Marrakech in 3 days

Sensory overload in the best way. Riads, spice markets, and the Atlas mountains on the horizon. Best time to visit: March-May and September-November. Average daily budget: $50 to $90 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Medina, The walled old city. Souks, riads, the Jemaa el-Fnaa.

Morning: Le Jardin Majorelle + YSL Museum. Buy tickets online. Go right at opening.

Afternoon: Explore Medina, The walled old city. Souks, riads, the Jemaa el-Fnaa.

Evening: Sunset on a Jemaa el-Fnaa rooftop. Café Glacier or Le Salama, mint tea in hand.

Eat: Tagine at Café Clock (lamb and prune is the move)

Day 2, Go deeper

Base: Gueliz, The new town. Wider streets, modern cafés, Yves Saint Laurent museum.

Morning: Hammam at Les Bains de Marrakech. Mid-range, beginner-friendly, book the gommage + massage.

Afternoon: Explore Gueliz, The new town. Wider streets, modern cafés, Yves Saint Laurent museum.

Evening: Atlas day trip (Imlil + Berber lunch). Hire a driver. 7am pickup, back by sunset.

Eat: Tanjia at Mechoui Alley off Jemaa el-Fnaa

Day 3, Hidden side

Base: Hivernage, Upscale hotels, gardens, a quieter base if the medina overwhelms you.

Morning: Le Jardin Secret, peaceful courtyard most tourists skip.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Hivernage, Upscale hotels, gardens, a quieter base if the medina overwhelms you.

Evening: Get lost in the souks of the Medina. Spices, lanterns, leather and rugs in a maze of alleys off Jemaa el-Fnaa. Haggle hard and good-naturedly, accept you'll get pleasantly lost, and use a rooftop café to reset your bearings.

Eat: Mint tea anywhere with a view

Hidden gems

Le Jardin Secret, peaceful courtyard most tourists skip.
Henna Café, fair-priced henna with no medina hustle.
Beldi Country Club for a long lunch outside town.
Sunset from the Koutoubia Mosque gardens (free).

Getting around

Walk the medina. Take petit taxis (always agree on a price first, around 30-50 dirhams) for longer hops. Use Careem for fixed prices. Skip donkey carts unless you want a photo.

Safety

Generally safe. The hustle is the main thing to brace for: faux guides in the souks, kids offering directions for tips. A polite firm 'la, shukran' (no, thank you) usually works. Solo women should dress modestly in the medina.

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