We’ve already looked at some of the most renowned, must-see sights in Marrakech, including the Saadian Tombs, Koutoubia Mosque, the Medina, Bahia Palace, Menara Gardens and Tiskiwin Museum. And here are some more of the city’s hidden gems.
#1 – The Mellah
While most visitors are aware of the Mellah being the old Jewish Quarter of the city, few appreciate the full extent of the treasures it contains. Boasting its own distinctive atmosphere, the Mellah will surprise you with its narrow lanes overlooked by shaded balconies, its impressive religious sites such as the Lazama Synagogue, the wonderful market well-known for its exquisite fabrics and the eerie, yet beautiful, Miaâra Cemetery with its uniformly rounded tombs, sometimes whitewashed and sometimes topped with Hebrew inscriptions.
#2 – The Berber Museum
Forming part of the famous Majorelle Gardens, the Berber Museum is dedicated to the traditions, arts and crafts of the Berber community. Ready to delight you with an array of colourful exhibits including jewels, musical instruments, works of art, costumes and more, this museum is well worth a visit at any time of year.
#3 – The Cactus Sea
Situated on the city’s outskirts, Cactus Thiemann is a spiky, sculptural display of over 150 different cactus varieties – many of them ablaze with dazzlingly bright, exotic flowers and some as tall as trees. Despite being the largest cactus farm in Africa, this sea of cacti is a comparatively little-known attraction which is a shame, given its beautiful setting backed by the magnificent Atlas Mountains.
#4 – Dar Bellarj
Tucked away close to the Ali Ben Youssef Medersa in the heart of the Medina, Dar Bellarj is a little known arts centre celebrating contemporary culture within a traditional riad complete with a shady, elegant courtyard lined by whitewashed colonnades. With regularly changing exhibitions on a range of subjects from Berber weaving and other traditional crafts to photographic portraits, tattoo art and more, this hidden hub of culture is an exquisite place to eacape the hectic pace of the souks while enjoying a nice cup of mint tea.
#5 – National Women’s Museum
Opened in 2018, the National Women’s Museum is a new addition to Marrakech’s tourist attractions. Here, visitors have a unique opportunity to learn about the roles of a number of illustrious women from Morocco’s history including the powerful Berber queen, Zaynab An Nafzawiyyah, who was instrumental in founding the city of Marrakech almost a thousand years ago.