Marrakech 3 Day Guide
There are plenty of things to do and see in both the Medina (old town) and the new town outside the city walls. Marrakech is home to beautiful palaces and gardens. Put your negotiating skills to the test at the famous Jemaa el-Fnaa square and souk markets. If the chaos within the labyrinthine medina is too much, find a calm rooftop restaurant overlooking the city or unwind with a Hammam. Marrakech is one of our favourite places we have travelled to as it is a photographers playground and a sensory overload. This is how we recommend you spend your days here.
Stay in a Traditional Riad
Have a hamam
Get lost in the souk
Barter for a bargain
Rahba Kedima Square
Jemaa El-Fnaa Square
El Badi Palace
Saadian Tombs
Bahia Palace
Le Jardin Secret
Marrkech museum
House of Photography
Jardin Majorelle & Berber Museum
Yves Saint Laurent Museum
Stone Desert camel ride at sunset
Safety
We found Marrakech to be safe but it's good to be aware of the possible scams.
Click here to read about attempted scams that we experienced and other scams we were made aware of.
How to get to the Medina?
Our hotel organised a driver to pick us up and drop us off at the airport for €7 each way per person. Cars aren’t allowed in the Medina so we were dropped off nearby and one of the staff walked us to the Riad.
Stay in a Traditional Riad
The best way to immerse yourself into Marrakech is to stay within the walls of the medina in a Traditional Riad. They are a tranquil oasis from the hustle and bustle of the medina. Staying in the medina is a great choice if you are interested in the street markets.
We would recommend Riad Zebrakaro to all who are looking for an exceptional Riad experience in the Medina without spending a fortune. The location meant that most of the main sites in the Old Town were within a 20-minute walk. That’s if we didn’t get lost which is normal in the labyrinth of the Medina.
The Riad had a spacious rooftop with a hollow core that let sunlight into the bottom where there was a small pool. The Riad has BBQ services and a restaurant. Free delicious breakfast was provided each morning. Even when we had to leave at 4.30am, coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice was still provided. We were offered mint tea several times throughout the day.
Like most Moroccans, the Riad staff spoke French and one spoke very good English. In one of the many comfy lounge areas, our host sat down with us on our first night and gave us a detailed insight into Marrakech including places to see and things to be aware of.
Have a Hammam
Be sure to book in advance as they are incredibly popular.
We booked a 1 hour Royal Hammam at La Sultana Hotel for €40 each. Couples are allowed to be in the same room for treatment which many hammams don’t allow.
They provide disposable underwear and a robe. The robes were taken off and the treatment began in the steam room. Our bodies were covered in eucalyptus oil and then the steam was turned on. After relaxing face down in the steam room we were taken to another room. We were doused with water and then our bodies were aggressively scrubbed from head to toe. The scrub removes the layer of dead skin. After the treatment, we relaxed on the lounge beds next to the alluring pool and drank mint tea.
The 5-star luxury hotel was so beautiful that we decided to stay and have a drink in the lounge room next to a fireplace.
Get lost in the Souk
The Marrakech Souk is world famed for the colourful spices, lamps, bags, carpets, lanterns and jewellery.
It is the largest souk in Morocco, therefore, it’s easy to get lost in the maze of narrow and shadowy alleys. Most of the souk is covered in slatted shades that let streams of sunlight through. The atmosphere of the souk can change significantly with the time of day. The souk was the calmest in the morning, motorcyclists are asleep and the shops are closed. It can be disorientating when all the shops close at the end of the day and the alleyways look completely different.
The first time walking through can be a disconcerting experience. Your senses will be overloaded with odd scents and noises. The more you walked through and explore, the more comfortable you will feel. Motorbikes and bicycles will continuously whizz past, brushing your arms. Many people will grab and approach you to try to sell something. I don’t think I have said ‘no thanks’ so much in my life. Generally on the third ‘no thanks’ they give up.
Barter for a bargain
Don’t ask for the price unless you have the intention of buying something. When haggling, be patient, generally half the price of what they're asking and negotiate from there. Generally, the more you buy from one store, the better price you can get.
Rahba Kedima Square
Our favourite area of the souk for shopping and restaurants was Rahba Kedima. In the middle of the square, there are hats and woven baskets for sale. On the perimeter, you will find many shops selling spices, oils and perfumes. Around this square, there are many nice rooftop cafes and restaurants.
We found a great spice store called Marché aux épices. It was the largest spice store we found and one of the friendly shop owners gave us a detailed description of many different products. The minimum we could purchase was 100 grams for each spice and we purchased ginger, turmeric and cinnamon for a reasonable price.
Jemaa El-Fnaa Square
This is the main square with street food, exotic animals and markets. We much preferred other parts of the medina as there are fewer people trying to sell us things. Jemaa el-Fnaa is a favourite hot spot for scams and pickpockets.
When we revisited on Saturday night, we walked through to find a completely different vibe. It was less stressful than during the day. Most of the markets had disappeared and were replaced with music, acrobatics and games.
El Badi Palace
The most enduring account of El Badi Palace occurred at the opening at the end of the sixteenth century. The Sultan, Ahmed al-Mansour, turned to the court jester for his opinion. He replied ‘this will make a magnificent ruin’.
‘The Incomparable’ had over 300 rooms decorated in gold, turquoise and crystal before the palace was completely stripped. The valuables were relocated to Meknes by the Sultan's successor.
As soon as we walked into this palace we were blown away with the vastness of the courtyard. There are four sunken gardens with orange trees. A pool separates the two gardens on each side. There is a tower that provides an awesome view of the city and the best overall view of the palace.
If you continue through the courtyard you will enter another area with ruins. You can walk underneath into the dungeons where prisoners were kept.
Where: 900m South of Jemaa el-Fnaa
When: 9am to 4.30pm every day except Friday (3pm to 5.45pm)
Price: 70 dirhams
Saadian Tombs
We entered through a small passageway into a closed garden. It is a very peaceful place and birdsong could be heard from the variety of birds in the trees. There are over 100 tombs that are decorated colourfully with mosaics.
Sultan Ahmed Al Mansour wanted his wealth to live on in his tomb. He imported Italian marble, decorative plasterwork and gold to construct a magnificent mausoleum (Chamber of the 12 Pillars).
All tombs are overshadowed by his mother's mausoleum, carved with intricate detail and guarded by stray cats.
The Sultan's successor built walls around the tombs to keep him out of sight and mind. The tombs were forgotten about until 1917 when aerial photography revealed them.
Where: 800m South of Jemaa el-Fnaa
When: 9am to 12 (noon) and 2.30pm to 6pm
Price: 70 dirhams
Bahia Palace
This palace took over ten years to build in the nineteenth century. It has over 150 rooms that lead to patios and gardens. Unfortunately, all of the rooms are empty. When the Vizier died, many people including his wives and sultan took the artwork and furniture.
The large and symmetrical courtyard is covered in mosaic tiling. The facades surrounding the courtyard are painted bright blue and yellow.
The highlight was the amazing interiors of the haram with original stained glass windows and painted ceilings.
Where: 900m South of Jemaa el-Fnaa
When: 9am to 4.30pm every day except Friday (8am to 5pm)
Price: 70 dirhams
Le Jardin Secret
Le Jardin Secret is one of the largest and most ancient riads in the medina. Thanks to a recent renovation, you can stroll through this oasis. The palace grounds have both an exotic and traditional Islamic garden.
Water is directed to the gardens by a restored original khettara (underground irrigation system). There are water paths running through both gardens.
At the back of the grounds, there is a cafe/terrace and tower that provide stunning overlooking views of the Islamic garden and medina. There are almost no other buildings like this tower left in Marrakech. Entrance to the tower is 30 dirhams or 20 dirhams for students.
The best time to go is when it opens at 9.30am. We got to explore the tranquil palace and gardens by ourselves.
Where: 600m North of Jemaa el-Fnaa
When: February, March, October 9.30am to 6.30pm. April to September 9.30am to 7.30pm. November to January 9.30am to 6pm
Price: 50 dirhams, students 30 dirhams
Marrakech Museum
The museum is housed in a palace. The highlight is the courtyard with a gigantic lamp above the water feature. The rooms around the courtyard have traditional Moroccan objects including weapons and pottery. Visitors can also go to the hammam and look at the temporary exhibition.
Where: 600m North of Jemaa el-Fnaa
When: 9am to 6.30pm
Price: 50 dirhams
House of Photography
Also known as Maison De La Photographie de Marrakech, this gallery is housed within a small private residence. The black and white street and portrait photography describe the local lifestyle, ways of travel, music and traditions. Pictures and documents were gathered between 1870 and 1960.
Head up to the rooftop cafe for mint tea and amazing views.
Where: 1km North of Jemaa el-Fnaa
When: 9.30am to 7pm
Price: 50 dirhams
Jardin Majorelle & Berber Museum
Jardin Majorelle is one of the most visited sights in Morocco. It is the creation of French painter Jacques Majorelle. He spent 40 years dedicating his passion and creativity into this magical garden. In the 1980s, Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé purchased and restored it. A memorial to them is located in the garden.
Walk along shady walkways taking you past tranquil water features and 300 species of plants. The unique colour of bold cobalt blue (Majorelle Blue) is used extensively around the garden and on the building that contains the Berber Museum.
The Berber Museum is located in Jacques Majorelle former studio and features a collection of his paintings. The museum showcases the rich history of Morocco’s indigenous inhabitants through displays of 600 artefacts. The highlight was a dark octagonal room with ceilings appearing like a starry desert sky and extravagant jewellery on display.
We were advised to not go between 10 am and 2 pm as it’s too busy. We got our riad to pre-book discount combined tickets (180 dirhams) for Jardin Majorelle, Berber Museum and Yves Saint Laurent Museum. We were lucky as when we arrived there was a long line to get tickets.
Where: 1.3km North West of the medina wall
When: October to April 8am to 5.30pm. May to September 8am to 6pm. The month of Ramadan 9am-5pm
Price: 70 dirhams (Jardin Majorelle), 30 dirhams (Berber Museum)
Yves Saint Laurent Museum
The Yves Saint Laurent Museum is a tribute to the designer’s legacy and his links with Marrakech. The wrapped facade of the museum is extraordinary with the upper half in terracotta bricks and lower half in earth coloured concrete.
Next to the Museum, there is a temporary exhibit hall. When we visited there was an exhibit of life-sized portrait photographs by Moroccan Leila Alaoui, who died in a terrorist attack.
Where: 1.3km North West of the medina wall
When: 10am to 5pm except for Wednesdays. Closes 1 hour earlier during the month of Ramadan
Price: 100 dirhams
Stone Desert Camel Ride At Sunset
Before arriving in Marrakech we arranged a camel tour with the riad. It was a private tour and we paid €40 each.
It took us about 45 minutes to arrive in the Stone Desert. We got on the camels, then a man walked us through the desert and back to the camp where we began for 1 hour. The desert was vast, remote and had rolling hills with different shades of colours. We could see the snowy Atlas Mountains in the distance and the green Ourika Valley.
