Marrakech is fantastic city for a mini break and one we loved and can't wait to repeat!
For us, what made it special was the incredible weather- like 28 degrees in February, when the UK was wet and freezing, what's not to love!
Then there was vibrancy of the city, everywhere we turned was an assault on the senses, from the hustle and bustle of daily life, to the smells of spices and bright colours of the souks. It really was unlike any city we'd ever visited before, and we've done our fair share of city breaks over the years.
We spent 3 days in Marrakech and felt this was the optimal time. Although, we could have easily stayed far longer!
Join us as we uncover our ideal itinerary for 3 days in Marrakech and give us our tips to have the best time on your break.
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During our time in Marrakech, we chose to stay in a traditional riad in the heart of the Medina, which we would highly recommend.
A ‘riad’ is a traditional Moroccan house or palace with an interior garden or courtyard.
Accommodation in Marrakech is very reasonably priced whatever you choose. We found that you can get a high standard of hotel or Riad for very little.
You can see where we stayed and our review here
Staying in a Riad though will give you that authentic experience of Marrakech, and most are located right in the heart of the souks.
Our riad only had 11 rooms and was adults only so it felt very personable. From check in we were treat like royalty.
The riad was immaculate and featured incredible views from the rooftop. It also included a traditional Moroccan breakfast each morning, which was a plus point.
The staff were also on hand to provide us with a driver and tips on how to experience the best of Marrakech.
So let's explore our recommended our itinerary for your trip and the best things to do in Marrakech.
Once you arrive in Marrakech, check into your riad in the Medina. Staying in a riad will give you an authentic feel of Marrakech’s history and charm.
See our top 5 riad picks for 2025 here
After settling in, head to the Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, the city’s pulsating centre. Take a leisurely stroll through the bustling market and soak in the vibrant atmosphere of snake charmers, street performers, and vendors selling local goods.
Explore the Souks: Start your afternoon by diving into the souks of Marrakech, a maze of narrow alleys filled with an explosion of colours, scents, and sounds.
The souks are divided into sections selling everything from spices, carpets, leather goods, and handcrafted jewellery.
We recommend the light and lantern shops. These were incredible and made us regret travelling hand luggage only.
Don’t be afraid to haggle-it’s part of the experience! We recommend never paying more than 50% of the starting price. But better still, aim for 30%.
Make sure to visit the Souk Semmarine for textiles and carpets or Rahba Kedima for exotic spices. If you’re interested in artisanal goods, stop by the Souk des Teinturiers, where you can witness craftsmen dyeing cloth.
After a day of exploring, treat yourself to dinner at Dar Dar, a charming rooftop restaurant in the Medina offering traditional Moroccan cuisine.
The atmosphere here is electric and early evening you can watch the sunset over Marrakech. Quite often they will have a DJ paying live music too.
To read our full review of our meal click here
Quad Biking Tour in the Desert
Get ready for an adrenaline-filled morning with a quad biking adventure in the Palmeraie, an oasis filled with thousands of palm trees just outside the city.
This area offers an ideal backdrop for adventure seekers. Speed through sandy trails, dodge palm groves, and explore the semi-desert landscape.
Many tours also include stops to visit local Berber villages, where you can get a glimpse of rural life in Morocco.
Now I'm now going to lie, this tour was definitely hair-raising, but I'm so glad we did it. We were picked up on time from the Medina, and driven in a luxurious car to the starting point. Our guide was fantastic and we just had the best afternoon.
Our tour even included bread and honey with Moroccan tea in a traditional berber tent and was very inexpensive. We paid under £20 each for this experience which is incredible!
Street Food Tour
After your adventure, return to the Medina and embark on a street food tour.
Marrakech’s street food scene is a feast for the senses, offering everything from crispy Msemen (Moroccan pancakes) to harira (a traditional Moroccan soup) and flavourful brochettes (grilled meat skewers).
Explore the local eateries in Jemaa el-Fnaa, tasting treats like sfenj (Moroccan doughnuts) and pastilla (a sweet and savoury pastry filled with pigeon or chicken).
Dinner at La Trattoria
End the day at La Trattoria, one of the city’s most iconic Italian restaurants. Set in a stunning 1920s Art Deco villa, the atmosphere is elegant and relaxed.
While the menu is Italian, it features a Moroccan twist in some dishes. Try the seafood pasta or one of the wood-fired pizzas paired with a glass of Moroccan wine for a perfect end to your evening.
This restaurant is truly beautiful. You can read all about our meal here
Start your day with a peaceful morning at the Majorelle Garden, a beautifully designed botanical garden that showcases exotic plants, cobalt-blue structures, and vibrant fountains.
The garden, originally designed by artist Jacques Majorelle, was later restored by fashion icon Yves Saint Laurent, who fell in love with the space.
Adjacent to the garden is the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, which highlights the designer’s life and work, including some of his iconic pieces.
Explore Bahia Palace and Saadian Tombs After your visit to the garden, head to the Bahia Palace, a magnificent 19th-century palace showcasing Moroccan architecture, ornate ceilings, and lush gardens.
It was built for the grand vizier and intended to be the greatest palace of its time. Walk through the palace’s courtyards, intricately decorated rooms, and tranquil gardens.
Getting Around: The Medina is best explored on foot. However, if you want to explore areas outside the city, such as the Palmeraie, you can easily book a taxi or a private tour.
What to Wear: Marrakech is relatively conservative. Be mindful of local customs and dress modestly, particularly in religious sites and traditional areas.
Shopping: When shopping in the souks, haggling is expected! Start with half if not 1/3 of the asking price and work your way up.
Language: While Arabic is the official language, French is widely spoken, and many people in the tourist areas speak English as well.
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