
TOP 5 MARRAKECH MUSEUMS
Planning a trip and wondering which – of the many – museums to visit? Here are our favourites, all located within a 15 minute walk from El Fenn, on the edge of the medina.
Museum of Music
An expert from the Louvre assisted in the restoration of the sixteenth-century building that’s now home to the Museum of Music. And after painstakingly removing modern plaster and additions, the dazzling bones of the original house were revealed. Now it’s home to the charming Museum of Music which explores Morocco’s rich musical history and its vivid mix of Berber, Islamic, African and Andalusian traditions. You can experience it all in real time during musical evenings which are held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, accompanied by either a traditional tea ceremony or a meal.
:: 5 Derb el Hammam. Open daily 10am to 7pm. Adults 60MAD, children under 15 free. Tickets also valid for La Maison de la Photographie. https://museedelamusique.ma/about/
Moroccan Culinary Arts Museum
The south of the medina is packed with historic sites and this new – but oh so vibrant – addition to the Marrakech museum scene is well worth a visit. You’ll find it just next to the Bahia Palace and it’s dedicated to the flavours and history of Moroccan food. A series of small but perfectly formed rooms cover everything from couscous and pastillas, to herbs and spices. There’s also a great cooking school that holds daily classes, a stunning cafe and roof terrace, plus a shop selling local food products. The eighteenth-century building is a masterclass in dazzling zellige, plaster and hand-painted cedar wood.
:: Riad Zitoun el Jdid. Open daily 9am to 8pm. Free entry. https://www.moroccancam.com/
Le MAP
If you’re heading to the Kasbah area to see the Badi Palace or Saadian Tombs then make sure to also visit the beautiful Le MAP. Almost 3000 pieces of jewellery, clothing and textiles collected by Marlene and Paolo Ponce-Gallone during decades of travel and research in more than 50 countries, are showcased there. And through them, the economic, social and cultural significance of how humans have chosen to adorn themselves over millennia is explored. The building itself is also beautiful – spanning three floors and inspired by Ben Youssef Medersa with a gorgeous rooftop garden.
:: 39-40 Rue Touareg. Open Tues-Sun 10am to 5.30pm. Adult entry 100MAD, under 25s 50MAD https://www.lemapmarrakech.com/en/home
La Maison de la Photographie
This tiny museum is small but perfectly formed – and so close to the souk that it’s an easy stop during a day’s shopping. It houses a permanent collection of photographs of Morocco taken between 1870 and 1960 and offers a fascinating insight into traditional life. Don’t miss the stunning images of Marrakech medina as it was more than a century ago. The museum also houses temporary exhibitions and there’s a shop where you can buy gorgeous prints.
:: 46 rue Ahl Fes Open daily 9.30am to 7pm. Adults 60MAD. Under 15s free. Tickets also valid for the Museum of Music. https://maisondelaphotographie.ma/
Marrakech Museum
Housed in a former palace, Marrakech Museum explores the cultural heritage of Morocco through historic and contemporary art, archaeological artefacts and ethnographic objects. It’s just down the street from Ben Youssef Medersa, a lot less busy and feels a bit like a hidden treasure. Then head to Eleven Twelve, which is a few doors away, to dive into Morocco, tea and its rich cultural significance. There’s a small museum where the historic teaware of the Ait Ben Abdallah family is on show plus tea tools from all over Morocco. Then sit down in the pretty teahouse where 12 teas from the 12 regions of Morocco are served .