Marrakech is Morocco’s vibrant jewel and a country I’ve long wanted to visit. We chose Marrakech as the destination for a girl’s weekend earlier in the year, and it really was the perfect choice. Marrakech is a city that awakens all your senses, and there’s a little bit of something for everyone.
Looking for the perfect 3 day Marrakech itinerary? Or for ideas for things to do in Marrakech Morocco? You’re spoilt for choice.
From the bustling medina to tranquil riads, aromatic spice markets, and golden desert landscapes, we couldn’t fit everything into our three day trip. If you also only have three days in Marrakech, this itinerary will help you experience the city’s magic in all its wonderful, slightly chaotic, glory!
- Day 1: Dive Into the Heart of the Medina
- Day 2: Adventure and Sunset in the Desert
- Day 3: Culture, Cuisine, and Leisure
- Tips for a Smooth 3-Day Trip in Marrakech
- Final Thoughts and Further Reading
Heads up! This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click and make a purchase, I might earn a very small commission – at no extra cost to you. This helps to keep the blog going. Thanks for the support!
Day 1: Dive Into the Heart of the Medina
Morning:
The thing I was most looking forward to doing in Marrakech was exploring the Medina. So that’s where I recommend you start your Marrakech adventure.
If you’re not familiar with it, the medina of Marrakech is the historic walled old city of Marrakech. It is now designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, having been founded in 1070, and it is a chaotic area packed with narrow, maze-like streets. In the Medina, you’ll find souks (markets) as well as landmarks like the Jemaa-el-Fna square and the Bahia Palace.
Spend your morning wandering through the Souk Semmarine and the Souk el Attarine, where you can shop for spices, lanterns, carpets, and traditional Moroccan crafts. The souks are quieter in the morning than in the afternoon, so this is the least chaotic time to visit, especially if you don’t like crowds. We had so much fun practicing our bargaining skills and came home with some beautiful leather pieces, and I really wished I had more suitcase space so that I could bring home more of the beautiful ceramic pieces.
Feeling nervous about visiting the Medina alone? It is chaotic, crowded, bustling. As a group of women travelling alone, we had read that it wasn’t safe, but didn’t find that at all. However if you were worried, you could consider booking a tour of the medina instead. These are affordable, and will show you the hidden details you might not be able to find yourself!
🛍 Book a Marrakech medina and souks half day hidden shopping tour
🎁 Use the code THATMUMTRAVEL5KLOOK to get a 5% discount on this tour
Lunch:
Once you’ve shopped ’til you drop, take a break at a rooftop café overlooking Jemaa el-Fnaa, the main square. In fact, this is one of the largest squares in Africa.
As well as being an amazing place to stop for something to eat (we had the best ice cream sundaes here) it’s also the very best place to be if you want to indulge in one of my favourite pastimes: people watching! Watch the hustle and bustle below while enjoying Moroccan classics like tagine or couscous. The square is unlike anything i’ve seen with snake charmers, street performers, and even dancing monkeys (note: I’m pointing out the monkeys but not encouraging you to give them money or pose for photos with them. This is animal cruelty, and it made me sad just looking at it!)
Afternoon:
Continue exploring the medina and stop at the Bahia Palace or Ben Youssef Madrasa, both showcasing exquisite Moroccan architecture. Take your time wandering, you never know what hidden gems you might find.
Evening:
We spent our evening back in our hotel, where we had a delicious traditional Moroccan dinner and then enjoyed the lively evening entertainment they put on (and too many cocktails!) If you’re not staying in a full-service hotel then you could consider booking a traditional Moroccan dinner at one of the medina’s charming riads.
💡 TIP: If you’re offered a mint tea, please say yes! As well as being a sign of hospitality and a great way to meet the local people, this tea is also delicious.
Day 2: Adventure and Sunset in the Desert
Morning:
Start your day slowly with a relaxing breakfast by the pool at your riad or hotel. In fact, i’m not going to lie to you here, this is how we spent the whole day! We knew we had exciting evening plans, so we were perfectly happy to enjoy some downtime, a few more cocktails, and top up our suntans.
Midday:
Not feeling quite as lazy as us? If you want a bit of local adventure before heading to the desert, consider visiting the Majorelle Garden and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum. These serene spots provide a stunning contrast to the city’s hustle. I have huge regrets about not seeing the Yves Saint Laurent Museum and will definitely putting it on my own itinerary when we go back to Marrakech (and this time I’ll be taking the kids!)
Not familiar with the YSL Museum? It’s a museum dedicated to the life and work of the legendary fashion designer, opened in 2017. It showcases the designer’s creations and his deep connection to the city, which inspired many of his collections.
Evening:
This evening was one of our highlights of our time in Marrakech! We took a Camel Ride During Sunset at the Palmeraie in Marrakech. This trip involved being picked up from our hotel, then delivered to the Palmeraie where we donned traditional garb and took a camel ride through the golden sand and palm trees.
We were able to enjoy the breathtaking sunset and capture amazing photos. Then we drank more mint tea and chatted with the berber people who care for the camels, before getting back into our transfer and heading back to our hotel. It was an amazing experience and a magical way to end the day.
🐫 You can book our EXACT trip on Klook, enjoying the perfect camel ride during sunset at Palmeraie in Marrakech
🎁 Use code THATMUMTRAVEL5KLOOK to get 10% off this trip for new klook users and 5% off for existing users.
Day 3: Culture, Cuisine, and Leisure
Morning:
Dedicate your morning to exploring more of the city’s rich culture. There are so many options to choose from. You could visit the Saadian Tombs and El Badi Palace, both steeped in history and perfect for photography.
We opted to go back to the medina: the lure of the shopping was just too strong! This is also the perfect place for a leisurely lunch, and we tried the local pastries like chebakia or briouats, paired with sweet mint tea. I just can’t get enough of that tea!
Want to fit in as much as possible in as short an amount of time as possible? You don’t have to just wander aimlessly, hoping to find the best attractions in Marrakech. There are so many great tours that will take you around all the sights
🚗Check out this epic Marrakech City Highlights Half-Day Tour, which is a private tour and will show you all the best that the city has to offer
🎁Use code THATMUMTRAVEL5KLOOK for a lovely reader-exclusive discount too
Afternoon:
Spend your afternoon relaxing by the pool—that’s what we did and it was much-needed after two busy days. Many riads offer serene courtyards and poolside lounges where you can soak up the Moroccan sun. Our hotel had a large pool and plenty of loungers so we could relax and enjoy ourselves with books, music, gossip and giggling!
Prefer a little more action for your final day in Marrakech? Why not go right into the desert and book a quad bike tour instead! This is one for the adrenaline junkies, and can be combined with a camel ride and a traditional berber dinner show too.
🏝 Book an action packed Marrakech Agafay Desert Half-Day Quad & Camel Tour
🎁 Use code THATMUMTRAVEL5KLOOK to get an extra discount on your tickets
Evening:
Finish your trip with a final Moroccan feast at a local restaurant or your riad. Reflect on your adventures while enjoying traditional music, lantern-lit courtyards, and the enchanting atmosphere that makes Marrakech so special.
Tips for a Smooth 3-Day Trip in Marrakech
If you’re visiting Marrakech then i’ve got some tried and tested top trips to help you make sure that you’re trip is as smooth as possible.
- Wear comfortable shoes: You’ll be walking a lot in the medina, so this isn’t the time to wear heels or try breaking in new shoes.
- Dress modestly: Marrakech isn’t as conservative as other parts of Morocco, but this is still a conservative country so dress accordingly. Cover your legs and breasts, and you may want to consider covering your shoulders too.
- Stay hydrated: Marrakech can get hot, especially in the desert, so carry plenty of water with you and don’t forget to park plenty of sun lotion.
- Cash is king: Some smaller shops don’t accept cards, especially in the souks where we found that it was much easier to barter if you had the exact cash on you.
- Plan ahead for desert trips: Book your camel safari early to secure the best tours and get the times/dates you want.
- Photography etiquette: Always ask before taking photos of locals, especially snake charmers. (honestly I think this is best practice when taking photos of any stranger, in any country, to be honest!)
Final Thoughts and Further Reading
We had the best time in Marrakech: And actually I think it’s an amazing place to visit for a girl’s trip, as well as for a family holiday.
Marrakech is a city that blends adventure, culture, and relaxation effortlessly. This three-day Marrakech itinerary packs in the highlights such as the markets, history, desert adventures, as well as making sure you get plenty of downtime by the pool. The end result is a great trip giving you a truly unforgettable Moroccan experience.
Not sure if Marrakech is the right spot for you? Looking for other travel itineraries? Check out some of my other comprehensive itineraries below:
- 10 Day Tokyo Itinerary For 2025: The Perfect Japan Stay For Families and First Timers
- The Ultimate 5 Day Seoul Itinerary With Kids
- One Day Itinerary For Disneyland Paris: Maximise the Fun!
- 3 Day Osaka Itinerary: The Perfect Guide To Japan’s Most Fun City!
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Heads up! This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click and make a purchase, I might earn a very small commission – at no extra cost to you. This helps to keep the blog going. Thanks for the support!