Magical Marrakech is one of the most captivating and enchanting destinations in Morocco.
A former imperial city, it combines gorgeous historic architecture with large and thriving souks, awesome cultural experiences, and more modern facets, such as trendy shopping areas and a modern night scene.
There’s a rich choice of places to stay in Marrakech, ranging from traditional riads in the heart of the medina, to decadent resorts in the outer areas of the city.
While many travellers opt to spend just a few days in the Red City, it’s well worth planning a longer stay to full let you get under the skin of this evocative North African city.
Plus, a longer stay means that you can really make the most of your time and explore more of the surrounding areas with day trips to even more amazing places!
Here’s how to spend one week in Morocco’s marvelous Marrakech:
Table of Contents
Day One: Discover the Medina’s Many Charms
Spend your first day in Marrakech exploring the ancient medina, the old walled area that still evokes a strong sense of age-old traditions.
The medina is often said to be the heart and soul of Marrakech, and it’s where you’ll find many of the city’s historic and cultural attractions.
You can stroll through the atmospheric streets on your own, pausing to visit the diverse attractions at leisure. Alternatively, having a local guide can really help you to maximise your time.
One of the most iconic attractions in Marrakech is the splendid Koutoubia Mosque.
A striking city symbol, you can gaze up at the soaring minaret, admire the fine architectural details, and hear the lilting call to prayer issued from the tower five times per day.
Although non-Muslims cannot enter the mosque you can still enjoy the lush gardens and descend into the old bathing room at the back of the mosque.
The stunning Bahia Palace is another highlight of the medina. Built in the 19th century, it was one of the finest buildings on Earth at the time of its construction.
Complete with ornamental gardens and splendid embellishments, you can admire traditional Moroccan craftsmanship, including zellige tilework and decorative stucco plasterwork, with a blend of Islamic and Moroccan styles.
Don’t miss seeing the harem, with its soft silkworks and colourful stained glass.
Visit the Merdersa Ben Youssef for religious insights and to enjoy more striking architecture.
Once an important place of religious study, it was established in the 14th century and in operation until the 1960s.
You can see the small study rooms and the beautiful shaded courtyard, and feast your eyes on intricate woodwork and tiling.
The medina has several interesting museums to add to your day’s itinerary too, including Dar Si Said, a former elegant palace that now houses a range of artisan items, Musee de Mouassine, which is a restored home from the Saadian period with a display of traditional Berber items, and the curious and quirky Tiskiwin Museum.
See the ornate Mouassine Fountain, visit the pungent tanneries, and view the medieval funduqs (old inns used by travelling traders).
Call into a tiny café for a pot of mint tea and enjoy a typical meal of tagine in one of the many restaurants throughout the medina.
Day Two: Travel Back in Time and Shop Till You Drop
Head just outside of the medina to visit two more of Marrakech’s famous historical attractions: the evocative Saadian Tombs and the El Badi Palace.
The Saadian Tombs served as the peaceful and refined final resting place for leaders, nobles, and prominent members of society from the Saadian era.
There’s a few stunning mausoleums and tombs as well as more basic tiled memorials among the grass.
The site was sealed and forgotten about for many years, letting nature take over and the burial ground to escape damage by human visitors.
Today, it has been restored and cleared. The well-preserved site offers fascinating glimpses into the past.
El Badi Palace is a haunting ruin today. Built in the 1570s and once a splendid architectural treasure, it used to have more than 350 dazzling rooms set around lush gardens, a large reflecting pool, and an expansive courtyard.
Although now bereft of the opulent marble, ivory, cedar wood, gold, and other expensive materials that once adorned the palace, you can use your imagination to picture how grand the palace would have been in its heyday.
Make your way back towards the medina and take a stroll through the old Jewish quarter, Mellah.
An under-visited part of the medina, you can see the overgrown graves in Morocco’s biggest Jewish cemetery, old synagogues, and homes that were once occupied by the city’s sizeable Jewish community.
Day Three: Explore the Enticing Coastal City of Essaouira
Take a day trip out of Marrakech to visit the popular coastal city of Essaouira.
Don’t worry if you get a sense of déjà vu as you explore the historic city—it was used as a filming site for Game of Thrones!
Although often windy, Essaouira’s long sandy beach is a pleasant place for an afternoon stroll before returning to Marrakech.
On the return journey, call into an argan oil cooperative to learn how the sought-after oil is produced and keep your eyes peeled for sightings of unusual tree-climbing goats.
Day Four: Combine Action and Relaxation in Marrakech
In the morning, before the day becomes too hot, head out to the oasis-like landscapes on the outskirts of Marrakech: La Palmeraie.
The large palm grove boasts thousands of trees as well as olive and citrus trees.
You can enjoy various exciting activities in the lush setting, including ATV riding, golf, camel riding, and horse riding. You’ll also find a number of luxurious resorts and shops.
After fun at the Palmeraies, head back towards the city to unwind in the stunning Majorelle Garden.
One of the most beautiful gardens in the city, it was created in the 1920s by a French painter. Later, it was taken over by famous fashion designer Yves St Laurent.
Stroll through the attractive gardens and admire the rich array of fauna, with bamboo, palm trees, water plants, vibrant flowers, cacti, and more.
There are water features and fountains to add to the visual appeal and you can pause for a quiet moment on one of the benches.
Before you leave, visit the informative and interesting Berber Museum. Spend the afternoon discovering the newer part of Marrakech: Gueliz.
Built during the French colonial period, the wide tree-lined streets of Gueliz are a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the medina’s narrow alleys.
There are several art museums to visit in Gueliz and the streets have plenty of cool public art. If you like high-class shopping, the air-conditioned malls are ideal.
You’ll find an array of eateries and you can spend the evening watching a show at the Theatre Royal (check the schedule and book tickets beforehand) or sampling the local nightlife in one of the area’s bars and clubs.
Day Five: See the Scenic Ouzoud Cascades
Pack your swimming gear and comfy shoes and head out to the beautiful Ouzoud Falls for a scenic day trip from Marrakech.
Located in the Atlas Mountains, the spectacular waterfalls tumble some 110 metres (360 feet) over a dramatic clifftop.
You can admire the falls from different levels and from different viewpoints. Watch out for the cheeky barbary apes that swing through the trees and wander along the footpaths at the upper parts of the falls.
There are shaded walking trails to follow and orchards to explore. Hike down to the bottom of the glorious cascades, where you can enjoy a boat ride beneath the falls, rafting, and (depending on the time of year) swimming.
There’s a good selection of places to eat around the falls and you can pick up souvenirs in the quaint gift stores close to hand.
In the evening, there are various ways to enjoy your time when back in Marrakech …
Take it easy in a café, have a few drinks in a bar, relax in a spa, wander around Djemaa el-Fna, or simply spend an evening unwinding in your accommodation to feel refreshed for your next day out.
Day Six: Take in Diverse Scenic Landscapes
Although definitely no match for the mighty Sahara Desert, the Agafay Desert is a reasonable alternative for people wanting to experience desert-like landscapes on an easy excursion from Marrakech.
Something of an under-rated gem, the arid, lunar-like terrain offers diverse activities. Gaze upon the unusual landscapes, scramble across the dunes, go horse riding, visit the oasis, and join a jeep safari.
Next stop is Lalla Takerkoust, an artificial lake with a tranquil air.
Take some time to chill out on the lakeside beaches, go boating, ride a quad-bike, and soak up the stunning views of the blue-green lake with the mountain backdrop.
Continue to Imlil, a charming village in the High Atlas Mountains.
There are various trekking routes to follow and it’s the main base for people wishing to take on the challenge of climbing Jbel Toubkal, the tallest mountain in the Maghreb.
Local guides are easy to book to help you make the most of your experience.
If you are able to spend the night (rather than racing back to Marrakech), take a seat on the rooftop of the kasbah to watch the sun set majestically over the mountains.
In the morning you can wake early to watch the sunrise and hear the melodic call to prayer before travelling bac to Marrakech.
Day Seven:
Whether travelling back to the Red City from Imlil, or whether you returned to Marrakech the previous evening, you can spend your last day shopping for souvenirs, soaking in a hammam, or hitting up any spots that you didn’t have time for earlier in the week.
Perhaps take in a couple of art galleries or museums, visit the pretty Agdal Gardens, or wander through the frenetic souks for some last haggling and gift shopping.
There really are many diverse ways to enjoy a week in Marrakech!
Only got a weekend to spend in Marrakech… Check out our Weekend Itinerary guide