Travel Itinerary for 2 Exciting Days in Marrakech, Morocco

Here is a 2 day travel itinerary to help you plan your trip to Marrakech, Morocco. Get ready to explore the Medina, plan sightseeing activities, and experience Moroccan culture.

This 2 day travel itinerary for Marrakech, Morocco will help you organize and maximize your time with recommendations for where to stay, things to do, places to visit, and information for navigating the souks. We will hit all the highlights.

Marrakech is alive with vibrant energy, stunning mosaics, and culture. In Marrakech you can indulge in a luxurious riad experience, get an authentic hammam full body scrub, and get your thrills sightseeing in the Medina. There is no shortage of excitement.

If you have more than 2 days, I’ve included additional itinerary ideas outside of the city of Marrakech to check out as well. Let’s dive in!

Where to Stay

The Medina

The city of Marrakech is split into “new and old.” The old city is known as the Medina; it is surrounded by fortified walls and is the heart of Marrakech. It is rightfully a UNESCO World Heritage Site that will make you feel like you are traveling back in time.

Inside the medina there are no cars but the streets make up for it with plenty of other traffic including animal drawn carts, bicycles, scooters, and surprises. Choosing an accomodation within the medina will provide convenient access to almost everything in this guide. 

The riad experience

There are plenty of luxury hotels in Marrakech, but in my opinion, nothing compares to staying in a riad. A riad is a Moroccan mansion converted into a multi-storied guest house. The main feature is an open-air courtyard which all the rooms open to and overlook.

You can expect a riad to have beautiful Moroccan architecture, mosaic tiles, plants, and sometimes a small plunge pool. Most have rooftop terraces with areas to lounge or dine with views of the city. Entering a riad feels like transporting into a peaceful oasis away from the noice of the Medina. Oh, and if I haven’t made it clear, riads are beautiful! 

There are many choices for riads within the medina. You will have plenty of options in all price points.

Riad Alnadine – this is where I stayed and loved it. The owners were truly kind and helpful. Nadine went above and beyond to help me navigate to the main square, Jemaa el-Fna and ensure I had a good trip. Breakfast on the roof terrace was delicious and a great start to the day.

If you have the means, Riad BE Marrakech is so dreamy. I did not stay here so I cannot provide a first hand account, but I longingly viewed their website and hope to return someday with that kind of budget. Their entire aesthetic is riad GOALS. 

Marrakech 2 Day Travel Itinerary

DAY 1

Wake up and enjoy a peaceful morning on your riad terrace for breakfast; mint tea is a must! Moroccans love their mint tea, but beware it’s loaded with sugar. 

First, you’ll want to get oriented to the area. I recommend asking a staff member from your riad to walk you into the main square, Jemaa el-Fna, to help you find your way the first time. Not to brag, but my riad owner Nadine offered to do this for me and I’m so thankful she did! A map will do the job, but it’s even better when someone can point out landmarks to help you recall by visual memory. This is a path you will be walking back and forth daily so it’s important! 

Jardin Majorelle

If you want to venture outside of the medina, this is a good place to start. At Jardin Majorelle you can take a morning stroll through a beautiful botanical garden. I love the feeling of being surrounded by plants, it’s very grounding and relaxing.

It’s about a 35 minute walk from the main square Jemaa el-Fna. Or you can grab a taxi, they are usually situated right off the square and it’s about an 11 minute drive. Alternatively, you can ask your riad to arrange one for you if you aren’t starting off in Jemaa el-Fna. Go early to beat the crowds.

Bahia Palace

Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission ticket = 70 dirham (approximately $7 usd)

For architecture, gardens, and Moroccan vibes, Bahia Palace has it all. This place is picturesque! There are 160 rooms to get lost in, admire the beautiful tile mosaics, and find all your picture perfect backdrops. This place is IT. 

Bahia Palace is about a 15 minute walk from Jemaa el-Fna. If you are coming from Jardin Majorelle, taxis are readily available outside the garden and it’s about a 12 minute drive to Bahia Palace. If the taxi is not metered, make sure to agree on a price beforehand. 

Henna Art Cafe

Open daily from 11 a.m to 8:30 p.m

After exploring the gardens and the palace, head back to Jemaa el-Fna for lunch. I recommend Henna Art Cafe. This artsy cafe is perfect for unwinding from a busy morning and offers 100% all natural henna ink from legit artists. Grab lunch on the rooftop terrace and then head into the attached studio for some ink. You won’t regret it! 

If you are shopping around for a henna tattoo, I recommend avoiding the henna artists in the main square at all costs! The few that I encountered were aggressive and one attempted to draw on my arm without my consent and scratched me in the process. Not cool.

Jemaa el-Fna

As the sun begins to set, head back into the iconic spectacle of Jemaa el-Fna to experience the square come alive in the early evening. This is the MAIN EVENT. It is a circus of entertaining sights. This is where the magic of Marrakech happens, as it has for almost 1,000 years. There are quirky fortune tellers, snake charmers, monkeys, music and performers…it’s an experience that cannot be missed! 

Street Performers

I must mention that I did not enjoy seeing the exploitation of monkeys and snakes, and because of this I chose to not take pictures or give money to these “acts.” Do your part as a responsible tourist by not supporting unethical treatment of animals.

Be careful taking photos and videos of the entertainers, they may demand money. If you enjoy the performance, tip away! While there are undoubtedly a few tourist traps, Jemaa el-Fna still remains quite authentic.

Street Food and Stalls

If you want to eat where the locals do, check out the food stalls! There’s no lack of options ranging from traditional Moroccan dishes to exotic if you’re feeling adventurous. Make sure to try the local staples, couscous and tagine!

Cafes with a View

Or, if you want a good view of the action but don’t want to be in the crowds, find a rooftop table and enjoy it from above.

• Le Grand Balcon du Cafe Glacier: I visited here for sunset and a mint tea. Despite being crowded, I managed to snap a beautiful sunset photo of Jemaa el-Fna and had a good view of the square, and that made it worth it.
• Hotel Restaurant Cafe de France
• Zeitoun Cafe
• Cafe Restaurant Argana

DAY 2

If you’re like me, you will want to take advantage of the free and delicious breakfast again at your riad. Save some room – on your way through Jemaa el-Fna this morning I highly recommend trying the fresh orange juice stand and/or an avocado smoothie. The avocado smoothie is typically made of some variation of avocado, dates, and almonds, it’s delicious! Ok, now you’re ready to explore.

Medersa Ben Youssef

Open daily from 9 a.m to 6 p.m. Admission ticket = 70 dirham (approximately $7 usd)

Medersa Ben Youssef was built in the 1500s and functioned as a college until 1960 when it was turned into a historical site. It is approximately a 10 minute walk from the square. There is a calm stillness within the walls and classic Moroccan beauty. This place is a total vibe and offers many beautiful photo ops. 

The Islamic “Call to Prayer” happens multiple times a day and is broadcast over the mosque’s speakers throughout the city. I was lucky to experience the Call to Prayer while sitting peacefully inside Medersa Ben Youssef and it was enchanting. It was the perfect opportunity to sit in silence and just be in the moment, something that we don’t do enough of while traveling or in everyday life for that matter. I hope you find it as beautiful as I did.

Shopping in the Souks

By now the Medina should be awake and bustling. Time to gear up for an afternoon exploring the souks! Historically, Marrakech was a major center of the trans-Saharan trade route. The souks have been functioning for over 1,000 years as an open air marketplace.

The souks are generally organized by products made and sold; carpets, fabrics/textiles, spices, lanterns, pottery, jewelry, etc. You will also see workshops for carpenters, blacksmiths, and dyers.

The souks are lively, chaotic, disorienting, and top notch in the world. Prepare for sensory overload and a fun shopping experience!

Check out my blog post, Advice for Navigating Souks in Marrakech for more details.

Moroccan Souvenirs & the Best Things to Buy:

• “Berber Pharmacy” apothecary shops – as a lover of natural and herbal remedies, I enjoyed browsing in these shops. You will see all kinds of interesting, exotic, and questionable items. This is the spot to buy perfumes, soaps, and skin care products, specifically Argan oil.
  • Argan oil is native to Morocco, it is anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-aging, and has many good benefits for your skin and hair. High quality argan oil is labeled as “eco cert” and only has one ingredient, argania spinosa. Check labels to make sure what you are buying is high quality.
• Lantern shops – iconic shops with beautifully crafted lanterns. If you don’t buy one, at least stop in to browse.
• Silk kaftans and pashminas – pashminas are the perfect accessory for Morocco.
• Shoe shops – “babouches” are Moroccan pointy toe slippers. The designs are colorful and simply beautiful. I bought two pairs, they make great house slippers.
• Home decor – handmade carpets and rugs, poufs, and tagine cooking pots all in Moroccan style.

Congrats, you survived a souk! Time to recoup and find a nice cafe for a lunch break, here are a few options:

• Atay Cafe 
• NOMAD – very popular spot, plan ahead to book a reservation
• Terrasse Des Espices 
• Cafe Arabe – positioned right across from Le Jardin Secret
• Le Jardin Secret – offers a nice respite from the noisiness of the souks in the atmosphere of a peaceful garden. There is a cafe inside as well if you want to combine visiting a garden and cafe experience. Cost to enter = 80 dirhams or 60 dirhams for ages 7-24. 

Book a Hammam

To begin transitioning into the evening, treat yourself to a unique and memorable Hammam experience. A hammam is a steam room that functions as a public bathhouse with separate rooms for men and women.

Hammams are a longstanding part of Moroccan culture. They believe the bathing ritual is a spiritual practice used to purify the body and soul. Why not scrub off your dead skin cells and renew yourself?!

The Hammam experience

For tourists, the hammams are more spa-like. Leave your inhibitions at the door, naked is the norm in the steam rooms. You may (or may not) receive disposable underwear, but you will get a traditional wash from head to toe, exfoliating scrub, and an optional massage.

You can customize your services, lounge in a robe, and drink mint tea afterwards while you marinate in your post hammam bliss. The exfoliation might be a little intense and you may lose a layer of skin in the process, but you will most certainly leave refreshed and renewed. 

There are many hammam options ranging from authentic to luxury. Check with your riad, they likely have recommendations for something close to where you are staying. Or browse these options:

• Royal Mansour hammam – luxury experience
• Les Bains d’Orient Marrakech – excellent reviews
• Hammam Mouassine –  authentic and oldest hammam in Marrakech

After rejuvenating in the hammam, you are now ready for your final night out in Marrakech. Plan ahead and book a reservation for a belly dancing show and dinner at Comptoir Darna.

This restaurant was on my list of things to do, but regrettably I did not make it there. This place is dripping with ambience and the reviews are excellent. If you’ve been, please comment below to share your experience!

There ya go, two jam packed days in Marrakech! This itinerary will allow you to experience the highlights of the city and get a taste for the culture, but still have much more to explore if you decide to visit again. The magic of Marrakech will likely leave you longing for more. 

If you have more time in Morocco, here are a few more ideas to add to your itinerary:

• Activities outside the medina such as museums, art galleries, and boutique shops
• Hot air balloon ride at sunrise 
• Atlas Mountains
  • The highest mountain range in northern Africa is located about 1.5-2 hours from Marrakech. There’s plenty to explore if you enjoy hiking and trekking. You can make a day trip to Toubkal National Park or plan an overnight homestay in a Berber village. 
• Glamping in the Sahara Desert
  • I can’t imagine a more magical experience than watching the sunset in the Sahara desert turn into a sky full of stars. This is on my list of must-dos when I return to Morocco.
• The ”Blue City” of Chefchaouen

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