Three days is the ideal amount of time to enjoy Marrakech without rushing: two days for the city and a third to head out to the Agafay Desert or the Atlas Mountains. This is the itinerary we recommend to our travellers.
Day 1: the medina and Jemaa el-Fna
Start at the Koutoubia Mosque, the city’s great landmark (non-Muslims can only see it from outside). From there, walk to the Saadian Tombs and the Bahia Palace, with its zellige courtyards and carved cedar ceilings. In the afternoon, get lost in the souks: the spice market, the dyers’ souk and the leather workers.
At sunset, Jemaa el-Fna square fills with food stalls, musicians and storytellers. Eat at one of the numbered stalls or head up to a rooftop to watch the show from above.
Day 2: gardens, museums and a hammam
Go early to the Majorelle Garden to avoid the queues; the Yves Saint Laurent Museum is right next door. Then visit the Ben Youssef Madrasa, one of the country’s architectural gems, and the Marrakech Museum. Save the afternoon for a traditional hammam and finish with dinner in a medina riad.
Day 3: a trip out of the city
You have three options depending on what you are after:
- Agafay Desert: a sunset camel ride and dinner at a camp 40 minutes away. See our Agafay trip.
- High Atlas: Berber villages and an easy walk in Imlil. Here is the Imlil day trip.
- Hot air balloon: sunrise over the palm grove. Check out the balloon ride.
Where to stay
The most authentic choice is a riad inside the medina, near Jemaa el-Fna or in the Kasbah district. If you prefer hotels with large pools, Hivernage and the Palmeraie are quieter.
Practical tips
- Carry cash in dirhams: almost nobody in the souks takes cards.
- Bargain with a smile: the first price is usually high.
- Wear clothes that cover shoulders and knees to feel at ease.
- If someone offers to “guide” you without being asked, politely decline.
Want to keep travelling? Our Merzouga desert tours start in Marrakech.
Frequently asked questions
Are 3 days enough in Marrakech?
Yes. In two days you see the essentials of the city and you can spend the third on a trip to the Agafay Desert, the Atlas or Essaouira.
When is the best time to visit Marrakech?
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). Summer middays are very hot and winter nights are cold.
