber villages, walnut groves and a valley walk below Toubkal, 90 minutes from Marrakech.About 9 hours · From about $40 pp -
Day tripEssaouira Day Trip from Marrakech
A walled port town on the Atlantic: the ramparts, the fishing harbor and grilled fish for lunch.About 11.5 hours · From about $40 pp
Marrakech Medina Tour Questions
Something else on your mind? Send us your question and a real person on our team answers.
Is a guided tour of the Marrakech medina worth it?
For a first visit, yes. The medina is easy to get lost in, and a guide shows you the palaces, the souks and the Mellah in a few hours, explains them, and keeps unofficial guides and touts away.
How long does the Marrakech walking tour take?
A half day covers the old medina on foot. A full day adds the Majorelle Garden and the new town. We set the start time with you.
Can we do the tour with children?
Yes. Tell us their ages and we plan a shorter route with breaks, and keep to the parts they will enjoy, such as the square and the souks.
What should we wear in the medina?
Comfortable shoes and light clothes that cover the shoulders and knees. It is not a rule for visitors, but it is respectful and it helps in the sun.
How much does a private city tour cost?
It depends on the city, the length of the tour and how many of you there are. Tell us your date and group size and we send the exact price within 24 hours. Entrance fees are paid on the day.
Walk the Medina with a Local Guide.
Tell us your date, where you are staying and how many of you there are. We reply within 24 hours with a plan and a price.
