How many days do you need in Marrakesh?

In the process of planning a trip to Morocco? Chances are, you’re looking to cover a few destinations during your vacation, which means you may well be wondering how many days in Marrakesh will be enough to explore its top attractions (at the very least). In good news, as revealed right below, if you plan your itinerary well, you can see plenty in a short time, whether you have 2, 3 or 4 days to spend in this mosque-and-medina-rich Moroccan city.

How many days do you need to see Marrakesh?

Thanks to its mix of history, culture, architecture, fragrant souks and flavorsome food, Marrakesh is a Morocco must-visit. If that wasn’t enough, the Red City (such is it known) also offers access to the Atlas Mountains, where desert adventures and waterfall wonders await.

All that said, it is possible to soak up a range of experiences in trips of just 2-4 days — the city sure makes a wonderful weekend break destination. You just have to decide what you most want to see and do, which is where the following suggestions for how to spend 2, 3 and 4 days in the Red City will come in handy. 

if you’re planning to visit Marrakesh as part of a bigger trip, take inspiration from some top Morocco tours, and our suggested Morocco itineraries.

For example, our 7 days in Morocco itinerary covers Marrakesh, the Atlas Mountains and Fes, Morocco’s culinary capital.

Alternatively, contact our local travel experts to plan your perfect trip to Morocco for any duration. 

2 days in Marrakesh

With two days in Marrakesh, you can explore souks and historic highlights (think medieval palaces, mosques, and 11th-century gardens), sample plenty of flavorsome local food, and enjoy local cultural experiences, including traditional hammams.

Suggested itinerary

Kicking off with a focus on history, souks and Moroccan cuisine, here’s how to spend 2 days in Marrakesh.

Day 1

Start your day exploring the heart of Marrakesh’s Medina — a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and an absolute must-visit.

Jemaa el Fna square is at the heart of the medina. Through the day, it plays host to vendors, snake charmers and street performers. After dark, it transforms into a lively food market with stalls serving traditional Moroccan dishes.

On day one, don’t miss the chance to see Koutoubia Mosque (Marrakesh’s largest mosque and most iconic minaret), with Bahia Palace another highlight. This 19th-century masterpiece boasts incredible tilework and lush gardens. 

Ahead of lunch, take a walk through the ruined, but still splendid, El Badi Palace before dining in a rooftop restaurant. 

Come the afternoon, spend a few hours exploring the best souks of Marrakesh in the Medina.

As the golden hour approaches, return to Jemaa el-Fnaa to soak up its lively energy and eat street food, or else enjoy a traditional music show at a riad restaurant.

Day 2

After tucking into a tasty breakfast at Bacha Coffee House — a luxurious coffee place located in a former palace — start your day-two exploration at Majorelle Garden. 

Designed by Jacques Majorelle, and later restored by Yves Saint Laurent, its bright blue buildings and exotic plants are a joy, with the YSL Museum offering another reason to visit.

More arty insights await at the Musée de Marrakech, which showcases history, ceramics and fascinating artefacts in a fancy palace.

Come the afternoon, visit the ornate 16th-century Saadian Tombs before relaxing at one of the best luxury hammans in Marrakesh.

3 days in Marrakesh

With three days in Marrakesh, you can do a deeper dive into more local neighborhoods and the city’s varied cultures. 

Suggested itinerary

Here are some rewarding ways to spend your third day in Marrakesh.

Day 3

Begin early with breakfast at Les Jardins de la Médina — a lush riad garden restaurant that serves views as fine as its food. 

Next, take time to explore the Jewish Quarter (Mellah) and Lazama Synagogue, and maybe also visit Maison de la Photographie — a beautiful building that showcases fascinating photographs of Morocco. 

Come the afternoon, stroll through Gueliz to experience modern Marrakesh — it’s loaded with chic cafes and boutiques.

Just ahead of sunset, head to the luxurious historic La Mamounia Hotel for drinks and dinner. 

4 days in Marrakesh

With four days in Marrakesh, you could consider venturing beyond the city to experience more of the best places to visit in Morocco, depending on your interests.

Suggested itinerary

Read on for three itinerary options if you have an extra day in Marrakesh. 

Take your pick from desert adventuring, and immersive cultural experiences with Berber communities.

Day 4

One option is to book a trip to the Ourika Valley to hike to Setti Fatma Waterfalls in the High Atlas Mountains— it’s just an hour’s drive from the city. 

Such excursions often also include a visit to a Berber village and market, and the chance to dine near a scenic river. 

Alternatively, a 45-minute drive will take you to the Agafay Desert – one of our recommended Morocco desert tours. 

Here you can go quad biking, join a camel trek, and even stay for dinner under the stars.

Meanwhile, if you don’t mind the thought of a 2.5-hour drive, you could venture to the Ouzoud waterfalls — the largest waterfalls in Morocco, no less. 

A hiking trail leads you to the base of the falls, which are truly spectacular, and you’ll also get to see plenty of Barbary macaques who call this place home.

Best area to stay in Marrakesh

Covering the tastes and needs of different kinds of travelers, here are a few suggestions for the best areas to stay in Marrakesh.

Northern Medina: best for first-time visitors

Home to iconic landmarks like Jardin Majorelle and Koutoubia Mosque, accommodation in the Northern Medina comes recommended for first-timers. 

For something fancy, try Riad l'Oiseau du Paradis.

Hivernage: best for upscale cool 

Agdal: best for travelers on a budget

Things to know before going to Marrakesh

How to get around Marrakesh

For more context, read up on getting around Morocco.

How to get to Marrakesh

Marrakesh is served by Marrakesh Menara Airport, which is located about 15 minutes from the city center. 

Traveling from the US? There are no direct flights from the US to Marrakesh, so you’ll need to connect via major European cities.

For example, you could fly from New York via Madrid (Iberia), Paris (Air France), or London (British Airways), or from Washington via Lisbon (TAP Air Portugal), or from Miami via Madrid (Iberia).

Another option from the US is to fly into Casablanca and take a 2.5-hour train to Marrakesh.

If you’re traveling from the UK, you can book direct flights from multiple UK cities (including London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Bristol), with a flight time of 3.5–4 hours.

On arrival at Marrakesh Menara Airport, the airport bus is the cheapest way to reach the center. Alternatively, take a taxi if you haven’t pre-booked a transfer through your accommodation.  

For more context, read up on getting to Morocco.

Plan your trip with Rough Guides

While planning your trip, wise up with the Pocket Rough Guide to Marrakesh, with the in-depth Rough Guide to Morocco on hand for longer trips around the country. Our Morocco travel advice might also come in handy. 

Alternatively, if you don’t fancy the hassle of planning, make use of our customisable Morocco itineraries, including an expert-curated 7 days in Morocco itinerary.

You could also contact our local travel experts to curate your perfect Morocco vacation for any duration.