Marrakech and Surroundings Itinerary in 7 Days

Marrakech, the gateway to Morocco, is a city that will give you a first taste of this spectacular land. Connected to Italy via low-cost flights, making it very easy to reach, it is also an excellent base for discovering other Moroccan beauties, from the desert to incredible waterfalls, to cities overlooking the ocean. Here are all our tips for organizing the perfect Marrakech itinerary in 7 days.

Start this journey at the Saadian Tombs, one of the most visited attractions in Marrakech (Get directions). Located just a short walk from the Medina and Jamaa El Fna, they are easily reachable on foot.

This site, open to the public since 1917, represents an important burial complex: within its walls rest 66 members of the Saadian dynasty.

If you're particularly interested in this stop and the following morning stops, we recommend joining a guided tour of the Bahia and Badi Palaces and the Saadian Tombs (duration 3 hours).

Visit duration: 1 hour

To reach this stop: 5 min on foot (Get directions).

Next, head to one of the most famous palaces in the city: El Badi Palace. From the Saadian Tombs, you can walk to it in about 5 minutes by following Rue de la Kasbah.

The heart of Marrakech features several palaces, and this is certainly one of the most fascinating, even if it is in a state of ruin. Dating back to the late 16th century, it was built to celebrate the Moroccan victory over the Portuguese at the Battle of Alcazarquivir. Enjoy a stroll around the courtyard and the walls, and keep your eyes peeled: storks nest here.

Visit duration: 1 hour

To reach this stop: 10 min on foot (Get directions).

Leave El Badi Palace behind, continue walking through Place des Ferblantiers, and in less than 10 minutes on foot, you'll reach El Bahia Palace, one of the most beautiful architectural works in all of Marrakech.

Built in the 19th century, it was the residence of Grand Vizier Bou Ahmed, who served Sultan Moulay al-Hassan I. During your visit, you can lose yourself among its wonderful rooms and numerous gardens and inner courtyards. Certainly, one of the must-see areas is the Courtyard of Honor, colorful, rich in mosaics, and surrounded by columns!

Visit duration: 1 hour

To reach this stop: 20 min on foot (Get directions).

Dedicate the afternoon to discovering the Medina, the heart of Marrakech's historical center. Stop first to admire the Koutoubia Mosque from the outside, one of Marrakech's symbols.

Entry to the mosque is permitted only for Muslims, but take the opportunity to admire it from the outside and snap some photos. It is, in fact, one of the most significant mosques in the Islamic world. Also, enjoy a stroll through the gardens that surround it.

Visit duration: 30 min

To reach this stop: 10 min on foot (Get directions).

After admiring the mosque, reach the Souk Semmarine, the traditional market of the city filled with stalls of all kinds. To get there, simply cross the famous Jamaa El Fna Square, which you can visit more calmly in the evening.

Enjoy a stroll through the souk and if you want to shop, remember to haggle! Here it is common practice, so don't worry. The souk is divided into sections based on the goods sold: for example, you'll find the Attarine souk for spices, the Kchacha souk for dried fruits, and the Haddadine souk with handmade lamps and metal objects, making it one of the most picturesque!

Visit duration: 1.5 hours

To reach this stop: 2 min on foot (Get directions).

For sunset, head to Jamaa El Fna Square, the most famous square in Marrakech, which is the entrance to the Medina souk.

Here, climb into one of the terraces of the surrounding cafés and watch the sunset while sipping Moroccan mint tea! This is the vibrant heart of the city, lively both day and night, when it turns into a large night market.

Visit duration: 1.5 hours

Dedicate this morning to the famous Jardin Majorelle, one of the most beautiful gardens in the city (Get directions). Alternatively, take a taxi: in this case, opt for a petit taxi, the local beige taxi, ask for the fare before you leave, and be prepared to haggle.

Created in 1924 by Jacques Majorelle, a French painter who arrived in Marrakech in 1919, the gardens have belonged to Yves Saint Laurent since 1980. Famous for their blue color, you can enjoy a stroll among plants, palm trees, and beautiful fountains, and perhaps also visit the small Berber Museum, an Islamic art museum.

Visit duration: 2.5 hours

To reach this stop: 10 min by taxi (Get directions).

In the late morning, return to the Medina, enjoy another walk in the souk, a true maze of narrow streets filled with stalls, and stop for lunch at one of the many local eateries.

In the first part of the afternoon, visit the Ben Youssef Madrasa, the largest madrasa in Morocco. The madrasa is an Islamic school where religious disciplines are studied, which is why it is important to maintain a respectful atmosphere and wear suitable clothing.

Visit duration: 1.5 hours

To reach this stop: 5 min on foot (Get directions).

From the Madrasa, walk for 5 minutes through the streets of the Medina to reach Le Jardin Secret, literally secret garden, a wonderful hidden garden in the Medina, the ideal place to seek a bit of coolness and relaxation between visits.

Visit duration: 1 hour

Dedicate this morning to visiting the Marrakech Museum, one of the most important museums in the city (Get directions). It is located in the Medina, so you can easily reach it on foot if you are staying in a riad.

This museum is worth a visit even just for the building that houses it: it is located inside the Dar M' Nebhi Palace, once the home of Mehdi Mnebhi. Within its rooms, you can discover the history of the city, closely examining traditional objects such as ceramics, weapons, Quranic inscriptions, carpets, and much more.

Visit duration: 2 hours

To reach this stop: 35 min with a guided tour (Get directions).

Spend the afternoon on an excursion. Specifically, have an incredible experience in the desert with a tour from Marrakech. Do not venture into the desert alone, but always rely on organized tours: this includes transportation, hotel pickup, dinner, and various activities.

The Agafay Desert is located south of Marrakech. During this several-hour experience, you can take part in numerous activities: visit a local cooperative that produces argan oil, taste Moroccan tea, ride a camel, enjoy the sunset in the desert, and dine in a Berber camp with traditional dishes and entertainment and music. At the end of the experience, you will be directly escorted back to your accommodation.

Visit duration: 5 hours

Marrakech is an ideal base to explore this entire area of Morocco. So, head out for a guided tour to the Ouzoud Waterfalls, including transportation and a boat ride (Get directions). The best option is to rely on a guided tour, as you will need to cross parts of the desert.

Located about 3 hours by car from Marrakech, the Ouzoud Waterfalls are one of the most magical places in Morocco. With a drop of about 110 m, the waterfall falls into a natural pool where you can take a boat ride, which is also included in the tour. During the visit, you may also spot monkeys and visit a traditional Berber village.

Visit duration: 10 hours

Dedicate this day to a day trip exploring the Atlas Mountain Range (Get directions). Again, the best solution is to rely on an organized tour from Marrakech: in addition to transportation and lunch included, you will also be accompanied by a guide.

The first stop will be Lalla Takerkoust, followed by a visit to the Amizmiz valley, where you can explore the typical Berber markets, set only on Tuesdays in Tahannaout and Saturdays in the Asni valley. The highlight comes with the visit to Aroumd, overlooking the waterfalls and the most stunning views this valley offers. Visit duration: 8 hours

Let's discover Essaouira, also known as "the city of wind". It is located on the Atlantic coast, about 180 km from Marrakech (Get directions). The best way to visit it for a day is to take part in a tour from Marrakech, with transportation included.

An ideal Moroccan destination for surfing, with many schools along the beaches, Essaouira is famous for its port and beautiful historic center. The guide will lead you in discovering enchanting places such as the beautiful Moulay El Hassan square and the souks, the traditional markets of the city. Don't miss a walk on the battlements overlooking the sea to admire the scenery!

Visit duration: 10 hours

On your last day in the city, visit the Menara Gardens in the morning, a large green area of the city! They are located outside the historic center, near the airport, and we recommend reaching them by taxi (from the Medina about 50.00 MAD/€4.60 - Get directions). As always, be prepared to haggle!

These are one of the oldest gardens in the Muslim west. They are also very popular with locals, so you can enjoy a walk around the large fountain or among the olive trees, and don't miss the opportunity to visit the Pavillon de la Ménara, the pavilion overlooking the pond that creates beautiful reflections on the water.

Visit duration: 1.5 hours

To reach this stop: 30 min with a tour (Get directions).

In the afternoon, participate in an excursion in the Jbilets Desert and Palm Oasis, about 30 minutes from Marrakech, between Berber villages and with a view of the Atlas Mountains. Join a quad experience, one of the activities not to be missed. The excursion includes direct pickup from your hotel.

Here you'll find dunes and stretches of soft sand, as well as wonderful lush palm groves, hence the name Palm Oasis. You'll have the opportunity to explore the area on a quad, visit a small Berber village and taste Moroccan mint tea.

Visit duration: 3 hours

NB: The prices listed in the table above are per person.

Marrakech is definitely an economical destination! Starting with flights from Italy: the two countries are connected by several low-cost flights. Marrakech is also a great starting point for discovering Morocco and the imperial cities. More info on the imperial cities tour from Marrakech here.

Regarding accommodation, the best solution is to stay in the Medina, the historical heart of the city. Here, choose the Riads, wonderful accommodations generally with a small pool and beautiful gardens, at very affordable costs. Staying here, you can move around easily on foot. Finally, eating out is also very cheap: a complete meal typically costs between €5.00 and €10.00, and if you eat at the Jamaa El Fna market, you'll spend even less!

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