Morocco has absolutely blown up as a tourist destination recently, and it’s not hard to see why!! It’s one of the most beautiful countries I’ve ever visited. Marrakech, Morocco’s most popular city, is a photographer’s dream. If you’re looking to up your Instagram game, this is your spot!! So I’ve put together a huge list of ALL the most Instagrammable places in Marrakech and nearby — riads, hotels, restaurants, landmarks, and day trips. Happy shooting!!
Table of Contents
Most Instagrammable Hotels in Marrakech
Marrakech is home to some of the most obnoxious, opulent, beautifully-decorated hotels you could ever imagine. Morocco is super cheap, so many of these hotels are a TOTAL steal. The ones that aren’t as affordable usually offer passes for their luxury in-house spa services, so you can get a taste of splendor without breaking the bank! These are hands down some of the most Insta worthy spots in Marrakech.
La Mamounia Columns
The opulent La Mamounia hotel is famous for its intricate tile detailing and its epic pool (see next). One of the most famous shots here is the columns in the interior courtyard – a beautiful, gleaming hallway of white marble and stone. To get the best shot here, wear a flowy dress and twirl around — the movement of the fabric looks AMAZING against the tile work!
La Mamounia Pool
This is one of the most famous and Instagrammed pools in the world. It’s located in the spa area of the La Mamounia hotel. Fortunately, you don’t have to actually stay at the hotel to get a photo. The hotel offers day passes for the spa, so you can enjoy the facilities without breaking the bank. It’s 100% worth a visit – a 5-star experience.
Click here to book a spa pass at La Mamounia.
»TIP: Purchase a “Season Pass” which gets you a 60-minute massage, full-day access to the pool and spa facilities, and a full buffet lunch for just under $200 USD.
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Es Saadi Palace Resort
The pool at Es Saadi Resort is all over Instagram, and after staying there I can tell you it’s 100% worth the hype. The marble pool is absolutely gorgeous and the hotel itself is pristine, quiet, and totally luxurious. Be sure to book at the Es Saadi Palace (linked below) or buy a spa pass to ensure you get access to the spectacular spa facilities.
Click here to check rates & availability at Es Saadi Palace Resort.
»TIP: For pool access you’ll need to be staying at the Es Saadi Palace, not the Es Saadi Hotel (I learned this the hard way after a stern talking-to from pool staff, lol). Booking at the Es Saadi Hotel does NOT grant you spa access.
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Almaha Marrakech
Just look at that symmetry!! Alhama is one of the most unique hotels in Marrakech, featuring beautiful tiled hallways and a massive pool in the main courtyard. There are plenty of opportunities to shoot photos behind the draped curtains in the hallways, intricately-decorated steam rooms, and the comfiest suites to unwind.
Click here to check rates & availability at Almaha Marrakech.
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Royal Mansour Spa
I almost didn’t include the Royal Mansour, because it is so expensive, extravagant, and ridiculous. But while researching this post, I learned that they have an in-house hammam spa service. AND us regular humans can access it via – you guessed it – a spa pass! The hotel also has an absolutely STUNNING outdoor pool area lined with palm trees.
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La Sultana Marrakech
La Sultana has blown up on Instagram in recent years for its combo of insane outdoor pool and beautifully-decorated indoor pool. This hotel is a hotspot for bloggers and luxury aficionados and is a must-visit for anyone looking for a little slice of luxury in Marrakech.
Click here to view rates & availability for La Sultana Marrakech.
Most Instagrammable Riads in Marrakech
Morocco is known for its traditional riads. Riads are massive, multi-level homes which have been converted into hotels & homestays. They’re always BEAUTIFULLY decorated and most feature a sunny rooftop terrace for meals and lounging around. You’ll find many riads clustered around the Marrakech Medina – the walled-off “red city” in the centre of town. Staying at one means getting the full Moroccan experience!
Riad BE Marrakech
Riad BE is by far the most beautiful hotel I’ve ever stayed at. It is absolutely STUNNING. The interior courtyard and plunge pool are so photogenic. The rooms are cosy and perfectly decorated. And the terracotta rooftop is full of boho-chic little nooks to shoot. Plus the staff – and food (!) – are amazing.
Click here to check rates & availability at Riad BE.
» TIP: Riad BE is usually booked, but check back frequently for cancellations. I was dying to stay here so I checked every day and snapped up the last available room!
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Riad Jardin Secret
Have you ever seen a cuter swing?!! This rose-colored riad is one of the most popular Marrakech snaps on Instagram. Riad Jardin Secret has the cutest rooftop lounge area, but to get access you’ll need to stay at the hotel. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the rooftop for guests only.
Click here to view rates & availability at Riad Jardin Secret.
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Riad Yasmine
This stunning riad has been all over Instagram for years. It’s often booked out months in advance, so consider yourself lucky nabbing a spot! The luxe bohemian decor, roomy pool, and comfy loungers make for a perfect shot – there’s also a beautiful rooftop to enjoy sunset over the Medina.
Click here to check rates & availability at Riad Yasmine.
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Ksar Kasbah & Spa
Ksar Kasbah is the perfect spot for an Instagrammer. It has the same easy glamour as the more well-known riads in Marrakech, but hasn’t yet caught on as a must-stay spot on social media, so generally it has more availability. The decor is absolutely stunning and they offer full spa services including an in-house hammam and massages!
Click here to check rates & availability at Ksar Kasbah & Spa.
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Riad Kasbah
Riad Kasbah has a spectacular interior courtyard with a huge pool to cool off and intricate traditional wooden detailing. You can enjoy traditional house-made Moroccan food in your room, by the pool, on the patio, or on the rooftop terrace!
Click here to view rates & availability at Riad Kasbah.
Planning a trip to Morocco? Check out my Morocco packing list & Morocco travel guide to prepare for your trip!
You might also like to read: How to Use Hashtags to Grow Your Instagram Account
Most Instagrammable Restaurants in Marrakech
One of the absolute best parts of Morocco is the food. I had the best baked eggs (with turmeric and herbs!) of my LIFE in a tiny village in the middle of the Atlas mountains, the best olives (dusted with cumin!) at a Marrakech souk, and my first sampling of tagine (meat slow-cooked in a traditional clay pot). And don’t even get me started on the mint tea!!
NOMAD Marrakech
This bustling rooftop joint is definitely one of the most Instagrammed restaurants in Marrakech, and with good reason. The food is GOOD. And the decor is adorable. The restaurant is located smack in the middle of the Medina and overlooks all the streets, so you get an amazing view over the city.
Click here to check out the menu or reserve a table at NOMAD.
Le Salama
Arguably the most photogenic restaurant in Marrakech, Le Salama features hanging plants and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the streets of the Medina. Throw on an off-shoulder maxi and enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner by candlelight for the perfect shot. They also offer shisha, if you really want to get authentic!
Click here to check the menu or reserve a table at Le Salama.
Le Trattoria
This adorable Italian restaurant features traditional Moroccan lanterns hanging from the ceiling. The tables are all clustered around the sparkling blue pool – talk about ambiance! This makes the perfect spot for a date night (or a treat yourself night!).
Click here to check the menu or reserve a table at Le Trattoria.
Atay Cafe-Food
With a terrace straight across from the Ben Youssef Madrasa, Atay Cafe-Food has one of the best viewpoints in the city. Coupled with its bohemian decor and adorable wicker chairs, this cafe makes one of the cutest rooftop snaps in the city.
Click here to contact or make a reservation at Atay Cafe-Food.
Most Instagrammable Landmarks in Marrakech
Marrakech is a vibrant, chaotic city full of shops, gardens, fantastic architecture, and more. Wandering around the city most likely means stumbling across a huge variety of beautiful buildings, trinkets, and more – here are my favourites. These are some of the most beautiful places in Marrakech, and many of them are completely free to visit!
Marrakech Souks (Place des Épices)
I trekked all over the Marrakech souks (and got lost more than a few times) to track down this spice shop. It’s located in a little square called La Place des Épices which houses a veritable clusterfuck of rug shops, spice shops, basket shops, and more. This stand smells just as good as it looks, and just LOOK AT THOSE COLOURS!!!
»TIP: To locate this exact spice shop, just put Place des Épices in Maps on your phone. The square is really small, so if you walk around the entire perimeter you won’t be able to miss this shop!
Marrakech Souks (Lantern Shops)
No visit to Marrakech would be complete without the quintessential lantern-shop photo. You’ll find these stands all over as you wander through the souks – just be quick snapping your photo to avoid getting yelled at by a shopkeeper!
View this post on Instagram#Photobombed 🤣 in the cutest way possible ♥️ #morocco #marrakech #koutoubia 📸 @mjmolinaphoto
Koutoubia Mosque & Gardens
Koutoubia Mosque, the largest mosque in Marrakech, is easily visible from Jemaa El-Fnaa Square. Visiting the mosque is FREE from Monday-Sunday 9:00-1800 – please make sure to dress respectfully to guarantee entry.
For more information about visiting Koutoubia Mosque please click HERE.
» TIP: For the best photos of Koutoubia Mosque walk away from the mosque through Koutoubia Gardens. The mosque looks beautiful from the fountain area!
Le Jardin Majorelle
Le Jardin Majorelle is – full disclosure – a huge tourist trap, and extremely crowded. The cactus gardens are cool, the architecture is beautiful, but it’s tough to get a clean photo. I resorted to Photoshopping people out (lol!). If you’re on a budget or time crunch and looking for a place to skip, I’d cut this one from your list – otherwise, there are definitely some cute photos to take here if you’re willing to wait for a gap in the crowds.
Click here to view hours and book a visit to Le Jardin Majorelle.
Cactus Thiemann Gardens
Thiemann honestly puts Le Jardin Majorelle to shame. The cactus gardens here are larger, cooler, and much less crowded. Make sure to call before your visit to make sure the gardens are open – this property is smaller and family-owned, unlike some of the more well-known gardens in the city.
»TIP: Call beforehand to make an appointment to ensure you get a viewing.
YSL Museum
Located just next to Le Jardin Majorelle, the YSL Museum is a tribute to the iconic French designer Yves Saint Laurent. Saint Laurent spent a great deal of time in Marrakech and drew a lot of inspiration from Moroccan culture and design. This is a must-visit for anyone with an interest in fashion! The museum is open everyday (except Wednesdays) from 10:00 to 18:00.
Click here to book your visit to the YSL Museum.
Bahia Palace
This former palace is a must-visit for anyone with an interest in architecture. The palace is absolutely stunning and if you’re able to dodge the tour groups there are tons of unique shots to take and beautiful scenery to admire. Arrive in the morning to have the palace all to yourself. The palace is open every day from 9:00 to 17:00 and you can purchase tickets at the front gates.
Ben Youssef Madrasa
This former school is one of the most Instagrammable locations in Marrakech, hands down – but unfortunately it’s currently closed for renovations. It will be reopening in 2020.
Click here for updates about when Ben Youssef Madrasa is reopening.
Most Instagrammable Day Trips from Marrakech
There are plenty of sights to see near Marrakech that would make an incredible day trip if you have time in your itinerary. These range from ancient cities to the spectacular dunes of the Sahara desert. If I’m being honest, most are better suited to stopovers as part of a Sahara road trip because there’s a lot of ground to cover — but I’m including them anyway because they are SO beautiful and so worth visiting.
Aït Ben Haddou
Aït Ben Haddou is an ancient village located about three/four hours from Marrakech on the way to the Sahara. The architecture is unbelievable and like nothing else in the world. You can stay overnight here in a classic kasbah, or enjoy sunset over the city from one of the many rooftop terrace restaurants.
Ouzoud Falls
These stunning waterfalls are located a couple hours north of Marrakech. To get to them you’ll drive through the magnificent Atlas mountains and pass through historic Berber villages. Once you arrive, you can take a dip in the local Al Abid River, and you might even catch a glimpse of some wild monkeys!
Sahara Desert
The Sahara doesn’t exactly qualify as a day trip – it’s a 10+ hour drive from Marrakech. HOWEVER I’m still including it because in my opinion visiting is a must-do in Morocco, and if you can fit it into your itinerary, you should. I went glamping in the Sahara with Desert Luxury Camp, which included pickup and dropoff in Marrakech. You can also visit the Sahara as part of an organised tour.
IN SUMMARY. Morocco is hands-down one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and Instagram definitely agrees – I gained over 2,000 followers the month I posted my Morocco photos (check out my pics here!)! I had the time of my life exploring there and I can’t wait to go back and add a few more spots to this list 🙂
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As if I didn’t want to go to Morocca badly enough, now I REALLY want to go!
This is one of the best Marrakech guides I’ve ever seen! Riad BE is absolutely on my radar now. Any idea how far in advance it gets booked up. After visiting Cairo I was so fasinated with the Call to Prayer too, and I’m glad you appreciated it the same way I did. Your restaurants looked amazing any food you recommend at La Salama, or at Nomad?
I had no idea they had a YSL Museum there too! So unique. Place des Épices looks like a dream, and I’ve also added it to my list. How many weeks were you in Marrakech overall?
WoW ! such an amazing article and very helpful as well . thank you so much for sharing your experience in Morocco
Outstanding blog post, and thank you for sharing some very supportive opinions!!! Best of luck with your travels.