5 days in Marrakech

Day by day

1. Day 1: Jemaa el-Fnaa and Koutoubia Mosque

   Jemaa el-Fnaa, Koutoubia Mosque and Bahia Palace, then Jemaa el-Fnaa in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Jemaa el-Fnaa

      Watch the evening transformation from a rooftop café, then eat at a busy numbered stall; expect to pay performers if you photograph them. (2–3 hours, best at dusk, free).

   2. Late morning

      Koutoubia Mosque

      Walk through the rose gardens behind the mosque at sunset, when the call to prayer carries across the square. (30 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Tagine

      Every restaurant and café; small places around the souks serve simple versions at lunchtime.

   4. Afternoon

      Bahia Palace

      Arrive at opening; tour groups fill the courtyards by late morning. (1 hour, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Jemaa el-Fnaa

      Musicians, storytellers and food stalls fill the square every evening until late.

2. Day 2: Jardin Majorelle and Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech

   Jardin Majorelle, Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech and Ben Youssef Madrasa, then Gueliz in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Jardin Majorelle

      Book the first slot of the day and pair it with the YSL Museum a few steps away. (1–1.5 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech

      Buy a combined ticket with Jardin Majorelle and see the museum first while the garden is at its busiest. (1 hour, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Tanjia marrakchia

      Tanjia stalls in the souks near Jemaa el-Fnaa and some riad restaurants, which may ask you to order ahead.

   4. Afternoon

      Ben Youssef Madrasa

      Combine it with the Marrakech Museum and the Maison de la Photographie, both a few minutes' walk away. (45 minutes, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Gueliz

      Wine bars, cocktail lounges and restaurants around Avenue Mohammed V.

3. Day 3: The souks and Dar Si Said

   The souks, Dar Si Said and Hammam experience, then Hivernage in the evening.

   1. Morning

      The souks

      Haggle with a smile, start well below the first price and walk away politely if you can't agree; ignore anyone who says a lane is closed. (Half a day, free).

   2. Late morning

      Dar Si Said

      Visit before shopping for carpets to learn regional styles and what good quality looks like. (1 hour, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Couscous

      Restaurants and home-style cafés, especially on Fridays.

   4. Afternoon

      Hammam experience

      For a first visit choose a spa or riad hammam with the scrub included; for a public one, bring flip-flops, a towel and a change of underwear. (1–2 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Hivernage

      Large nightclubs, hotel bars and dinner-show venues that stay open well past midnight.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Imlil and Toubkal National Park

   About 1.5 hours by car each way. Getting there: Car with driver, grand taxi or tour.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Imlil and Toubkal National Park

      About 1.5 hours by car (Car with driver, grand taxi or tour); about 65 km.

   2. Day

      Imlil and Toubkal National Park

      The village of Imlil, at about 1,740 metres in the High Atlas, is the trailhead for Jbel Toubkal, North Africa's highest peak at 4,167 metres. Best for families, couples and quiet stays.

   3. Evening

      Back in Marrakech

      Dinner: try Harira.

5. Day 5: Saadian Tombs and El Badi Palace

   Saadian Tombs, El Badi Palace and Le Jardin Secret, then Medina rooftops in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Saadian Tombs

      Come early or late in the day; the queue to look into the main chamber is longest at midday. (30–45 minutes, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      El Badi Palace

      Climb to the corner terraces for views over the medina and, on clear winter days, the snowy Atlas. (1 hour, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Harira

      Food stalls in Jemaa el-Fnaa and small cafés in the medina.

   4. Afternoon

      Le Jardin Secret

      Pay the small extra fee to climb the tower, and come in the late afternoon when the gardens are quieter. (1 hour, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Medina rooftops

      Licensed rooftop bars and restaurants with views over the square and the Koutoubia.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Jardin Majorelle before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Medina (Jemaa el-Fnaa) keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Mouassine ($$$) suits couples, luxury, shopping and culture. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 14–18 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 10.1 hours in December to 14.2 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Marrakech
• 2 days in Marrakech
• 3 days in Marrakech
• 4 days in Marrakech
• 7 days in Marrakech

Questions travellers ask