Day 1: the northern medina, from Jemaa el-Fna to Ben Youssef
The first day is done entirely on foot. Distances are short, but the alleys are narrow and poorly signposted: download an offline map before you set out and wear good shoes.
9am-10am: the Koutoubia and Jemaa el-Fna square
Start with the Koutoubia minaret, visible from afar, and the gardens around it, which are free to enter. The mosque itself is not open to non-Muslim visitors. Then cross the avenue to Jemaa el-Fna square, a five-minute walk away. In the morning the square is quiet: orange juice sellers, snake charmers and the first stalls. Allow half an hour; it costs nothing. Politely decline photos with monkeys or snakes if you do not want to pay afterwards.
10am-12.30pm: the souks
Enter the souks from the north side of the square. Each alley specialises in a trade: spices, leather, babouches, metal lanterns, carpets. In the morning the shops are opening and the crowds are still bearable. Haggle without hurrying and without committing if you have no intention of buying. Be wary of people offering to "show you the way" to the tanneries: they ask for payment afterwards.
12.30pm-2pm: lunch in the medina
The small restaurants around the Spice Square (Rahba Kedima) and the rooftop terraces serve tagines and couscous. A terrace is also a good place to catch your breath above the bustle.
2pm-3.30pm: the Ben Youssef Madrasa
A ten-minute walk north of the souks, the Ben Youssef Madrasa is the city's former Koranic school, founded in the 16th century. Its central courtyard, pool, zellige tilework and carved plaster deserve an hour. It is open daily from 9am to 7pm; entry costs 50 DH per adult (about 4.50 €) and 10 DH for under-12s. Tickets are sold on site.
3.30pm-5.30pm: the neighbourhood museums
Several places are a few minutes away: the Marrakech Museum, housed in the Dar Mnebhi palace, the Maison de la Photographie and its terrace, or Le Jardin Secret, a restored garden in the heart of the medina. Pick one or two depending on your energy.
From 6pm: Jemaa el-Fna in the evening
Return to the square at sunset. The grill stalls set up, and musicians and storytellers draw circles of onlookers. Dinner at a numbered stall is an experience in itself. Always ask the price before sitting down and check the bill.
Day 2: the southern medina in the morning, Majorelle and Guéliz in the afternoon
The three monuments of the southern medina are run by the Ministry of Culture. They open from 9am to 5pm and charge the same price: 100 DH per foreign adult (about 9 €) and 50 DH for children aged 7 to 13. On Fridays entry is free for Moroccans, so it can be busier.
9am-10.30am: the Bahia Palace
Arrive at opening time at the Bahia Palace, ahead of the tour groups. This 19th-century palace is a succession of courtyards, planted gardens and reception rooms with painted cedar ceilings. Allow an hour to an hour and a half.
10.45am-12pm: the Mellah and El Badi Palace
Walk through the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter, to reach El Badi Palace in about ten minutes. Only the walls remain of this late 16th-century Saadian palace, but the vast courtyard, the pools and the view from the ramparts, where storks nest, make it worth the visit. Allow an hour.
12pm-1pm: the Saadian Tombs
A ten-minute walk away, near the Kasbah Mosque, the Saadian Tombs hold the burial places of the Saadian dynasty. The Hall of Twelve Columns is viewed from a doorway, often after a short wait. Allow 30 to 45 minutes. Then have lunch in the Kasbah district.
3pm-5pm: the Majorelle Garden
Take a petit taxi to the Majorelle Garden, about 15 to 20 minutes away depending on traffic. Insist on the meter or agree the fare before getting in. The garden is open daily from 8am to 6.30pm (last entry at 6pm). Tickets cost 170 DH (about 15 €) and are sold only online, through the official ticket office, with a time slot: book the day before at the latest. The neighbouring Yves Saint Laurent Museum is closed on Wednesdays and open from 10am to 6pm on other days; its ticket, on its own or combined, is sold through the same ticket office.
From 5.30pm: Guéliz
End the day in Guéliz, the new town, a ten-minute walk away. Galleries, cafés and restaurants cluster around Avenue Mohammed V. The atmosphere is calmer and more modern than in the medina.
Day 3: a day trip of your choice
The third day takes you out of Marrakech. All the options can be done as an organised tour with pick-up from your riad, or with a private driver. The table will help you choose according to travel time and what you want to do.
| Day trip | Distance and journey | Time on site | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ourika Valley | 1 hour 30 to Setti Fatma | Half a day to a full day | Waterfalls, Berber villages, easy walking |
| Agafay Desert | About 40 km, 45 min to 1 hour | Late afternoon and evening | Stony landscape, sunset, dinner |
| Essaouira | About 3 hours by coach | Full day | Harbour, ramparts, beach, coastal medina |
| Imlil | 1 hour 30 via Asni | Full day | Hiking in the High Atlas |
| Ouzoud waterfalls | About 150 km, 2 hours 30 to 3 hours | Full day | Waterfalls, Barbary macaques, swimming |
Ourika Valley
This is the easiest option. The Ourika Valley climbs into the High Atlas as far as the village of Setti Fatma, the starting point for a walk to a series of waterfalls. The climb calls for good shoes. On the way back, the Anima Garden, on the Ourika road, can round off the day; it runs a free shuttle from the car park behind the Koutoubia.
Agafay Desert
This desert of stones and hills is the closest to the city. It suits a late-afternoon outing: a camel or quad bike ride, sunset over the Atlas, then dinner at a camp. That way you can keep the morning free for a museum or shopping.
Essaouira
The Atlantic port town makes for a long day, but the atmosphere is completely different: wind, ramparts, a fishing harbour and a UNESCO-listed medina. CTM and Supratours coaches make the journey in about three hours; book your outward and return tickets the day before.
Imlil
The village of Imlil is the starting point for hikes towards Toubkal. For a single day, a guided loop between the villages of the valley is enough; climbing Toubkal takes two days with a night in a mountain hut.
Ouzoud waterfalls
These falls are among the highest in Morocco. The drive is long, but the site is easy to explore: a path to the foot of the falls, boats, and terrace restaurants. Leave early to avoid the midday crowds.
The three days at a glance
| Day | Area | Main stops | Paid entry (adult) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northern medina | Koutoubia, Jemaa el-Fna, souks, Ben Youssef Madrasa | 50 DH, plus any museums you choose |
| 2 | Southern medina and Guéliz | Bahia, El Badi, Saadian Tombs, Majorelle Garden | 470 DH (300 DH for the three monuments and 170 DH for Majorelle) |
| 3 | Day trip | Ourika, Agafay, Essaouira, Imlil or Ouzoud | Depends on the trip and the operator |
Prices observed in October 2026.
Budget and bookings
For entry fees alone over the first two days, allow 520 DH per adult (about 47 €), excluding the optional museums on day 1 and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum. Only one advance booking is essential: the Majorelle Garden, sold only online with a time slot. Book the day 3 trip the day before, through your riad or an agency. Petits taxis are the most convenient way to get between the medina and Guéliz; everything else can be done on foot. To break down your spending (accommodation, meals, transport), see our budget guide below.
Adapting the itinerary
In summer, afternoons often exceed 35 °C: move your visits to early morning and keep the hottest hours for indoor museums or a break at your riad. In winter, the days are short and the evenings cool: start earlier and bring a jacket for dinner on Jemaa el-Fna. During Ramadan, some monuments have shorter opening hours and many medina restaurants close during the day. If you stay a fourth day, keep it for a second day trip or for wandering the medina with no plan at all.
Further reading
To cost out your stay item by item, read our Marrakech travel budget guide. To choose your dates according to the heat, rainfall and events, see our guide to the best time to visit Marrakech.
