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We may have declared 2024 the year to visit Morocco, but I’m starting to think 2025 may also be the year to visit Morocco. With European budget airlines continuing their expansion into Morocco, flights to Marrakech have never been this cheap.
In anticipation of more travelers descending on Morocco this year, we’ve prepared the ultimate 3 days in Marrakech itinerary. Whether you’re beginning a longer 10 days in Morocco itinerary or you’ve just popped down for a weekend, you’ll want to make sure you have your Marrakech itinerary ready to go. Be prepared for sensory overload: sweet mint tea, glistening mosaic medresas and the ever-charming medina shopkeepers.
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Understanding the districts of Marrakech
As a starting point, I like to think of Marrakech as operating with two distinct city centres: (1) the Medina, the heart and soul of old Marrakech, and (2) the colonial-era Ville Nouvelle (‘New City’). Our 3 days in Marrakech itinerary is designed to give you insight into both of these centres.
Generally, we find travelers generally want to spend more of their time around the extremely atmospheric medina. To make the most of your time in Marrakech, we’ve also prepared an exclusive Travel Insighter DIY medina walking tour.
Getting around Marrakech
Local taxi drivers in Marrakech are notorious for taking tourists on a ride (we mean this metaphorically in this instance). Unfortunately for Western travelers, our familiar Uber isn’t available in Marrakech.
Not too long ago, we were advising travelers to Marrakech to use Uber’s subsidiary, Careem. Nowadays, Careem has fallen out of favor and InDrive is now the premier ride-hailing service. You can also use Roby which, like InDrive, still requires cash payments.
It is also the case that some taxis are metered, but these are few, so you should always negotiate a price with the driver before you enter the car. That is, of course, unless the taxi operates a meter.
Where to stay in Marrakech
If it’s your first visit to Marrakech, we always recommend staying in the Medina. It can be a little more intense, but this is your Arabian Nights experience: think winding alleyways, age-old craftsmen and spices everywhere. Riad Dar Justo Hotel Boutique & Spa and BLISS Riad Marrakesh both offer extremely photogenic and well-priced options within walking distance of major medina sites.
If you are looking for a special experience that retains the Moroccan beauty but also has all the luxuries to make your trip comfortable, El Fenn. It’s just within the city walls so it’s easy to get around the medina. And they offer a free afternoon tea with some of the best cakes in Marrakech.
However, in saying that, solo travelers should be warned that, to reach many medina hotels after dark, you’ll likely need to walk down very quiet and dark alleyways. If that doesn’t sound like your style, consider a hotel in Gueliz or Hivernage from where you can grab a quick taxi to the medina.
For mid-range options in the newer part of town consider the Fashion Hotel or Hôtel Marrakech Racine. If budget is less of a concern, Dar Rhizlane or the Four Seasons offer the peak of Moroccan luxury.
Ultimate 3 Days in Marrakech Itinerary
Days 1 & 2: Medina
You’re about to dive head first in the mayhem of Marrakech medina. The quintessential joy of Marrakech is getting lost in the medina. To help orient your day, we’ve set out some of our favorite sites in the Marrakech medina. If you get lost at any point, just ask someone to point you towards the Djemaa el-Fna.
You’ll also find below our exclusive Travel Insighter DIY walking tour of the medina. I’d recommend doing this on Day 1 of your 3 days in Marrakech itinerary to help familiarize yourself with the medina.
Travel tip: Watch your pockets and handbags in the medina, particularly around Djemaa El-Fna!
Top places to visit in the Marrakech medina and surrounds
Djemaa el-Fna
Marrakech’s main square and the star of any 3 days in Marrakech itinerary, Djemaa el-Fna boasts dozens of food stalls, souvenirs, crafts and a nightly performance of snake charmers, jugglers and Moroccan music. In fact, Djemaa el-Fna enjoys UNESCO intangible heritage status for this evening spectacle, which has been entertaining visitors for centuries.
When you’ve had your fill of exploring the different stalls (or if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by the explosion of color), find a little tea shop on the square edge and enjoy some Moroccan tea.
Local tip: Find Stall 71 after dark for a glass of Moroccan mint tea and one of the most unique pieces of cake you’ll find.
You’ll want to make sure to visit during both day time and evening. Going to Djemaa el-Fna after dark is easily the best thing to do in Marrakech at night.
Ali Ben Youssef Medresa
If you only visit one site during your 3 days in Marrakech itinerary, make sure it is this medresa. The Ali Ben Youssef is the Marrakech you see on Instagram, with some of the Maghreb’s most iconic mosaic work. No explanation is needed, as you really – really – must go for yourself. The nearby Ali Ben Youssef Mosque is also stunning and worth a visit.
While you’re in the area, a number of the medina’s most beautiful sites are just a short hop away, including the Koubba Ba’adiyn and Musee de Marrakech.
Bahia Palace
Built in the late 1800s, the Bahia Palace is all your Moroccan fantasies in one place. Think floor-to-ceiling decorations and an mosaic-laden harem. You’ll be able to explore a handful of the 160+ bedrooms in this opulent palace.
If you’re finding Marrakech particularly hot, the architecture of the Bahia Palace makes this a cool place to spend an afternoon.
Maison de la Photographie
Maison de la Photographie is perhaps Marrakech’s most tasteful small museum and one of my favorite spots in the city. Established together by French and Moroccan photographers, the small museum shares vintage black and white photographs of old Marrakech.
You’ll gain insight into how the city looked before the Ville Nouvelle expansion, while also seeing images of Marrakech’s predominately exiled historic Jewish community.
The museum is tastefully located in an old courtyard building. In my opinion, having a glass of mint tea (can you ever have enough?) on the panoramic rooftop terrace is a must-do Marrakech experience.
Mellah and Slat Al Azama Synagogue
The Mellah (or historic Jewish quarter) showcases some of Marrakech’s most unique architecture. In this part of the medina, you’ll find tall mud brick homes and open balconies (a historic way to identify Jewish homes across Morocco).
The Slat Al Azama Synagogue is home to an excellent museum on Moroccan Jewish histroy. A few doors down, the miaara (cemetery) affords an opportunity to reflect on centuries of cross-cultural interaction within old Marrakech.
If you’re interested in the millennia of Jewish heritage of Marrakech, I highly recommend allocating a few hours for this Jewish heritage tour of Marrakech.
Travel Insighter DIY medina walking tour
We’ve put together this short DIY walking tour through the Marrakech medina. It takes you down some of the prettiest and most atmospheric of Marrakech’s laneways.
- As every great Marrakech trip does, start your tour in the legendary Djemaa el-Fna, from where you can admire the symbol of Marrakech: the Koutoubia Minaret.
- From Djemaa el-Fna, cross to the northwest towards Bab Fteuh (there’s a small hotel there) and the head towards the noisy jewellery and metal studios. Next, make your up Rue el-Mouassine, taking the time to weave through the little alleys (derb if you’re trying to be local) until you reach the Mouassine Fountain and the 16th-century Douiria Derb el Hammam, the historic guesthouse of those visiting the Marrakech royals.
- You are going to keep making your way north at the junction with Rue Dar el-Bacha where you will pass a number of grand courtyards and old merchant hotels. Much of this area dates back to the 1500s and is today full of small artisans and craft shops. You’ll probably be ready for a snack. Since this is likely your first day in Marrakech, Le Jardin is pretty much the spot for a bite to eat around this area.
- Turn right from Le Jardin and through the arch into Rue Amesfah. Now we have arrived at the real star of Marrakech, the Ali Ben Youssef Medresa (and nearby mosque). We are going to finish the walking tour by bringing you forward a few centuries with a short visit to the Maison de la Photographie. Rest up, have some tea and soak in the Marrakech energy before heading back to Djemaa el-Fna for sunset and the evening spectacle.
Best restaurants in Marrakech medina
Generally anything around Djemaa el-Fna will be a little touristy and ‘standard’. That’s not to say you should avoid it – in many ways eating one of your meals in the Djemaa el-Fna is a travel rite of passage.
If you’re on a budget and want to try some Moroccan food, we recommend Oscar Progres and Bakchich. Both are relatively close to Djemaa el-Fna.
For more of a mid-range, Moroccan-fusion cuisine, I’m a big fan of Nomad Marrakech. With a stunning rooftop lounge and Moroccan couscous featuring goat’s cheese, it’s always a crowd favorite. Cafe des Epices around the corner also offers excellent Moroccan fare, with some world-class coffee.
If you’re a little deeper into the medina and feeling hungry, Souk Kafe has a great lunch offer of a number of savory mezze dishes served as a feast for two. I also love the atmosphere at Cafe Clock – another more Western-friendly eatery deep in the Medina. Cafe Clock has a lovely outdoor terrace, salads and sandwiches.
Special Mention: El Hafiane
Moroccan artistry and crafts and renowned the world over. A day in the medina will be overwhelming for the senses, but once you get your bearings, make sure you visit El Hafiane to get tailored-made clothes and other goods which you will keep with you forever.
Bonus: Day 2 early morning
If you aren’t heading deeper into the desert or the Atlas Mountains, you’ll want to make sure your 3 days in Marrakech itinerary is extra memorable.
There’s no better way to appreciate Marrakech’s desert climate than an early morning hot air balloon. You’ll enjoy Marrakech from above, with sweeping views over the snow-capped Atlas Mountains. Best of all, you’ll enjoy an epic Berber breakfast when you’re done.
Day 2: Gueliz and Ville Nouvelle
The Ville Nouvelle is essentially ‘new’ Marrakech, with organized streets and a bit more of a bougie vibe. In Ville Nouvelle, you’ll find boutiques (Rue de la Liberte), art galleries (Rue Yougoslavie) and some fancier restaurants. It’s an easy walk from Djemaa el-Fna. Having said that, I recommend hopping in a taxi to get to Ville Nouvelle as there isn’t much to see on the way.
After two days in the medina, Day 3 is designed to be a much more relaxed day.
Top experiences in Gueliz and Ville Nouvelle
Jardin Majorelle
Most visitors only head to the Ville Nouvelle when visiting the Jardin Majorelle. These magnificent gardens were a gift by Yves Saint Laurent to his adopted city of Marrakech in 1964. Beyond cactuses and foundatins, the garden also contains a small Berber Art Museum and boutique. You’ll also find a lovely cafe to lap up some early morning Marrakech sun.
I can’t emphasize this enough: the Jardin Majorelle is one of the most visited sites in Morocco. With timed entry slots, you absolutely need to pre-book your tickets.
Art galleries of Gueliz
While the Medina galleries are more tourist inclined, Gueliz is home to some more contemporary and higher priced galleries. Spending an afternoon gallery hopping in Gueliz is one of the most unique things to do in Marrakech.
For those interested, we recommend L’Blassa Art Space, Galleries Noir sur Blanc, Matisse Art Gallery, and Gallerie 127. The more institutional Musee MACMA offers a formal collection of Moroccan contemporary art.
If you’re interested in purchasing Moroccan contemporary design, Some Slowconcept is my favorite concept store in Gueliz. You’ll also find a peaceful little courtyard for a cup of coffee.
Hammam
Have you really traveled in Morocco if you haven’t visited a hammam?
Life is all about extremes, and hammams are no different. Here, it’s best to go very local, where for a few dollars you will get a good scrub down. If you’re up for this, bring your own flip-flops and towels. Hammam times are usually split by sex, so ask ahead. You’ll probably want to head back to the medina. For example, hammam dar el-bacha and hammam bab doukkala are familiar with foreigners.
A private hammam offers one of the best luxury things to do in Marrakech. Sleek designs, warm and cold pools and more of a massage than a scrub. Check out Heritage Spa, Le Bain Bleu, or Les Bains d’Orient.
Best restaurants in Gueliz and Ville Nouvelle
Cafe du Livre is your classic vintage bookstore cafe, with salads, sandwiches and nightly poetry readings. For those seeking the Ville Nouvelle experience, consider: Plus61 (modern Moroccan) or Le Studio (French). In recent months, the breakfast spread at the Oberai has recently been making the Instagram rounds too.
4 Days in Marrakech? Best day trips from Marrakech
If you have 3 days in Marrakech (or more), you’ll want to consider some day trips in your Marrakech itinerary.
The Atlas Mountains and nearby towns (Ait Benhaddou) is an obvious choice. On this day trip, you’ll visit Berber mud-brick villages, magnificent valleys and some of the most rugged landscapes of Morocco.
I also particularly love Essaiouria. This coastal walled Medina offers a calming antidote after the mayhem of Marrakech. You’ll see how the winding alleyways of the Maghreb meet the crashing waves of the Atlantic.
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