Must see places to visit in Marrakech in 3 Days

10 MUST-SEE PLACES TO VISIT IN MARRAKECH IN 3 DAYS

Its wonderful dreamy gardens, the colorful bustling souk, its fascinating riads. Besides, its charming restaurants are some of the places to visit in Marrakech that fill this charming Moroccan city with magic.

A place that will completely captivate you and to which you will want to return again and again to enjoy it even more than the previous one.

Places to see in Marrakech

We arrived in Marrakech early in the morning. We had hired a private transfer that took us to our wonderful Riad located in the heart of the Medina.

Although we were dying to take a dip in the pool to soothe the heat in the middle of July, we decided to leave our bags and go straight to explore the city.

What to see in Marrakech in 1 day

1. Souk, the most typical thing to see in Marrakech

A few meters from our Riad was the souk of Marrakech. Definitely, a maze of endless narrow streets full of stores and stalls where you can find everything.

The souk is grouped by guilds: dyers, spices, tanners, blacksmiths, potters, silversmiths, carpet and fabric sellers, spice sellers. And something I love is that each one has its own characteristic smell.

Most of the stores in the souk of Marrakech open at 9 am and this is the best time to visit because as the morning progresses it gets crowded (tourists and locals) and it is almost impossible to walk around. From 7 pm the stalls are gradually closing. Keep in mind that on Friday mornings you will find many stores closed.

Orientation in the souk is mission impossible and I tell you that I was born with a very good sense of direction. But there is no map that shows all the nameless alleys and dead ends that it houses.

In fact, it is very common that many children “volunteer” to guide you through the souk. Obviously, they will ask for a tip in return.

How to act?

We do not like to contribute too much to this because in the end these children see easy money and stop going to school. In any case, you also have to be very careful because it is very likely that they want to take you to the store of an acquaintance. A place where they sell you everything more expensive to pay a commission to the children.

Undoubtedly, the best way to know the souk of Marrakech is to leave aside the maps, the GPS and do not look at the clock. You have to get lost in its streets, soak up its essence and buy with patience. I assure you that you will need it, because you have to bargain so much that in the end, you will end up exhausted.

In the souk of Marrakech, you will find some super narrow corners, where you can take very colorful pictures. Of course, in some stores, you will be charged a few dirhams for it.

2. Jamaa el Fna Square, a “must” to see in Marrakech

The souk of Marrakech ends or begins in the Jamaa el Fna square, the nerve center par excellence of the city.

Its name means meeting and is that formerly the square was a large sandpit. Where the severed heads of the executed were exposed. What a horror!

I am sure you will pass by this square a few times. Because many of the streets of the souk lead to it and you may use it as a starting point every time you get lost there. In any case, it is essential to visit this square both day and night. Because its atmosphere changes radically.

If you visit it at dawn you will find it practically deserted. In the mornings, the Jamaa el Fna square is a chaos of cars, motorcycles, horse-drawn carriages, and bicycles that you have to dodge with dexterity.

You will find juice, handicraft and spice stalls, henna tattooists, snake charmers, monkey tamers, and even denture sellers.

Marrakech at night:

At night the stalls disappear and the square is filled with street musicians. Not to mention food stalls where you can dine for very little money. Dinner at one of these stalls can cost about 80-90 Dh per person.

It must be said that this experience may not be suitable for all types of travelers. Because the hygienic conditions there are not the best and no one guarantees that you will not end up a little sick. But if you dare to dine there and mingle with the locals you can enjoy one of the most authentic experiences to do in Marrakech.

I must confess that I am quite delicate with food. But as I did not want to miss the experience we looked for the stalls where there were more tourists and tried some delicious kebabs, Tajines, and couscous.

If you have a sweet tooth I recommend finishing your dinner with mint tea and some delicious Moroccan sweets.

When we finished dinner we spent some time walking around the square and watching the improvised shows of fakirs and dancers. Be very attentive to your bags or backpacks because there are many pickpockets there.

No one can leave Marrakech without seeing the Jamaa el Fna Square from one of its terraces. For me, the best views of Jamaa el Fna Square are obtained from the terrace of the Glacier Café. There you can have tea for 1 euro and enjoy a beautiful sunset. If you don’t find a place you can also go to the Café de France.

3. Koutubia Mosque

After strolling through the Jamaa el Fna square in the morning we went to the Koutoubia Mosque. The most important mosque in Marrakech.

It was built in the twelfth century and its name means mosque of booksellers. Because in his time it was surrounded by numerous stalls selling books.

The highlight of this mosque is its minaret of 69 meters high, which is the highest tower in the city. If you have been in Seville, it will surely remind you of the Giralda. As it was inspired by this minaret to build it.

The entrance to the Koutoubia Mosque is not allowed for non-Muslims. So we had to settle for seeing it from the outside.

4. Quarter of the tanners

After lunch on one of the terraces of the Jamaa el Fna, we went to visit the neighborhood of tanners located north of the Medina.

It was quite difficult to find it and we had to resort to the help of children who offered to guide us. They are quite hidden and not at all touristy.

When we finally arrived, a very kind man offered to show us the leather workshops in exchange for a tip. He explained to us how the animals are skinned and how the leather is treated and dyed.

The truth is that with the terrible rotting smells coming out of there it was difficult for us to focus on his explanation. So we didn’t spend too much time.

If you have been to Fez you can probably skip this visit. Bs the tanneries there are bigger and more touristy so you might find the visit more pleasant.

The sun was starting to set and we decided to go back to the Jamaa el Fna square to enjoy its terraces. Also to see the nightlife I told you about above.

What to see in Marrakech in 2 days

Majorelle Gardens:

The next day we woke up early and after enjoying a delicious breakfast in the courtyard of our Riad. Firstly, we took a cab to the famous Majorelle Gardens.

In fact, these gardens were created by Jacques Majorelle. A French painter who moved to Marrakech in the early 20th century. The painter built his house there and filled his garden with various plants brought back from his travels around the world.

This place inspired him so much that he created a new intense blue color, which he called Majorelle blue.

Walking among the palm trees, coconut trees, bamboos, ponds. And blue buildings are one of the best things to do in Marrakech.

The entrance to the Majorelle gardens costs 70 Dh. Opening hours are from 8 am to 5.30 pm from October to April and from 8 am to 6 pm the rest of the year.

6. Medersa Ben Youssef

Afterward, leaving the gardens we took a cab to the Medersa Ben Youssef. Although they are only half an hour walk was too hot to make the journey on foot.

A medusa is a Muslim school dedicated to religious teachings. The Medresa or Ben Youssef Madrasa is the largest in Morocco and was built in the mid-sixteenth century.

In this visit, you can see the cells where the students lived and its beautiful central courtyard with its rectangular pond. In addition to those beautiful Arab arches that, bridging the gap, reminded us of the Alhambra in Granada.

The entrance fee to the Medersa Ben Youssef is 10 Dh and is open daily from 9 to 17 hours.

7. Palace of the Bay

Secondly, we walked through the narrow streets of the souk of Marrakech and stroll very calmly until we reach the Bahia Palace.

This palace, built in the late nineteenth century, is one of the most impressive buildings to see in Marrakech.

It covers an area of 8 hectares, with 15 rooms, numerous gardens, and beautiful Arabian patios.

The rooms of the palace are practically empty, since when the vizier died the concubines and the wives of the sultan plundered everything. But, even so, it is well worth the visit to see its architecture and the decoration of its ceilings and walls.

The Bahia Palace is open from Monday to Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm. The entrance fee is 70 Dh.

8. Badi Palace

Near the Bay Palace is the Badi Palace, built in the late sixteenth century of which only the ruins remain.

They say it was the most spectacular palace in the country, so its name means “the incomparable”. Its 300 rooms were decorated with gold, turquoise, and crystal. Unfortunately, the palace was looted at the end of the 17th century.

The palace houses a small museum inside where the pulpit of the Koutubia is exhibited.

The entrance fee to the Badi Palace is 70 Dh. It is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

9. Saadian Tombs

Leaving the Palace we visited the Saadian tombs, the only remnant of the Saadian dynasty in Marrakech.

They were built in the late sixteenth century but were not discovered until 1917.

In its gardens there are more than 100 tombs, decorated with mosaics, of the servants and warriors of the Saadi dynasty. But, undoubtedly, in the main building is the most famous room of all. The room of the twelve columns, in which are buried the sons of the sultan who ordered the construction of these tombs.

The Saadian tombs are open daily from 9 am to 12 pm and from 2.30 pm to 6 pm. The entrance fee is 70 dh.

What to see in Marrakech in 3 or 4 days

If you are going to spend more than 3 days in Marrakech we recommend you to make an excursion to the desert. For example, the 3 days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga.

10. Desert of Marrakech

The desert of Marrakech is the Sahara desert, the largest in the world. This desert is divided into several areas, being Merzouga and Zagora and Agafay the most visited for its landscapes.

The Zagora desert is located about 360 kilometers from Marrakech, about 7 hours by car. Its landscapes are arider than those of Merzouga and have fewer dunes. Undoubtedly, if you are looking for golden high dunes, Merzouga is the best choice.

➡️ 2-day excursion to the Zagora desert.

The Merzouga desert is the most beautiful part of the Sahara, located about 550 kilometers from Marrakech (about 10 hours drive). Its dunes reach 150 meters high and are really impressive.

➡️ 3-day excursion to the Merzouga desert.

The desert of Agafay is located about 40 km southwest of Marrakech, an authentic paradise of snow-capped peaks combined with the ochre of limestone and the green of olive groves and palm groves.

➡️ Quad biking in the Agafay desert or a night in the Agafay desert.

It is an experience that you will never forget.

Additional information to visit Marrakech

How to get to Marrakech

Unless you are touring Morocco, most of you will arrive in Marrakech by plane and land at Menara airport located 6 kilometers from the city center.

To get from Marrakech airport to Medina there are several options:

Private transfer: this is the most comfortable way to go from the airport to the center of Marrakech. A driver will be waiting for you upon your arrival at the airport and will drop you off at the door of your riad. Given how difficult it is to locate many riads in this city, we strongly recommend you to book a private transfer.

Cab: a cab to the medina will cost you about 150 DH, although it is very likely that you will have to haggle over the price.

Bus: there are some buses that connect Menara airport with the medina, but they are very slow and we do not recommend them. ALSA bus 19 will take you to the center for about 30 DH.

Car rental: if you are doing a route through Morocco perhaps the most convenient is to rent a car. Usually, we do it with Autoeurope 🚗 which works with serious companies and has very good prices with full coverage. In our post Route through the north of Morocco, we tell you how it is to drive in the country.

How to move in Marrakech

Firstly, strolling through the medina of Marrakech is “literally” getting lost in its streets. The only way to get around is on foot, as they are too narrow to fit any transport through them.

The problem is that there are no maps of the medina, so it is best that you walk calmly. And if you need to get to a particular point look for the coordinates or ask the locals.

If you need to move from the old area to the new it is best to take a cab. They are very cheap about 25 DH. However, remember to ask the driver to turn on the meter to avoid scams.

Where to stay in Marrakech

When looking for accommodation in Marrakech you can choose between a western hotel as there are all over the world or the typical Riad.

A riad (whose literal translation is Eden or garden) is a house with a central courtyard with garden or pool, around which are distributed 5 or 6 rooms.

Formerly they were inhabited by members of the same family. But today many have been restored and have become an attraction to accommodate tourists.

Its typical Arab architecture, with its arches, its mosaics and tiles will make you feel inside the tale of a thousand and one nights.

Most of the riads are located inside the Medina and it is there where the main points of interest to see in Marrakech. There are riads of all prices from 20 euros per night for a double room to much more luxurious and expensive riads. Without a doubt, staying in a riad is a fabulous experience.

If you prefer to sleep in western hotels you will have to look for them in the Guéliz area. The most modern part of Marrakech. There you will find a lot of international restaurants and stores of major brands. To go to the medina you will have to take a cab.

We hope our post will help you to organize your visit to Marrakech. For more info visit viajes al Desierto Marruecos

If you have any questions or suggestions you can write us in the comments.

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