Morocco is a hugely diverse country full of amazing landscapes and beautiful people and you might be wondering how many days to spend in Marrakech. Marrakech is a vibrant and intense city.
There are many things to do in Marrakech, but I think most can be done with 3 days in Marrakech. Our guide to tackling Marrakech in three days.
3 Days in Marrakech
*When looking for the best price and biggest selection of hotels in Marrakech check prices on Booking.com, we’ve found they are the best option and have a great cancelation policy.*
1. Drink Mint Tea
Life in Morocco revolves around the sweet brew that is infused with sprigs of mint leaves. Start your day off with a mint tea and some traditional Moroccan fare.
2. Haggle In The Market
The markets of Marrakech are full of amazing crafts and it’s hard to resist taking a few pieces home to remember your trip. Bargaining is part of the experience, it’s expected that you will bargain and not offensive. We found the first quoted price to be sometimes twice what we actually paid.
3. Get Absolutely Lost In The Medina
This will likely happen eventually, purposely or by accident. Either way, embrace it and just wander through the chaotic market. Allowing yourself to wind through the narrow alleys, you may find some interesting things you may have otherwise walked by.
4. Leave The Medina And Check Out The Peaceful Gardens
Marrakech is more than the busy medina, there are a handful of beautiful gardens to escape to when you are feeling overwhelmed.
5. Ride In A Hot Air Balloon
If you really need to get away take a hot air balloon ride in Morocco just outside the city with views of the Atlas mountains. We took a peaceful sunrise ride that took us 1000m above the desert and small villages that lie outside the bustling city. The ride was one of our favorite things we did in Marrakech. Click here to see all hot air balloon trips in Marrakech.
6. See The Spices In The Market
Check out the baskets of spices overflowing with colorful and fragrant powders. Spice vendors make a show of their products by pushing the limits of gravity with their spice mounds.
7. Eat Tajine
A trip to Morocco without eating a meal cooked in a traditional Tajine is nearly impossible. Moroccans eat Tajine just about every day with a number of variations and spices. Our favorite was the meatball Tajine.
8. Watch the Sunset Over the Market
My favorite thing to do within the old medina is to watch the square come to lie as the sun goes down. The best place to watch is from one of the many rooftop cafes. Drinks are pricey in the late afternoon, but it’s worth it to get a seat for the action.
9. Drink Mint Tea Again
The afternoon is the traditional time where men gather to drink tea after work and before the sundown call to prayer. Grab a cup of the sweet stuff and relax as the city turns from day to night.
10. Avoid the Snake Charmers & Monkey Guys
The square is full of hawkers selling everything you could imagine, but there are also people who bring animals to the square for tourists to take photos with. These animals are most likely treated poorly and it’s best not to promote this type of business.
As interesting as it may seem to watch a snake charmer, these snakes have their fangs ripped out and they look half dead. Plus if you do take a picture of the snakes you will be surrounded by people demanding outrageous prices for the photo.
11. See the Tanneries of Marrakech
A treat for your eyes, but a punishment for your nose, the tanneries of Marrakech are an interesting visit. Men take animal hides and dye the in open clay vats just as have for centuries. The men are half-submerged in the colorful liquids that are used to dye the leather products.
13. Buy 1 Pound Of Olives For A Dollar
The olives of Morocco are of high quality and are made in a variety of different styles. Olives of different types are marinated with herbs and citrus to make unique flavors. The olives are plentiful and very affordable compared to other olive regions.
14. Try A Camel Burger
As scary as it sounds it’s actually pretty good. The burger is more of a thick pita filled with meatballs and a slice of tomato. The meat is nicely seasoned with spices and reminded me somewhat of Turkish kebabs.
Where To Stay In Marrakech For 3 Days
We prefer to stay just outside of the chaos of the center of the medina. We stayed at Riad Belle Epoque that was a short walk to the busy old city. Located in a quiet part of the medina, with 7 luxurious rooms decorated in a stylish Moroccan style.
Recommended Marrakech Riads
- Luxury $100+ Riad Idra | Booking.com
- Midrange $50- $100 Riad de la Belle Epoque | Booking.com
- Budget Under $50 Riad Les Jardins Mandaline| Booking.com
