Marrakech 2 Day Itinerary: The Best of Marrakech

Probably the most famous city in Morocco, Marrakech is a wonderfully vibrant culture shock with a myriad of things to get up to! Two days is perfectly long enough to experience the highlights of what Marrakech has to offer, although we would recommend staying longer if you can…

Where To Stay

The medina (which is defined as a walled city) is the heart of old town Morocco. This historic district, teeming with life and steeped in Moroccan tradition, is where you’ll find the iconic Jemaa el-Fnaa square at the very centre. To fully immerse yourself in the magic of the medina and maximise your walkable exploring during your two day stay, we highly recommend booking a room in one of the many charming riads (a large traditional house built around a central courtyard, often converted into a hotel) nestled within the city’s walls.

Hostel Amour d’auberge

For a vibrant and budget-friendly stay in Marrakech, Hostel Amour d’Auberge is an excellent choice. Located conveniently close to the city’s attractions, this hostel offers a lively and social atmosphere perfect for meeting fellow travellers. With its colourful decor, comfortable dorms, and private rooms, this hostel combines affordability with charm. You can will be able to use a shared kitchen, lounge areas, and a rooftop terrace with some stunning views. The friendly staff are always on hand to provide tips and help you make the most of your Marrakech adventure. Whether you’re here to explore or simply relax, Hostel Amour d’Auberge provides a welcoming and affordable base for your travels.

Riad Lamya Marrakech 

For a slightly more expensive stay in Marrakech, but a truly unforgettable one, Riad Lamya is a standout choice. Located in the heart of the medina, this riad offers a peaceful retreat with its traditional Moroccan architecture and stylish interiors. The beautifully appointed rooms, serene courtyard with a plunge pool, and a charming rooftop terrace create a perfect blend of comfort and authenticity. The attentive staff and delicious Moroccan breakfasts further enhance your experience. Whether you’re exploring the vibrant souks or relaxing in the riad, Riad Lamya promises a memorable and immersive Moroccan escape.

Getting Around Marrakech

When you arrive into Marrakech Airport we would definitely suggest booking yourself an airport transfer into the city centre. There are taxis available at the airport on arrival, but you will be expected to haggle for these. After the long journey and sometimes very exhausting wait at Moroccan customs it is a relief to find your name on a sign and hop straight in a car into the main city, at an already agreed and clear price. The journey takes around 25 minutes and can cost about £6 per person for a transfer (we booked with GetYourGuide).

Once in the city it is quite easy to walk around (especially in the Medina where it is required). If you are going further afield (Ville Nouvelle or Jardin Majorelle) Petit Taxis are available and can be flagged down very easily, make sure to ask for the meter to be switched on immediately or negotiate an amount you’re happy with before you set off. Some drivers like to pretend the meter is broken in order to charge an exorbitant amount later, so make sure this is dealt with before starting your trip. Petit taxis take up to 3 persons, whereas grand taxis can take up to 6 persons but will cost more for the same distance. Note that taxi drivers may pick up other passengers if there are spare seats. This is completely normal here – don’t worry!

InDrive, Marrakech’s answer to Uber, is an app that an be downloaded onto any smartphone. The premise is great as you are able to agree a price in app (bartering is in their blood!), the driver will accept and then pick you up and take you to your desired location. This works in the major cities in Morocco, but it is worth noting that the app is actually unlicensed and the drivers using it are going against the law. You are not doing anything illegal in using the app yourself, but we have seen first hand that if you order to be picked up near to a taxi rank, taxis will quite often mob the car and shout at you and the driver, not allowing you to get in. We have read lots of stories online of people using the app to get around quite happily, however there are others that have had similar experiences to us so we would recommend never to order one near to a station, airport or taxi rank if you can help it.

Top Tips for Your Trip to Marrakech

• The best time to visit Marrakech is in the spring or autumn, when the weather is milder.
• As Morocco is a Muslim country, be sure to dress modestly when visiting mosques and religious sites.
• Payment will be expected in cash for pretty much everything. If withdrawing money when reaching Marrakech use El Barid cash points (there is one located in Jemaa el-Fnaa square) as these do not charge a withdrawal fee. Note that their can often be long queues for these, so make sure to plan time for this.
• Haggling is expected in the souks, so be prepared to bargain for the best prices. We suggest initially countering to around 25% – 30% of the offered price, before working towards an agreement.
• Tipping is not obligatory, but it is appreciated (around 10%).
• Watch out for potential scams (for example, people telling you places are closed or giving you directions and then expecting payment).
• Learn a few basic phrases in Arabic before you go. This will help you communicate with locals and get around the city. Salam or salam alaikum for hello, and shukran meaning thank you.

Marrakech 2 Day Itinerary

Day 1

Morning

Bahia Palace opens at 9am and we would recommend getting here for then to avoid as many of the tour groups as possible. It is a 19th century Arabesque style building that was used by the grand vizier to the sultan. It really is stunning architecture and takes around an hour to wander and explore at a leisurely pace.

Head to Mazel Cafe after you have explored Bahia Palace to sip a coffee or a Moroccan mint tea whilst people watching over Tinsmiths Square.

You are perfectly placed now to have a wander around Mellah (also known as the Jewish quarter of the city) which is home to it’s own souk and spice market and is slightly less intense in comparison to the main Medina further north.

Afternoon

Wander up to Henna Art Cafe for lunch and, if you fancy it, some henna. This cafe offers a lovely menu along with the option to have henna done. They make sure to provide real and organic henna, rather than the products used in the main square which quite often contain chemicals and can damage your skin.

Up next, Koutoubia Mosque is the largest mosque in Marrakech and is known for its towering minaret that can be seen from all over the city. Unfortunately you will be unable to enter the mosque unless you are Muslim, but the surrounding gardens are open for everyone to explore.

Time to get lost in the Souk. Spend the rest of your afternoon wandering around the many winding and dusty alleyways of the main Souk of Marrakech. You can shop for gifts, trinkets and souvenirs whilst watching the shopkeepers and artisans at work. Remember, you are expected to haggle for the best price – so they will always start off extremely high! Offer a quarter of their named price and then gradually work up from there. They won’t sell if they aren’t making a profit so don’t hesitate to negotiate hard; they do this all day every day!

Evening

Jemaa el-Fnaa is home to the largest market in Africa. This square is a total overwhelm of the senses, in the best way. You will find market sellers, henna artists, snake charmers, performers, food stalls and copious fresh juice stalls all trying to attract your attention. By night it really comes to life and we recommend finding one of the many rooftop restaurants around the square to watch it get going. Or enjoy a drink (be prepared for a lack of alcoholic drinks on the menu due to the religious here) and then head down into the thick of it to find your evening meal at one of the many stalls in the square offering tagines, pastilla, couscous, tanjia or if you’re really adventurous… or French… snails.

Day 2

Morning

One of the most famous gardens of Marrakech, Jardin Majorelle, was created by the French orientalist artist Jacques Majorelle in 1923.  The garden and villa were rediscovered in the 1980s, by fashion designers, Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berge. They restored the garden to it’s original look and Saint Laurent’s ashes were scattered here after he passed away. The garden is now a tourist hotspot, and we would advise purchasing tickets online before arrival to avoid disappointment. We opted for the 8am slot (first slot of the day) and although it does mean an early wake up it was well worth experiencing the peace and quiet of the garden before it starts to get very hot and very busy.

After the garden, we would suggest heading back to the north of the city centre and taking a wander down to Le Jardin Secret, another very beautiful garden in Marrakech that has only been open since 2016. It is a traditional 19th century Islamic garden and it’s hard to believe once you are in that you are still in the heart of the bustling medina. It is a wonderful place to sit and sip mint tea, enjoying the calmness for a while.

Afternoon

Find lunch at one of the kiosks located within the medina, for a budget option we went to Chez Omar and really enjoyed our meal.

We’d then suggest heading over to Maison De La Photographie de Marrakech, a photography museum within a traditional riad. This exhibition of historical photographs of Morocco gives you a insight into what life looked like here, prior to the more recent boom of tourism. There is a route to follow around the museum that ends on the top floor, so don’t miss on heading all the way up to the terrace at the top for views out over the city! On a clear day you can even see the Atlas mountains in the distance.

Next is Ben Youssef Madrasa, which is an old Islamic college located not far from the Photography museum. It is a truly stunning building with intricate architecture, and the courtyard was probably the most beautiful we saw in our time in Marrakech.

Evening

Head over to Cafe Clock further south of the city for dinner and make the most of one of their evening events. They offer live music, storytelling and jam sessions, or just go to try their infamous Camel Burger!

If You Have More Time

Museum of Confluences & Bacha Coffee – Bacha Coffee is the most famous coffee shop in Marrakech and is located within the Museum of Confluences. The coffee shop has wait times of around 2 hours, but the interior and the museum are really lovely if you have the time to allocate to this activity. You can explore the museum that it is located within whilst waiting for your buzzer to go off notifying you of your table being ready for you.

Badi Palace – Located very close to Bahia Palace, the ruins of a grand palace from the 1500s which was once the biggest and most splendid palace complex in Morocco, complete with it’s sunken gardens and pools.

Yves Saint Laurent Museum – Just along the road from Jardin Majorelle the Yves Saint Laurent museum is entirely devoted to the work of the legendary fashion designer.

Cooking Class – If you have the time then a traditional Moroccan cooking class is a fantastic experience. You can learn to cook using a traditional tagine to make some classic Moroccan dishes.

Hammam – A hammam is a type of steam bath and is a prominent feature in Muslim culture. There are many options in Marrakech from budget to luxury. They are a truly unique experience.

Guided Tour

Marrakech can be a daunting place, so we have provided a guided tour option below if this is something you are considering to find your way around and learn as much as possible about this diverse city.

GetYourGuide – Marrakech: Ben Youssef, Secret Garden, & Souks Walking Tour

Beyond Marrakech

If you have more time in Marrakech and would like to explore more of Morocco’s diverse landscape, then consider one or two (or all three!) of these excursions.

GetYourGuide – Marrakech: Agafay Desert Quad & Camel Rides with Dinner Show

GetYourGuide – From Marrakech: Essaouira Full-Day Trip

GetYourGuide – From Marrakech: Day Trip to Ouarzazate and Ait Benhaddou

Final Thoughts for 2 days in Marrakech

We loved our time spent in Marrakech and have included in this itinerary our absolute favourite activities. We hope you enjoy our itinerary as much as we have loved putting it together. Moroccan culture is something incredibly special and Marrakech is a feast for the senses. We wish you an amazing time exploring what this city has to offer!