Away With The Steiners

3 Days in Marrakech: The Perfect Itinerary for Your First Visit. 

So, you’re planning a trip to Marrakech? Welcome to Morocco by the way!  With 3 days in Marrakech you have enough time to take in the bustle of the vibrant UNESCO Medina, eat in the famous Jemaa El-Fnaa Square, visit the beautiful Ourika Valley and see the iconic palaces and gardens.  We have put together this 3-day Marrakech itinerary to help you have the best experience. 

About Marrakech, Morocco 

Despite its notoriety as the most popular city in Morocco.  Marrakech is in fact not the capital city.  (That is Rabat).  

But Marrakech is a vibrant, historic and fascinating city in Morocco to visit on a first time. 

Marrakech is known as Morocco’s dazzling ‘Red City’.  It is a chaotic tangle of narrow streets with a maze-like Medina in hues of red and pink and all the dashes of brightly coloured trinkets and souvenirs on display. 

The city was once an important trading centre for caravans crossing the Sahara Desert with gold, salt and slaves.  Marrakech has been welcoming travellers for literally centuries.

Hues of desert pinks – and palaces – I mean.

Things to do with 3 days in Marrakech 

These are some the places to visit if you have 3 days in Marrakech.

All of these are included on this Marrakech itinerary. 

Beautiful tilework and the iconic red-hued architecture at the Saadian Tombs.

How long do you need? Is a 3-day Marrakech itinerary too much? 

For a first-time visit, two days in Marrakech is enough time to see the highlights. 

But it will be rushed and Marrakech is an incredible city to explore that warrants the extra time allowed. 

If you only have one night and one day in Marrakech you can see Jmaa El-Fnaa Square (the main town square), Bahia Palace and wander the historic Medina.  (These are arguably the main attractions in Marrakech).   

However, with a 2- or 3-day Marrakech itinerary you can see all of that and the famous YSL Jardin Majorelle, Secret Garden, Saadian Tombs, Hammam Mouassine and more.  Plus you will have time to take a day trip from Marrakech to the incredibly picturesque Ourika Valley. 

With this 3-day Marrakech itinerary you can see all the highlights, taste allllll the good food and explore out of the city too. 

Views from above Ourika Valley looking back over Setti Fatma Village.

Is it safe in Marrakesh? 

Marrakech is considered safe for travellers and normal travel precautions can be taken.  

Like any major city, there is the typical risk of petty crime and scams (watch out for pick pockets) but for every time we’ve visited we have felt very safe. 

What is the best time of year for this Marrakech itinerary? 

The best time to visit Marrakech is in the spring and autumn when temperatures are consistently pleasant without getting unbearably hot.  

Ultimately Morocco and especially Marrakech, is a great year-round destination. 

A winter evening during Ramadan in Jmaa El Fnaa Square. 

SUMMARY – 3-DAY MARRAKECH ITINERARY 

First up here is a summary of what to see with three days in Marrakech. 

DAY 1 – Marrakech 

DAY 2 – Ourika Valley 

DAY 3 – Marrakech 

The beautiful waters and colour of the villages in Ourika Valley.

DETAILED – 3-DAY MARRAKECH ITINERARY 

Here is the complete Marrakech itinerary with details for each day, sites, places to eat and stops to see. 

This itinerary fits well with a 10-day Morocco itinerary or a first time itinerary for Morocco. 

DAY 1 – 3-DAY MARRAKECH ITINERARY 

Welcome to Marrakech by the way!  Today is all about exploring the historic old city, visiting the palaces and of course trying some traditional Moroccan food. 

Start near the Medina (the old walled city) at Koutoubia Mosque.  From there you will walk to visit the centuries-old Saadian Tombs and the stunning Bahia Palace. 

Visit the Mellah (Jewish Quarter) of Marrakech, enjoy lunch in the most popular local restaurant, Chez Lamine and take a stroll through the UNESCO Medina and souks. 

Brightly coloured trinkets and souvenirs on sale in the Medina. 

MORNING – Day 1 

From the Saadian Tombs it is a 1km walk towards the Mellah.  The Mellah is the old Jewish Quarter of Marrakech. 

Look out for Tinsmiths Square on the way.  This busy square used to be called Place du Mellah.  It was the connection between Islamic and the Jewish quarters.

From Bahia Palace it is a 15-minute walk to Jemaa el-Fnaa Square.  This is the famous main town square of Marrakech. 

But at this stage on Day 1 on your 3-day Marrakech itinerary, it is just a teaser quick first visit.  We will be back later for dinner in the square! 

Inside the central room of the Saadian Tombs.

AFTERNOON – Day 1

EVENING – Day 1 

Or if you don’t fancy braving a street food dinner just yet, enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants overlooking the busy square. 

Hot kebabs sizzling and clay pots of traditionally cooked Mechoui meat at Jemaa El-Fnaa Square.

DAY 2 – 3-DAY MARRAKECH ITINERARY 

For your second day in Marrakech, head out of the city for a day trip to the beautiful Ourika Valley and village of Setti Fatma. 

The Ourika Valley is a little more than 50km south of Marrakesh in the Atlas Mountains and is popular as the city’s escape hatch from the soaring summer heat.

Stop en route to Ourika at a traditional Amazigh (Berber) family home that has been converted to an eco-museum.  Take tea and explore the traditional way of Berber life. 

Temperatures are cooler in the shadow of snowcapped High Atlas peaks.  It is a stunning valley that follows the Ourika River up into the mountains. 

At Ourika Valley there is a short walk from Setti Fatma village to the waterfalls overlooking the valley. 

MORNING – Day 2

Stopping for tea (and admiring the sugar block) in a Berber family home with Morhara Morocco Tours.

AFTERNOON – Day 2 

One of the Seven Ourika Waterfalls.

EVENING – Day 2 

The day trip to Ourika Valley can easily be done with a rental car.  Or you can book the trip as a day tour from Marrakech. 

Once at Setti Fatma you will need a guide to escort you on the hike to the waterfalls.  

We highly recommend this!  Each time we have visited we use the same guide, Mohammed and after the short walk we visited his village and family home just up the valley. 

Exploring the village with local guide Mohammed at Ourika Valley.

DAY 3 – 3-DAY MARRAKECH ITINERARY 

Start Day 3 of your Marrakech itinerary with a visit to the Insta-famous and beautiful Jardin Majorelle.  It is best visited in the morning as it gets seriously busy.  (Take heed!).  

The gardens were created as a project by the French artist Jacques Majorelle in the 1920’s.  Since then (and thanks plenty to Insta) it has grown to become one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions.  

As well as the exotic plants and specimens from all around the world, the Jardin Majorelle is famous for the vibrant blue villa that Yves Saint Laurent lived in.  

Visit the iconic Ben Yousef Madrasa next.  This is one of the old Quranic religious schools in the city. 

Have lunch in the Medina and explore Le Jardin Secret.  

Then head back to the Souks and when youre ready to relax, try Hammam Mouassine.  This is the oldest public Hammam in Marrakech – in operation since 1562!

MORNING – Day 3

The iconic BLUE of the house of YSL at Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech.

AFTERNOON – Day 3

If you are choosing one museum-type thing to do in Marrakech this is a great opportunity to understand more about the Islamic history of Morocco.   

The medina has many street food options, but we recommend a Habricha sandwich.  These are a mixture of grilled minced beef, tomatoes, green and red peppers, onion, egg, and a bold harissa-mayo sauce.  

Albeit there is a lot to choose from.  But these are seriously delicious!

Trying a 10 MAD (1 EUR) Habricha sandwich in the Medina of Marrakech. 

EVENING – Day 3

Hammam Mouassine is the oldest public bath and traditional hammam in Marrakech. 

Have longer than 3 days in Marrakech? 

Here are some other itinerary ideas for Morocco. 

See our detailed destination and city guides for more of Morocco.  

Planning where to go next on your Morocco itinerary? 

Marrakech is an ideal starting or start and end point of your Morocco itinerary.  

With so many incredible destinations the challenge is only choosing the perfect itinerary. 

Getting there

Flights to Marrakech arrive at Menara Airport (RAK).  There are daily flights connecting Marrakech with Europe, Middle East and North America. 

By road the city is well connected to other major city destinations. 

There are frequent daily buses with SupraTours and CTM

Or there is a fast train connecting Marrakech with CasablancaRabat and Tangier

Getting there by car 

Renting a car is a great option for travel in Morocco.  It is the best choice for a flexible itinerary. Marrakech is positioned between Essaouira and Ait Ben Haddou and the desert of Zagora and Merzouga.  

Most rental car companies offer one-way rates for an itinerary starting or ending in Tangier or Marrakech. 

Transport in and getting around in Marrakech 

The best way to get around Marrakech is to walk.  Most of the main attractions or things to do in Marrakech are in the central medina, which is car-free. 

The lanes are tiny.  Many are unmarked or unnamed and the labyrinth of streets can get very confusing.  But getting lost in the historic laneways of the Medina is part of the fun of visiting Marrakech.  

There are all kinds of ways to get around in the city. 

Where to eat / Restaurants and cafes in Marrakech 

Marrakech is famous for its rooftop restaurants and dining overlooking the busy Jmaa el-Fnaa square and surrounding Medina.  But honestly one of the best things to do in Morocco is to try the street food! 

If I had to recommend one Marrakech food experience not to miss – apart from the Jmaa el-Fnaa food stalls – it would be Chez Lamine.  Go early so you don’t miss out! 

Lamb Mechoui at the ever-popular Chez Lamine restaurant in Marrakech.

Accommodation and where to stay in Marrakech 

Marrakech is well known for its seemingly limitless range of beautiful accommodation.  

From traditional riads to modern hotels and AirBnB’s you will definitely find something to match your budget. 

Here is our pick of the best range of budget and mid-range riads and luxury hotels in Marrakech to choose from. 

Budget riads in Marrakech

Mid-range riads in Marrakech

Luxury riads in Marrakech

Overnight motorhome parking in Marrakech  

There are a few campsites on the outskirts of Marrakech with motorhome parking and services.  

The best place to park with a motorhome close to all the things to do in Marrakech (walking distance) is in the guarded carpark near Koutoubia Mosque. 

 Parking Et Lavage La Koutoubia

About: A private guarded parking lot in the heart of Marrakech. Campers are parked at the end of the car parking area with 24-hour security.  

Walking ‘home’ for the night back through the Mellah after an evening Hammam.

More about planning for travel in Morocco and beyond

These are the companies we use and can recommend for planning and booking travel. 

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