Following the earthquake in September 2023, which shook the foundations of Marrakesh, several museums in the city were temporarily closed. Now, for the most part, they are open, improved, and ready for visitors. As tourism numbers rise in the city, measures are being taken to enhance the overall visitor experience.
Marrakchis, people native to the city, take great pride in their unique culture, which is rich in history and full of many traditions. It's best to take some time to explore the city’s many small, niche museums and discover how it evolved from a trading center into a vibrant, creative hub beloved by travelers worldwide.
This is evident at some of the best museums in Marrakesh, where improved information signs are available, and prebooking by time slot is now offered to alleviate crowding and long lines. To truly experience the depth of Marrakech’s cultural heritage, it is highly recommended to carve out some time in your itinerary to explore the city’s museums and galleries.
Marrakech is one of the most important cities in Moroccan history and it is where you will find some of the most impressive museums, oozing culture and history and enabling you to get a true sense of this magnificent country and it’s past history.
Step foot in this ancient Moroccan metropolis and it’s hard not to get swept up in the energised buzz that awaits around every corner.
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Here's a guide to some of the best museums in Marrakech:
Marrakech A Jewel of History and Culture
1. Museum of African Contemporary Art Al Maaden (MACAAL)
Best for: Modern art
Having undergone a revamp and structural reinforcements following the earthquake, MACAAL reopened in February 2025. Its earth-textured buildings provide a permanent home for the Lazraq family’s extensive private collection of African art.
Innovative and thought-provoking artists from across the continent are represented here in a bright art gallery that promotes Africa’s creative spirit, with eight exhibition spaces spread across two floors. It’s a place for enjoying African art, starting conversations, and bringing the community together.
Planning tip: MACAAL is located 5km (3 miles) outside the city, and it's best to take a taxi. The museum is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm.
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MACAAL, housing collections of African contemporary art. art4stock/Shutterstock
2. Moroccan Culinary Arts Museum
Best for: Food lovers
A charming former 18th-century palace in the Kasbah district has been converted into the Moroccan Culinary Arts Museum, a center for celebrating Morocco’s rich culinary heritage. Occupying an 18th century palace, this expansive museum is dedicated to all things associated with Moroccan gastronomy.
It boasts two magnificent interior courtyards adorned with zellige tiles and elegantly sculpted columns where you can relax away from the tourist crowds. At the centre of the first courtyard stands a grand Carrara marble fountain framed by olive trees.
Visitors can walk through an informative, permanent exhibition that showcases the country’s cherished dishes, ingredients, and traditions. Today, the palace houses the Moroccan Museum of Culinary Art, offering an immersive exploration of the country’s gastronomic heritage.
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For a hands-on experience, budding chefs should book a place on one of the three daily cooking classes that take place in a state-of-the-art, open-plan kitchen featuring multiple cooking stations. On the second floor, you’ll find 34 interactive cooking stations where hands-on classes are held.
Classes run at 9am, 11am and 3pm. The 11am class is most popular; cook and then eat your dishes for lunch on the roof terrace afterwards. A different dish is prepared each day, and couscous is a Friday tradition nationally.
Beyond the exhibits and cooking classes, the Moroccan Museum of Culinary Art also features a rooftop restaurant with stunning views across the medina.
Planning tip: There’s also a courtyard cafe and restaurant if you’d rather someone else does the cooking.
The cooking stations at Marrakesh's Moroccan Culinary Arts Museum. Mark Green/Shutterstock
3. Musée du Parfum
Best for: Nature lovers
Nestled within the historic charm of a 19th-century riad is this small but captivating museum. It is entirely dedicated to the art and history of perfume.
The elegant Musée du Parfum is situated in a 19th-century riad on a quiet street in the medina and celebrates Morocco's relationship with plant medicine, fragrance and beauty rituals. Through interactive exhibits and displays, the Musee du Parfum showcases the wealth of scents that have long been woven into Moroccan culture.
It was founded by Abderrazzak Benchaâbane, a botanist/perfumer who worked with Yves Saint Laurent at the Jardin Majorelle and in the creation of the first YSL perfumes. Rare, antique objects used in the creation of perfumes are showcased, together with exhibits about the medicinal and aromatic plants utilised in the revered ritual of the hammam. The museum stands as a place to share his devotion to the delicate art of perfume-making, aiming to educate people on the importance of respecting nature.
Through the museum's visual displays, photos and scents, visitors can discover the flowers, spices, and techniques used to distill oils, as well as the steps involved in making perfume.
Planning tip: Pre-book and pay an additional fee for the workshop where you get to get to create your own bespoke scent. Most tourists miss this gem, and it’s such a shame because it was incredible. The Museum of Perfume (Musée du Parfum) offers workshops where you create your own signature scent with guidance from professional perfumers.
The experience includes a tour explaining Morocco’s perfume-making traditions, testing dozens of essential oils and scents, and creating your custom fragrance to take home. They keep your formula on file for reorders.
Musée du Parfum in a 19th-century riad, Marrakesh. celiachen/Shutterstock
4. Musée Berbère Jardin Majorelle
Best for: Indigenous culture
Situated within the Jardin Majorelle, the Pierre Bergé Museum of Berber Arts offers a deep dive into the diversity and richness of Morocco’s indigenous people, the Amazigh (formerly known as Berber). Occupying the former studio of artist Jacques Majorelle, this museum offers a glimpse into the unique cultures of the Amazigh people of North Africa.
Before entering the exhibition rooms, you’ll find an overview of Morocco’s Indigenous history and the geographical distribution of the major tribes across the country. Innovative audiovisual elements further enhance the museum, presenting the Amazigh way of life in vivid detail.
It’s a well-curated exhibition that showcases a staggering number of objects collected by Pierre Bergé, Yves Saint Laurent’s business and life partner. The collection includes dresses, jewelry and everyday items that tell the story of the Amazigh’s rich history and traditions.
The collection, curated by Pierre Bergé, boasts over 600 objects. In addition to everyday objects and ceremonial artefacts, you’ll find an impressive collection of Amazigh costumes, textiles and jewellery. The museum is thoughtfully organised into distinct spaces, each dedicated to a particular aspect of Amazigh culture.
Planning tip: You must purchase a combined ticket for both the Jardin Majorelle and the Berber Museum, as entrance is only available through the gardens. It's best to pre-book a time slot online in advance. Most of the information signs are in French or Arabic - ask at the entrance for a downloadable guide in other languages.
Musée Berbère Jardin Majorelle, Marrakesh. Bada1/Shutterstock
5. Water Museum
Best: Educational museum
Hydrophile heaven! At the Water Museum, you can learn about the importance of water in Morocco, its evolution and its management.
Captivating interactive maps and videos bring to life the water challenges presented in a country with large desert regions, and introduce the sustainable solutions that have been implemented, such as desalination, fog harvesting and hydraulic systems. The overall experience is both educational and enlightening for people of all ages.
Planning tip: The museum is located in the Palmeraie.
The Water Museum, Marrakech. tichr/Shutterstock
6. Dar El Bacha Museum
Best: Bite-size cultural experience
The former palace of the Pasha of Marrakech, an influential figure in the early 1900s, is now Dar El Bacha Museum, an exquisite example of Islamic architecture in the medina. This powerful pasha held significant political sway in southern Morocco during the French colonial era. Designed to impress and entertain, the palace features exquisite architectural details that blend Moorish, Amazigh and European influences.
Constructed in 1910, this ornate residence was once the private domain of Thami El Glaoui. Today, this historic site has been transformed into the Museum of Confluences, which showcases artworks, artefacts and objects that reflect the country’s rich heritage. Within the permanent collection, you’ll find traditional handicrafts, religious items and ancient manuscripts.
Marvel at the ornately decorated rooms, hand-carved wooden ceilings and intricate zellige (colourful geometric mosaic tilework). Pretty, citrus-scented courtyards are filled with orange trees, fountains, columns and geometric designs.
Beautifully curated items from across Morocco are showcased, including traditional attire, jewelry, art and musical instruments.
Planning tip: Multilingual information displays bring the former palace to life, but not so much as to overwhelm; it’s easily explored in a one-hour visit. Events and pop-up exhibitions take place throughout the year; check Instagram for the latest updates. The museum is also known for its in-house cafe, Bacha Coffee House. Be warned, the average wait time for a table is 1½ hours.
Ensconced within the Dar al Bacha Confluences Museum, opening the door to Bacha Coffee feels like stepping straight into Wonderland. The floor is tiled like a black and white checkerboard, and pops of the brand’s bright marigold orange packaging are featured throughout the room. In the center, there is a stunning wooden bar and pastry case.
The menu is broken down by flavor profile, strength, and geographic source, which is a good thing, because there are 200 types of coffee from 33 countries to choose from! The waiters are extremely knowledgeable and can recommend something to please any palate. You can order food as well.
A courtyard within Dar El Bacha Museum, Marrakech. PlanBDesignDigital/Shutterstock
7. Musée Yves Saint Laurent
Best for: Fashion lovers
Anyone interested in the life and work of Yves Saint Laurent, the well-known French fashion designer who came to Marrakesh for inspiration and retreat, won't want to miss a visit to the Musée Yves Saint Laurent. Established in 2017, this cultural institution stands as a tribute to the legendary French fashion designer, Yves Saint Laurent.
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