Marrakesh Itinerary

5-Day Marrakesh Itinerary

ByKyle

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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)

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