Welcome to Marrakech – a vibrant city filled with rich culture, historic architecture, bustling souks, and magical desert landscapes. In this blog, I’ll share our 3.5-day itinerary exploring the best of Marrakech, from wandering through the lively Medina to sipping tea in the Agafay Desert. Whether you’re visiting for a romantic escape or a cultural adventure, this guide will help you plan the perfect trip to Morocco’s Red City.
📍 Day 1: Arrival & Relaxation at the Hotel
We landed at Marrakech Menara Airport and took a quick 10-minute taxi ride to our hotel, where we’d be staying for the next few days. The property was a peaceful retreat with a lush garden, a spacious room complete with a walk-in closet, private balcony, modern bath area, and two on-site restaurants. The view from the balcony was serene — the perfect welcome to Morocco.
We spent the first evening settling in, enjoying the amenities, and preparing for our guided tour the next morning.
📍 Day 2: Exploring Marrakech with a Local Guide
We booked a local guide, Hamza, who worked with a reputable tour company (I’ll link them below). He was incredibly flexible and allowed us to customize our itinerary depending on what we wanted to see and how much time we had.
We started our day exploring historical and cultural sites within the Medina, the old city of Marrakech. Hamza shared fascinating stories and gave us time to stop, take photos, and soak in the vibrant atmosphere.
Highlights of the Day:
- Palm Grove (Palmeraie): Often referred to as the “Beverly Hills of Morocco,” this area is dotted with luxury resorts and desert landscapes. It reminded us of Palm Springs and Joshua Tree back in the U.S.
- Camel Riding: A fun, must-do experience while in Marrakech.
- Souk Markets: We wandered through the colorful spice markets and traditional shops selling textiles, ceramics, and more.
- Medina Maze: Getting lost in the labyrinthine streets of the old city was part of the adventure.
- Jemaa el-Fnaa Square: This main square comes alive at sunset with food vendors, musicians, and street performers.
Sadly, we couldn’t visit the Bahia Palace due to ongoing renovations, but there was still plenty to explore around the area.
We ended the day with dinner at the hotel and began planning for a desert experience the next day.
📍 Day 3: Agafay Desert Day Trip
Since we had limited time left in Marrakech, we decided to spend our final full day exploring the Agafay Desert — a rocky desert located just 40 minutes from the city. While it’s not the iconic golden dunes of the Sahara, Agafay offers a unique desert experience with breathtaking views, camel rides, ATV tours, and even luxury glamping options.
What We Did:
- Photo Stops: Scenic drive with multiple photo ops.
- Lunch with a View: Our guide brought us to a stunning mountaintop restaurant. It required a bit of a hike up a steep staircase, but the panoramic view and delicious Moroccan cuisine made it worth it.
- Tea in the Desert: We stopped by a restaurant in the heart of the desert for traditional Moroccan mint tea and fresh fruit.
We ended our day watching the sun go down over the desert hills — an unforgettable experience that left us wishing we had more time to explore deeper or even spend the night camping.
📍 Day 4: Farewell, Marrakech
On our last morning, we squeezed in a few more local spots and then headed back to the hotel to pack up. 3.5 days went by in a blink, but this short trip left us with memories for a lifetime.
✈️ Final Thoughts & Travel Tips
- Best Time to Visit: Spring (March to May) and Fall (September to November) offer pleasant weather.
- Local Guide Recommendation: Having a guide like Hamza made the experience more informative and flexible. Consider booking through a reputable tour company.
- What to Wear: Marrakech is a blend of modern and traditional — dress modestly, especially in religious and rural areas.
- Currency: Moroccan Dirham (MAD). Have some cash handy for the souks and local vendors.
- Transportation: Taxis are cheap and reliable for short distances.
🧭 Still on My Wishlist
If we had more time, I would have loved to:
- Explore more of the Atlas Mountains
- Visit Essaouira, a coastal town a few hours away
- Stay overnight in a desert camp for the full nomadic experience
Thanks for reading! Marrakech truly has something for every type of traveler — whether you’re chasing culture, nature, food, or history. Let me know if you have any questions in the comments, and don’t forget to check out the recommended tour company below.
Safe travels! 🌍✨
