Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Marrakech?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Marrakech?

Many travelers spend at least 3 or as many as 7 days in Marrakech during their visit. After all, the ancient city has plenty to explore such as the historic old town, the many shops, and the famous sights and museums.

For many, Marrakesh is a highlight of a trip to Morocco. The city is filled with energy and the medina offers a fascinating glimpse into the country's culture. There are ancient landmarks to explore, as well as cooking classes and camel treks that visitors can experience.

Do you have one or two days to visit Marrakech? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.


Is one day enough time in Marrakech?

Marrakech holds a significant allure for tourists because of its many sights and attractions. So with one day, you'll probably feel rushed to see the main attractions. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the ancient city has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have at least 3 or as many as 7 days to fully enjoy the city. If you have one day or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.

How to spend a day in Marrakech

When visiting Marrakech, you can't miss Jemaa el-Fnaa Square as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you give yourself enough time to enjoy it.

You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this city, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. Moroccan food is amazing and you'll enjoy grilled meats, tagines, couscous, and more. The city is more touristy than some parts of Morocco so you'll find the quality of the food can vary a bit, but it's still a culinary delight. Marrakesh is also a great city for taking a cooking class.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Cooking class with Chef Najla ($37)
  • Cooking Class in Marrakech with Fatiha and Samira ($44)
  • Cooking Classes Farm to Table Marrakech ($66)

Marrakech is a very walkable city. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. The medina is the best area to walk around but it's very easy to get lost. Outside of the medina you'll want to keep your eyes open for motorbikes and the occasional donkey.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Marrakech?

A weekend trip is usually not enough time to experience the ancient city of Marrakech, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. Or, perhaps you'll want to return another time to take it all in. You don't want to miss the chance to admire the historic sights, browse the shops, wander through the museums, and enjoy the city's energy. Many tourists set aside at least 3 or as many as 7 days for their visit. However, if your schedule only gives you a couple of days, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your weekend adventure in Marrakech below.

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How to spend 2 days in Marrakech

With a weekend (two to three days) in Marrakech, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.

The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. The historic medina is filled with spices, antiques, art, and pottery. The culture and experience of wandering the medina will have you feeling like you stepped back in time.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Guided Medina Walking Tour of Monuments & Souks ($37)
  • Marrakech Private Half-Day Walking Tour ($131)
  • Old Marrakech Walking Tour - Half Day ($40)

Marrakech is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. It is most beautiful as the sun sinks low and the color become strikingly pink.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Sunset Dinner & Camel Ride in Agafay desert ($38)
  • Guided Medina Walking Tour of Monuments & Souks ($37)
  • Luxury Tour Atlas waterfalls and camel ride in desert with sunset ($87)

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Marrakech, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.

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