Itinerary
Marrakech in 3 days
How to spread these places over three days, with slack.
Things to do in Marrakech
Most of what to see in Marrakech is in the medina: Jemaa el-Fna square, the souks, the Koutoubia and its palaces. Outside the walls, the gardens and the Gueliz district round off the visit. This guide groups the places by area so you can choose according to your time and interests.
In short
- Start with the medina: the square, the souks and the Koutoubia are the natural starting point.
- Choose one or two palaces or monuments a day instead of trying to see them all.
- The gardens work well as a break between visits.
- Group your visits by area so you don't waste time getting around.
The medina: the heart of the city
The most visited part, and the one best explored at an easy pace.
Stalls in Jemaa el-Fna square (January 2025). Photo: Jakub Hałun · CC BY 4.0 · adapted Medina
Jemaa el-Fna square
The great square at the entrance to the medina and its landmark. Its atmosphere changes throughout the day and carries on well into the night, so it deserves more than one visit.
The Koutoubia minaret, visible from much of the city (January 2025). Photo: Jakub Hałun · CC BY 4.0 · adapted Medina
Koutoubia Mosque
The great mosque next to the square. Its minaret is the city's visual landmark and helps you get your bearings.
- Getting there: A working mosque: non-Muslims can't go inside; it can be seen from outside and from its gardens.
Souk Semmarine, in the medina (2008). Photo: DimiTalen · CC0 1.0 (dominio público) · adapted Medina
Souks of the medina
The medina's maze of markets and workshops. Best enjoyed without rushing and without a fixed route.
Main courtyard of the Ben Youssef Madrasa (2023). Photo: R Prazeres · CC BY-SA 4.0 · adapted Medina
Ben Youssef Madrasa
A former Koranic school, now open to visitors as a monument; a good fit if you're interested in architecture and traditional decoration.
Le Jardin Secret, in the medina (November 2019). Photo: muffinn (Flickr) · CC BY 2.0 · adapted Medina
Le Jardin Secret
A historic garden in the heart of the medina, a quiet break between visits.
Palaces and monuments
If you only have time for one or two, choose by what interests you most: decoration, history or ruins.
Decorated ceiling in the Bahia Palace (January 2025). Photo: Jakub Hałun · CC BY 4.0 · adapted Medina
Bahia Palace
A 19th-century palace, one of the monuments UNESCO highlights in the medina; a good choice if you're only seeing one palace.
Hall of the Twelve Columns, Saadian Tombs (January 2025). Photo: Jakub Hałun · CC BY 4.0 · adapted Kasbah
Saadian Tombs
The royal necropolis of the Saadian dynasty, in the kasbah district.
Remains of El Badi Palace and one of its pools (January 2025). Photo: Jakub Hałun · CC BY 4.0 · adapted Kasbah
El Badi Palace
The ruins of a great 16th-century Saadian palace; of interest if you want to understand the scale of the historic city.
A street in the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter (2020). Photo: Misa.stefanovic.07 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · adapted Mellah
The Mellah
The medina's old Jewish quarter, with a different pace from the souks.
Outside the walls
A different pace and more space: useful for balancing intense days in the medina.
The blue building of the Jardin Majorelle (2006). Photo: mwanasimba (Flickr) · CC BY-SA 2.0 · adapted Gueliz
Jardin Majorelle
A garden outside the medina, in Gueliz, known for its intense blue ("Majorelle blue") and for plants from different parts of the world.
- Opening hours: Every day from 8:00 to 18:30; last entry at 18:00.
- Booking: Tickets online only, on the official website tickets.jardinmajorelle.com.
Pavilion and pool of the Menara Gardens (2009). Photo: Ymblanter · CC BY-SA 4.0 · adapted Outside the historic centre
Menara Gardens
Large gardens outside the historic centre, around a great pool, with the Atlas in the background on clear days.
Gueliz
Gueliz
The new town district, outside the medina, with art galleries and a different pace.
How to choose according to your time
What to prioritise for the time you have
| Time | Priority | If you have time to spare |
|---|---|---|
| Half day | The square, the Koutoubia and a first stroll through the souks | A nearby garden for a rest |
| One day | The whole medina and a palace | A second monument in the same area |
| Two days or more | The medina, palaces and a garden outside the walls | Gueliz or a trip out (see day trips) |
Scroll the table sideways to see every column.
Depending on your interests
If you're interested in architecture
Prioritise the madrasa and a palace, and leave time to look at the details without rushing.
If you want a break
Combine a garden with a hammam instead of stringing monuments together.
If you want to leave the city
Full-day and half-day trips have their own guide.
Practical information
- Monument and museum opening hours
- Each monument sets its own hours and some change them by season or during Ramadan: check on its official website or at the ticket office. The Jardin Majorelle opens every day from 8:00 to 18:30 (last entry at 18:00).
- Tickets and payment
- Jardin Majorelle tickets are sold only on its official website, tickets.jardinmajorelle.com; tickets from other websites don't give access. For the other monuments, ask at the ticket office.
- Dress at religious sites
- The Koutoubia is a working mosque and non-Muslims can't go inside; you can see the outside and its gardens. Near religious sites and during Ramadan, respect local dress codes.
- Getting between the medina and Gueliz
- It's just over 2 km in a straight line from Jemaa el-Fna square to the Jardin Majorelle: you can walk or take a taxi. In taxis, agree the fare before you get in or check that they use the meter.
Keep planning
Related guides
Itinerary
Marrakech in 2 days
The essentials without rushing.
Trips
Day trips from Marrakech
When you want to leave the city.