FIRST AND FOR MOST: HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU NEED TO VISIT MARRAKECH?:
We were really excited to spend time in Marrakech after hearing about the city for so many years. While there are certainly tons of attractions to see here - and one could spend a week in itself shopping the markets if you really wanted to - we found 3 days to be an ample amount of time to explore. What should you do while you're in Marrakech, Morocco though? Read on for a full itinerary of how to see the best Marrakech has to offer - including the Bahia Palace and Jardin de Majorelle.
WHERE TO STAY FOR 3 DAYS IN MARRAKECH:
Derb El Arsa N 7, Kennaria, Medina
Highly recommended and once again the most helpful staff. Our room cost just $70 a night and came with breakfast, which we ate each morning from their beautiful rooftop. They are super close to Jamaa El-Fna Square and a lot of the popular restaurants.
WHAT TO DO FOR 3 DAYS IN MARRAKECH:
DAY 1 OF YOUR 3 DAYS IN MARRAKECH:
For our first morning in Marrakech, we decided to head south and knock out some of the major tourist attractions around the Bahia Palace. Enter on the SOUTH WEST corner of the palace for 70 dirhams a person. The entrance is hard to find and hagglers may tell you the palace is closed. Ignore and head on in for beautiful architecture dating from the 1800s. This was one of the busier/more touristy stops we made so you might want to consider coming first thing.
Nearby you can continue walking south to the Mellah - Marrakech's jewish quarter. It's mostly filled with houses and small markets that you can quickly walk through. To its east you can tour the Jewish Cemetery for 10 dirhams.
Work your way back west and pause for lunch on the roof at the Kasbah Cafe before heading into Sadiaan Tombs for 70 Dirham per person. And yes those things on the ground (seen above) are tombs.
Complete the loop on the way back to your hotel by walking north to the Koutoubia Mosque. Non muslims are not allowed to enter but the Koutoubia Mosque is the highest point in Marrakech by law so worth a glance.
DAY 2 OF YOUR 3 DAYS IN MARRAKECH:
For our second day in Marrakech we caught a cab and headed to the Jardin de Majorelle - a garden and studio designed by fashion designer, Yves Saint Laurent. The colors here are insane but you'll need to fight off want to be influencers posing in front of every colorful wall of flowers. Entrance fee is 70 dirhams and takes just an hour to see.
We next took a cab back to the world famous Jamaa El-Fna Square to finally explore the medina. Here you can find food vendors, snake charmers and stores filled with every sort of souvenir you could want. Follow rue Semarine or rue Mouassine into the markets’ heart and shop to your hearts' content the various glasses, rugs, jewelry and spices. Have a rare to find glass of wine on the roof at Cafe Arabe, before heading back to Jamaa El-Fna Square for dinner. It will not be your most glamorous meal- but perhaps your most authentic. Food stalls grilling meat will pop up around sunset and fight for the pleasure of having you dine with them. Grilled veggies and rice will come on the side and you can grab dessert from one of the many handheld carts walking by.
DAY 3 OF YOUR 3 DAYS IN MARRAKECH:
For your last day, consider spending some time at at the Jardins de la Medina hotel. We wanted to go out on a lazy day and decided to spend our last day lounging at this upscale hotel. Make a reservation before hand and pay just $65 for a full day's pool pass, lunch and 60 min massage.
WHERE TO EAT DURING YOUR 3 DAYS IN MARRAKECH:
Le Marrakechi - one of the few restaurants that serves wine, they also have a beautiful view of Jemaa El Fna
Naranj Libanese - lebanese food. You've had enough tagines by now right??
Cafe Arabe - wine!
Henna Cafe - enjoy henna while you enjoy a tea!
FOOD GLOSSARY:
Maakouda deep-fried mashed-potato fritters served plain with hot sauce or in soft rolls with garnishes of hot sauce, egg and cheese
Tangia - a method of slow cooking
Rafisa - a traditional rice and chicken dish
Baghrir - pancake
Amlou - Argan oil spread
B’stilla/pastilla - make sure it not pigeon, savory pie
Bissara - soup made of fava beans and split peas topped with olive oil
Harira - soup
Your 3 days in Marrakech has come to end! Check out some of the other cities we visited during our two weeks in Morocco here:
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