Marrakech 3-day itinerary
Morocco
Where to go and what to see in Marrakech – a 3-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Annabelle Thorpe.
Best things to do & places to stay:
Marrakech, Marrakech-Safi, Morocco
Morocco’s former capital blends buzzing street life with atmospheric architecture and vibrant Arab culture, suffused with a liberal sprinkling of French influence – which adds up to an exotic, intoxicating and entirely unique holiday destination.
Known as the Red Rose city, thanks to the dusky pink hue of its buildings, Marrakech is best known for its UNESCO World Heritage-listed Medina (Old City), which is packed with souks and completely encircled by five-metre thick walls, built a thousand years ago.
Visitors can expect beautiful boutique hotels set in old riads, a flourishing food scene and a vibrant shopping experience.
Marrakech’s main square, Jemaa El Fna is the city’s beating heart and sits inside the Medina (old town) with its bewildering labyrinth of alleyways and souks.
West of the Medina is the Ville Nouvelle, laid out in the early 20th century during the French Protectorate. To the north-east of the city is the sprawling Palmerie suburb, home to luxurious hotels.
On a broader scale, the city sits between the Atlas Mountains to the south and the Jbilet Hills to the north, surrounded by desert.
Our writer’s recommended itineraries for this destination
Morocco
Where to go and what to see in Marrakech – a 3-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Annabelle Thorpe.
Morocco
Where to go and what to see in Marrakech – a 3-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Annabelle Thorpe.
The bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination
Marrakech, Marrakech-Safi, Morocco
One of the two international museums dedicated to the Yves Saint Laurent fashion house, displaying iconic pieces by the famed designer in an architecturally-interesting building.
Best for ages: 13+ | £10
Marrakech, Marrakech-Safi, Morocco
UNESCO World Heritage-listed central square that hums with snake charmers, musicians, magicians and other exotics.
Best for ages: 6+ | Free
Draa-Tafilalet, Morocco
Safari into vast seas of unending sands, camel trek across vast, silent and unearthly landscapes, and admire unrivalled sunsets and sunrises, and star-studded skies.
Best for ages: 13+ | £100
Marrakech, Marrakech-Safi, Morocco
The world’s quintessential Arabic bazaar, the Medina’s maze-like souks are a shopper’s paradise.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
Other worthwhile experiences in this destination if you have the time or the interest
Marrakech, Marrakech-Safi, Morocco
Marrakech’s first concept store, just down the road from the YSL Museum, rotates an impressive selection of designs by contemporary Moroccan creators.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Marrakech, Marrakech-Safi, Morocco
A bustling Thursday flea market that’s the go-to for authentic homewares and furnishings. Held in this imposing gate in the Medina walls.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Marrakech, Marrakech-Safi, Morocco
Bustling with fishmongers and butchers, street vendors selling in-season fruit and veg, bread fresh from the local oven, and more. In between, small kitchens serve street food specialties through the morning and afternoon.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Marrakech, Marrakech-Safi, Morocco
Nestled inside the Dar el Bacha palace, Bacha Cafe is elegance at its finest. Coffee recommendations are suggested based on time of day, and are best accompanied by a treat from the cake counter.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this destination, plus helpful tickets and transfers
Marrakech
$27 | Rating 4.63 / 5 [33 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Marrakech
€47 | Rating 4.82 / 5 [52 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Marrakech
$45 | Rating 4.55 / 5 [29 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Marrakech
$39 | Rating 4.91 / 5 [167 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay in this destination
Marrakech, Marrakech-Safi, Morocco
Idiosyncratically decorated in vintage mid-century furniture, this little treasure is Marrakech’s best budget riad.
Official star rating:
Marrakech, Marrakech-Safi, Morocco
A chic, minimalist riad in the heart of the medina, complete with an on-site hammam, roof-top bar and heated courtyard pool.
Official star rating:
Marrakech, Marrakech-Safi, Morocco
Trendy riad in the Bab Taghzout quarter of the medina with a stylish rooftop terrace and picture-perfect plunge pool.
Official star rating:
Marrakech, Marrakech-Safi, Morocco
Trendy boutique hotel in Marrakech’s old city, an easy walk to the medina’s palaces and souks, with the lively Jemaa el Fna just five minutes away.
Official star rating:
The best time to visit is during autumn and spring. Temperatures in summer can become oppressively hot – over 40°C – and those locals who can, leave town for the mountains and coast. Christmas and New Year is another popular time for tourists, although temperatures can be cool at night and snow regularly falls in the mountains.
The city is more subdued during Ramadan, which occurs at a different time each year, according to the lunar calendar.
The quickest way to get from Marrakech’s Menara airport is by taxi – there is a rank just outside the terminal building, but agree your fare before you set off. The city centre is just 6km away. There is also an hourly bus service that departs from arrivals and drops passengers at the main tourist spots in both the Old and New towns.
Taxis are plentiful and relatively inexpensive. There are two types: petit taxis and grand taxis (usually ageing Mercedes). The former have meters but in practice these are rarely – if ever – used. In both cases it’s best to agree a price with the driver in advance and don’t be afraid to bargain. Cycling is not recommended.
The Medina is best tackled on foot, while trips to the New Town usually involve a short taxi ride.
Few things are certain in life, but getting lost in the Medina is one. So when young local boys approach you to help you find a way out, their help will be welcome. Be sure to pay them a small tip.
First-time visitors to Marrakech should stay in one of the Medina’s delightful riads. These charismatic converted townhouses, usually arranged around a central courtyard, are decorated in varying degrees of simplicity and opulence.
Just outside the Medina is the Hivernage, a more modern area of town, home to more conventional and resort-style hotels. If you want something more relaxing, with more space and away from the hustle and bustle, The Palmerie offers a number of lavish, tranquil retreats with spas and swimming pools.
You could also opt for a stay at one of several stunning kasbahs (former local citadels/castles) in the nearby Atlas Mountains, that have been converted into luxury hotels. Great to escape to for a few days after a few days sightseeing in the city.
The medina is where you’ll find the upscale, palace restaurants. Many medina riads have atmospheric rooftop restaurants, open to non-residents with advanced booking, for something more intimate.
The ultimate Marrakech foodie experience is to eat in the Jemaa el Fna, at one of the twenty or so food stalls that pop up at dusk. Hygiene standards vary wildly, so check out a local blog or website to see which are recommended (each stall is numbered). There are lots of cafes overlooking the Jemaa el Fna, but these are places to go for a mint tea, rather than a meal.
The Ville Nouvelle is home to the more contemporary, European-style restaurants, ranging from classic French brasseries to upscale Morocco and Italian restaurants, cafes and nightclubs.
Among Marrakech’s most celebrated attractions are its Medina souks, a bewildering tangle of lanes lined with stalls selling everything from traditional slippers and spices to perfumes and metalwork. The Medina also has several noteworthy boutiques, offering locally-made fashion, homewares and textiles.
Gueliz is home to more Western-style shops and chain stores, and some chic Moroccan and French boutiques.