Three days is enough to see the essentials of Marrakesh
without rushing. This plan is organized by area so you are not crossing the
city back and forth, and it follows the rhythm that works here: sights in the
morning, a long break during the afternoon heat, and back out at sunset.
How the plan works
It assumes you are staying in the medina. If you are in
Gueliz, simply swap Day 3 to the start and keep the rest in order. Most
monuments open around 9 am, so an early start pays off in shorter lines and
cooler air. Wear comfortable shoes, carry some cash for entry fees, and buy
your Majorelle Garden ticket online in advance. Everywhere else you can pay at
the door.
Day 1: Palaces and the great square
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| Koutoubia |
9:00 – Saadian Tombs.
Be at the gate when it opens to beat the tour groups. Thirty minutes is enough.
10:00 – El Badi Palace. A short walk away. Climb to the terraces for views over the medina
and look for the storks nesting on the walls.
11:15 – Bahia Palace.
Wander the courtyards and gardens for about an hour.
12:45 – Lunch near Place des Ferblantiers. This small square of tinsmiths sits close to El Badi and
the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter, and has simple cafés with reasonable
prices.
Afternoon – Rest.
Head back to your riad for a swim, a nap or tea on the terrace.
5:00 – Koutoubia and Jemaa el-Fna. Walk through the Koutoubia gardens as the light softens,
then continue to the square, about 15 minutes away. Watch the sunset from a
café terrace and have dinner at the stalls.
Entry fees for the day come to roughly 200–300 MAD.
Pre-book transportation, accommodations, tours, and tickets for a smooth Marrakesh trip
Day 2: Madrasa, souks and hidden gardens
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| Ben Youssef Madrasa |
9:00 – Ben Youssef Madrasa. Arrive early for the courtyard without the crowds, then
step next door to the Marrakech Museum.
10:30 – The souks.
Enter from Souk Semmarine and branch off to Souk Smata for slippers, Souk
Cherratine for leather, Souk el Attarine for lamps and perfume, and the spice
stalls at Rahba Kedima. Look around first and buy on the way back, when you
have a feel for prices. Or visit Dar El Bacha and browse the rooftop boutiques
of Souk Cherifia if you prefer fixed prices.
1:00 – Lunch in Mouassine. A rooftop or courtyard café is a good place to cool
down.
2:30 – Le Jardin Secret. A peaceful hour among the gardens, with a climb up the
tower for the view.
4:30 – Hammam. A
riad or boutique spa is the easiest for a first visit. Book a day ahead if you
can.
Evening – Dinner in the north medina. Choose a riad restaurant, or eat at a local place away
from the main square.
Entry fees for the day come to about 200 MAD.
Day 3: Majorelle and the modern city
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| Majorelle Garden |
8:00 – Majorelle Garden. Book the first timed slot. Add the Berber Museum on a
combined ticket, and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum next door if it appeals.
Expect to finish by about 10:30. Entry is roughly 230 MAD with the Berber
Museum.
11:30 – Gueliz.
Wander the wide avenues, browse galleries and fixed-price shops, and stop for
lunch at a café. It is a good area to try a glass of wine if you drink.
Afternoon – Pool time.
Take a break before the evening.
5:00 – Menara Gardens.
Watch the sun go down over the olive groves, water basin and Atlas Mountains.
Evening – Farewell dinner. Book ahead for a riad restaurant, or go back to the
square for one more evening at the stalls.
Day 4: Desert or mountains
 |
| Agafay desert |
Choose one. For the Agafay desert, leave around 3
pm for a camel ride and a sunset dinner in the rocky landscape, back in the
city by 9 or 10 pm. For the Ourika Valley, leave around 9 am, take the
walk toward the Setti Fatma waterfalls, and have lunch beside the river. It is
cooler up there, which helps in summer.
Secure your rides, stays, tours, and tickets in advance to avoid last-minute stress
Day 5: Essaouira
 |
| Skkala, Essaouira |
Leave early. The bus or a private driver takes 2.5 to 3
hours. Spend the day walking the walled medina, the fishing port and the beach,
and eat grilled fish at the harbor. The Atlantic breeze is a welcome change
from Marrakesh. If you can, stay a night, or return in the evening. For a
different day, Ouzoud Waterfalls is a full-day alternative, and Aït Ben Haddou
works best as an overnight trip from Marrakesh.
If you have less time
 |
| Koutoubia |
With two days, do
Day 1 without El Badi, and follow it with Majorelle at 8 am, Ben Youssef and
the souks on Day 2, ending with sunset at Jemaa el-Fna.
With one day, see
Majorelle at 8 am, take a taxi to the medina for Ben Youssef Madrasa and the
souks, have lunch, visit Bahia Palace in the early afternoon, and end at Jemaa
el-Fna for sunset.
A few last tips
Opening hours shrink during Ramadan, so start earlier and
check ahead. Save your riad’s exact location on your phone and screenshot it in
case your signal drops. If the medina feels overwhelming on the first morning,
book an official guide for two or three hours to get your bearings, and go it
alone from Day 2. Keep the afternoons free. Marrakesh is far more enjoyable
when you don’t try to fill every hour.
Thank you for your time 😊
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