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Are you wondering how to spend an amazing 3 days in Marrakech, Morocco? There are so many things to do in Marrakech in 3 days that you’ll need to be organised to fit everything into your schedule.
Flights from London to Marrakech are around 3 hours 35 minutes and it’s a very easily accessible destination from anywhere else in the world, so in a matter of no time you can be enjoying your North African holiday.
Marrakech is an overwhelmingly exciting place and you can be sure of one thing, you will be discovering plenty!
Marrakech is often referred to as Africa’s ‘Capital of Culture’, it’s an energetic and enticing destination that will leave you with many stories to tell.
This Marrakech 3-day itinerary will allow you to visit all the major attractions and sites of the city and discover more about the local culture. And after a long weekend in Marrakech, chances are you’ll be dying to explore more of Morocco.
3 days in Marrakech – Overview
🏨WHERE TO STAY: $ Hotel Le Gallia – $$ Riad Palais Sebban – $$$ Palais Dar Donab
1️⃣ DAY 1: Koutoubia, Jemaa El-Fna Square, Henna Café, Bahia Palace, Badi Palace, Saadian Tombs, Street Food Tour by Night
2️⃣ DAY 2: Jardin Majorelle, Yves Saint-Laurent Museum, Madersa Ben Youssef, Maison de la Photographie, Souks
3️⃣ DAY 3: Menara Gardens, tanneries, Hammam, Sunset Drinks at El Fenn, Rooftop dinner at Le Salaam
🚶BEST WALKING TOUR: Half-Day Historical and Cultural Tour
🚗 ADDITIONAL DAY TRIP: Essaouira and Ouzoud Waterfalls
How to get to Marrakech
If you’re preparing for 3 days in Marrakech, then you’ll need to know how to get there. Well, there are several airlines that fly straight to Marrakech, including Air France, British Airways, KLM and Ryanair.
The international airport is Marrakech Menara Airport which is just 20 minutes’ drive outside of the city centre.
Click here to see the best fares to Marrakech.
From the airport, you can book a private transfer to your hotel or take bus 19 which will bring you right to the medina for only 30 dirhams.
Marrakech sits west of the foothills of the stunning High Atlas Mountains. Visitors to Morocco often choose to see both Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains.
From Imlil, a small town in the High Atlas Mountains to Marrakech it’s around 55 miles. The easiest way to reach Marrakech is via private car transfer and it usually takes about 2 hours.
Other popular Moroccan cities like Fes and Casablanca can be reached by plane, private transfer or train. From Fes flight times are an hour 45 minutes to Marrakech and around 50 minutes from Casablanca.
Where to stay in Marrakech for 3 days
For a long weekend in Marrakech there are plenty of accommodation options, all with their own unique charms and practicalities.
From budget accommodation to luxury riads, you will find something to suit your tastes in Marrakech.
Budget accommodation in Marrakech: Hotel Le Gallia
If you are visiting Marrakech on a budget, then Hotel Le Gallia is an excellent choice. The hotel rooms are all air-conditioned with private bathrooms and showers.
You can enjoy a traditional Moroccan breakfast each morning on the rooftop, the perfect way to refuel for a day of exploring.
Organise ahead of time and you can request a shuttle to pick you up from the airport which is just 6 km away.
This hotel offers a traditional feel but with a surprising amount of comfort for the price you pay. Guests always rhapsodise about the hospitality and friendly staff at this hotel.
It’s also very well located, at the entrance of the medina which means you can reach all the main attractions on foot and easily find a taxi.
Click here to book a room at Hotel Le Gallia
Mid-range accommodation in Marrakech: Riad Palais Sebban
The Riad Palais Sebban is a stunningly beautiful and cosy mid-range hotel. This hotel is perfect for a long weekend in Marrakech.
It offers a romantic setting for couples or a comfortable place to stay for families. This stylish riad features a mix of Moroccan and Andalusian architecture and dates back to the 19th century.
Click here to see the photos and prices.
Luxury accommodation in Marrakech: Palais Dar Donab
Perhaps you are searching for something luxurious for your 3 days in Marrakech. Then why not stay at the Palais Dar Donab?
One of the most important things about following a jam-packed Marrakech 3-day itinerary is having a good location for your hotel.
The Palais Dar Donab is just 300m from the Souk of Medina and 400m from Djemaa El Fna. Its centrality, excellent views and high-end feel make this an exceptional hotel.
Click here to see the photos and prices.
How to get around Marrakech
Marrakech is a large city but actually one of the best ways to get around is on foot.
With so many of the main attractions being clustered together and within walking distance of the medina (the old city) it’s easy to move around.
What is more, if you set out on foot, you will really experience the hectic nature, sensory overload and bustling atmosphere that Marrakech has in abundance. Marrakech is simply made for walking.
Walk and you’ll easily be able to explore the souks (markets); though be warned, you might get lost (but isn’t that the beauty of a crazy market).
If you are thinking about getting taxis in Marrakech, then a warning is needed.
With no ride-hailing apps, taxi drivers usually try the classic trick of insisting that their metres are broken in order to charge you more money. Watch out for this scam! Also, flagging down a taxi that’s passing on the street is a safer bet than picking one from a taxi rank.
You should also note that taxis in Marrakech are shared and if you’re travelling alone and there’s room for one more, they’ll let you hop in, as long as you’re going in the same direction.
The other fun and unique way to travel around Marrakech is by Calèche. These green horse-drawn carriages tend to be found at Place de Foucauld.
It is an enjoyable way to navigate the city, but you must haggle for your ride!
Many tourists will pay more than double this price so keep haggling until you get the price you deserve. Haggling is considered completely necessary in Marrakech, if you don’t haggle then you will be paying a lot more than you should be.
If haggling is not your thing, then you can book online here. That way you are sure of paying the right price and can organise your day as you wish.
The Ultimate Marrakech Itinerary 3 days
Wake up early, step outside and start exploring. If you are pondering what to do in Marrakech in 3 days, then wonder no more.
This Marrakech 3-day itinerary is jam-packed with all the major landmarks, some cultural must-sees, and activities for the off-the-beaten-track traveller.
Marrakech City Itinerary Day 1: Major Landmarks in the Medina
Stop 1: Koutoubia
La Koutoubia is the largest mosque in Marrakech.
Chances are, you’ll recognise this 12th century mosque from your preliminary research on Morocco, it’s an iconic symbol of the city. Koutoubia stands at an impressive 77 metres high and acts as a good point of orientation as you can see it from a variety of places around the city.
It should be noted that only Muslims are able to enter Koutoubia (and during prayer time) but simply seeing this Marrakech attraction from the outside is an exciting activity.
The call to prayer happens several times a day and you will, without a shadow of a doubt, hear it every time.
Starting the day at Koutoubia means you are just a 12-minute walk away from your next day 1 activity, Jemaa El-Fna Square. You’ll find Koutoubia at Avenue Mohammed V.
Stop 2: Jemaa El-Fna Square
Jemaa El-Fna is one of Marrakech’s top attractions and you shouldn’t leave the city without visiting this enormous square.
Jemaa El-Fna Square is what Marrakech is all about. An overwhelming wall of noise, made up of chatter, the pushing of carts and trolleys and the enticing calls of vendors will hit you within seconds of entering the square.
Next be prepared to inhale a plethora of tantalising smells. Traditional Moroccan street food stalls line the square as well as vendors selling a concoction of spices.
You can circumnavigate this UNESCO World Heritage Site during the day before heading to the Henna Art Café. Or you can squeeze in a visit at night too, when an even more electric feel oozes through the market.
Stop 3: Henna Art Café
Set in the heart of the Marrakech medina at 35 Derb Sqaya and just three minutes’ walk from Djemma El Fna, this Henna Art Café is a memorable activity to enjoy.
The Henna Art Café is open seven days a week from 11am to 9pm. They serve up a variety of traditional Moroccan cuisines, including meat and vegetarian dishes.
But what sets this café apart from the rest is that they offer 100% Moroccan natural henna.
They are the only henna provider that is certified by the International Certification for Natural Henna Arts.
When you get to the café, you can ask for the catalogue of designs available. They have two henna artists who will do it.
You will then wait for it to dry and can keep exploring the city.
Stop 4: Bahia Palace
This late 19th century palace was built as the residence of the Grand Vizier Bou Ahmed. It is a truly impressive palace and the fourth stop on this 3-day Marrakech itinerary.
Ahmed spared no expense when building this palace.
There are 150 rooms, and no rooms have been spared the intricate decoration.
The Bahia Palace is along Rue Riad Zitoun el Jdid. You can visit this attraction alone or discover the palace as part of a guided tour.
This walking tour will lead you through the old Marrakech medina – you’ll also be able to skip the line at the Bahia & Badii Palaces.
Inside the palace, you’ll discover the finer details and skill it took to build such a place. You’ll learn how it took six years for the highest skilled artisans to complete.
Please note that the entrance to the Bahia Palace costs 70 dirhams but if you are with a guide, he will skip the line to buy the tickets which will save you time.
Stop 5: Badi Palace
Badi Palace is the site of the ruins of Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur’s marvellous palace.
This 16th century grandiose palace had a whopping 360 rooms most of which the ceilings and walls were decorated in gold leaf.
Despite its illustrious beginnings, by 1683, the second sultan of the current Alaouite dynasty, Moulay Ismail, demolished the palace, stripping it bare.
When visiting the palace today, it’s a good idea to climb the walls and you’ll be rewarded with one of the best views of Marrakech.
You can easily walk from Bahia Palace to Badi Palace as they are just 750 metres away from one another.
If you opted for the guided tour of Bahia Palace, this will also include Badi Palace.
Stop 6: Saadian’s Tombs
Located at Rue de La Kasbah in the Kasbah area of Marrakech, the Saadian Tombs are a royal necropolis.
After Ahmad al-Mansur built the Badia Palace, he transformed the necropolis that already existed into a seriously lavish site. As was his plan, Al Mansur died surrounded by grandeur in 1603.
That was until a couple of decades later when Alaouite Sultan Moulay Ismail built a wall around the tombs to forget about his predecessors! The Saadian Tombs were rediscovered by aerial photography in 1917.
Tickets for the tombs are available here. They are open daily from 9am to 5pm. You can also opt to book a tour which combines a trip with Bahia Palace, Badi Palace and then the tombs or you can visit alone.
Stop 7: Street Food Tour at Night
Moroccan food is seriously delicious and an excellent way to experience, the country’s culture is by going on a street food tour.
This street food tour in Marrakech starts at Mellah with an introduction of the city’s market history. You’ll get to try the delectable traditional charcoal-baked tagine, sweet dates and scrumptious pastries.
A knowledgeable local guide will inform you of the wonders and secrets of cooking the traditional tagine as well as taking you down to the souks to explore the often-missed street food.
READ MORE: 11 Best Food Tours in Marrakech to go on in 2023
Marrakech City Itinerary Day 2: Majorelle Gardens and the Souks
After exploring the vibrancy of the Medina it’s time to head to the Souks and Majorelle Gardens.
From peaceful galleries and gardens to the crazy, haggling hecticness of the souks, day two will be packed full of adventure.
Stop 1: Jardin Majorelle
The Jardin Majorelle is a botanical and artistic landscape garden in Marrakech.
This garden was originally created by a French artist, Jacques Majorelle.
It took him 40 years to finish, and the site was then later restored by Yves Saint-Laurent. It is well known as the most beautiful garden not just in Marrakech but in Morocco too.
The Jardin Majorelle is home to a café, the Yves Saint-Laurent Museum and the villa that used to be home to Yves Saint Laurent.
This botanical garden is 2.2 acres and features 300 species including bamboo, date palms, banana trees, succulents and more.
The most impressive feature of the garden is the electric blue and yellow villa that is adorned with tall thin cacti.
You can buy tickets online for Jardin Majorelle but make sure they are purchased at least 24 hours before your visit. You can also buy tickets on-site.
Please note that the Majorelle Gardens are located a bit outside of the medina which means that you may need to get a taxi to get there.
Stop 2: Yves Saint-Laurent Museum
Before leaving the Jardins Majorelle make sure you check out the Yves Saint- Laurent Museum.
This museum opened in 2017 and is dedicated to the French fashion designer Saint Laurent.
Inside, there are 5,000 items of clothing and 15,000 couture accessories as well as thousands of sketches and designs.
Any budding fashion designer or shopping lover will find this museum really interesting.
Stop 3: Madersa Ben Youssef
Madersa Ben Youssef is one of the most stunning educational institutions you’ll ever see.
Forget the dreary concrete walls of many universities in England, this is Morocco, where Saadian era artistry shines bright. Madersa Ben Youssef is a theological college which was completed in 1565.
It used to be the school of 900 students and was the largest school for Quranic study in Morocco. Step inside this institution and you’ll feel instant calm and peace.
The Italian marble and beautiful mosaics that line the walls create an ethereal atmosphere, one completely inducive of productive study.
Madrasa Ben Youssef is open daily between 9am and 6pm and the entry fee is 70 Moroccan dirhams.
Stop 4: Maison de la Photographie de Marrakech
This three-storey riad has been turned into a vintage Moroccan gallery.
This gallery houses the photography collection of Patrick Menac’h and Marrakshi Hamid Mergani.
The gallery has a permanent collection as well as rotating exhibitions.
The photos on display document life in Morocco between 1870 and 1950. You’ll notice throughout the gallery by looking at the photos that much of Moroccan life and landscape has remained the same.
Once you’ve explored the art head up to their rooftop café, it’s one of the highest in the medina. Grab a coffee, take in the views and prepare yourself for the next stop on day 2… the souks.
It costs just 40 dirhams to enter the gallery. You’ll need to leave around an hour to explore all the rooms and longer if you want to visit the café.
The gallery is located at 46 Rue Fassi and is open daily from 9:30am to 7pm.
Stop 5: Wandering around the Souks
Marrakech’s labyrinthine medina is home to the famous souks. These globally renowned souks are known as some of the most hectically magical marketplaces in the world and one of the best places to get your souvenirs.
This maze of shopping delights may at first seem overwhelmingly confusing, but everything is actually laid out in a logical fashion. Historically the souks were divided into commodities.
In the centre of the souk, you could find the most expensive products with the products getting cheaper as you move out towards the periphery.
Not much has changed today, so if you find yourself looking at gold items, you’ll know you’re deep inside the souk.
The souks start opening up from around 9am and begin closing at 9pm. Wandering around the souks in the evening is an ideal time to visit as the temperatures are cooler and there’s more of an atmosphere.
If you want to have a souk experience with more structure take this 3-hour colourful souks tour.
This guided tour will allow you to learn more about the different products on sale at the souks as well as the history of the market.
If you are looking for somewhere to get dinner, we highly recommend Souk Café.
Hidden in a small street by the Souks, this restaurant serves delicious Moroccan food such as tagines, couscous and pastillas for a very affordable price.
Marrakech City Itinerary Day 3: Discovering Off-the-beaten-path Marrakech
Perhaps you are one of those travellers who wants to explore a more authentic Marrakech.
Of-the-beaten-path travel is always highly rewarding and eye-opening and that’s what you’ll get on day 3 of this Marrakech itinerary.
Stop 1: Les Jardins de la Ménara
Les Jardins de la Ménara is a 12th-century botanical garden with an artificial lake and mountain views.
The Ménara gardens offer a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Once a royal retreat, not many tourists venture to this Marrakech hidden gem.
Visit on the weekend and you’ll find locals picnicking by the large reflective pool and admiring the grand pavilion.
Entry into the garden is free but to enter the pavilion there is a small charge.
You will find the Ménara Gardens in Nouvelle Ville (New Town), you can reach the gardens via a green horse-drawn carriage from Jemaa el-Fna or with a taxi.
Stop 2: Tanneries de Marrakech
The Tanneries of Marrakech are a really interesting place to visit.
Marrakech is known for its leather and there are a few locally owned and operated tanneries to explore.
These tanneries were founded at the same time as the medina, around a thousand years ago.
Visit the tanneries and you’ll find another of Marrakech’s sensory explosions. The smells, colour and visual experience will leave you fascinated.
You’ll be able to watch the men working and still using pre-industrial tanning techniques.
Stop 3: Hammam and Massage
Moroccan hammam treatments are one of the most relaxing activities you can enjoy in Marrakech. The Berber people have been perfecting their self-care routines for more than a thousand years.
There are many hammams around Marrakech. Head to the upscale neighbourhood of Mouassine to Hammam de la Rose.
This establishment is beautifully decorated with mosaics-tiles. They offer traditional hammam as well as facial masks, host-stone massages and pedicures.
It’s best to book in advance at Hammam de la Rose as it’s a popular place among tourists and locals.
The different types of Hammam, range from 250 to 450 dirhams depending on what treatment you select.
Hammam Mouassine is another excellent option for a traditional Moroccan spa treatment.
Mouassine is one of the largest and oldest hammam complexes in Marrakesh, having been built in 1562.
Escape the chaos of city life and admire 16th century architecture whilst experiencing the traditional black soap exfoliation.
Hammam Mouassine aims to alleviate your stresses and provide an injection of youthfulness back into your body.
Hammam Mouassine opens daily from 10am to 8pm and prices start at 200 Moroccan dirhams.
Stop 4: Sunset drinks at El Fenn
El Fenn is a chic boho hotel consisting of five interconnected riads. This hotel is an Instagrammer’s photography dream.
A collection of courtyards is dedicated to different functions. There’s a spa, a heated pool, a reception area, a shop and a shaded seated area.
El Fenn is a fine place to enjoy drinks with a glorious sunset view. El Fenn can be found at Derb Moulay Abdullah Ben Hezzian, Once you are there, head up to their rooftop bar for sunset views and drinks.
The space is perfectly decorated with vibrant cushioned poofs and even El Fenn sunhats, so you don’t get burnt.
Stop 5: Dinner at Le Salama
Located in the heart of Djemaa el Fna square, Le Salama is an excellent place to enjoy an evening meal. You may be coming to the end of your 3 days in Marrakech, but you should finish by eating in style.
You can dine on their rooftop terrace whilst trying to spot all of the landmarks you visited on day one. The service is exquisite, and the food is divine.
Try the chef’s specialty, the Roasted Lamb Shoulder and you won’t be disappointed, it’s the most melt-in-the-mouth lamb you’ll try across the city.
You will even be treated to some entertaining belly dancing as you dine and share your Marrakech memories.
We hope this itinerary will help you to spend the most amazing 3 days in Marrakech! Have fun!
3 days in Marrakech – FAQs
Are 3 days enough in Marrakech?
Yes! 3 days is the perfect amount of time in Marrakech. It gives you enough time to discover all the highlights of the city as well as some hidden gems. While you could spend even more time in Marrakech, most likely you will want to start going on day trips after day 3.
How many days should I stay in Marrakech?
3 days is the ideal amount of time in Marrakech. If you opt for staying 2 days, you will have time to see all the main attractions but adding an extra day will allow you do so in a more relaxed way. It will also give you more time for shopping as well as discovering some places more off the beaten path.
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