Three days in Marrakech is enough to fall in love with the city. Not quite enough to see everything — but with the right plan, you’ll take home memories that stick. Here is the itinerary we recommend to guests of Riad Mylaya, right in the heart of the Medina.
Day 1 — The Medina, the beating heart of Marrakech
Drop your bags, enjoy a mint tea on the rooftop terrace, and dive in.
Morning: Jemaa el-Fna Square and the souks
Start early (before 10am) to enjoy Jemaa el-Fna without the crowds. Then head up to the souks, with a goal in mind: the dyers’ souk, then the babouche souk and the Semmarine souk. Get lost — that’s the point.
Tip: always haggle, but with a smile. Golden rule: offer a third of the asking price and work up slowly.
Lunch Moroccan-style
Go for a lamb tagine with prunes in a hidden rooftop restaurant (we recommend three to our guests — ask us at the front desk).
Afternoon: Bahia Palace and Saadian Tombs
Bahia Palace (10am-5pm, ~70 DH) is worth every dirham: stucco, zellige tiles, painted cedar ceilings. Follow up with the Saadian Tombs, rediscovered in 1917, for their out-of-time atmosphere.
Evening: dinner on a terrace
Head back to Jemaa el-Fna at sunset. The food stalls set up, storytellers arrive, gnawa musicians play. Have dinner on a terrace overlooking the square for the full show.
Day 2 — Gardens and contemporary chic
A quieter day dedicated to gardens and art.
Morning: Majorelle Garden and YSL Museum
Majorelle Garden (8am-6pm, ~150 DH) is a must. Book tickets online the day before to avoid a 45-min queue. Majorelle blue, bamboo, giant cacti — it’s a cool bubble. Right next door, the Yves Saint Laurent Museum complements the visit with a beautiful exhibition about the couturier and his love for Morocco.
Lunch in Gueliz
Gueliz is modern Marrakech. Cozy cafés, art galleries, designer boutiques. Ideal for a relaxed lunch.
Afternoon: Menara Gardens and Koutoubia
The Menara Gardens offer a pastoral break with their Saadian pavilion and olive-lined pool. Finish with the Koutoubia Mosque (exterior only for non-Muslims) — its 12th-century minaret is Marrakech’s visual landmark.
Evening: hammam and spa
After two days of walking, your body will thank you. The traditional Moroccan hammam is an institution. Black soap, kessa glove scrub, rhassoul clay: 2 hours of total letting go.
Day 3 — Authentic experiences
Morning: Moroccan cooking class
A cooking class (3-4h) lets you step into Moroccan kitchens: you’ll cook your own tagine, learn the secrets of ras el hanout, share your meal with the chef. It’s the experience our guests cite most often as “the best moment of the stay.”
Afternoon: Atlas mountains half-day trip (optional)
If you have the energy, a half-day trip to the Atlas (30 min by car) takes you into a Berber valley — waterfalls, tea in a traditional home, breathtaking views.
Otherwise, enjoy a free afternoon in the Medina to finish your shopping: spices, argan oil, Berber rug, brass lamps.
Evening: farewell dinner
For your last evening, book a riad-restaurant (different from your lodging) to discover another home cuisine. Mechoui, pastilla, dates with honey — leave on a delicious note.
Budget estimate for 3 days in Marrakech
| Item | Tight budget | Comfort budget |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (per night) | €40-70 | €90-180 |
| Meals (per person/day) | €15-25 | €35-60 |
| Sights & activities | €40-60 total | €100-150 total |
| Taxis | €15-25 total | €30-50 total |
Our practical tips
- Best time: March-May and September-November. Avoid July-August (45°C+).
- Dress: light, covering shoulders/knees in the Medina.
- Taxis: negotiate before boarding. “Petit taxis” (beige) are cheaper than bigger ones.
- Water: bottled only.
- Wi-Fi: free and good in most riads; otherwise, local SIM at the airport (~€10).
What next after these 3 days?
If you have one more day, we recommend either Essaouira (3h drive, magical Atlantic port) or a night in the Agafay desert (1h drive, stone dunes with a starry Berber camp).
Our tip: stay at Riad Mylaya, in the heart of the Medina, 5 minutes’ walk from Jemaa el-Fna. You experience the Medina from the inside, with modern comfort and a team who knows all the best tips. We organize all your transfers, excursions and activities tailor-made.