Free Walking Tours in Marrakesh

Marrakesh is at once both dazzling and daunting, with the labyrinthine alleyways and buzzing souks often bewildering first-time visitors. Yet if you take the time to peel back the layers of this intoxicating Moroccan city, you’ll discover an enchanting world. One that’s full of mystery and life.

Free walking tours in Marrakesh are the perfect way to explore when you first arrive. You’ll be in safe hands with a local guide, who will lead you on adventures deep inside the ancient medina.

You will find below everything you need to know about free walking tours, one of the best experiences for sightseeing in Marrakesh.

How do free walking tours in Marrakesh work?

Free tours in Marrakesh are a recent introduction to the city’s tourist scene. With these excursions, there is no set price. You just tip your guide at the end of the walk, giving an amount that you feel reflects the experience.

This pay-as-you-wish approach means individual travelers are free to determine their own tip rate. Just remember to take some cash.

You can reserve Marrakesh free walking tours online without having to pay a fee or leave your card details.

How much should you tip for a free walking tour in Marrakesh?

When it comes to free walking tours in Marrakesh, the tip amount is totally up to you.

On average, most people give around MAD100 (US$10). If you’ve really enjoyed the excursion, feel free to be generous. Some people give as much as MAD300 (US$30) while others tip as low as MAD50 (US$5) per person.

To help you decide on a tip amount, consider how long the tour was and the knowledge level of the guide.

What are the best free walking tours in Marrakesh?

Marrakesh medina walking tours

The most common free walking tours in Marrakesh focus on the Old Town, known as the “medina”. You’ll discover historic landmarks and bustling markets on a journey that will take you through a thousand years of history.

Itinerary

After meeting your guide at the pre-arranged starting point, it’s time to head off on an adventure. First up is the Jemaa El-Fna, which is the main square in Marrakesh.

This is where you’ll see everything from snake charmers and acrobats to henna tattooists and water sellers. Keep your camera handy but expect to pay a tip to the performers if you take a photo.

Stop at the Koutoubia Mosque to admire the towering minaret before plunging into the souks for an assault on the senses. This treasure trove of spices and slippers is like stepping into another world, where golden lanterns hang at every corner. This is the place to buy your souvenirs and test out your haggling skills.

Other highlights are the Ben Youssef Madrasa, the Saadian Tombs and the opulent Bahia Palace. You’ll visit several distinct neighborhoods during your Marrakesh walking tour, including the Jewish Quarter which is one of the oldest districts in the city.

Most of the landmarks will be seen from the outside, but you will have the opportunity to visit a few. You’ll just need to pay the entrance fees on site.

Night walking tours in Marrakesh

This free walking tour in Marrakesh steps things up a notch with a bit of evening sightseeing. The city comes alive after dark, when temperatures are cooler, and the night market is in full flow.

Itinerary

The route focuses on the street markets, the souks and the main square. You’ll stop at food stalls to sample local delicacies and sip on mint tea to keep refreshed. In the souks, the vendors are looking to close their last deals of the day, so the chances are you’ll grab a bargain.

Finally, you’ll finish in the Jemaa El-Fna which is a confusion of color, music and dance. On the surface, it seems chaotic, but actually, it’s all very organized. Feasting and social gatherings have been taking place here for centuries, with storytellers captivating the crowds as night falls.

In the company of your guide, you’ll have the confidence to explore, chat with locals and tuck into dishes that you’d never try at home. This is the real Marrakesh, and there’s nowhere else like it on earth.

Some night walking excursions in Marrakesh finish with dinner in a traditional medina restaurant. This is the perfect way to round off the evening in good company.

Food walking tours in Marrakesh

Combine exploring with eating and you’ll experience the very best that the city has to offer. Food is a very important part of society in Morocco. Meals are a time when families get together to nourish relationships and enjoy dishes that have been passed down through the generations.

Itinerary

These Marrakesh food walking excursions often take place in the evening when the famous night market swings into action in the main square.

You’ll join your guide for a stroll around the stalls, where you’ll discover the history of Moroccan food and its influences from around the world. This is a place where locals rub shoulders with tourists sharing a common aim – eating great food!

As you wander around the city you will stop at different eateries to sample traditional dishes. Mint tea and Moroccan pastries are always a hit, as are the tagines and couscous which every visitor to Morocco should try at least once.

Stop to smell the spices in the souks and learn how food has played a huge part in shaping the country’s culture. This tour finishes at a restaurant, where you can linger with your new-found friends and continue sampling the foodie delights of Marrakesh.

Marrakesh shopping tours

Marrakesh is the sort of place that entices your wallet out at every opportunity, especially when it comes to shopping. The souk markets are where you’ll find the action, and the best prices for those who bargain well. If you find bartering a bit intimidating, then taking a free Marrakesh walking tour that focuses on shopping is the best way to learn.

Itinerary

Your excursion begins in Jemaa El-Fna, where you’ll meet your guide and enjoy an introduction to the Moroccan market experience. Then it’s time to enter the souks and explore the warren of stalls that line the alleyways. It’s easy to get lost here, so having a local guide makes the experience stress-free.

There are several different souk areas to explore, with each one concentrating on different products. Leather goods, carpets, lanterns, ceramics and spices will all feature during your tour. Just remember if you touch something, that’s an indication you’re interested in buying!

The guide will help you negotiate prices and teach you how to do business with the friendly local vendors. Haggling is a bit like a dance, where both parties have their parts to play. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll find it’s heaps of fun.

Whether you want to lay your hands on some Moroccan antiques or fancy a colorful pair of babouches (slippers), the souks have it all. Make sure you take some cash as many places don’t accept cards.

In which languages are free walking tours in Marrakesh operated?

The guides offering free tours in Marrakesh often speak many languages. The majority of excursions are conducted in English, so you won’t have any issues finding one to join.

French is widely spoken in Morocco, so walking tours in French are also readily available. There are several Spanish options too.

A few tours are in Arabic or Portuguese. Occasionally, Dutch-led walks are also offered.

Where do free walking tours in Marrakesh start?

Most free walking tours in Marrakesh take place in the medina. This is the city’s historic center, and where many of the major tourist attractions can be found.

The main starting points for these Marrakesh walks include outside the Koutoubia Mosque, and at different spots around the Jemaa El-Fna (the central square).

Your guide will be holding a sign or wearing a colorful cap, to help you locate the group. The square is a busy place, so read the excursion details carefully to ensure you join the right tour.

How long do free walking tours in Marrakesh last?

The Marrakesh medina is large, so most tours last between 2 and 4 hours. This is enough time to check out the main sights while walking at a leisurely pace.

Longer tours are available if you want to dig a little deeper into the culture and history of the city.

When is the best time to join a free walking tour in Marrakesh?

You can enjoy free tours in Marrakesh throughout the day, so just pick a time that best fits in with your schedule. If you’re visiting between May and October, opt for a morning or evening tour to avoid the heat. The afternoons are sizzling here, especially during summer.

Marrakesh can be a little overwhelming when you first arrive, thanks to the heat, the bustle and the enthusiastic touts. Taking a walking tour at the beginning of your visit will help you get your bearings and feel more comfortable exploring the medina.

Should Marrakesh free walking tours be booked online?

The popularity of free walking tours in Marrakesh is increasing, as more and more travelers discover the delights of Morocco. Group sizes are kept small to help with the flow through the narrow and crowded alleyways of the medina. As a result, places can sell out during peak periods so it’s a good idea to book well in advance.

Reserving your spot ahead of the tour will also help the guide to plan an itinerary suitable for the group size. You can book without needing to give any credit card details, and cancelation is free too.