What is open on a Sunday
- Ministry of Culture monuments: the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs and the El Badi Palace open every day from 9am to 5pm, 100 dh for a foreign adult. On Sundays the queue builds mostly between 10am and 11:30am: arrive at 9am.
- Gardens: the Jardin Majorelle opens 8am to 6:30pm (170 MAD, online tickets only), the Secret Garden 9:30am to 6pm or 6:30pm (100 MAD), the Menara Gardens 8am to 6pm, free.
- Museums: the Ben Youssef Madrasa, the Maison de la Photographie, Dar el-Bacha (Tuesday to Sunday), the Museum of Intangible Heritage (Tuesday to Sunday) and the MACAAL (Wednesday to Sunday) welcome visitors.
- Souks and the square: the souks stay open every day, Sunday included, from about 9am to 7 or 8pm; Jemaa el-Fna square comes alive in the late afternoon.
- Shopping malls: every day, generally 10am to 10pm, for example the Menara Mall. See also shop opening hours.
What is closed or different
- Dar Bellarj is closed on Sundays.
- Banks and government offices are closed on Saturday and Sunday: change money before the weekend (see money and tipping) or use a cash machine.
- Agdal Gardens: they open only on certain days, most often Friday and Sunday, with no official calendar and not when the royal family is staying in Marrakech. Ask your accommodation the day before; see the Agdal Gardens.
- Rural souks: Asni (Saturday) and Amizmiz (Tuesday) do not take place on Sunday; see the Berber markets of Asni and Amizmiz.
- Mosques: most are not open to non-Muslims, whatever the day (see mosques and places of worship). The Church of the Holy Martyrs holds Masses in French and English on Sundays.
What to book, and when
| Activity | Book | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Jardin Majorelle, Yves Saint Laurent museum | The day before, online | Specific time slot, no tickets at the gate |
| Hammam and massage in a spa | The day before, or that morning | Spas are in high demand at weekends |
| Guided tour of the medina | The day before | Official guide, morning start |
| Pool day pass | At least the day before | Compulsory; several days ahead in school holidays |
| Day trip | The day before | Early start, usually 7 to 8am |
| Palaces, tombs, madrasa | Not necessary | Ticket at the counter; e-ticket possible for the palaces |
- Online tickets: the Jardin Majorelle only sells dated tickets. The ministry's palaces can also be booked on the official platform, at the same price as at the counter; an online ticket saves you the ticket counter, not the entrance queue. Details in tickets and opening hours for Marrakech monuments.
- Hammam: a Sunday afternoon after the medina is the busiest time; see hammam in Marrakech and which offer to choose.
- Guided tour: an official guide avoids fake guides; see guided tours in Marrakech and which offer to choose.
- Day trip: Sunday departures run like any other day; see day trips from Marrakech. Check the cancellation policy when you book.
A Sunday in three versions
Culture Sunday, on foot
- 9am: Saadian Tombs, then El Badi Palace and Bahia Palace, in that order (about ten minutes' walk between each).
- 1pm: lunch in the area, see where to eat near the Bahia Palace.
- 3pm: Ben Youssef Madrasa, then the Maison de la Photographie and its terrace at sunset.
Gardens and relaxation Sunday
- 8am: Jardin Majorelle at the first booked slot, then the Yves Saint Laurent museum at opening.
- Noon: lunch in Gueliz, see Gueliz and Hivernage.
- 3pm: hammam booked the day before, or a pool day pass (see pools and day passes).
Sunday out of town
Leave early for a day trip (see day trips from Marrakech) and keep the evening for Jemaa el-Fna square. If you come back late, read getting back at night in Marrakech.
Tips for Sunday
- Put the busiest monuments at opening time, and the souks in late morning or the afternoon.
- Carry cash in dirhams: cards are not accepted everywhere and banks are closed.
- During Ramadan, hours shift and most sites close earlier; see Marrakech during Ramadan.
- If a public holiday falls on or next to a Sunday, check closures: see shop opening hours.
- For the evening, see Marrakech at night.
