Best Things To Do In Marrakech: 3 Day Itinerary For The Red City

Explore the very best things to do in Marrakech with our 3 day itinerary and discover the magic and charm of Morocco’s Red City.

Marrakech is a city we’re undeniably drawn to. The sights, sounds and vibrancy of the Red City captivate us every time we’re here – and we just can’t stop coming back for more!

We’ve been blissfully – and often hopelessly – lost in the city’s labyrinthine souks, full of chatty shopkeepers exclaiming the virtues of their lanterns, carpets, jewellery or ceramics, while the aroma of freshly ground spices drift on the air.

We’ve savoured the night-time magic of Djemaa el-Fna, searching out the perfect sizzling skewers, fragrant bowls of harira, tasty tagines and spicy sausages on offer from the legendary food stalls.

And we’ve lost days marvelling at the intricate craftsmanship of the palaces, mosques and grand mansions, each offering a unique story that helps piece together the history of Marrakech.

This is a city best explored on foot, where wandering is not just a necessity, but an adventure in itself.

Within the World Heritage-listed Medina, you’ll find bustling lanes and sun-dappled courtyards radiating out from Djemaa el-Fna, while the call to prayer echoes across the city from Koutoubia Mosque.

Marrakech isn’t just a place, it’s an experience. One that takes a grip of all your senses and stays with you long after you leave.

If you carefully plan your time, it’s possible to cover all the best things to see in Marrakech over the course of a few days.

We’ve concentrated this 3 day itinerary on the Medina, as it’s our favourite part of the city. However there are plenty of opportunities to venture further afield, especially if you have a little more time.

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Planning a Marrakech Itinerary

Travel to Marrakech

Marrakech is a surprisingly easy weekender from Europe; it’s a short 3.5 hour flight from London.

You can find direct flights to Marrakech Menara Airport from many cities across Europe, including London, Paris, Madrid and Berlin, and it’s a popular destination for budget airlines like Ryanair and EasyJet.

Flying to Marrakech from locations outside Europe will generally require a flight change, but there are a handful of direct flights from New York, Montreal and Istanbul.

Domestically, major cities in Morocco are connected to Marrakech by well-maintained highways, as well as by a good choice of intercity air, train and bus routes.

There are also frequent ferries, including car ferries, between a variety of ports in Spain and Morocco, most notably between Algeciras and Tangier. You’ll also find ferries operating from ports in France and Italy to Morocco, however these generally don’t operate every day.

Best Time to Visit Marrakech

The best time to visit Marrakech is during the Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November), when the weather is pleasantly warm without the intense heat of Summer.

While there can still be a slight chill in the air in the evening, these are our favourite times of year to visit as the weather is ideal for enjoying a sundowner or dinner on one of the city’s rooftop terraces.

The only real downside is that these are peak periods, so you can expect more visitors and higher prices, with some attractions needing to be booked in advance.

We’ve also visited Marrakech at the height of Summer (between June and August), and the scorching heat seared its way into our consciousness. There were days when it felt like we were at the gates of Hell as we dragged our sweat drenched bodies around the major sites in heat exceeding 40 degrees Celsius.

Despite the heat, tourist numbers can still be quite high over Summer but from our experience, sightseeing is better done in the early morning, or late afternoon and evening.  At this time of year it’s better to see out the hottest part of the day in front of a fan or by the pool if there is one.

The Winter months (December to February) bring cooler temperatures with crisp mornings and mild afternoons. It’s a great time to enjoy the city with fewer tourists and get a dose of some winter sun.

Where to Stay in Marrakech

Marrakech offers an incredible range of accommodation, from traditional Moroccan riads to luxury resorts, catering to every budget and style. In fact, there’s so much choice that deciding where to stay can feel like an impossible task.

Riad’s are our favourite form of accommodation in Marrakech. You’ll find these traditional Moroccan houses all over the Medina, with guest rooms situated around a traditionally decorated shady central courtyard. More upmarket riads can include rooftop terraces, bars, restaurants, and the occasional plunge pool.

We rarely go past staying in the Medina since we love the atmosphere and central location, with easy access to the souks and Djemaa el-Fna.

If you prefer to be away from the bustle of the Medina, the Hivernage and Gueliz neighbourhoods are excellent options while still being close enough to the action. These modern areas have plenty of upscale hotels, boutiques, trendy cafes and restaurants, as well as being close to Marrakech’s contemporary art galleries.

For a more luxurious escape, Marrakech’s Palmeraie district is home to an array of fancy resorts and villas surrounded by palm groves. Many of these properties offer spas, private gardens and even golf courses.

Staying in Marrakech Medina

We’ve stayed in a range of places across Marrakech over the years, from small boutique riads to more luxurious, 5 star joints with plunge pools and rooftop terraces.

One of these is Riad Dar One, a gorgeous restored house hidden down a maze of alleyways in the medina near the Bahia Palace. With polished walls, high ceilings, a charming courtyard open to the sky, chic roof terrace and lovely rooms, we were hard pushed to leave the riad at all during our stay.

Other options around the Medina that get consistently good reviews include:

• Good value: Dar Khmissa Riad & Spa – fantastic staff | comfy, stylish rooms | lovely rooftop terrace
• Good value: Riad Rabahsadia – clean comfy rooms | yummy breakfast | relaxing rooftop terrace
• Mid-range: Riad Helen – bright and clean | cosy rooms | helpful staff | yummy food
• Mid-range: Riad NayaNour – spacious rooms | rooftop terrace | indoor pool and bar
• Indulge: Les Jardins De La Koutoubia – large modern hotel | two lovely pools | tasty breakfast | on-site bars and restaurants
• Indulge: La Brillante Marrakech – large well-appointed rooms | rooftop terrace and restaurant | hot tub and hammam | excellent service.

Staying Outside the Medina in Marrakech

If you want to stay outside the Medina, you can’t really go wrong with the following options, all of which get excellent reviews:

• Good value: Swiss Continental Hotel – friendly staff | clean, modern rooms | 20-minute walk to Djemaa el-Fna
• Mid-range: Fashion Boutique Hotel – modern hotel in Gueliz | lovely rooftop pool and terrace | decent restaurant | spacious, comfy rooms
• Indulge: The Oberoi Marrakech – contemporary luxury resort | exceptional hospitality | spacious nicely appointed rooms | 10km from the Medina | spa, pool, gym and hammam.

How to Get Around Marrakech

For the most part, getting around Marrakech is straightforward as you have little choice but to walk when you’re in the Medina. Just make sure you have comfortable footwear for your visit here!

Also, be prepared to get lost, and often. The Medina is a tangle of ancient alleyways and lanes where we found even offline Google maps to be little help.

While it won’t guarantee you won’t get lost, having access to online maps can certainly help, so it’s worth considering a travel eSIM like Airalo to give you access to mobile data on the go.

To explore further afield, taxis are the most common mode of transport.

Easily identifiable yellow petite taxis are everywhere and can be used for short trips around the city. Just make sure the meter is switched on, or agree a price in advance.

Grande taxis are best for longer distances, such as between cities and towns, or to travel to or from Marrakech Menara Airport just 15 minutes from the city centre.

Most hotels and Riads will happily arrange airport transfers, and if you want to organise a hassle-free private transfer ahead of time then consider Kiwitaxi. Not only do they get great reviews, but they operate in more than a hundred countries.

Marrakech 3 Day Itinerary

Day 1: Introduction to Marrakech Medina and Souks

Highlights: Koutoubia Mosque | Marrakech Medina and Souks | Djemaa el-Fna

We’re big fans of joining a guided walking tour when we arrive in any new city to get us oriented, and help us understand the history, culture and traditions of where we are.

On our first visit to Marrakech, we excitedly plunged headfirst into the Medina without much of a plan, and certainly no real sense of direction, and quickly got completely lost in the souks.

While that experience is probably one of the reasons we love Marrakech so much, we’d recommend starting this Marrakech 3 day itinerary with a guided walking tour of the Medina once you’ve checked into your riad.

Koutoubia Mosque

Since most guided tours of the Medina start at Djemaa el-Fna, you’ll more than likely pass by Marrakech’s most iconic landmark, Koutoubia Mosque, on your way.

This iconic 12th century mosque is a masterpiece of Islamic architecture with its 77-metre minaret towering above the city.  

While non-Muslims aren’t allowed to enter the mosque, the surrounding gardens are open to all and serve as a peaceful spot from which to admire the building.

Walking Tour of the Medina

Guided tours will typically begin at Djemaa el-Fna and take you on an exploration of the bustling Medina with an expert guide, helping you to get your bearings, along with a sense of Moroccan culture and daily life.

The extremely popular Medina Souks Guided Walking Tour can be taken privately or in a group and gets consistently great reviews.

On the tour, you’ll wander the colourful souks, get to watch local artisans at work, and see a wide range of hand-crafted goods like slippers, jewellery, kaftans, carpets and pottery. Along the way, your guide will also give you some essential tips on the art of bargaining in Marrakech, something you’ll be in need of if you plan on shopping in the souks.

Getting Lost in the Medina

Without doubt you’ll be heading off to explore the Medina independently at some point, maybe armed with some useful tips from a helpful tour guide, or just keen for a challenge!

We’ve tried navigating the souks with Google, by memorising landmarks, hand-drawn maps, even noting the position of the sun, and we fail miserably every time.

Our best advice is to just go with the flow and embrace the certain knowledge you’ll get lost in the Medina at some point, probably more than once.

In fact, it feels a bit like a rite of passage when visiting Marrakech. There’s a good chance you’ll meet some interesting characters along the way and maybe even buy something you hadn’t planned on.

And you’ll always find your way out – eventually. Just maybe with the help of a friendly local, or a cheeky kid seeking a small tip.

Enjoy a Rooftop Sundowner

If you’re anything like us, you’ll be well ready for a beverage when you do finally emerge from the souks.

In addition to stylish riads with inviting terraces, Marrakech has plenty of rooftop bars and restaurants serving up sweeping panoramas over the Medina to the snow-capped Atlas Mountains: perfect for relaxing after a long day of sightseeing.

In fact, every time we visit Marrakech we make a daily ritual of finding a rooftop in the late afternoon where we can watch the sky turn molten gold while the call to prayer echoes around the city – a truly mesmerising experience that gets our vote as one of the top things to do in Marrakech.

Dinner in Djemaa el-Fna Square

Djemaa el-Fna (you may see it spelled various ways, like Jemaa el-Fna) is like a magnet for us, and one of our favourite places to visit in Marrakech. A thousand-year-old World Heritage Site, this central square is a thrumming hive of people and noise and smells and frantic activity. We were hooked from the moment we first experienced it.

During the day, you’ll find Djemaa el-Fna bustling with orange juice stalls, women selling henna tattoos and silver bangles, water-sellers dressed in vibrant red jellabas with sombrero-esque tasselled hats clanging copper cups together, snake-charmers blowing high-pitched tunes at angry cobras, storytellers performing for enrapt crowds, and bands of Moroccan Gnawa musicians playing wild drum beats while throwing themselves about.

Each evening, dozens of pop-up stalls cluster in the square, attended by jolly, red-faced cooks, wizened wrinkly old mint tea makers, and savvy young local guys touting the virtues of their stall, making it the perfect place to wind up your first day in Marrakech.

We regularly eat here when visiting Marrakech and always base our choices on the stalls’ popularity with locals. You’ll be rewarded with simple but delicious Moroccan fare – delicious olives, tasty tagines, scrumptious skewers of chargrilled meats, spicy merguez sausages, and mounds of veg and couscous.

We’ve never been disappointed and – touch wood – have never had any unfortunate after-effects (of course there are no guarantees where that’s concerned).

Djemaa el-Fna Food Stalls  

While some argue the food pop-ups in Djemaa el-Fna aren’t a patch on home-cooked Moroccan food (no doubt!), we reckon they’re still a bit more authentic than the nosh served up by many of the tourist restaurants in and around the square. And way more fun.

Pack hand sanitizer and give the stalls a go – pick one where there are lots of locals eating and you won’t go far wrong!

Day 2: Ancient Palaces, Tombs, Museums and More Food

Highlights: City Walls | Saadian Tombs | El Badi Palace | Jewish Quarter | Dar Si Said Museum | Food Tour or Cooking Class

Now that you’ve got your bearings, we recommend spending the second of your 3 days in Marrakech exploring the highlights of the Medina’s southern quarter.

Bab Agnaou and the City Walls

Often overlooked by visitors, the ancient city walls of Marrakech stretch nearly 19 kilometres around the Medina. They hint at the impressively fortified city this must have been when the walls were constructed in the 12th century by the Almoravid dynasty.

Start your day by heading down to Bab Agnaou, once the main entry to the city and perhaps its grandest gate, with ornately carved sandstone decoration. From here, you can get a good sense of both the gate and the city walls.

Saadian Tombs

Just a couple hundred metres into the Medina from Bab Agnaou, you’ll find the Saadian Tombs.

Dating back to the 16th century, the tombs were built by Sultan Ahmed Al-Mansur of the Saadian dynasty. They were sealed up by a later Sultan and, incredibly, lay hidden for centuries until rediscovered in 1917 by a chance aerial photograph.

You’ll find the less elaborate tombs of courtiers and trusted advisors as you stroll through the Garden Tombs, but the highlight of the complex is the Chamber of the Twelve Pillars, the final resting place of Sultan Al-Mansur himself and his close family.

This is a striking example of Islamic art, and it’s well worth taking your time to appreciate the intricate zellige tilework, stunning Italian marble columns, beautiful carved stucco muqarnas arches, and finely carved cedarwood ceiling.

El Badi Palace

Just a few hundred metres from the Saadian Tombs, you’ll find further evidence of Sultan Ahmed Al-Mansur’s influence on Marrakech at the atmospheric El Badi Palace.

This vast complex hints at Marrakech’s opulent past, when the palace was a showcase of the wealth and power of the ruling Saadian dynasty.

Today, families of nesting storks keep watch over the largely ruined palace, but it’s still hard not to be awed by its monumental courtyard and remaining structures.

Spend some time here wandering the sunken gardens and admire the massive reflective pools that dominate the space before checking out some of the exhibition areas. Keep an eye out for the one that houses the fragile and exquisite Koutoubia Minbar dating to the 12th century.

Before you leave, make sure you climb the ramparts for breathtaking views of the Medina and the Atlas Mountains backdrop.

Exit El Badi Palace and head to bustling Place des Ferblantiers or ‘Tinsmiths Square’, where you’ll find an array of interesting handicrafts and plenty of options for a well-deserved lunch, including a few inviting rooftops.

Mellah – the Old Jewish Quarter

You’re now in the Mellah, Marrakech’s historic Jewish quarter. Established in the 16th century under Saadian rule, it’s an area known for its lively spice markets and traditional crafts.

One of the Mellah’s highlights is the Lazama Synagogue, a beautifully preserved place of worship that still serves the Jewish community. It’s an interesting place to visit and a great opportunity to learn about the legacy of Jewish life in Marrakech.

Nearby, the Miaara Jewish Cemetery is the largest in Morocco, providing a peaceful sanctuary of whitewashed, centuries-old tombs.

Dar Si Said Museum (Temporarily Closed)

Dar Si Said Museum is temporarily closed for restoration works. We’ll update this entry as soon as we hear it’s reopened.

Located towards the heart of the Medina, the Dar Si Said Museum is housed in a beautiful 19th-century palace.

As the National Museum of Weaving and Carpets, you’ll not be surprised to hear the museum has an impressive display of rugs showcasing the artistry of Moroccan weaving.

For us though, the real highlight of the museum is the palace building itself, with its intricate zellige tilework and wonderfully ornate cedar ceilings.

Street Food Tour or Cookery Class

You’ll have had a great introduction to Moroccan food on the first day of this Marrakech itinerary with dinner at Djemaa el-Fna square, but today we recommend taking your Moroccan culinary appreciation to the next level with a street food tour or cookery class.

In fact, doing a street food tour gets our vote as one of the top things to do in Marrakech and we’d highly recommend signing up for one if you have a chance.

Our evening foodie stroll with a local guide introduced us to some of the more singular Marakshi delicacies to be found in the souks. And to some of the unique characters toiling away in its heart.

While roasted lamb’s head had all of us a little shy at first, our group made short work of everything else on the ensuing three-hour feast-by-foot, munching our way through roast lamb and khoobz bread, olives, harira soup, claypot lamb stew, sardine meatball sandwiches, tomato and onion salad, mounds of buttery couscous with vegetables, avocado smoothies and Moroccan cookies.

While there’s no shortage of food tours available in Marrakech, the three we’ve picked below have been tried and tested by stacks of fellow foodies and still manage to get rave reviews.

If you’d prefer to get your hands dirty on the food front and learn how to cook your own Moroccan feast, then we highly recommend taking a Moroccan cooking course (or do both!).

We were lucky enough to have cooking classes on offer at a riad we stayed at, and we had an absolute blast learning how to make traditional Moroccan salads, khoobz (bread) and a delicious lamb tagine with couscous.

But even if you don’t stay somewhere this is offered, there are some very well-regarded tours available where you can go shopping with a local chef before learning how to cook up your own traditional Moroccan meal.

We really like the look of the Moroccan Dishes Cooking Class with a Local Chef and also the Traditional Moroccan Cooking Class & Market Visit. Both are extremely popular and get fabulous reviews.

Day 3: Take to the Skies and Finish Exploring the Medina

Highlights: Hot Air Balloon Flight | Bahia Palace | Musée de Mouassine | Marrakech Museum | Maison de la Photographie | Ben Youssef Madrasa

Hot Air Balloon Flight

Why not start your final day with one of the most popular things to do in Marrakech: an Early Morning Balloon Flight over the wonderful Moroccan desert landscape as the sun climbs above the horizon.

It’s one of the few Marrakech experiences we haven’t yet unlocked but it’s definitely on our list.

Balloon trips will typically start with an early morning pickup from your hotel and a half-hour drive to a launch site, where you’ll usually be provided with tea, coffee and snacks while the balloons are inflated and safety briefings given.

Then it’s up into the air for a spectacular bird’s eye view of Marrakech and its surrounding desert plains dotted with Berber villages; the distant Atlas Mountains glowing in the soft morning light.

The trip will finish with a traditional Moroccan breakfast before the transfer back to Marrakech.

Next time we’re in Marrakech we’ll be booking the balloon tour below. With more than 3,500 overwhelmingly positive reviews and free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, we think’s it’s a great option for this activity.

Bahia Palace

You may well still be on a high from your balloon flight by the time you get back to the Medina, and that will likely stay with you as you discover another highlight of visiting Marrakech, the sublime Bahia Palace.

Built in the 19th century by Grand Vizier Si Moussa, and later expanded by his son, the palace was clearly designed to be a symbol of wealth, power and artistic excellence.

It’s impossible not to be awed by the opulent craftsmanship as you explore Bahia Palace. Rooms full of beautifully carved ceilings, elaborate plasterwork, decorative tiles and stained glass are interspersed with lush courtyards and shaded gardens across the two-hectare site.

The Courtyard of Honour, with its expansive marble floors and central fountain, is a highlight of the palace and provides a tranquil spot to pause and reflect on the incredible skill that went into creating this sanctuary before you head back out into the bustle of the Medina.

Lunch at Place des Épices

From Bahia Palace, make your way north to Place des Épices for a well-deserved lunch. Nestled in the heart of the Medina, this bustling square is surrounded by spice stalls and artisanal shops and there are plenty of eating options in and around the square.

Visit One (or More) of Marrakech’s Beautiful Museums

After lunch, make your way to one of Marrakech’s excellent museums for a deeper insight into the city’s rich history, art and culture.

Among the many museums around the city, we particularly enjoyed the following (all located close to Place des Épices and within an easy walk of each other in the Medina):

• Musée de Mouassine: housed in a restored 16th-century riad, this museum offers a glimpse into traditional Moroccan life. There’s a small exhibition space on the ground floor, but the house itself is what stays in your memory. If you’re anything like us, you’ll leave with huge admiration for the team that painstakingly restored the property once you realise the intricate woodwork, zellige tiles, and vibrant decoration now on display was hidden under modern plaster until around 2012.
• Marrakech Museum: an excellent choice if you’re looking for a broad overview of Moroccan culture. Located in the opulent Dar Menebhi Palace, we enjoyed the museum’s mix of contemporary art, historical artefacts and traditional crafts. The lovely central courtyard with its intricate tilework and chandelier is a highlight in itself, as is the rest of the building.
• Maison de la Photographie: as photography fans, we really enjoyed this lovely little museum dedicated to vintage Moroccan photography. The collection, spanning three floors, includes poignant black-and-white images from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, offering an intimate view of Morocco’s past. While here, be sure to climb to the rooftop for sensational views across the city towards the Atlas Mountains.

Ben Youssef Madrasa

Our final stop today, and indeed the last stop on this Marrakech 3 day itinerary, just happens to be a place we can’t resist coming back to every time we visit Marrakech: the wonderful Ben Youssef Madrasa.

We’ll always remember our first visit here. We had the place largely to ourselves as we marvelled at the central courtyard and its array of vibrant zellige tiles, carved cedarwood and ornate arches surrounding a central reflecting pool.

Founded in the 14th century, this Islamic college was one of the largest and most prestigious in North Africa, housing more than 800 students at its peak.

Today the rather modest student dormitories provide a glimpse into the austere lives of the students who once studied here, standing in stark contrast the grandeur of the elaborate prayer hall and central courtyard.

This beautiful and serene spot is definitely one of our favourite places to visit in Marrakech and, we feel, makes a fitting end to your visit to the Red City.

One Final Dinner at Djemaa el-Fna

It’s been another huge day exploring the many highlights of Marrakech. Time to find a nice bar, or hit the rooftop of your riad for one final sublime Marrakech sunset before dinner.

With More Time in Marrakech

While our guide to three days in Marrakech has focused on the Medina, there are a handful of sites outside the Old City that are worth seeking out if you have more time.

There are also a range of short excursions, day trips and longer tours that you’d be able to consider on a longer Marrakech visit.

Things to do Around Marrakech

Musée Yves Saint Laurent

One for the fashionistas and apprecionados, the Musée Yves Saint Laurent is in the Ville Nouvelle neighbourhood, around 3km from the Medina.

As the name suggests, the museum celebrates the legacy of iconic designer Yves Saint Laurent, housing a collection of his haute couture creations, original sketches, and personal artefacts.

Jardin Majorelle

Next door to Musée Yves Saint Laurent you’ll find Jardin Majorelle, a hugely popular spot with Marrakech visitors.

Designed by French painter Jacques Majorelle and later purchased and restored by Yves Saint Laurent, this lovely botanical garden features exotic plants, striking cobalt-blue structures, and numerous water features.

It’s a tranquil spot to escape the bustling city for some welcome shade and serenity. The garden can be visited on a combined ticket that also includes the Musée Yves Saint Laurent.

Contemporary Art in Gueliz

Modern and trendy Gueliz is just 3km from the Medina but feels a world away with its contemporary art spaces.

There’s a range of exhibitions to explore here, with everything from paintings and sculptures to photography, showcasing works by emerging and established artists from Morocco and beyond.

Some of the most popular galleries include the David Bloch Gallery, Galerie 127, Galerie Siniya 28, and Comptoir des Mines.

Musée des Confluences

The Musée des Confluences in the Dar el Bacha Palace is another spot worth visiting if you’re into history and culture.

As with many of the cultural institutions in Marrakech, the palace itself is a stunner and worth a visit in its own right, as well as to enjoy the rotating exhibitions on offer in its salons.

Tours from Marrakech

Dinner in the Agafay Desert

This 5 hour tour departs in the late afternoon. After being picked up in town, you’ll ride a camel before enjoying a spectacular desert sunset, followed by dinner and entertainment in a traditional desert camp.

The Agafay Desert Sunset, Camel Ride and Dinner Show is one of the most popular tours in Marrakech, and with more than 17,000 positive reviews, it will no doubt be an evening to remember.

Tour to Ouarzazate and Aït Benhaddou

As day trips from Marrakech go, this one’s a cracker, crossing the Tizi n’Tichka Pass in the High Atlas mountains, visiting local villages, and going all the way to the Atlas Film Studios at Ouarzazate before finishing at the World Heritage Site of Aït Benhaddou.

We’ve actually visited these spots as part of a longer trip through Morocco, and can honestly say there’s nothing quite like traversing the High Atlas or walking through the evocative mud-brick passageways of Aït Benhaddou. Not to mention the Atlas Film Studios, which will definitely have your mind jumping back to scenes from Gladiator, Game of Thrones and Kingdom of Heaven.

With great reviews, and free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, the Day Trip to Ouarzazate and Aït Benhaddou from Marrakech is a day trip not to be missed if you have the time.

Ouzoud Waterfalls and Boat Trip

For something a bit more active, try a guided hike to the Ouzoud Waterfalls, located around three hours north of Marrakech.

It’s one of the most popular day trips from Marrakech and is believed by many to be among Morocco’s most picturesque sites, with the falls plunging more than 100 metres into a lush gorge.

The highly rated Ouzoud Waterfalls Guided Hike and Boat Trip looks like a solid choice with around 20,000 reviews. The tour includes transport, guide, and a boat ride (with lunch at your own expense).

Explore the Atlas Mountains

You’ll often see the outline of the Atlas Mountains while visiting Marrakech and it’s hard not to be curious about what they’re like up close.

We were lucky enough to get into the mountains on the way to Zagora, but there are also plenty of day trips available from Marrakech to explore these beautiful peaks. Most will get you well into the mountains, past fabulous viewpoints, through scenic valleys, and include a visit to a Berber village, including a traditional lunch.

We particularly like the look of the Atlas Mountains and 5 Valleys Day Tour with Lunch as it has a nice balance of scenery and culture, and gets stellar reviews.  

Visit Essaouira

If you’re pushed for time but really want to see the beautiful coastal town of Essaouira, then you’ll be pleased to know this can also be done on a day tour from Marrakech.

Most tours to this walled coastal city are no-frills affairs, with air-conditioned transport and a couple of stops en-route included, but not much else.

Still, you’ll get a few hours on your own to explore the winding lanes of Essaouira, stop for some delicious seafood, take a walk on the beach, marvel at the impressive coastal walls, and enjoy the slightly cooler temperature of the ‘windy city’.

Merzouga Desert Safari

With a few extra days up your sleeve you might just find yourself looking further afield for multi-day tours from Marrakech.

We enjoyed our best sunset in Morocco on a camel safari in the Merzouga Desert, and while the camel ride took its toll on our rumps, sleeping out under the stars in a Bedouin camp is an experience we’ll be talking about for years to come.

We did our camel safari while visiting Merzouga, but you can also get there on a Merzouga 3-Day Desert Safari with Food from Marrakech.

This three day tour travels through the Atlas Mountains and includes visits to Ouarzazate and Aït Benhaddou (see earlier entry on these), before you get to the spectacular Todra Gorges and then the desert.

Visiting Marrakech – Final Thoughts

We hope you’ve found our 3 day itinerary for Marrakech useful and that your visit leaves you wanting to see more of both Marrakech and Morocco.

While repeat visits certainly allow us to visit old favourites, there’s always something new and exciting to discover in the Red City.

We hope, like us, you’ll be back!

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If you’ve got any questions about our Marrakech 3 day Itinerary or have any suggestions on the best things to do in Marrakech, drop us a comment below.

If you’re looking for some travel inspiration, check out our Itineraries page and our bucket list of 100 ultimate road trips around the world.