Overview
| Day | Programme | Pace |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jemaa el-Fna square, souks, Koutoubia | Easy |
| 2 | Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, El Badi, Mellah | Medium |
| 3 | Majorelle Garden, Yves Saint Laurent Museum, Guéliz, hammam | Easy |
| 4 | Day trip: Ouzoud waterfalls or Ourika Valley | Long |
| 5 | Agafay desert or hot-air balloon, souks and departure | Medium |
Day 1: the square and the souks
Arrive late morning, drop your bags and walk to Jemaa el-Fna square, then into the souks. The minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque is your landmark. Have dinner on the square, but compare prices before sitting down. To avoid getting lost, read the medina guide.
Where to sleep for this itinerary: in the medina, ideally in a riad: Jemaa el-Fna, the souks, the palaces and Ben Youssef are all on foot, and you can go back for a quiet rest between visits. See hotels with free cancellation in the medina or read our guide on where to stay in Marrakech.
Day 2: palaces and old quarters
Visit the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs and the El Badi Palace early. In the afternoon, the Mellah and the Spice Square. To choose between a ticket alone and a guided visit, see Bahia Palace and Ben Youssef Medersa, tickets or guide.
Day 3: gardens and relaxation
Visit the Majorelle Garden at opening time with a ticket bought online (tickets, which offer), then the nearby Yves Saint Laurent Museum. Finish with a hammam: after two days of walking, it is the right moment.
Days 4 and 5: two outings
Choose according to your taste.
- Ouzoud: among the highest waterfalls in Morocco, walk, boat ride and lunch, about 11 to 12 hours. See Ouzoud waterfalls excursion, which offer.
- Ourika: closer, about 7 hours, with a Berber village and a walk to the falls. See Ourika Valley excursion.
- Agafay: quad, camel and dinner in the evening; see Agafay dinner show.
- Hot-air balloon: early start, about 4 to 5 hours with breakfast; see hot-air balloon, which offer.
To compare day trips, open excursions from Marrakech.
Practical tips
- Book day trips and the balloon as soon as your dates are fixed: the most popular fill up.
- Avoid two long days in a row if you travel with children; see Marrakech with kids.
- Scorching summers: visit at dawn and rest at lunchtime (Marrakech in summer).
Going further
Shorter: Marrakech in 4 days. Longer: a week in Marrakech. For accommodation: where to stay in Marrakech.
