5-Day Marrakesh Itinerary
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Starting Point: Medina (Old City)
Day 1 Marrakesh Itinerary: Medina and Souks
Breakfast
- La Table du Marché (Rue Dar el Bacha) – French-Moroccan pastries
- Alternative: Café du Livre (44 Rue Tarik Ben Ziad) – Books and breakfast
Morning
- Koutoubia Mosque (exterior visit)
- Jemaa el-Fnaa Square (less crowded in morning)
- Explore the main souks
- Visit spice markets
Lunch
- Le Jardin (32 Souk Jeld Sidi Abdelaziz) – Garden setting
- Alternative: Terrasse des Épices (15 Souk Cherifia) – Rooftop views
Afternoon
- Continue souk exploration
- Visit Mouassine Mosque
- Hidden fondouks (ancient merchant houses)
- Photography Museum
Dinner
- La Grande Table Marocaine (Royal Mansour) – Luxury Moroccan
- Alternative: Al Fassia Aguedal (9 Zone Touristique de l’Aguedal) – Traditional
- Evening return to Jemaa el-Fnaa for night atmosphere
Day 2 Marrakesh Itinerary: Palaces and Gardens
Breakfast
- Le Petit Cornichon (57 Rue Yougoslavie) – French-Moroccan
- Alternative: Kamal Café (Rue Fatima Zohra) – Local breakfast
Morning
- Bahia Palace (arrive early)
- El Badi Palace ruins
- Saadian Tombs
- Jewish Quarter (Mellah)
Lunch
- L’Annexe (2 Rue Hannane) – French-Moroccan fusion
- Alternative: Café Clock (Derb Chtouka) – Modern Moroccan
Afternoon
- Dar Si Said Museum
- Ben Youssef Madrasa
- House of Photography
- Marrakesh Museum
Dinner
- Dar Yacout (79 Derb Sidi Ahmed Soussi) – Traditional palace setting
- Alternative: Le Foundouk (55 Souk Hal Fassi) – Refined Moroccan
- Evening spa hammam experience
Day 3 Marrakesh Itinerary: Modern Marrakesh
Breakfast
- 16 Café (Rue Mohammed el Beqal) – Contemporary
- Alternative: Café de la Poste (Corner Ave Imam Malik) – Colonial style
Morning
- Jardin Majorelle
- Yves Saint Laurent Museum
- Berber Museum
- Le Jardin Secret
Lunch
- NOMAD (1 Derb Aarjane) – Modern Moroccan
- Alternative: +61 (96 Rue Mohammed el Beqal) – Australian-Moroccan fusion
Afternoon
- Gueliz district shopping
- Place du 16 Novembre
- Galerie 127
- Tea at La Mamounia
Dinner
- Dar Moha (81 Rue Dar el Bacha) – Fine dining Moroccan
- Alternative: Le Studio (Rue de la Liberté) – Creative cuisine
- Evening cocktails at Sky Bar
Day 4 Marrakesh Itinerary: Atlas Mountains Day Trip
Breakfast
- Amandine Café (Avenue Mohammed V) – French pastries
- Alternative: Grande Café de la Poste (Corner of Blvd el Mansour) – Colonial
Morning
- Depart for Atlas Mountains
- Visit Berber villages
- Traditional tea ceremony
- Light hiking
Lunch
- Kasbah Tamadot (If staying near Asni)
- Alternative: Local Berber family lunch (arrange through guide)
Afternoon
- Explore Ourika Valley
- Visit women’s argan oil cooperative
- Botanical gardens
- Return to Marrakesh
Dinner
- La Grande Table Française (Royal Mansour) – French fine dining
- Alternative: L’Aventura (Avenue Mohammed VI) – Italian-Moroccan
- Evening traditional music performance
Day 5 Marrakesh Itinerary: Desert and Palm Grove
Breakfast
- Amal Women’s Training Center (Rue Allal Ben Ahmed) – Supporting local cause
- Alternative: Kaowa (34 Rue Yves Saint Laurent) – Healthy options
Morning
- Palm Grove camel ride
- Visit local pottery cooperative
- Traditional bread making workshop
- Cooking class
Lunch
- La Famille (34 Derb Jdid) – Vegetarian garden restaurant
- Alternative: Le Tanjia (14 Derb J’did) – Traditional Moroccan
Afternoon
- Menara Gardens
- Last-minute souk shopping
- Visit local hammam
- Sunset camel ride
Dinner
- Comptoir Darna (40 Avenue Echouhada) – Moroccan with entertainment
- Alternative: PepeNero (17 Derb Cherkaoui) – Italian-Moroccan
- Final night in Jemaa el-Fnaa
Restaurant Tips:
- Book high-end restaurants in advance
- Typical dining times: Lunch 12:30-14:30, Dinner 19:30-22:30
- Many riads offer excellent dining options
- Alcohol is limited to certain restaurants
- Tipping 10% is appreciated
- Learn basic Arabic/French phrases
- During Ramadan, plan meals accordingly
Practical Tips:
- Dress modestly (covered shoulders and knees)
- Hire official guides for medina tours
- Negotiate prices in souks (start at 1/3 of asking price)
- Carry cash for souks and taxis
- Download offline maps
- Drink only bottled water
- Use official taxis (beige colored)
- Book riads/hotels in advance
Cultural Notes:
- Friday is the holy day
- Photography: Always ask permission
- Respect prayer times
- Remove shoes when entering homes/mosques
- Use right hand for eating/passing items
- Some sites closed during prayer times
Emergency Contacts:
- Emergency number: 190
- Police: 190
- Ambulance: 150
- Fire: 150
- Tourist Police: +212 5244-38646
- Nearest Hospital: Hôpital Ibn Tofail (Ave Mohammed VI)
- U.S. Consulate: +212 5243-89002 (if applicable)