There is no one best number of days to spend in Marrakech. However, 3 to 5 days is usually enough time to see the city and its surroundings. Here is a complete list of things you can do with your time:
Three Days in Marrakech (Basic Plan)
This is great for tourists who want to take their time and see the best of the city.
Visit the Medina and Jemaa el-Fnaa on the first day
Walk around the old Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site, on your first day.
In the souks or markets, you can find everything from spices to things made by hand.
Visit Jemaa el-Fnaa, the busy central square where you can find food stands, street artists, and people who can charm snakes. Go in the evening, when things are at their liveliest.
Check out the Koutoubia Mosque, which has the tallest minaret and is the biggest in Marrakech.
Take a walk through the Bahia Palace, a palace from the 1800s that shows off intricate Moroccan buildings.
Day 2: Gardens and cultural sites
You should see the Saadian Tombs and the mausoleums where the Saadian dynasty is buried.
The Dar Si Said Museum, also known as the Museum of Moroccan Arts, is a great place to learn about Moroccan art and culture.
The French painter Jacques Majorelle created the peaceful Majorelle Garden, which was later owned by fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent.
The Yves Saint Laurent Museum is right next to the garden and showcases the designer’s work and his connection to Marrakech.
Day 3: See the Hammams and City Walls
Walk along the old city walls of Marrakech and check out the different gates, such as Bab Agnaou and Bab Debbagh.
You can relax in a traditional Moroccan hammam (spa) with massages, steam rooms, and traditional bathing routines.
If you still have time, visit El Badi Palace. It is a huge royal building that once represented the grandeur of the Saadian era.
4 to 5 days in Marrakech (Longer Plan)
Add these things to your itinerary for a slower pace or to see more of the city:
Day 4: Visit the Atlas Mountains or the Agafay Desert
The nearby Atlas Mountains are a great place to spend the day. You can hike, visit Berber towns, or look around in valleys like the Ourika Valley.
Instead, you could go to the Agafay Desert, which is only 40 km from Marrakech and offers camel rides, dune cars, and even camping in fancy desert tents.
Day 5: More culture and hidden gems to discover
It would help if you went to the Maison de la Photographie, a museum of photographs that shows how people live in Morocco.
The Le Jardin Secret is a hidden park with beautiful architecture that is an excellent place to relax away from the busy streets.
Take a cooking class to learn how to make traditional Moroccan foods like tagine and couscous.
Other Things to Think About
- If you want to buy handmade goods like rugs, ceramics, or jewelry in the souks, give yourself more time to deal with and look around.
- Relaxation: Many riads (traditional houses with gardens inside) in Marrakech offer spa services and views from the roofs. When you stay longer, you can enjoy these things more.
- If you go during an event like the Marrakech International Film event (which takes place in November or December) or Ramadan, you may want to learn more about the culture.
Three to five days is the best time for most visitors. In this amount of time, you can fully experience the city’s rich history, culture, and lively atmosphere while still having time to relax and see the sights in the area. If you have little time, two days will be enough to see the most essential things in Marrakech. However, if you can, you should stay longer.