How To Plan The Perfect 3-Day Marrakech Itinerary

After several trips to Marrakech, we’ve put together a walkable 3-day itinerary covering the best sights — and the quieter neighbourhoods most visitors miss.

Marrakech is a city of layers.

The ancient medina hides ornate palaces, Koranic schools, and Jewish quarters behind a maze of unmarked laneways.

The new town offers a calmer counterpoint — art museums, manicured gardens, and some of the city’s best restaurants.

Three days is enough to take in the highlights of both, with time left over to explore the local markets and neighbourhoods where Marrakech feels more like a real city.

We’ve been back several times and find new things each time.

We have put this itinerary together to help you see both the old and new of Marrakech in a walkable route.

Map: Marrakech Walking Route

Our Marrakech map lists all attractions we visit in this itinerary in the order we recommend you see them in. This will minimise time spent walking and maximise your time in the city. Each day is colour-coded as follows:

• Day 1: Southern Medina (red)
• Day 2: Central Souks (green)
• Day 3: New town and outer medina (blue)

Click on the top right corner to open our map in your Google Maps app. Click the star next to the title to save it to your Google account.  

Day 1: Main Attractions & Jewish Quarter

Koutoubia Mosque

We started at the Koutoubia Mosque. This 12th-century mosque is the city’s religious centre, featuring graceful arches, crenellated walls, and a 70-metre-high tower.

Before going in, explore a slice of traditional Moroccan life in the square just behind Kasbah Mosque.

While the centre of Marrakech may be touristy, this is a genuinely local market. Fruits are piled high on wooden carts, olives are precariously stacked in buckets, and lamb and chickens hang from hooks in shop windows.

It’s one of our favourite parts of the city.

Saadian Tombs

Next, we visited the Saadian Tombs, the final resting place of Sultan Ahmed al Mansour, his family, and his advisors.

The tombs are spread throughout a beautiful, flower-filled, walled enclosure.

The highlight is the Chamber of Three Niches. Here, the sultan and his closest family members lie in front of a magnificent mihrab (prayer niche).

Intricate white plasterwork supported by sleek columns and horseshoe arches adorns the stunning space.

Mellah

Exiting the Saadian Tombs, make your way past the stalls of silver and gold in the Grande Bijouterie and into the Mellah.

In the 16th century, this city within a city was home to the Jewish population. Today, it’s primarily Muslim and an intriguing place to explore.

The labyrinth of tightly packed alleyways contrasts with the main medina but is no less fascinating. Lazama Synagogue and Miãara Jewish Cemetery are well worth a visit.

Lunch

We had lunch on the terrace at Un déjeuner de Marrakech, which was both delicious and had wonderful views over the city. You’ll find it on our map above, just north of the Mellah, locate the bustling shopping street of Zitoun el Jdid.

Bahia Palace

After lunch, we went to the 19th-century Bahia Palace. Built for the grand vizier (Sultan’s chief advisor), only a small section of its 8 hectares and 150 rooms is open.

The Petit Riad has a lush courtyard surrounded by mosaic tile work and inlaid painted cedar ceilings. The Grand Riad courtyard is an expansive space of geometric blue, white and yellow tiles.

You can have a look inside the domestic life of the royal family in the 19th century through the stained-glass windows of the harem.

Dar Si Said or Maison Tiskiwin

Next, we visited both Dar Si Said and Maison Tiskiwin, but if you have time constraints, we recommend you visit only one.

Dar Si Said is a miniature Bahia Palace with a fraction of the visitors. Its magnificent pool-courtyard and tiled walls house the Museum of Moroccan Arts. If you’re interested in Islamic art, this is a great stop on the itinerary.

Maison Tiskiwin houses the collection of Bert Flint – an eclectic selection of memorabilia focused on the Saharan trade routes from Marrakech to Timbuktu. It’s a quirky space full of weird knick-knacks which we both loved.

Zitoun el Jdid

In the late afternoon, explore the shops on Zitoun el Jdid. We really like strolling around these streets, the shops were interesting, and it was much less pushy than the main souks.

Grab a tea and try some of the baklava from any of the bakeries.

After looking around, head to Kozybar as the sun goes down. It’s one of the few places in the medina where you can order alcohol, and it’s the perfect spot for sunset overlooking the decaying remnants of El Badi Palace.

Dinner

Have dinner at Snack Grand Atlas (Rue Ibnou Marine). Although it may look like any other touristy Moroccan restaurant, once you sit down and start experiencing the friendly service and high-quality food, you will realise it is a cut above.

Day 2: Unusual Museums & Central Souks

House of Photography

We started day 2 at the House of Photography. This great little museum winds its way up the internal staircases of a small riad. It’s packed with hundreds of photographs of life in 19th- and 20th-century Marrakech.

It doesn’t take long to look around, but it’s worth it, especially if you are interested in photography.

Ben Youssef Medersa

Just around the corner is Ben Youssef Medersa. This Koranic school is the most exquisitely decorated building in Marrakech.

Walls are covered with majestic mosaic tiles, arches are decorated with intricate stucco plaster and ceilings are inlaid with painted cedar wood.

It’s a stunning building and one of the top things to do in Marrakech.

Visit both the central courtyard and the dormitory rooms where the students lived.

Musée Marrakech

The medersa is the top priority today, but if you have time, we recommend the Musée Marrakech, just next door.

It’s a mix of traditional and contemporary art, but the renovation of what was once a palace is remarkable. The central courtyard is beautiful, featuring mosaic tiles and ornate fountains.

Rahba Kedima

Have a morning break at Café des Épices. This little café is perfectly positioned on the edge of Rahba Kedima, and there are few finer people-watching places in the city.

Central Souks

After a coffee break, we spent a few hours exploring the central souks. This is where you’ll face a little more pushiness.

Some stalls in the souk focus on selling to tourists, while others are more local. Here are a few of the main ones to locate:

• La Criée Berbère – colourful Moroccan carpet
• Souk des Bijoutiers – jewlery
• Souk des Babouche – brightly coloured slippers
• Souk Haddadine – metal work
• Souk des Teinturiers. – wool dying
• Souk Cherratine – leatherwork.

Lunch

If you are feeling adventurous, grab lunch at one of the excellent Ben Youssef food stalls.

But, if you fancy an escape from the madness, head to Nomad – an eclectic mix of European and Moroccan food served on a lovely terrace overlooking Kedima Square.

Foundouks

Fondouks are houses where the camel caravans from the Sahara would stop in the city. The ground floor was the stables, and the upstairs rooms would be rented to the traders.

Today, they are mostly workshops, but they maintain their traditional design.

The best are on Rue Dar el-Bach. We just spent some time strolling down the street, popping into a few that looked interesting.

Secret Garden

Just south of Rue Dar el-Bach is The Secret Garden – an oasis of calm amongst the clamour of the medina.

After spending the morning in the medina, it was nice to sit on a bench, take a deep breath, and mentally prepare for the rest of the day!

Hammam

After almost 2 days on your feet, it might be time for a break and a refresh.

There’s no better way to relax, Moroccan style, than by visiting a hammam, and there are many different ways to do it.

For a local experience, try Hammam Mouassine. This traditional hammam is still used by Moroccans today, but it has an English-speaking host. Don’t expect to come out relaxed – this is a very energetic scrub.

Alternatively, try a pampering experience with this Spa & Steam Hammam. It includes pick up from your hotel, so you don’t need to worry about getting there and back.

Jemaa El-Fna

There is no better place to experience the hubbub of Marrakech than in the main square of Jemaa el-Fna.

We started at Le Grand Balcon du Café Glace just before dusk. From here, you get treated to one of the best sunsets over the medina, and witness the steady building energy on the square.

To be perfectly honest, the cafe itself is not great. Entry is only possible with the purchase of a compulsory over-priced drink. However, it’s the best view of the square.

Once the sun is down, descend into the square and watch the storytellers, snake-charmers and fruit sellers cajole you from all sides.

Read more on our guide to Jemaa el Fna.

Dinner

Have dinner at one of the stalls in Jemaa el-Fina; it really doesn’t matter which one, they all do the same thing.

Dining at Jemaa el-Fna is not about the food; you’re here for the sheer energy of eating in one of the most exciting venues in the world.

Our suggestion is to choose a stall that appears relatively busy.

Day 3: New Marrakech & Local Flea Markets

Yves Saint Laurent House & Jardin Majorelle

On our final day in Marrakech, we left the chaos of the medina behind and visited the Yves Saint Laurent House in the new town.

Originally designed by Jacques Majorelle, this villa was later purchased by Yves Saint Laurent and donated to the city. Today, Jardin Majorelle’s intriguing architecture and sumptuously landscaped gardens are an excellent place to explore.

Yves Saint Laurent Museum

Next door to the house, the Yves Saint Laurent Museum showcases the life and works of Marrakech’s favourite expat. Mannequins modelling his greatest creations and accessories, set with all types of jewels, are magically lit in a moody, dark room.

Films of his life play on rotation in the auditorium next door to the museum, and it’s surprisingly interesting.

Avoid the Queue // The queues for the Garden Majorelle can be very long, but if you start at the museum first, you can purchase tickets for both without waiting in line. Alternatively, you can buy skip-the-line tickets in advance.

Lunch

If you start the morning at the museum and then head to the garden, you should be just in time for lunch at Jardin Majorelle’s relaxing courtyard garden. For a museum restaurant, it’s actually pretty good.

Souk El-Khemis

To get a genuine understanding of Marrakech, we really encourage you to leave the tourist centres and explore local life in the outer neighbourhoods.

Start at the massive Souk el-Khemis market, which sells a wide range of furniture, carpentry, pottery, and more.

It’s a long way from the tourist-driven souks in the medina, but one of the few locations in Marrakech that feels like you’re experiencing the genuine article.

Be respectful of the locals, who will be nowhere near as interested in you as those in the medina, and enjoy this slice of local life.

Flea Market

Next to the souk, we visited a local flea market with mountains of second-hand items, including old electronics, discarded furniture, signs, and antiques.

As with the souk, it’s unlikely you’ll want to buy anything, but it’s a fascinating, hassle-free area to stroll around.

Tanneries

For a taste of the more hassle-prone side of Marrakech, head to the Tanneries to experience a trade that still uses the unsafe practices (for workers) that have persisted for centuries.

In our opinion, the tanneries in Fez (see our guide to Fez) offer a better experience, but if you have the time, it’s worth a quick look.

Derb Ennakhla & Rue Bab Doukkala

Next, we walked through the wealthier communities in Marrakech around Sidi Bel Abbes before returning to the fascinating back streets of Derb Ennakhla and Rue Bab Doukkala.

There aren’t many tourist attractions, but these two neighbourhoods are hubs of local life that peak in the late afternoon. For a taste of the real Moroccan lifestyle, they are a great way to see it.

Dinner

To finish this itinerary in style, have dinner on the upstairs terrace at Le Fondouk. Stare up at the skies as the cool evening air descends and sample some of the best cooking in Morocco.

Planning & Logistics

Where to Stay in Marrakech

Most of the sights, restaurants, and bars on this itinerary are centrally located in the medina. Everything is easy to see on foot (though there’s a lot of walking), so it’s a good idea to stay as centrally located as possible.

Here are some recommendations from us. We also have a detailed guide to Marrakech’s neighbourhoods to help you decide where to base yourself.

• Riad Tizwa ($) – Tucked between the central souks and Bab Doukkala, this riad offers unbeatable value and is perfectly situated for exploring Marrakech.
• Riad Adore ($$) – A contemporary riad with chic design and plush accommodation. Recently redecorated with sparkling style, this is the place to book for the traditional charm of a riad with the luxury and service of a quality hotel.
• Dar Kandi ($$$) – Set around a tranquil leafy central courtyard, this upmarket riad (of only 6 rooms) is worth the cost. The courtyard, terrace, and pool are great places to relax.

Book Before You Go

Marrakech is a popular tourist destination; however, queues at most tourist attractions are not particularly long.

The exception is the Jardin Majorelle, with lines often snaking around the corner. To avoid long queues, purchase tickets from the Yves Saint Laurent Museum. They sell a combined ticket, and the queues are generally much shorter.

With only a few restaurants in the medina serving alcohol, those that do can get booked up a few days in advance. We recommend booking at Nomad and Le Fondouk if you are interested in either.

Getting to Marrakech

A wide range of international flights arrive at Marrakech Menara International Airport.

The airport is only a short taxi ride from town and costs around $10 (£7.50/€9). Most riads will arrange a taxi for you, and given that they can be challenging to find, this is a good option for first-time visitors to Marrakech.

If you don’t pre-book a taxi, exit the airport, pass the touts on the ground floor, and head upstairs to the official taxi rank.

As cars can’t enter the centre of the medina, you’ll likely be dropped off a few hundred meters from your riad and handed over to a porter. He will put your bags in a trolley and show you the rest of the way.

How to Get Around

The best way to get around Marrakech is to walk. Most of the sights are in the central medina, which is relatively compact and car-free.

It’s very easy to get lost in the medina. The lanes are narrow, many are unmarked, and the labyrinth of streets can be confusing.

Make sure you have Google Maps downloaded on your phone so you can use it, and keep the phone number of your riad with you in case you get stuck.

Best Time to Visit Marrakech

In summer, the temperature in the tightly packed medina can reach up to 40 degrees, making exploring the streets hard work.

In winter, it can drop to near-freezing at night, making it uncomfortable to sit on roof terraces or in open courtyards for breakfast or dinner.

In our opinion, the best time to visit Marrakech is from March to May and from late September to November. The weather is warm with daily highs averaging 23 to 30 degrees, and it’s not too wet.

How Many Days in Marrakech

We recommend 3 days in Marrakech as the perfect amount of time.

This will give you time to see all the main attractions, explore some of the less-visited neighbourhoods and take your time soaking up the atmosphere in the squares.

Day Trips from Marrakech

If you have some more time, we would recommend exploring further afield.

• Essaouira is a seaside town with a more relaxed vibe than Marrakech. It’s a 2-hour bus ride away. Read more in our guide to the best things to do in Essaouira.
• A great way to explore some of the stunning scenery near Marrakech is to head into the Atlas Mountains.
• For more ideas about what to do, read our guide to the best places to visit in Morocco.
• To read what we did, head over to our 10-day Moroccan Itinerary.

Tips for Dealing with Pushy Locals

Morocco is an interesting place. Outside the cities, we found the locals warm and welcoming. A fresh mint tea was never far away and – even in Ramadan – food would be offered freely with a friendly conversation and a helpful nugget of advice.

Unfortunately, the experience in Marrakech can be different.

It is easy to get lost in the central medina, and many locals will offer to help you, but most are not trying to help at all. Tourists are seen as an endless source of cas,h and they’ll go out of their way to try and extract some from you.

If you walk around the streets using maps, trying to find your way, you’ll be approached with “it’s not that way” or “it’s closed” – even though they have no idea where you want to go.

They will then offer to guide you somewhere. If you accept their offer, whatever you pay will not be enough. If you decline, they can get quite pushy.

We’re always keen to chat with locals, but the Marrakech medina is not the place to do it.

We recommend that you respond to all requests, saying ‘no thanks’ firmly but politely and walking on.

If you are really lost and need some help, ask other tourists or go into a store and ask someone behind a counter.

We have more information in our guide to Marrakech safety.

More Morocco Guides

• Our 10-day Morocco itinerary covers Marrakech, Fez, the Atlas Mountains & the Sahara Desert.
• Read our guide to the most beautiful places to visit in Morocco.
• Our 3-day Marrakech itinerary covers all the big sights plus some local neighbourhoods.
• This walking tour of the Fez Medina is a great way to experience the city.
• Enjoy the beautiful and remote Ouirgane Valley.
• All you need to know about driving in Morocco.
• Take a coastal break with our guide to Essaouira, Morocco.
• Go off the tourist trail in the Atlas Mountains.
• Explore the activities around Ait Ben Haddou.