There’s an old saying in Marrakech, “Once you get a taste of the Red City, you will never be the same again.” Marrakech will open its gates to mesmerize and indulge the senses of all tourists and wanderlusting travelers.
Day One
9 a.m. Most riads and hotels in Marrakech will include a full breakfast in your rate, but if yours does not, you can find good cafes on Avenue Mohammed V. All the cafés have a wide choice of breakfast menus. Try the crepes, croissants, coffee, orange juice, honey and jam, all served with freshly sliced caramelized fruit.
14 minute walk
10 a.m. After breakfasting like a king, start your day with a therapeutic spa and luxurious pampering with Moroccan black soap and argan oil, followed by mint tea honey almonds, and raisin biscuits to combat jet lag. An ideal option before heading out to the hustle and bustle of Marrakech is Heritage Spa in the Bab Doukkala neighborhood.
26 minute walk
12 noon. The best way to escape the midday heat is to visit the colorful and cool botanical garden, the Jardin Majorelle, created by landscape artist Jacques Majorelle and fashion icon Yves Saint Laurent. The garden is a masterpiece filled with refreshing greenery.
52 minute walk
2:30 p.m. Grab lunch at Cafe Clock in the Kasbah. Some tourists love walking around with a smoothie in their hand to get a better feel of the Red City, and to earn their lunchtime calories. For those wanting to rest their feet, this would be the perfect time to get a cab.
Whichever way you travel, embrace your inner food vulture and ask for a savory camel burger and a delicious falafel with creamy yoghurt. Vegetarians might enjoy goat cheese quiche, seven-vegetable couscous, or a vegetable stew.
6 minute walk
4 p.m. Tour the splendid architectural landmarks of Marrakech’s jigsaw: the Saadian Tombs, the Bahia Palace (5 minute walk), and the largest mosque in Marrakech, the Koutoubia Mosque (14 minute walk). Non-Muslim visitors should be aware they cannot enter the mosque. If you are the type of tourist who only needs a quick glance at historic buildings, you may be able to squeeze in a visit to El Badii Palace as well.
11 minute walk
7 p.m. Make your way to Jemaa el-Fnaa, one of the city’s principal attractions and a treat for foodies. It is a magical square filled with a dizzying array of sounds and smells. Have a seat at one of the communal tables in the heart of the square and enjoy a feast of smoked meats and snail pepper soup.
Vegetarians need not despair: Head to Sahrawi’s, a famous food stall, for harira, a Moroccan vegetable soup, with dates and Moroccan chebakia, a sesame cookie soaked in honey.
Day Two
10 a.m. Start the morning by enjoying an authentic Moroccan breakfast to fuel you up for the day ahead. Then, invite yourself to a sweet freshly-squeezed orange juice at one of the famous fruit juice stalls in Jemaa el-Fnaa.
25 minute walk
10:30 a.m Immerse yourself in Marrakech’s ville nouvelle, a modern area that offers an alternative vibe to the traditional ancient medina. Gueliz is a stylish neighborhood brimming with restaurants, shopping centers, a cinema, big boulevards, cafes and contemporary art galleries such as Matisse Art Gallery, Les Atlassides, David Bloch Gallery, and Gallerie 127.
40 minute walk
12 noon Enjoy the enchanting Menara Garden at midday. The garden has a formal pool overlooked by a pavilion and surrounded by several orchards of palm trees, olive trees, and fruit trees.
36 minute walk
1:30 p.m After all that walking, you deserve a delicious lunch at Le Jardin Restaurant. Eat in the courtyard surrounded by magnificent towering palm trees as you enjoy a simmering roasted chicken tagine or Moroccan couscous (served daily here) with dates and harissa. Vegetarians can find several suitable options at Le Jardin Restaurant from soups to salads, and even a mixed vegetable tagine.
15 minute walk
3 p.m. Branch out into the labyrinthine medina. Follow your nose through Marrakech’s most alluring site as you wander from sections specializing in leather to those focusing on spices, wood, carpets, lanterns, metalwork, ceramics and everything in between.
4 p.m. On your tour of the medina, make sure to stop at the stunning Ben Youssef Madrasa before it closes at 5 p.m, Built in the 16th century as an Islamic school. The madrasa (school) is decorated with detailed delicate zellige and colorful mosaics.
25 minute walk
6 p.m. Dine at Taj’in Darna rooftop restaurant. Climb the winding stairs to the terrace at the top and order a tagine that will give you that full 360-degree experience of Moroccan flavors. Enjoy a knock-out serving of tagine with a wonderful view to enjoy the Marrakech sunset and explore the panoramic nightly carnival of Jemaa el-Fna square.
