The Ultimate Marrakech 3-Day Itinerary

If you’re looking to plan 3 days in Marrakech, I’ve put together an itinerary that has all of the best things to do in this city. One of my favorite weekend breaks I’ve taken, Marrakech is an absolute must-visit when in Morocco.

Morocco is truly a feast for the senses, offering a diverse array of sights, sounds, and landscapes. Also known as “the red city” in reference to the color of the rampart walls, with its bustling souks, relaxing secret gardens, and deliciously spiced foods, Marrakech is the perfect three-day stop on any Morocco itinerary.

The Medina, or old town, was founded in 1070 and granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 1985. Sites like the Bahia Palace, Ben Youssef Madrasa, and Koutoubia mosque are so well preserved, it feels like you’re in a movie.

If you want to see the highlights of Marrakech in three days, look no further than this guide! I’ve included my favorite shops, restaurants, cafes, and activities in a packed itinerary that still carves out time for relaxation.

Short on Time? Here is the Ultimate Marrakech Itinerary (3 days):

Where to Stay

The best place to base yourself is in the Medina for easy access to historic sights, shopping, and dining. Resorts outside the city offer a luxe escape.

1. Riad Yasmine ($$), for a jewel-box oasis you’ve seen on Instagram
2. Riad 72 ($$), for a serene escape with a modern rooftop pool
3. Riad Jardin Secret ($$), for botanical beauty in the heart of the Medina
4. La Mamounia ($$$$), for a classic luxury experience in a century-old institution

Day 1: Sips and the Souk

• Morning: Coffee at Bacha Coffee inside the Confluences Museum at Dar el Bacha Palace
• Afternoon: Visit Ben Youssef Madrasa, explore the souk, and people-watch at Jemaa el-Fnaa
• Evening: Rooftop cocktails at El Fenn, dinner and live music at Comptoir Darna

Day 2: Gardens and Gueliz

• Morning: Moroccan breakfast at your Riad, visit Jardin Majorelle and the Berber Museum, then the YSL Museum
• Afternoon: Boutique shopping in Gueliz (MORO Marrakech, 33 Rue Majorelle, Chabi Chic, The Makers, The Moroccans La Boutique)
• Evening: Dinner at Plus61 or Sahbi Sahbi

Day 3: Cooking Class and Spa Session

• Morning: Cooking class at La Maison Arabe, enjoy your tagine lunch on the rooftop
• Afternoon: Hammam experience at La Mamounia Spa
• Evening: Dinner at Le Marocain, drinks at Le Churchill bar

Things to Do

1. Take a Cooking Class at La Maison Arabe
2. Visit the Jardin Majorelle, Berber Arts Museum, and YSL Museum
3. Spend a Night Glamping in the Agafay Desert
4. Overnight in the High Atlas Mountains
5. Take a Day Trip to the Ourika Valley

Helpful Guides to Plan Your Trip

Planning a trip to Morocco? Start with my Marrakech guide and full Morocco itinerary. Don’t miss my tips on what to wear as a female traveler and how to buy a Moroccan rug, plus my picks for the best Riads in Marrakech. For more inspiration, explore my guides to Fez, Chefchaouen, and Essaouira.

The Complete Marrakech 3-Day Itinerary

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Marrakech Travel Tips Before You Arrive

Time of Year to Visit Marrakech

Spring (March to May) and early fall (September to November) are the best times of year to visit Marrakech. Summer temperatures can soar to more than 100 degrees F (40 degrees C), so plan to visit during the cooler months, since much of what you’ll explore in the city will be outdoors.

Amount of Time in Marrakech

While I feel like I could wander the winding alleyways of the Medina endlessly for a week, I think three days is a perfect amount of time to experience the historic city center. If you’re an art fiend, I’d suggest adding an extra day to visit the Museum of Contemporary African Art and some of the many galleries. And a night or two in the nearby Agafay Desert or the Atlas Mountains could be a wonderful way to extend your time and experience nature in the area.

Getting Around Marrakech

The Medina is full of narrow alleyways that are only accessible via foot, motorbike, or sometimes, donkey-drawn carts! You’ll want to coordinate your arrival time with your Riad, as most can arrange to have a porter meet you with a cart to help transport your luggage over the cobblestone streets.

You’ll want to wear comfortable shoes! To get between areas farther afield, taxis and Ubers are the most efficient, comfortable option. I’ve planned out this itinerary to minimize time on the road and maximize time enjoying different areas of this charming city. 

How to Get to Marrakech

By Plane

As of 2025, United and Delta both offer nonstop flights from the US to Marrakech Menara International Airport (RAK). RAK is a true international airport that welcomes flights from all over the world, including a particularly high number of options from Europe. If you want to add Morocco to a European trip or redeem points through the continent, this is a great option. Once you clear customs and immigration, it’s a quick 15 or 20-minute ride from the airport into the city center.

By Train From Casablanca

The Al Atlas high-speed train offers a scenic, air-conditioned journey that takes approximately two and a half hours. Because this is the most popular route offered, it is recommended to buy tickets in advance. The train departs every two hours and there are economy and first class seats available.

By Car From Essaouira 

Morocco’s Atlantic coast offers fantastic artsy, surf town vibes. If you choose to explore Essaouira first, you can hire a driver for the two-and-a-half-hour drive to Marrakech. 

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Where to Stay in Marrakech

The Medina is the area of Marrakech where you’ll undoubtedly spend the most time. Here, dozens (actually, probably hundreds) of stunning Riads are tucked away within the muted-coral-hued walls of the old city. A Riad is a traditional Moroccan house, built around an interior courtyard. Many have gardens or small pools, and all have distinct charm and personality. I highly recommend staying in a Riad for an authentic, comfortable stay while in Marrakech. For my full list of Riad recommendations, check out my guide to the best Riads in Marrakech! Another option is staying at a resort for an uber-luxe, relaxing experience.

Best Riads in Marrakech

1. Riad Yasmine ($$), for a jewel-box oasis you’ve definitely seen on Instagram
2. Riad 72 ($$), for a serene escape with a modern rooftop pool
3. Riad Jardin Secret ($$), for botanical beauty in the heart of the Medina
4. Riad Sakkan ($$), for striking decor amidst hanging vines

Best Resorts in Marrakech

1. La Mamounia ($$$$), for a classic luxury experience in a century-old institution 
2. Four Seasons Marrakech ($$$$), for a sprawling oasis, featuring an ocean green tiled pool
3. The Oberoi Marrakech ($$$$), for an opulent stay outside the city-center, surrounded by rose gardens and orange groves

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Day 1: Sips and the Souk 

Morning: Coffee Treasures

Today will orient you to the sensory experience that is Marrakech. First things first – coffee. Drop your bags at your Riad, then head over to the Confluences Museum, set within Dar el Bacha palace. The building was constructed in 1910 and two years later, it became the home of Thami El Glaoui, the Pasha of Marrakech.

Each room has its unique tile patterns and colors, and is more beautiful than the last. Inside, you’ll also find Bacha Coffee, one of the most stunning cafes I have ever seen, with black and white checkerboard tile floors, golden yellow accents, and a massive wooden coffee bar. The menu features 200 types of coffee sourced from 33 coffee-growing countries around the world. Outside the cafe is a small shop, a treasure trove of coffee products, tucked into a corner of a central courtyard fragranced by orange trees and punctuated by birdsong.

Afternoon: The Iconic Ben Youssef Madrasa

After your caffeine fix, head to the Ben Youssef Madrasa, which was once the largest Islamic school in North Africa, for a breathtaking intro to Moroccan Islamic architecture. Keep walking towards the Souk, where you’ll want to head toward the main square, Jemaa el-Fnaa. It’s not uncommon for locals to ask for a few Moroccan dirham as a tip for helping you find your way, so keep that in mind if someone offers to help you navigate the labyrinth.

With motorbikes and pedestrians sharing a thin sidewalk, this is the area I found to be the most overwhelming. Moroccan rugs, metal lamps, tea sets, and colorful pottery are some of the many treasures that caught my eye as I explored the souk. Haggling is expected, but it is only appropriate to do so if you intend to purchase the item.

If you work up an appetite while shopping, here are some great options for lunch:

• Terrasse des Epices, for al fresco Moroccan specialties
• La Famille, for fresh vegetarian food in a bright, happy space 
• Atay Cafe, for a local rooftop lunch
• Kabana, for an eclectic global menu on a trendy rooftop

People watching at Jemaa el-Fnaa is top-notch; keep an eye out for musicians and snake charmers. But do also keep an eye on your belongings.  

Evening: Rooftop Drinks & Dinner

When you’re ready, walk over to El Fenn‘s rooftop terrace for cocktails in a colorful, buzzy atmosphere, overlooking the towering minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque. I’m still dreaming about the cardamom cocktail, one of my most unique sips in recent memory!

For dinner, Comptoir Darna’s opulent drapes and dramatic candlelight set the stage for live traditional music and fiery belly dancing. The food is exquisite, and the drink menu creative. While I’m not normally someone who gravitates toward experiences with a nightclub vibe, this felt like a more fun version of a dinner show. Perfect for a sexy date night or a fun girl’s night out, if you want to hang around and dance the night away, the second floor is the perfect spot to do so.

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Day 2: Gardens and Gueliz

Morning: Slow Start and Jardin Majorelle

Start the day with a full Moroccan breakfast at your Riad, which will likely include fruit, eggs, olives, cheese, and many different types of bread. I especially loved msemmen, a kind of layered pancake that is delicious, topped with honey. Then head over to the Jardin Majorelle, named for the French artist Jacques Majorelle, who designed the garden and its trademark cobalt blue house in the 1920s. In the 1980s, Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé purchased the property and restored it.

While the gardens are indeed beautiful, I’d recommend buying tickets far ahead of time for the first time slot of the day, because there are SO many people during peak visiting hours. There’s a fantastic Berber Arts Museum in the gardens that highlights the beautiful culture of Morocco’s native Amazigh people. After a stop in the garden’s gift shop, head next door to the YSL Museum to learn more about the designer’s life and works. 

Travel Tip: If you’re interested in seeing the Jardin Majorelle, Berber Arts Museum, and the YSL Museum, I recommend purchasing a combo ticket for discounted access to all three.

Afternoon: Shopping Galore

Gueliz is home to several world-class boutiques, and it’s easy to spend an afternoon browsing well-curated collections of locally sourced items. Start at MORO Marrakech — a boutique hotel/concept store/restaurant adjacent to the Majorelle garden. Relax on the sunny terrace while you enjoy fresh cafe fare and peruse bohemian clothing, accessories, and home decor. The co-founders’ other business — The Moroccan beauty brand — is featured prominently on shelves. 

Some of my other favorite nearby shops include:

• 33 Rue Majorelle, for clothing and jewelry by up-and-coming Moroccan designers
• Chabi Chic, for colorful handmade ceramics
• The Makers, for playful handcrafted clothing, shoes, and bags
• The Moroccans La Boutique, for skincare formulated with local ingredients like olives, rose water, and orange blossom

Evening: A Dinner Out

For dinner, you can’t go wrong with one of the following:

• Plus61, serves shareable plates of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern/South Asian fusion fare in an unpretentious farm-to-table setting. The kitchen utilizes traditional food preparation techniques to make bread, pasta, cheese, and yogurt in-house daily. 
• Sahbi Sahbi, (meaning “soulmates” in Darija, the local Arabic dialect) celebrates regional Moroccan specialities prepared by female cooks from across the country.

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Day 3: Cooking Class and Spa Session

Morning: A Slow Cooking Class

Starting just after breakfast, head over to the famed culinary school La Maison Arabe to try your hand at preparing a traditional tagine. The class takes place in a specialized cooking studio, where the instructor stands at the front and every participant gets their cooking station.

Once you’re done cooking, enjoy the fruits of your labor on the rooftop with a glass of wine. Yes, even though Morocco is a Muslim country, it produces wine! I’m partial to Moroccan gris, which is a very pale, dry rosé. The afternoon call to prayer echoing over the rooftops provides a beautiful soundtrack to lunch.

Afternoon: A Chic Spa

In decades past, La Mamounia hosted dignitaries and celebrities like Winston Churchill, Yves Saint Laurent, and Paul McCartney. Today, at more than 100 years old, La Mamounia is still regularly recognized as one of the best hotels in the world. When I first entered, it was easy to see why. I adored my stay here (the mint tea at welcome was one of the best!).

I loved exploring the palatial gardens, which were more recently featured in the show Inventing Anna. There are two tea rooms and two pools, but the indoor reflecting pool was my favorite, featuring columns adorned with intricate tile work. At the spa, book a traditional hammam experience, during which an attendant will take you through a series of steps to bathe you using hot water, steam, black soap made from olives, and an exfoliating glove to slough away dead skin. You’ll emerge with skin softer than a newborn baby’s!

Evening: Glitz and Glam at La Mamounia

After your hammam experience, get dolled up in the spa locker room. La Mamounia requires “elegant attire” in all restaurants and bars. Over dinner at Le Marocain, the melody of live Moroccan music will extend the blissful feeling from your spa experience as you enjoy a multiple-course modern Moroccan menu. After dinner, toast to your Red City adventures in Churchill Bar, located inside a warmly lit Pullman carriage. 

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Marrakech Places to Add if You Have More Time

A few more places to explore, should you decide to add extra time to your Marrakech holiday or want to take day trips from Marrakech:

• Friday Lunch at Amal, which combines a training program for women who want to become chefs with a popular restaurant
• A Night Glamping in the Agafay Desert, for an otherworldly experience under the stars and a camel ride
• A Night or Two in the High Atlas Mountains, for rustic luxury with the most relaxing views
• A Day Trip to the Ourika Valley, for the best rug shopping, hiking the Setti Fadma waterfall, and enjoying lunch in a beautiful riverside setting

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