Is it me, or is Marrakech the new Paris? With culture by the bucketload, screensaver-worthy sights, and an Uber-cool food and drink scene, spending 2 days in Marrakech is the recipe for a gorgeous whirlwind getaway.
On a recent trip there, I knew we wouldn’t have a lot of time to explore. But after spending 10 years working as a travel writer, I had research skills on my side. That meant I spent dozens of hours crafting the perfect 2-day Marrakech itinerary before we even packed our bags.
We then headed to the Red City to road test the result. This means the following itinerary is carefully optimised to help you make the most of your time in Marrakech, without making any of the mistakes we did!
It includes a quick overview of the itinerary for those in a hurry. I’ll then go into detail about each day, and include some FAQs at the end to help you plan your trip.
Feel free to give me a shout in the comments if you have any additional questions!
2 Days in Marrakech Itinerary in Brief
This itinerary is designed to help you maximise your time in Marrakech, hitting all the big-ticket sites with a few hidden gems thrown in. I’ll include some alternative activities in the detailed itinerary below, in case you want to swap anything out!
Day 1
Optional Sunrise Hot Air Balloon and Breakfast in the Desert
Visit the Saadian Tombs
Lunch at Dar Dar Rooftop
Explore El Badi and Bahia Palace
Have a Traditional Hammam Massage
Go For Dinner at Kabana
Day 2
Snap Photos at Ben Youssef Madrasa
Stop for Coffee at Bacha
Visit Jardin Majorelle and the YSL Museum
Have Lunch in Jemaa el-Fnaa Square
Go Shopping in the Souks or Take a Cooking Class
Get Sunset Drinks at Le Salama Sky Bar
Have Dinner With a Show at Narawama
Where to Stay for 2 Days in Marrakech
Since 2 days in Marrakech can feel a little bit like a whistlestop tour, you’ll want to base yourself somewhere very central. For the full experience, staying in a riad is the way to go.
A riad is like a Moroccan guest house, and you’ll find these are the main type of accommodation inside the city’s walled old town, otherwise known as the medina.
The medina is where you’ll find many of the sights and key attractions of this 2-day itinerary, so it makes sense to base yourself there.
Riads offer an oasis of calm from the bustling streets of the city – they’re like small boutique hotels set around a calm, quiet courtyard. Many have super stylish decor, and some even come with luxe extras like a pool or hot tub. La Sultana (pictured above) is an ultra-luxe option with the most dreamy underground spa.
For a more mid-range budget, the riad I recommend is Riad Itrane. Just a two-minute walk from Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, it’s right in the heart of the action without sacrificing style.
The decor is distinctly Moroccan, which I love – while some Riads opt for the trendy minimalist look, this one really leans into the culture and colourful soul of the city.
There’s also a stunning rooftop where you can spot city landmarks, and a gorgeous tiled swimming pool in the courtyard.
Full 2 Days in Marrakech Itinerary
Below you’ll find the 2-day Marrakech itinerary in more detail, including how to get from place to place and recommendations on where to eat and drink along the way!
Day 1
Sunrise Hot Air Balloon and Breakfast in the Desert
The sunrise hot air balloon is totally optional – you can easily omit it if you like, since it takes place early in the morning.
However, I will say that if there’s one thing we did in Marrakech that I’ll remember for the rest of my life, it’s this! We found the price very reasonable for a hot air balloon (it was quadruple the cost to go on one in Kenya).
Plus, heading out to the desert at sunrise gives you a chance to see the wild side of Marrakech that you might otherwise miss on a 2-day itinerary.
The tour includes transport to and from your accommodation, a coffee or tea with a cake on arrival, a 45-minute balloon ride, and then a traditional Berber breakfast in the desert.
It makes for the most dreamy way to kick off 2 days in Marrakech. Doing it on the first day also means you won’t have too much of an early start on day 2, meaning you can check out some of my favourite rooftop bars this evening.
You can read my full review of the experience here, or check rates and availability here.
Explore El Badi and/or Bahia Palace
You should arrive back in the city pretty early, and I recommend making your first sightseeing stop at El Badi Palace. If you’re tired from the early start, you can stop for a coffee in the picturesque Tinsmith Square first.
El Badi is a super-cool ruined palace on the outskirts of the medina, built in the 1500s. It only takes around 30 minutes to walk around the whole thing, and it’s worth going early to get the best photos.
If you have time or you’re looking for a more ornate, modern alternative, the Bahia Palace is also located nearby.
This preserved palace is from the late 19th century and boasts stunning mosaic frescos in a maze of courtyards and gardens to wander around.
Entrance to both El Badi and Bahia Palace is around 70 dirhams (€6.50)
Visit the Saadian Tombs
Located less than a five-minute walk from El Badi, the Saadian Tombs are a small collection of stunning, tiled, mausoleums where some of the city’s greatest Sultans have been laid to rest.
Again, it only costs around 70 dirhams (€6.50) to get in, and walking around won’t take you longer than 30 minutes.
Since it’s located a little bit outside the centre, it’s far less popular than some of the city’s other big sights, which means you might have the place to yourself. We certainly did when we visited at around midday in January!
Lunch at Dar Dar Rooftop
By now you will no doubt be hungry, and lucky enough, one of Marrakech’s coolest restaurants is only a 10-minute walk away.
DarDar’s is a popular rooftop bar in Marrakech, and one of the few restaurants in the area that serves alcohol. This means you can have a cheeky ‘Kech’ mojito alongside your lunch if you like.
This place is a popular spot for sunset cocktails, but we found there was just as much of a vibe going on at lunchtime! However, you can also book a table in the evening if you want to enjoy the low-key DJ sets.
The food is all Moroccan specialities with a modern twist, so I recommend getting a few things to share if you can! The chicken pastilla was to die for.
Have a Traditional Hammam Massage
There’s no doubt you’ll be tired after an early start and a morning full of sightseeing, so I recommend partaking in a traditional Hammam massage in the afternoon.
It’s an authentic local cleansing ritual that involves deep scrubbing of the skin using special black soap in a warm, steamy bath chamber. It’s all about leaving you squeaky clean and baby soft, so be prepared for your therapist to get up close and personal!
It’s customary to be completely naked for the treatment, and some even take place in communal, gender-segregated bath-houses.
For a more relaxing take on tradition, I recommend booking a professional treatment at a beautifully tiled Moroccan spa, like this one. It includes pick up and drop off from your accommodation, a 45-minute hammam massage, plus a rejuvenating mint tea.
Book the hammam treatment here.
Go For Dinner at Kabana
Hopefully, you’ve had a chance during your hammam spa experience to relax and are ready for an evening out in this vibrant city.
If so, I recommend booking a table at Kabana. It’s another one of the coolest rooftops in Marrakech and is the sort of place where dinner quickly turns into dancing later on.
A word of warning – the cocktails are very strong here!
Day 2
Visit Ben Youssef Madrasa
After starting day 2 with breakfast on the terrace of your riad (this is usually included and is a really atmospheric way to soak up the Moroccan vibes of your accommodation), I recommend heading out nice and early to Ben Youssef Madrasa.
This is the iconic tiled backdrop you’ve no doubt seen all over Instagram, but is even more beautiful in person. It’s actually a former university, and it’s buried right in the heart of the medina, north of the souks and Jemaa el-Fnaa Square.
It opens at 9am, and I recommend being there when it opens for the best photos! It only costs 50 Dirhams to get in (less than €5!), and it should take you around 30 minutes to see it all.
**You might also be interested in reading 15 Best Marrakech Photo Spots and Backdrops (with map!).**
Stop for Coffee at Bacha
Once you’ve had your fill of mosaic tiling, it’s time to head to one of the world’s most famous coffee shops.
Bacha is more than just a coffee shop; it’s a heritage institution, and there’s a small museum next door with information on the shop’s history in the business.
This place can also get really busy, so I recommend trying to be there before it opens at 10am. If there is a long wait time, they’ll give you a buzzer to let you know when your table is ready.
If you can’t get a table or you’re just not a coffee fan, Le Jardin Secret is also just around the corner from Ben Youssef Madrasa.
This tranquil spot features traditional Islamic gardens, and there’s also a shop and cafe here where you can grab a drink. It costs 100 dirhams to get in (€9).
Visit Jardin Majorelle and the YSL Museum
Next up – one of the world’s most famous gardens. Famed for being the long-time retreat and final resting place of Yves Saint Laurent, Jardin Majorelle is a beautiful, bright oasis on the outskirts of the old town.
You can walk there in about 25 minutes from Bacha, or head outside the city walls and jump in a taxi, which should take about 10 minutes. Be sure to agree on a price before you get in.
One thing to know about Jardin Majorelle is that you must book your timeslot for entry at least 24hours in advance. Unlike other sights on this itinerary, you cannot pay to enter on the door.
The beautiful, zen-like garden features hundreds of botanical plants, stunning water installations, and a unique cubist villa created by the artist Majorelle in the 1920s.
There’s also a small museum dedicated to Yves Saint Laurent next door to the garden, and you can book tickets to both in advance.
Have Lunch in Jemaa el-Fnaa Square
You’ll have no doubt worked up an appetite after all that sightseeing, so it’s time to head back into the centre of Marrakech for lunch.
You can get the L4 bus from Ben Tibb to Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, or hop in a taxi like before. The bus takes around 20 minutes, while a taxi takes just over 10.
Jemaa el-Fnaa is the main central square in Marrakech, so there are loads of options for lunch here. We liked L’Adresse for its rooftop views of the square and freshly squeezed juices.
They did a bit of everything on the menu here, so it’s easy to find something you like!
After lunch, you can wander around the square or visit the Koutubia Mosque. You’re only allowed to visit the exterior, but it’s a popular spot to tick off if big landmarks are your thing. It’s free to have a look around the gardens.
Go Shopping in the Souks
Your 2 days in Marrakech are almost coming to an end, so what better time to pick up a souvenir?
The souks of Marrakech are a maze of bustling market stalls selling all sorts of handcrafted goods, from beautiful ceramics to buttery leather handbags and stunning Berber rugs.
It’s very easy to get lost, so I recommend a guided tour to help you get your bearings. A walking tour also gives you a chance to learn a little history behind the markets and get an insider perspective on the best places to buy!
You’ll also have a local on your side when it comes to bartering for a bargain.
Book the guided souk tour here.
Get Sunset Drinks at Le Salama Sky Bar
End your 2 days in Marrakech in style with a dreamy sunset drink overlooking the city’s red rooftops. Salama Sky Bar is one of the best spots, and there’s usually a happy hour deal around sunset time, too.
It’s right around the corner from the souks and Jemaa el-Fnaa, so you can walk straight there or head back to your accomodation to freshen up first.
La Pergola is a popular alternative, although the views aren’t quite as good; the cocktails are fantastic, and they often have live music and jazz playing.
Have Dinner With a Show at Narawama
Wrap up your final night in Marrakech with dinner and a belly dancing show at Narawama. The menu is full of Middle Eastern specialities, and it’s such a fun night out!
The restaurant itself has a very Arabian Nights feel, it’s set in a huge, high-ceiling room with a fire pit for dancing around.
The show starts quite late, so you’ll want to book your table for a later dinner, around 8:30pm.
How to spend 1 day in Marrakech
If your itinerary can’t stretch to 2 days in Marrakech and you only have one day to explore, I recommend the following itinerary:
- Sunrise hot air balloon and breakfast in the desert
- Ben Youssef Madrasa
- Jardin Majorelle and the YSL Museum
- Lunch at Jemaa el-Fnaa
- Shopping in the souks or a traditional hammam massage
- Sunset drinks at Dar Dars Rooftop
- Dinner and a show at Narawama
If You Have Extra Time in Marrakech
If you have more than 2 days in Marrakech, there’s plenty more to see and do. I recommend:
- Taking a cooking class that includes an aromatic tour of the spice market and the making of some authentic dishes like tagine.
- Exploring La Gueliz – the new town of Marrakech – with its boutique art galleries, quirky cafes and speakeasy-style bars.
- Taking a day trip to see the famous Ouzoud Waterfalls.
- Spending a day soaking up the Moroccan sun on the terrace of your Riad, or by a pool with DJ sets like the one at Nobu.
- Seeing more of the local desert with a camel-riding experience or a quad biking tour.
2 Days in Marrakech: FAQs
Is 2 days in Marrakech enough?
Marrakech is a relatively small city, and you can tick off a lot of the key attractions in 2 days, with a little downtime to enjoy the rooftop bars and riad courtyards too.
However, you could easily spend longer if you have more time to spare, especially if you plan on exploring the surrounding deserts and mountains as well.
Best time to visit Marrakech?
The best time to visit Marrakech is during the winter, when temperatures are warm and pleasant for sightseeing, and the key attractions won’t be too busy. We went in January and found it was a fantastic time to visit – ideal for escaping the bleak winter weather back home.
In July and August, temperatures can soar to 38°C (100°F), which would be pretty uncomfortable when walking around the city.
How to get to Marrakech?
Marrakech has a large international airport that is well-served from major locations throughout Europe and the Middle East.
When you arrive at Marrakech Menara Airport, make sure you have your accommodation provider organise a taxi to pick you up. They will also be able to direct you through the streets of the medina when you arrive in the city, right to the door of your riad.
Even with a good map, they can be very difficult to find on your own! Having your riad arrange your airport transfer ensures a seamless arrival in the city.
How to get around Marrakech?
The pedestrianised centre and walled old town of Marrakech is known as the Medina, and the majority of the key attractions here are within walking distance of each other.
However, the streets are like a maze to foreigners, and it’s hard to find your way around without a good offline map.
We found the best tool for getting around (and the most accurate) was maps.me. Unlike Google Maps, this never steered us to an unexpected dead end. We were also able to download the maps for the times we didn’t have internet reception.
You can pin all the places you want to go to on maps.me, making it easy to plan your journey from one spot to the next.
The only place on this itinerary that’s a little further out and may require a taxi is Jardin Majorelle. There are usually plenty of taxis available outside the Medina walls, so hailing one isn’t an issue. Just be sure to agree on a fare before you get in and have the cash ready.
Top Tip: There’s a local scam where someone will see you looking lost and offer to help you find your way. When you get there, they’ll demand money for their services. You can simply politely decline these offers. If you do need to ask someone for directions, try a shopkeeper or restaurant owner instead.
Where to stay in Marrakech for 2 days
I recommend staying in the centre of Marrakech if you only have two days. Riads are the main form of accommodation here, and there are hundreds to choose from for every budget. My favourites are:
Riad Itrane: Just a two-minute walk from Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, it’s right in the heart of the action without sacrificing style.
Riad Kheirredine: Offering a fusion of Italian and Moroccan influences, this riad has vibrant decor and stunning courtyards around every corner.
La Farnatchi: Located smack bang in the middle of the medina, this boutique riad offers old-school Moroccan glamour with a beautiful bar and spa.
La Sultana: A little further outside of the old town walls, La Sultana is home to a show-stopping, viral hammam spa, along with a beautiful rooftop bar and sumptuously luxurious rooms.
I hope this guide has helped you plan how you might spend 2 days in Marrakech, but if you have any more questions, please drop me a comment below! I’d love to help plan your trip to the Red City.
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