Marrakech 5-day itinerary

1. Stop 1

   Medina

   The Medina is the old city quarter located within the sandstone city walls that give Marrakech the nickname the Red City. As an ancient hub, it contains a maze of narrow streets and outdoor marketplaces.

2. Stop 2 · 11 min walk

   Djemaa El-Fna

   The highlight of any Marrakech night. Musicians, dancers, and story tellers pack this square at the heart of the medina, filling it with a cacophony of drum beats and excited shouts. Scores of stalls sell a wide array of Moroccan fare (see the Eat section) and you will almost certainly be accosted by women wanting to give you a henna tattoo. Amateur boxing matches are sometimes held. Enjoy the various shows, but be prepared to give some dirham to watch or take photos.

3. Stop 3 · 4 min walk

   The Souks

   Markets of Marrakech, just adjacent to Place Djemaa El-Fna, are where you can buy almost anything, from spices to shoes, jellabas to kaftans, and tea pots to tagines. Undoubtedly, being a foreigner means you will end up paying higher prices than a native would, but be sure to bargain nonetheless. If you happen to run out of dirham, you will also find plenty of people in the souks who will eagerly exchange your dollars or euros (though a fair rate here is less likely than at an official exchange).

4. Stop 4 · 9 min walk

   Koutoubia Mosque

   Named after the booksellers market that used to be located here. It is said that the minaret of the Koutoubia mosque is to Marrakech as the Eiffel Tower is to Paris. The minaret is visible from Gueliz which is connected to the Medina by Avenue Mohammed V. At night, the mosque is beautifully lit. It was completed under the reign of the Berber Almohad Caliph Yaqub al-Mansur (1184 to 1199), and has inspired other buildings such as the Giralda of Seville and the Hassan Tower of Rabat.

5. Stop 5 · 24 min walk

   Tanneries

   Visiting the tanneries can be an interesting experience. Even if some people tell you the area is only for locals, it is possible to visit the Tanneries without paying a youngster. After finding a tannery, ask one of the workers if you can visit it and take pictures

6. Stop 6 · 28 min walk

   Saadian Tombs

   Saadian Tombs. The tombs were built in the 16th century as the dynastic necropolis of the Saadian dynasty. The complex includes the Chamber of the Twelve Columns, the Chamber of the Mihrab, the Chamber of the Three Niches and the garden tombs. The site was rediscovered in 1917 and subsequently restored and opened to visitors. The site is relatively compact and most visitors can see the main areas in 20–30 minutes. The entrance passage is narrow, so arriving early can help avoid queues.

Eat · Chez Chegrouni: Their vegetarian couscous is supposedly the only true vegetarian couscous in town; it's also bland but they give you plenty of it. Prices go up if you sit on the terrace. Usually packed full of good-time tourists.

1. Stop 1

   Moroccan Culinary Arts Museum

   If you are interested in food and eating culture, you will enjoy this museum. Audiovisual information about the rich culinary culture of Marocco, its ingredients, techniques and traditions. You can also touch and smell many things. They also sport a very well equipped cooking school.

2. Stop 2 · 38 min walk

   Majorelle Gardens

   It provides an excellent respite from the hustle and bustle of the city streets, if not crowded by tourists as it sometimes is. The park was designed by the artist Jacques Majorelle in the 1920s and 1930s. Since 1980 the garden has been owned by Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé. It boasts a collection of plants from around the globe, including what seems like every cactus species on the planet. Get here early to avoid the crowds.

3. Stop 3 · 4 min walk

   Yves Saint Laurent Museum

   Advance bookings must be made online, it is not possible to buy a ticket at the site.

4. Stop 4 · 37 min walk

   Dar Si Saïd Museum

   Museum set in an old palace with beautiful gardens. While somewhat run-down, it is worth seeing and houses many different artifacts from Morocco through the ages, such as wood carvings, musical instruments, and weapons. It is dedicated to the Moroccan craft industry of wood, gathering a very beautiful collection of popular art: carpets, clothing, pottery and ceramics.

5. Stop 5 · 13 min walk

   Ben Youssef Madrasa

   One of the largest madrassas in North Africa. It is a school attached to the Ben Youssef Mosque and is home to beautiful art and architecture. Build ca 1570.

6. Stop 6 · 17 min walk

   El Bahia Palace

   An ornate palace complex built in the late 19th century, with courtyards, gardens, richly decorated rooms and traditional Moroccan architectural details. The palace was developed in several stages and expanded by Ba Ahmed, Grand Vizier to Sultan Moulay Abdelaziz. The complex covers about 8 hectares. The main entrance is on Rue Riad Zitoun el Jedid. The palace is relatively close to other attractions in the southern Medina and can be reached on foot from Jemaa el-Fnaa.

Eat · Chez Yassine: Not much choice but served by very friendly people. Tajines and pizzas are great and you can also order skewers that are not on the menu.

1. Stop 1

   El Badi Palace

   The palace complex is extensive, with ruins, courtyards, underground passages and exhibitions. The terrace offers views over the surrounding Medina and the Atlas Mountains on clear days. Allow around 45–90 minutes to explore the main areas. Visitors should check current information before travelling. (updated Aug 2026)

2. Stop 2 · 46 min walk

   The Menara gardens

   A mixture of orchards and olive groves surrounding the water reservoir with the central pavilion which is a popular sight on tourist postcards. Not a decorative garden, and now quite run down. The pavilion was built during the 16th-century Saadi dynasty, and renovated in 1869. It has a small cafe, but it is not open all hours. There are no toilets open when the cafe is closed.

3. Stop 3 · 53 min walk

   Jewish Cemetery

   The largest Jewish cemetery in Morocco, characterized by white-washed tombs and sandy graves. The men selling tickets are full of interesting information about the cemetery but you have to ask.

4. Stop 4 · 4 min walk

   Slat Al Azama Synagogue

   Synagogue which is not only a place of worship with a beautiful open courtyard, but also includes interesting displays about Judaism's varied history in Morocco, including photos of Jews in the Berber Mountains.

5. Stop 5 · 18 min walk

   Marrakech Museum

   It's housed in the Dar Menebhi Palace, constructed at the end of the 19th century.

6. Stop 6 · 57 min walk

   Musée de la Palmeraie

   In old agricultural buildings in the Palmeraie, made out of rammed earth. The architecture itself is interesting if you haven't seen it. It offers a small collection of contemporary art, with a room dedicated to Moroccan artists (also famous ones), the international ones are rather not top-notch. The gardens are nicely made and are good place to relax in quiet.

Eat · Henna Cafe: A pretty little cafe on 3 floors with an orange sign on the Berber hand-carved wooden facade opened in November 2011. You can have a cup of tea or coffee or simple lunch with dessert or just a sandwich.

1. Stop 1

   Musee Farid Belkahia

   A museum dedicated to the renowned contemporary artist Farid Belkahia, showcasing different periods of his work

2. Stop 2 · 58 min walk

   Maison de la Photographie

   A little photography museum, it has one of the highest roof terraces in the Medina. Ticket is also valid for Museum of Mouassin Music.

3. Stop 3 · 4 min walk

   Ali Ben Youssef Mosque

   The first mosque in Marrakesh was erected at this place by the Almoravid emir Yusuf ibn Tashfin in the 1070s. However, it was almost completely rebuilt in early 19th century by the Alaouite sultan Suleiman, with hardly any trace left of its original Almoravid or Almohad design. Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter it.

4. Stop 4 · 39 min walk

   Agdal Gardens

   It consists of groves of orange, lemon, fig, apricot and pomegranate trees in rectangular plots, linked by olive-lined walkways. Together with the medina of Marrakech and the Menara Gardens, the Agdal Gardens were listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1985.

5. Stop 5 · 39 min walk

   Almoravid Koubba

   A very small but intricate domed pavilion, known for being the only surviving example of Almoravid religious architecture (early 12th century) in Marrakech. Located across the street from the Ben Youssef Mosque, it is believed to have been an annex of the former Almoravid mosque. It was excavated in the 20th century after being half-buried for centuries. The pavilion's exterior can be easily seen from the street, so paying for entry just lets you see its interior.

Eat · Chez Bismilah: Amazing food and wonderful service. The owner is very kind and the fantastic chef is a humble lady who cooks perfectly all the traditional Moroccan recipes. Tayine Royale is recommended. The roof top has an amazing view over the old medina.

1. Stop 1

   Image:Ourika Valley.jpg

   Listed as a next stop from Marrakech. Check the regional train or bus the night before.

2. Stop 2

   Image:Cascades d'Ouzoud 014.JPG

   Listed as a next stop from Marrakech. Check the regional train or bus the night before.

3. Stop 3

   High Atlas

   Listed as a next stop from Marrakech. Check the regional train or bus the night before.

Eat · Pack snacks from town. Do not count on a full menu at a small station.