Marrakech is known for its sunshine, but it does rain from time to time, mostly from autumn to early spring. Showers are often short, and the sky clears quickly. Good news: the medina is full of places to shelter. Palaces turned into museums, hammams, cooking workshops, covered souks, tea rooms... Here are our ideas for turning a rainy day into a great memory.

Museums

La Maison de la Photographie (◷ 1 h to 1 h 30 · € Entrance fee)

Set in a riad near the Ben Youssef Madrasa, it gathers old photographs of Morocco from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century. A café with a rooftop terrace lets you end the visit with a view over the medina.

Good to know: if the rain stops, the terrace is a real bonus for your break.

The YSL Museum and the Berber Museum (◷ 1 h 30 · € Entrance fee)

Two museums close to the Majorelle Garden, sheltered from the rain: the Yves Saint Laurent Museum traces the designer's work, and the Berber Museum presents superb pieces of Moroccan craftsmanship.

Good to know: tickets are sold online on the garden's official website, and a garden ticket does not necessarily include the museums: check before booking. The weekly closing day is shown on the website (often Wednesday), so remember to check it.

Dar Si Saïd (◷ 1 h · € Entrance fee)

This 19th-century palace, near the Bahia Palace, houses a museum dedicated to Moroccan decorative arts: carpets, jewellery and carved woodwork in a beautiful setting.

Good to know: check the closing day (sometimes Tuesday) before you go.

Hammams

The neighbourhood hammam (◷ 1 h 30 · € Usually between 5 and 10 euros)

This is the most authentic experience: the hammam is shared with local residents. Bring your own bucket, glove and black soap. Men and women have separate hours or areas, and the staff often speak only Arabic. You can also ask someone working at the hammam to scrub your back, and don't forget to leave them a tip.

Good to know: ask at the entrance what to bring and how it works. It's a good option for a simple, local experience.

The hammam-spa, designed for visitors (◷ 1 h 30 to 2 h · € Paid treatment)

In a riad, hotel or spa, towels and products are provided, and the staff speak English or French. You can add a massage. It's not where Moroccans go, but it's a great way to unwind on a rainy day. The ritual always follows the same steps: steam, black soap, scrub with a kessa glove, then a ghassoul clay mask.

Good to know: book ahead, especially when it's raining. Feel free to say if you prefer a gentler or stronger scrub.

Cooking classes

Cooking classes: a warm workshop that ends at the table (◷ 3 h · € Paid activity)

Not all classes take place indoors, but ours, at La Maison Arabe, is fully sheltered. With a dada, you discover the spices and cook a full meal, then prepare your own Berber bread before sitting down to taste everything. Our Moroccan cooking class is a great idea for a rainy day.

Good to know: there is one session in the morning and one in the afternoon. Book ahead, as places go quickly in high season.

Souks and tea rooms

The souks (◷ 2 h · ✓ Free entry)

The souks are largely covered by roofs of wood, reeds or tin, so you can wander even in the rain. A few drops sometimes slip through the gaps, but you stay mostly sheltered.

Good to know: the ground can be slippery, so bring shoes with good grip and a small umbrella or a rain jacket.

Tea rooms, cafés and riads (◷ 1 h · € Paid drinks)

Nothing beats a mint tea with pastries (gazelle horns, chebakia) while you wait for the shower to pass. Many tea rooms and riads have indoor lounges or covered galleries where you can settle in comfortably.

Good to know: riad patios are often open to the sky: ask for a table inside.

For the evening: dinner and a night out under cover

Indoor restaurants and covered dinner shows (◷ 2 to 3 h · € Paid meal)

In the evening, you don't have to stay on a terrace: many restaurants in the medina and in Hivernage have indoor dining rooms, and several dinner shows take place entirely under cover. Le Safran by Koya is a very well-known address in Marrakech, and one of the covered dinner shows. L'Épicurien, at the Es Saadi Marrakech Resort in Hivernage, offers a meal followed by music and atmosphere that carry on late into the night.

Good to know: book ahead, as the best tables go fast on rainy evenings.

Nightclubs, fully covered (◷ at your own pace · € Paid entry or drinks)

To end the night, Marrakech's nightclubs, especially in the Hivernage district, are fully covered: the rain makes no difference. It's the option for those who want to keep the evening going until the early hours.

A few tips for rainy days

• Shoes: the medina's alleys get slippery. Choose closed shoes with a good sole.
• Taxis: they are harder to find when it rains. Agree on the price or the meter before getting in.
• Clear spells: showers are often short. Keep a plan B and make the most of the dry moments to head out.
• Outdoor excursions: desert trips, horse rides or hot-air balloon flights can be moved or adapted depending on the weather. If you have already booked, let us know and we will find the best solution for you.
• Outdoor dinner shows: some take place in the open air. If you have already booked, let us know and we will look together at rescheduling your dinner if possible.