Three days. 72 hours.
It sounds like so little time for a city that holds 1,000 years of stories. You’re wondering, “Is it enough?”
As your local guide, let me tell you a secret: 3 days in Marrakech is not a trip; it’s the first act of a love story.
Marrakech is a city that can overwhelm. It’s a beautiful, thrilling, and chaotic symphony of sounds, smells, and sights. Without a plan, you’ll spend your 72 hours just trying to find your way.
But with a plan? You can capture its soul.
I’ve designed this 3-day Marrakech itinerary to be more than a checklist. It’s a narrative. This is how you dive deep, avoid the overwhelm, and let the magic of the Red City find you.
Bismillah. Let’s begin.
⏳ Before You Arrive: Your Three Golden Rules
This is the insider advice that makes all the difference.
- Book a Riad in the Medina or Kasbah. This is your sanctuary. (I’ve written all about where to stay here).
- Pre-Book Your Airport Transfer. Have your riad send a driver. After a flight, you do not want to start your trip by haggling with 20 taxi drivers.
- THE 2025 JARDIN MAJORELLE WARNING: You must book your tickets for Jardin Majorelle online, weeks in advance. I’m serious. Since 2024, you cannot just walk up and buy a ticket. It is the city’s most popular (and most crowded) site. Book your slot now, or you will miss it.
🗓️ Day 1: The Medina & The Spectacle
Theme: Full Immersion. Today, we dive into the heart of the 1,000-year-old city.
Morning (9:00 AM): The Palace of Beauty
Start your day the moment it opens at the Bahia Palace. Why so early? Because for a fleeting, magical 30 minutes, you will have its intricate courtyards, painted cedar ceilings, and sun-dappled harem rooms almost to yourself. This isn’t just a palace; it’s a whisper of a forgotten, opulent era.
Late Morning (11:00 AM): The Souk & The Senses
From the Bahia, walk north into the main event: the Marrakech souks.
You will get lost. This is the point.
Follow your nose. Let the smell of leather (Souk Cherratine) lead you to the sound of hammering (Souk Haddadine), which leads you to the burst of color (Souk Dyers). This is a living, working market, not a museum. You’ll hear the “Balak! Balak!” shout—step aside, a donkey or a cart is coming through!
Lunch (1:30 PM): A Rooftop in the Spice Square
You’ll eventually spill out into the Place des Épices (the Spice Square). Look up. Your destination is Café Des Épices. Grab a table on the rooftop. Order a tagine or a simple chicken sandwich, and drink in the view of the bustling square below with the Atlas Mountains in the distance.
Afternoon (3:30 PM): The School of Wonders
After lunch, navigate to the Ben Youssef Madrasa. This recently reopened 14th-century Islamic college is, for my money, the single most beautiful building in the city. The central courtyard, with its reflective pool, intricate zellij (mosaic) tilework, and carved stucco, will stop you in your tracks.
Evening (6:00 PM): The Transformation of Jemaa el-Fna
As the sun begins to dip, walk to the Koutoubia Mosque (you can’t miss its minaret). You cannot enter as a non-Muslim, but the real show is in the square it overlooks.
Find a rooftop terrace. Le Grand Balcon du Café de France is the classic choice for an unobstructed view. Order a sugary mint tea.
Now, watch.
The Jemaa el-Fna square transforms. By day, it’s a vast, open space with snake charmers. By night, it explodes. In a matter of two hours, 100 food stalls are built, the smoke rises, the drums start, and the storytellers begin. This is the greatest show on earth.
Dinner (8:30 PM): The Great Theatre
You have two choices:
- The Brave Choice: Go down into the square and eat at the stalls. (Local tip: Stall #96 or #32 are legendary).
- The Relaxed Choice: Head to a more modern rooftop with a view, like Nomad, for a delicious, modern take on Moroccan classics.
🗓️ Day 2: Palaces, Gardens & New City Style
Theme: History, Art, and Glamour. We explore the royal past and the chic present.
Morning (9:30 AM): The Royal Dead
Head to the Kasbah neighborhood. Your first stop is the Saadian Tombs. Go early. The main mausoleum (the “Hall of Twelve Columns”) is a masterpiece, and you’ll want to see it without a dozen people in your photo. It’s a small, quiet, and powerful place.
From there, walk to the El Badi Palace ruins. This was once a palace of gold, turquoise, and onyx, but it was plundered centuries ago. Now, its sunken gardens and vast empty courtyards, inhabited only by storks, are a different kind of magic. The scale is staggering.
Lunch (1:00 PM): Kasbah Vibe
Stay in the neighborhood and eat at Kasbah Café. It has a great rooftop looking directly at the storks’ nests on the El Badi walls.
Afternoon (3:00 PM): The “New City” & The Blue
This is your pre-booked slot. Grab a petit taxi and head to Gueliz (the New City). Your destination: Jardin Majorelle.
Yes, it will be crowded. But that electric, cobalt “Majorelle Blue” is worth it. It’s a botanical garden as a work of art. Wander the shaded paths, see the cactus collection, and feel the history.
Right next door is the Yves Saint Laurent Museum. Don’t miss it. This museum is a love letter from the designer to the city that adopted him. The main hall, featuring his most iconic creations, is breathtaking.
Evening (7:30 PM): A Taste of Modern Marrakech
You’re already in the New City, so let’s eat here. This is where you find modern Marrakech. For a chic, leafy, and romantic dinner, go to La Trattoria. Or, for a trendy, rooftop vibe with cocktails, head to Kabana.
🗓️ Day 3: The Senses & The Soul
Theme: A Day for You. We end with culture and relaxation.
Morning (10:00 AM): A Choice of Culture
This morning is your own adventure. You have two paths:
- Option 1: The Soul (A Hammam). This is a must. A traditional Moroccan hammam is not a spa; it’s a rebirth. You will be steamed, scrubbed with savon beldi (black soap), and exfoliated with a kessa glove until you are cleaner than you have ever been in your life.
- Local Tip: For a first-timer, a “private” hammam is best. Les Bains de Marrakech or Hammam de la Rose are beautiful, clean, and understand first-timers. A “public” hammam is a very different, and much more intense, local experience.
- Option 2: The Senses (A Cooking Class). This is the gift that keeps on giving. You’ll spend a half-day with a dada (a traditional female cook), shopping for spices in the souk, and then learning to build your own tagine from scratch. La Maison Arabe and Riad Kniza offer two of the best classes in the city.
Afternoon (3:00 PM): The Secret Garden & The Last Souvenirs
After your morning, you’ve earned a moment of peace. Head to Le Jardin Secret, a stunning palace and garden hidden right in the medina. It’s less famous than Majorelle but, in some ways, more peaceful. Grab a mint tea at its rooftop cafe.
Use the last few hours for that final souvenir hunt. Now that you’re a seasoned pro, dive back into the souks, haggle with a smile, and find that perfect lamp, leather bag, or set of tea glasses.
Evening (8:00 PM): The Grand Finale Dinner
It’s your last night. Let’s make it unforgettable. This is the night to splurge.
Book a table at one of the city’s palace-like restaurants. For the ultimate in Moroccan fine dining, book a table at La Mamounia (yes, that hotel). For a magical, thousand-candles-and-a-rose-pool vibe, book a table at La Sultana or the rooftop at El Fenn.
It’s the perfect, most romantic way to say b’slama (goodbye) to the Red City.
🗺️ If You Have More Time…
- A Day Trip to the Atlas Mountains: Swap a day for a trip to Imlil. See the snow-capped peaks and hike to a Berber village.
- A Sunset in the Agafay Desert: Only 45 minutes away. Spend an afternoon riding a camel and dining under the stars in a rock desert.
This city is a story, and for three days, you were the main character. You will leave with a suitcase full of souvenirs and a heart full of magic.
You’ve read the plan, but now I want to know: What part of this 3-day Marrakech itinerary are you most excited to experience? Let me know in the comments!
