In this guide
Three days is the right amount of time for Marrakech. Spend day 1 on the historic medina monuments and Jemaa el-Fna, day 2 on Jardin Majorelle, Ben Youssef Madrasa, the souks and a hammam, and day 3 on something outside the walls: a Palmeraie quad and camel ride, a sunrise balloon flight, a cooking class or a day trip into the Atlas.
This itinerary groups sights by neighbourhood so you don't walk back and forth across the medina, and it puts the popular sites at opening time, before the tour groups arrive. It assumes you stay in a riad inside the medina and arrive the evening before day 1. Entry fees are approximate for 2026. Budget roughly 350–500 MAD per person per day for entries, food and taxis, plus any booked activities.
Day 1: The Kasbah, Palaces and Jemaa el-Fna
| Time | Stop | Cost (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 8:45 | Saadian Tombs (arrive at opening, before the queue) | 70–100 MAD |
| 9:45 | El Badi Palace ruins and terraces | 70–100 MAD |
| 11:00 | Mellah and Lazama Synagogue | ~20 MAD |
| 12:30 | Lunch near Place des Ferblantiers | 80–150 MAD |
| 14:00 | Bahia Palace (quieter after lunch) | ~100 MAD |
| 16:00 | Riad break or rooftop tea | - |
| 17:30 | Koutoubia gardens, then a rooftop at Jemaa el-Fna for sunset | Free / drink 20–40 MAD |
| 19:00 | Dinner at the night food stalls | 60–120 MAD |
The square can feel overwhelming on the first night. Read our Jemaa el-Fna guide first so you know what the stalls cost and which hustles to ignore. If you'd rather be oriented on the first morning, swap the self-guided route for a 3–4 hour walk with a licensed guide.
Day 2: Majorelle, the Madrasa and the Souks
Morning: Jardin Majorelle (8:00)
Book the first 8:00 slot online in advance, because there are no tickets at the gate. Spend 1–1.5 hours in the garden and Berber Museum, plus another hour in the YSL Museum (closed Wednesdays). Our Majorelle tickets and hours guide has the current prices. Take a petit taxi back to the medina (20–30 MAD).
Late morning: Ben Youssef Madrasa and around (11:00)
The madrasa costs 50 MAD and is open 9:00–19:00. Nearby are the Almoravid Koubba, the Marrakech Museum at Dar Menebhi, and the Maison de la Photographie, where you can have lunch on the roof.
Afternoon: The souks (14:00–17:30)
Walk south from Ben Youssef through the dyers' souk, Souk Haddadine and Rahba Kedima to Souk Semmarine, so the cheaper workshop lanes come first. Before you buy, check the fair prices and bargaining method in our souk haggling guide. Le Jardin Secret (about 100 MAD) is a quiet break halfway along.
Evening: Hammam and dinner
Your legs will be tired by the evening. A scrub and black-soap ritual fixes that. Budget 200–400 MAD for a traditional hammam set up for visitors. Our first-timer's hammam guide explains the etiquette. For dinner, try tanjia in Mechoui Alley or a riad restaurant.
Day 3: Beyond the Walls
Choose one of these, depending on your energy and budget:
- Palmeraie quad and camel ride (half day). The palm grove is 15–20 minutes from the medina. You ride quads along dirt tracks, stop for tea in a Berber house, and finish with a camel ride. It suits families and couples, and leaves the afternoon free for last-minute shopping or the Menara Gardens.
- Sunrise hot air balloon (morning). Pickup is around 5:00–6:00 and you're back by 10:30. See our balloon price and safety guide.
- Cooking class (4 hours). A market visit and a tagine lesson. It's a good choice on a rainy or very hot day.
- Atlas or desert day trip. The Ourika Valley and Imlil are 1–1.5 hours away, and the Agafay Desert is 45 minutes away for sunset. Our day-trip comparison helps you choose.
A combination that works well is a Palmeraie ride in the morning, lunch in Guéliz, the Menara Gardens and Cyber Parc in the afternoon, and a final sunset on a medina rooftop.
Adapting the Itinerary
With children
Keep each day to two sights and put the Palmeraie camel ride and the Menara Gardens in the middle of the trip as rewards. Riads with a plunge pool make the afternoon break much easier. Snake charmers and crowds on the square can frighten young children, so visit in daylight first.
With only 2 days
Combine the day 1 and day 2 highlights: Bahia Palace, Ben Youssef, the souks and Jemaa el-Fna on the first day. On the second, do Majorelle in the morning and one booked activity in the afternoon, such as the Palmeraie ride or a cooking class.
On a tight budget
Many of the best parts of this plan are free or cheap: the Koutoubia gardens, the Cyber Parc, the Menara grounds, the souks and evenings on the square. Choose one paid palace a day, eat at stalls and local snack restaurants, and walk everywhere inside the walls.
With 4 or more days
Keep the plan above and add a full day in the mountains or on the coast. Imlil and the Ourika Valley are the easiest options, and Essaouira works well for anyone wanting sea air after the medina.
Practical Tips for 3 Days
- Best months: March–May and October–November (highs of 22–30 °C). In July and August, highs of 38 °C or more mean you should plan outdoor time before 11:00 and after 17:00.
- Fridays: many souk shops close around midday prayers, and couscous is on every menu.
- Getting around: walk inside the medina and use metered petit taxis outside it. A short trip is about 15–30 MAD by day.
- Cash: the souks and stalls take cash only. ATMs are near Jemaa el-Fna and in Guéliz.
- Dress: covering shoulders and knees makes the souks more comfortable, especially for women.
- Arrival day: ask your riad to arrange airport pickup. The airport is 6 km away, 15–20 minutes by car.
Book Your Day 3 Experience
Day 3 activities are the ones that need booking. Our Palmeraie quad bike and camel ride costs from €40 per person for a 4-hour half day, with riad pickup and return and a choice of private or small-group format. If you'd prefer a balloon flight, a guided medina walk or a cooking class, you'll find them all among our Marrakech experiences. You can also send us your dates on WhatsApp and we'll help you arrange the three days.
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