3 Days in Marrakech: A Day-by-Day Itinerary

Get ready for a city that wakes up all your senses at once. Marrakech has spice stalls and lantern shops packed into the souks, cool tiled courtyards hidden behind plain doorways, and a main square that becomes a giant open-air food hall every evening. This three-day plan suits first-time visitors who want the big classics without rushing, with some time left over to wander.

The pace is relaxed to moderate. Each day stays in one part of the city, so you walk between nearby sights and don’t cross town. Afternoons get a slower stretch, when the medina is busiest. Day 1 covers the northern medina, Day 2 the palaces and tombs in the south, and Day 3 the gardens and museums of the new town.

At a glance

Day	Area	Highlights
1	Northern medina	Koutoubia, Jemaa el-Fna, the souks, Le Jardin Secret, Ben Youssef Madrasa
2	Kasbah and southern medina	Saadian Tombs, El Badi Palace, Bahia Palace, the Mellah
3	Guéliz and the new town	Jardin Majorelle, Pierre Bergé Museum of Berber Arts, Musée Yves Saint Laurent

Day 1: The heart of the medina

Morning

Your Marrakech adventure begins at the Koutoubia Mosque. Its tall minaret is the city’s best-known landmark and the easiest way to get your bearings. Walk around the gardens next to it and admire the minaret from outside.

From there it’s about a 5-minute walk to Jemaa el-Fna, the huge square at the centre of the medina. The square is quieter in the morning, so it’s a gentle introduction. You’ll come back tonight when it’s buzzing.

Next, head north into the souks. Lanes of leather, brass, textiles and spices lead you towards Rue Mouassine. Without stops the walk to Le Jardin Secret takes about 15 minutes, but you’ll probably stop a lot.

Le Jardin Secret is a restored garden at 121 Rue Mouassine, and a calm break from the busy lanes. A full-price ticket costs MAD 100. It gives all-day access and stays valid for a year from purchase, so you can buy it on the garden’s official online shop before you go. Opening times change through the year:

• November to January: 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• February and October: 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• March to September: 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• During Ramadan: open every day, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Afternoon

Have a slow lunch near Mouassine, then walk about 10 minutes to the Ben Youssef Madrasa. Carved cedar, stucco and zellige tilework surround its central courtyard. It’s one of the most beautiful buildings in Morocco.

The official site lists these opening hours and prices:

• Opening hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day (9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during Ramadan)
• Foreign adults: MAD 50
• Children under 12: MAD 10

The online ticket system was showing a maintenance notice at our last check, so look at the official site before you go. Because it stays open late, a visit in the softer late-afternoon light works well.

After that, take your time in the souks around the madrasa. There’s no need to buy anything on day one. Looking and comparing is half the fun.

Evening

Save your appetite for tonight! Walk back to Jemaa el-Fna, about 15 minutes. At dusk the food stalls set up, smoke rises from the grills and the square fills with music and storytellers. Find a rooftop café on the edge of the square first to watch the light fade, then go down and eat among the crowds.

Day 2: Palaces, tombs and the Kasbah

Morning

The three historic sites today are run by Morocco’s Ministry of Culture. All three are listed on the ministry’s Khadamat Culture e-ticketing portal at the same prices:

Ticket type	Price
Foreign adults	MAD 100
Foreign children aged 7 to 13	MAD 50
Moroccan or resident adults	MAD 30

The portal lists visiting hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can buy tickets online in advance on the portal, which saves a step at the gate.

Get ready for a day of dazzling palaces. Start at 9 a.m. at the Saadian Tombs in the Kasbah district. The burial chambers are richly decorated but compact, and the early slot is the calmest time to see them.

From there it’s about a 10-minute walk to El Badi Palace, a vast ruined palace with sunken gardens, pools and thick walls. Head up to the ramparts for wide views over the medina rooftops. Bring a hat, because there’s not much shade.

Afternoon

Have lunch in the Kasbah or near the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter. Then walk about 10 to 15 minutes to the Bahia Palace. The ministry describes it as an extraordinary historic monument, built in two phases in the second half of the 19th century on a site of about 8 hectares. Expect courtyards, painted ceilings and garden patios, one after another.

The Bahia is open until 5 p.m., so don’t leave it until the very end of the day. After your visit, wander the lanes of the Mellah for spice markets and quieter streets.

Evening

Rest at your riad first. You’ll have walked a lot. For dinner, pick a rooftop restaurant in the medina and watch the minarets light up. If you still have energy, take one more stroll through Jemaa el-Fna.

Day 3: Gardens, Berber art and Yves Saint Laurent

Plan around Wednesdays: the Musée Yves Saint Laurent and the private garden of Villa Oasis both close on Wednesdays. If your Day 3 lands on a Wednesday, swap it with Day 1 or Day 2.

Morning

This is the day for colour and calm. Take a short taxi ride from the medina to the Jardin Majorelle in the new town. Agree on the fare before you set off if the meter isn’t running.

Book ahead: tickets can only be bought online, through tickets.jardinmajorelle.com. The foundation says this is the only official website, and tickets sold anywhere else will not get you in. The foundation also advises reserving well in advance to get the date and time slot you want. Check the price when you book.

The garden opens every day at 8 a.m. The foundation’s homepage gives hours of 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with last entry at 5 p.m., but its garden page shows longer hours (until 6:30 p.m.). Check the hours for your date when you book. An early slot gives you the best light and the fewest people.

French painter Jacques Majorelle created the garden over forty years. It covers 9,000 m² of paths and plants around buildings painted in bold colours. Inside, the Pierre Bergé Museum of Berber Arts (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., last entry 4:30 p.m., according to the homepage) is a beautiful introduction to Amazigh jewellery, textiles and crafts. The Villa Oasis private garden is open every day except Wednesday. According to the foundation, the garden and museums are accessible to disabled visitors.

Late morning

The Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech is a few steps from the garden, and the same official site sells its tickets.

• Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., last entry 5:30 p.m.
• Closed on Wednesdays

The museum’s warm brick building alone is worth the visit, and the designer’s long love affair with Marrakech makes the exhibition especially moving here.

Afternoon

Have lunch in Guéliz, the modern district nearby, with cafés, galleries and concept stores. This is a good time for relaxed shopping at fixed prices if haggling in the souks wore you out. You could also book a hammam for the afternoon. Check prices directly with the hammam.

Evening

Head back to the medina for one last golden-hour walk. Pick up the souvenirs you spotted on Day 1, then end the trip with a slow dinner overlooking the rooftops.

Getting there and getting around

Airport. You’ll arrive at Marrakech Ménara Airport (RAK), run by Morocco’s airport authority ONDA. ONDA says:

• There is a taxi rank on the airport forecourt, and fares for every destination are posted in the taxi parking area.
• A shuttle bus runs between the city and the airport every 20 minutes.

The airport bus is run by ALSA, the city’s bus company. Check the current fare and timetable on alsa.ma before you fly, because we couldn’t confirm them on an official page today. ONDA has also announced a single counter called “kech.cab” for pre-ordering and booking taxis at Ménara.

Reaching your riad. Many medina lanes are too narrow for cars. If you’re staying in a riad, ask your hosts ahead of time where the taxi should drop you and whether someone can meet you there.

Getting around. In the medina you’ll walk almost everywhere. Petit taxis are handy for short trips into Guéliz, for example to the Jardin Majorelle. ALSA runs the city buses. Marrakech has no metro.

Where to stay

• The medina (around Mouassine and Jemaa el-Fna): Best for first-timers who want atmosphere. You’ll stay in a riad with an inner courtyard and walk to Day 1 and Day 2 sights. Pack light, because the last stretch is often on foot.
• The Kasbah (southern medina): Close to the Saadian Tombs and El Badi Palace, and a little calmer than the lanes around the square. Good if you like early starts and quieter evenings.
• Guéliz (the new town): Wide streets, cafés and modern apartments, close to the Jardin Majorelle. Suits travellers who want an easy taxi drop-off and a more familiar city feel.
• Hivernage: Leafy and quiet, with larger resort-style properties, between Guéliz and the medina. Suits families and anyone who wants a pool to come back to.

Budget

Entry fees below are the officially published prices for foreign adults.

Item	Typical cost
Ben Youssef Madrasa	MAD 50
Le Jardin Secret (full price)	MAD 100
Saadian Tombs	MAD 100
El Badi Palace	MAD 100
Bahia Palace	MAD 100
Jardin Majorelle, Berber Arts museum, Musée YSL	Check tickets.jardinmajorelle.com
Airport shuttle bus	Check alsa.ma
Airport taxi	Fares posted at the airport taxi rank

That’s MAD 450 in confirmed entry fees over three days, or roughly MAD 150 to 300 a day, before the Majorelle and YSL tickets.

Not included: flights, accommodation, meals, taxis, guides, hammams, shopping and tips. We didn’t include figures for these because we couldn’t confirm them on official sources.

Practical tips

• Closing days: The Musée YSL and the Villa Oasis garden close on Wednesdays. The Majorelle garden, Ben Youssef Madrasa and Le Jardin Secret are open every day.
• Ramadan hours are shorter: Ben Youssef closes at 4:30 p.m. and Le Jardin Secret runs 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., so plan your visits for the morning.
• Fridays: The ministry-run monuments are free for Moroccans on Fridays and on the first days of national and religious holidays, so you may share the courtyards with more local families.
• Dress: Marrakech is relaxed, but clothes that cover your shoulders and knees are a respectful and comfortable choice in the medina. They also protect you from the sun.
• Heat and pacing: Afternoons can get hot, especially outside winter. Plan open-air sights such as El Badi for the morning, drink plenty of water and take a long lunch.
• Money: Morocco uses the dirham (MAD). Carry small notes and coins for the souks, snacks and tips. Ask your bank about card fees before you travel.
• SIM and eSIM: You can buy a local SIM at the airport or in town, and you may be asked to show your passport. If you’d rather arrive connected, check that your phone supports eSIM and buy a plan before you fly.
• Visa and entry: Entry rules depend on your nationality and change from time to time, so we don’t summarise them here. Check Morocco’s official electronic visa portal at acces-maroc.ma and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs eVisa announcement well before you book.

Heads-up

A few friendly warnings so nothing spoils the fun:

• Fake Majorelle tickets: The foundation says tickets are sold only on its official website, and tickets from unauthorised sites won’t get you into the garden or the museums. Book only through tickets.jardinmajorelle.com.
• Wednesday closures: Plenty of visitors turn up at the YSL museum on a Wednesday and find the doors shut. Check your calendar before Day 3.
• Airport taxis: Use the official taxi rank on the airport forecourt, and check the posted fare for your destination before you get in.
• Early closing at the palaces: The Ministry of Culture sites list visiting hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you arrive late in the afternoon, you may only get a rushed visit, or not get in at all.
• Current safety advice: Read your own government’s travel advice for Morocco before you go, for example the UK Foreign Office advice. It covers safety, local laws and up-to-date warnings.

FAQ

Is 3 days enough for Marrakech?

Yes, for the highlights. Three days covers the medina, the main palaces, the Jardin Majorelle and the YSL museum at a comfortable pace. Add a fourth day if you want a day trip into the Atlas Mountains or more time for a hammam and shopping.

Do I need to book the Jardin Majorelle in advance?

Yes. Tickets are sold only online on the official site, and the foundation recommends booking well ahead to get your preferred date and time slot.

Can I buy palace tickets online?

Yes. Tickets for the Bahia Palace, El Badi Palace and the Saadian Tombs are sold on the Ministry of Culture’s Khadamat Culture portal. Foreign adults pay MAD 100 at each site.

How do I get from the airport to the medina?

ONDA lists two options: a shuttle bus between the airport and the city every 20 minutes, and a taxi rank where fares are posted. If you’re staying in a riad, arrange a meeting point with your hosts, because cars can’t reach many medina lanes.

Which day should I avoid for the YSL museum?

Wednesday. The museum is closed that day. Visit from 10 a.m. on any other day, and remember that last entry is at 5:30 p.m.

What should I wear in Marrakech?

Light, breathable clothes that cover your shoulders and knees, plus comfortable shoes for the uneven medina lanes. Bring a hat and sunglasses for El Badi and the walks between sights.