Our 3 day Marrakech itinerary is perfect for those wanting to experience the local culture, delicious cuisine and beautiful scenery. If you’ve only got 3 days in this magical city, this itinerary will make the most of them!
Marrakech Basics
Before we get into our 3 day Marrakech itinerary, let’s cover some of the basics first.
Where is Marrakech?
Marrakech is located in the country of Morocco, in North Africa. The city is the fourth-largest in the country and is located about 200 miles southwest of the country’s capital, Rabat, and 110 miles inland from the coastal town of Essaouria.
Getting to Marrakech
Most visitors arrive in Marrakech at the international Menara Airport (RAK). There are many affordable flights on low-cost carriers, such as Ryan Air and Vueling, from Europe, as well as on Air Maroc from Cassablanca, and a number of Arab countries.
Other options are to arrive by train or bus from Tangier or other cities in Morocco.
We had thought about taking the ferry from Spain and then take the train, but with only 3 days in Marrakech it was much more efficient to just fly to Marrakech. We decided to fly in from Seville on Ryan Air and our round trip flight was very affordable at only €78/person.
How to get around Marrakech
We found Marrakech is best explored by foot, especially within the Old Town. The maze of alleyways are too narrow for cars and wandering around in them and getting a bit lost is all part of the fun.
One important tip we have for you is to download an offline map! Even if you have data on your phone, you likely won’t have any reception deep in the medina and you will for sure get lost. I was very thankful I had downloaded the Maps.Me app. Normally I just use offline versions of Google Maps, but for walking directions, I found Maps.Me to be much more accurate in Marrakech.
However, if you prefer to stay outside of the old town, or want to explore further outside of the city, you can take a taxi or the bus.
What language do they speak in Marrakech?
The official languages of Morocco are Arabic and Berber. However the Arabic spoken here is a specific Moroccan dialect, different than the Arabic spoken in the Middle East.
We were also surprised to find that a lot of the locals we encountered spoke to us in French, rather than English. This is because French is taught in all schools and is used a lot in government, media and larger companies. So brush up on your French if you can! 🙂 We wish we had!
Of course, English is also spoken, but not as widely as we had assumed outside of the tourist sites and hotels.
What to wear in Marrakech
Considering that about 99% of the population is Muslim, it is best to dress more modestly. However, there is no strict dress code here and I felt a lot more relaxed about what to wear than in other places, such as the UAE.
As a woman, I felt most comfortable wearing dresses that were at least knee-length, and covering my shoulders and cleavage. Other than that, I wore pretty much what I would wear at home. (Actually, the airline left my luggage behind so I couldn’t wear anything that I had packed and had to go shopping in Marrakech. What I found when I went shopping was that a lot of the clothes were just like what I would buy at home!)
I wouldn’t wear really long skirts as the alleys can be a bit dirty and I wouldn’t want my skirt dragging in that.
To cover my shoulders, I used a light scarf. Also, you may picture Marrakech as a hot place, but it can get quite chilly in the fall and winter, so pack some layers depending on when you are visiting!
And pack some comfy shoes! I preferred sneakers over sandals, due to how dusty and dirty some of the alleys are. You will be doing a lot of walking here!
Where to stay in Marrakech
There are many beautiful hotels in Marrakech but the real star are the atmospheric riads. Honestly, staying in a riad was a highlight of our trip! They are so stylish and unlike any other place you will stay in other countries.
There are hundreds of riads in Marrakech, from budget riads to luxurious riads straight out of an interior design magazine!
For a mid-range riad with the warmest service ever, we recommend Riad Dar Dialkoum. Its location is perfect for this 3 day Marrakech itinerary as it is right in the heart of the Medina.
Marrakech Itinerary:
A Perfect 3 Days in Marrakech
Marrakech Itinerary Day 1:
Arrive in Marrakech and check into your riad
If you’ve booked yourself into Riad Dar Dialkoum (the best choice 😉 ), then you will have pick up transportation waiting for you at Menara Airport to take you straight to your riad. Riad Dar Dialkoum offers free airport pick up with stays over 2 nights if you direct book so this works out perfect for your 3 day stay in Marrakech!
Drop off your bags, get freshened up and get ready to explore the beautiful Red City!
Visit Ben Youssef Medersa
**Currently closed til 2020, exact date to be announced**
This 16th century Koranic school is one of the most beautiful places we visited in Marrakech. The intricate tilework, stucco and carvings are stunning to see up close. If you are into photography, there are so many great photo opportunities here!
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The medersa is open from 9am-5pm, but it’s best to get there early if you’d like to get in some good photos without the crowds. We found one hour was enough time to spend here.
Tour the Bahia Palace
Another stunning place to visit in Marrakech is the 19th century Bahia Palace. The Moroccan architecture is gorgeous, with lovely painted ceilings, carved stucco and stained glass windows. The gardens are beautiful as well.
Bahia Palace is open from 9am-4:30pm. The grounds are spread across 20 acres so plan to spend about 1-2 hours here.
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Check out El Badi Palace
In stark contrast to Bahia Palace, you have the mostly ruined El Badi Palace. This palace was built in the 16th century and now mostly only the walls remain.
The hours for El Badi Palace are 9am-5pm. Despite the palace being mostly in ruins, the complex is quite large. It is still worth at least an hour of exploration, learning the history and imagining how grand this palace once was.
Shop the souks
Be prepared to get a little lost as you shop around the souks (just don’t show that you are lost! Read Dos and Don’ts of Marrakech). If you are wanting to buy some souvenirs to bring home, this is the perfect place to do so. However, you need to be comfortable with haggling! It is expected here and just know that the first price you are quoted will be terribly overpriced.
Tip: Make a visit to the Ensemble Artisanal first to get an idea of prices. The prices here are fixed (although a bit high) so you’ll have a good number to keep in your head if you do attempt to haggle in the souks.
Some good items to bring home from Marrakech are lanterns, tea sets, babouches (traditional Moroccan slippers), tagines, leather items such as wallets and belts, local clothes (I loved the beautiful kaftans!) and of course the famous Moroccan rugs. Note that each souk specializes in each craft so you can visit the carpet souk, ironwork souk, fabric souk, etc.
Tip: If you are intimidated by shopping in the souks, there are shops in the airport that sell all the popular souvenir items at set prices that are decent! I ended up buying my tea set there.
Have dinner in Mechoui Alley
Not far off of the Jemaa el Fna you will find Mechoui Alley. This is a row of hole in the wall shops selling a local specialty called mechoui, aka slow-roasted lamb. The lambs are roasted whole in a clay pit underground, right there in the shop. You can also order tanjia, another Marrakech specialty, or the roasted sheep head for the more adventurous!
If you want to experience eating authentic food then eating here is a must on your Marrakech itinerary! Just look for the shops with lamb being chopped up outside and you will know you have come to the right place.
We ate at Chez Lamine and the service was very friendly and efficient. The lamb was super soft and was served with nothing but a side dish of cumin and salt and a whole lot of bread. It was delicious!
Tip: Your hands will definitely get super greasy so bring some tissues with you, as the ones they have don’t absorb all the grease.
Marrakech Itinerary Day 2
Breakfast at your riad
I know it sounds simple and not very exciting, but honestly one of my favorite things on our Marrakech itinerary was eating breakfast every morning at our riad! Sitting in the peaceful courtyard with birds chirping around us was the perfect way to start off each day.
At Riad Dar Dialkoum, they serve delicious freshly squeezed orange juice and the best coffee I’ve ever had! Every morning we were served fresh pastries from the local shops – so yummy.
Day trip to Imlil
Even though it’s only day 2 of your Marrakech itinerary, head out of the city and enjoy the beautiful nearby mountains! The village of Imlil is only 65km away, making it perfect for a day trip from Marrakech. If you have more than 3 days in Marrakech and are interested in some trekking, this is a great place to add on another day or two.
However on only a day trip to Imlil you will have to stick to some of the easier hikes. We did about a 4 hour hike, beneath walnut trees, through olive groves, past a waterfall, and all the way up to the highest village in Imlil.
We had an English-speaking guide with us and he taught us a lot about the local Berber culture as we hiked.
Enjoy a traditional Berber lunch
After your hike, stop at a Berber family’s home to enjoy a local lunch. We had the most delicious tagine here and the Berber bread was my favorite! It was crispy on the outside but thick and chewy on the inside – to die for.
Go on a camel ride (optional)
If you’ve always wanted to ride a camel, you can add on a camel ride through the Moulay Brahim Gorges.
The camel ride was included as part of our Imlil Day Trip tour, but I would say we would leave it off our itinerary next time. If you have time to make it to the Sahara, it would be much nicer to ride a camel in the desert.
Explore Jemaa el Fna
The Jemaa el Fna is the iconic main square of Marrakech, the heart and soul of the city. At night it comes alive and is quite the spectacle of lights, scents and street performers. It is like no other place you have been before and a must on every Marrakech itinerary!
I remember seeing it many times on TV before and couldn’t wait to experience it in person. It was just as crazy busy as I expected but not as overwhelming as I thought it would be. Just stay clear of the henna ladies, snake charmers and monkeys.
Read more Dos and Don’ts of Marrakech
Enjoy some local food for dinner
When at the Jemaa el Fna, follow where the locals go and you can’t go wrong. We started with some bowls of harira, a local lentil and noodle soup. Delicious and only 3dh (about 30 cents)!
Some other great options are a plate of sausage with spicy sauce and Moroccan bread and a plate of deep fried seafood!
And of course some mint tea or freshly squeezed juice 😉
Have tea and sweets for dessert
If you are like me and always need something sweet after dinner, head to one of the sweets stalls on the outer perimeter of the square. We enjoyed some spiced cakes and a spiced tea. The vendor only spoke to us in French so I have no idea what I was actually eating, but it was very yummy and unique.
Marrakech Itinerary Day 3
Day 3 of our Marrakech itinerary will include some romance. We actually did this exact itinerary for our wedding anniversary 🙂
Visit Jardin Majorelle
After enjoying a delicious breakfast at your riad, walk over to the gorgeous Jardin Majorelle (Majorelle Garden). This tranquil botanical garden was created in the 1920s by French painter Jacques Majorelle, and then subsequently owned by designer Yves Saint Laurent.
It is a lovely retreat from the hustle and bustle of the medina. You will find all kinds of funky cacti, a peaceful bamboo grove, pretty palm trees, refreshing fountains and chirping birds.
Check out the Ville Nouvelle
While you are in the area, check out Marrakech’s “new town” on your walk back to the medina. The Ville Nouvelle, or Gueliz area, is where you will find all the upmarket shops and Western chains, such as H&M, MAC, Starbucks and McDonalds – a big contrast from inside the Old Town walls.
It is interesting to see a different, more modern side of Marrakech, but you probably don’t want to spend much time here. However if you need to pick up some necessities, or your luggage got lost (like mine did!), this is a good place to do so. Since I was without any of my luggage, I was able to pick up some nice clothes here, as well as toiletries from the grocery store.
Tip: If you are looking for wifi, you can sit outside the large McDonald’s and jump onto their free network!
Indulge in Afternoon Tea at La Mamounia
After changing into some nicer clothes back at your riad, hop into a taxi and take the short ride to the luxurious La Mamounia Hotel.
La Mamounia is Marrakech’s most famous hotel (and also its most expensive)! You will likely recognize it from being featured on every travel influencer’s Instagram feed. If you don’t have the money to splurge on a stay here, but would love to explore the palatial grounds, book an afternoon tea!
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The hotel is very exclusive, and one of the fanciest I have ever seen around the world. You are only able to enter if you have a reservation and they have a strict dress code. I’ve heard of many being turned away at the entrance for not being dressed nicely enough.
We were pretty worried about this, especially since our luggage got left behind. We ended up having to buy some clothes in the Ville Nouvelle specifically to wear here. However we had no issues getting in. I wore a stretchy dress from H&M, dressed up with a necklace and some dressy sandals. Ryan wore dress pants, a nice button down shirt and dress shoes.
We love going for afternoon tea all around the world and the Moroccan-inspired afternoon tea here was fabulous. The afternoon tea was served at Le Menzeh Bar, located by the gardens. Afterwards, we were able to wander around the beautiful gardens and inside the opulent hotel.
To find out more about afternoon tea at La Mamounia and how to book check out La Mamounia Afternoon Tea.
Take photos of the Koutoubia Mosque
Just a short walk from La Mamounia is the magnificent Koutoubia Mosque, an emblem of Marrakech. Its 77 metre minaret tower can be seen from up to 29km away, as it towers over the surrounding palm trees.
Non-Muslims are not allowed inside the mosque, but you can get some nice photos from the lovely Koutoubia Gardens outside.
Have a special dinner at a riad
Many of Marrakech’s most beautiful riads have fantastic gourmet restaurants as well. The elegant setting makes them a perfect place for a special dinner or anniversary celebration.
In fact, we celebrated our wedding anniversary at the top-rated Gastro MK within the gorgeous Maison MK (sadly now closed). Other popular, highly-rated restaurants for a special dinner in Marrakech are La Villa des Orangers and Dar Zellij.
Savor the food, enjoy the ambiance and reflect back on your wonderful 3 days in Marrakech!
Marrakech Itinerary Map
Happy travels! Let us know your favorite part of your Marrakech trip 🙂
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