Marrakech in four days: everything you need to know to explore the city in depth

Visiting Marrakech in four days will allow you to see all its attractions, from the Medina to the Menara gardens, the souks and, of course, the Jamaa el Fna square. You'll also have time for an excursion to some of the magical locations in the surrounding area.

Arriving in the streets of Marrakech, with its crowds, vendors, noise and smells can make some visitors feel a little uncomfortable. My advice is to try to keep an open mind and go into the trip eager to soak up the incomparable atmosphere of the city.

See the Medina in the best company

Marrakech is normally a safe city, but, as with any destination, it's always a good idea to keep in mind a few safety tips for travelling to Morocco.

A good way to get to know the medina and some of the main attractions of Marrakech, at least until you check the city, is to book a guided tour. With your guide, you'll not only learn more about what you're seeing, but you'll also get to know the city's hidden secrets.

Enter the souk

There's nothing better than starting your trip Moroccan-style: with a mint tea in one of the cafés near the Jamaa el Fna square. This will not only give you your first taste of Moroccan gastronomy, but you'll also get a taste of the atmosphere that is beginning to build up in the square.

When you're done, take a stroll around the square. If you're lucky, some of the many vendors who come every day will already be there, as will the henna tattooists, jugglers, storytellers and snake charmers.

Then it's time to book your tour of the souks of Marrakech to help you shop and bargain for one of the most intense experiences of your trip. The best thing about going early is that the labyrinth of souk streets is not yet crowded. You'll find everything from slippers, to fabrics of all kinds, to food, spices and ceramics.

Discover the Koutoubia Mosque and its minaret

This mosque is the most important in the whole of Marrakesh and its minaret, some 70 metres high, is still the highest point in the city.

The interior, unfortunately, cannot be visited by non-Muslims, but this does not prevent the decoration of the minaret and the exterior of the so-called booksellers' mosque (translation of its name from Arabic) from being worth a stop, as well as its neat architecture.

If you would like to know more about this and other mosques, be sure to book a private guided tour of Marrakesh.

Take a break and enjoy the culinary delights.

After a few hours wandering around the souk and other parts of the medina, it's time to take a well-deserved break and recharge your batteries. Although the area is full of places to eat, some of the most recommended are:

• Bazaar Cafe.
• Atay Cafe.
• Cafe Clock, where, if you dare, you can try a camel meat burger.
• Book your gastronomic tour of the Medina of Marrakech if you want to get started in Moroccan gastronomy, be on the safe side and make no mistake.

Enter the Dar Si Said Museum

Marrakech may be best known for its square and its proximity to the desert, but its ancient buildings and art collections do not detract from the former. The next place to visit, still inside the Medina, is the Dar Si Said Museum.

In the case of this museum, the exhibition is made up of objects from Berber culture, as well as carpets, textiles and furniture. Dar Si Said is housed in a former 19th century palace with a beautiful interior courtyard. Don't miss the delicate decoration of its wooden doors.

Enter the Mellah, the old Jewish Quarter

In the 16th century, several groups of Jews expelled from Spain and Portugal sought refuge in Marrakesh. In the red city they settled in their own quarter, the Mellah.

The Jewish community has dwindled over the years, but the quarter still retains a different atmosphere from the rest of the city. With its narrow streets, it is very interesting to stroll through them and discover some of its attractions.

Be dazzled by the sunset in Jamaa el Fna

To end this intense first day on a high note, head back to the Jamaa El Fna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Before going down to the square, you can find a spot on one of the surrounding terraces and watch the sunset from there while you sip a cup of tea or coffee. From here you can also see how the atmosphere changes and a large number of food stalls begin to set up.

The music and performances by street artists give the square a magical atmosphere that captivates all visitors. If you've been to Marrakech with children, you can be sure they'll enjoy the experience.

• If you wish, you can choose from among the food stalls set up in the square the one that catches your eye.
• If you prefer something quieter, you can book a gastronomic tour of Marrakech or go to Nomad.

You will have noticed that the first impression of Marrakech is one of chaos and disorder, with its narrow streets full of locals and tourists, vendors with their stalls, noise everywhere, colours and flavours. However, it is all this atmosphere that makes the city a magical and unrepeatable place.

With the experience gained during the first day you will probably already know how to get around Marrakech. Although you can hire another tour of the medina to show you everything there is to see and do, the following tour can also be done without any problems on your own.

Lose yourself in the Bahia Palace

The day will start early with a visit to one of the most beautiful buildings you can find in Marrakech: the Bahia Palace. It is one of the most visited monuments, so it is advisable to arrive at a time that allows you to avoid the crowds and see it at your leisure.

It was built in the 19th century with the intention of being the largest building of its kind in the world. Although surpassed by other palaces in the world, there is no doubt that its architecture, its yellow and blue courtyard full of aromatic plants, its mosaics and the decoration of its columns have kept it as one of the essential places to visit in Marrakech.

The only problem is the lack of information in English. This means that many tourists prefer to book a guided tour to get the most out of their visit.

Photograph the best views from El Badi Palace

Another interesting building to visit in Marrakesh is the El Badi Palace. It dates back to the 16th century and much of its structure is in ruins, although excavations have been taking place in the area for years. According to chronicles, it once had more than 300 rooms, all decorated with crystal, turquoise and gold.

Some rooms and its extraordinary courtyard are still standing. The place also hides in one room the minbar (pulpit) of the Koutoubia mosque, as well as a beautiful view of the city from the ramparts,

. After leaving the palace, I recommend that you stroll around the area for a while and take a break in one of the cafés in the Jardin Sidi Ahmed El Kamel.

Visit the Saadian tombs, one of the jewels of Marrakesh.

One of the jewels of Marrakesh are the Saadid tombs. Although less known than some of its other attractions, this small funerary complex hides wonders inside. Built by Sultan Al Mansur, they remained hidden for centuries after another sultan had them walled up and are considered to be one of the finest examples of traditional Moroccan architecture.

It was not until 1917 that they were rediscovered, revealing the marble and gold with which they were built. Inside you will find a small courtyard with the tombs of secondary figures, although the most outstanding feature is the so-called Hall of the 12 Columns, in which Al Mansur himself is buried.

After this visit it may be time for lunch. You will find several interesting places in the area, among which I recommend the pleasant terrace of the Kasbah Cafe.

Don't miss the Madrasa Ben Youssef

The Ben Youseef Madrasa (or Medersa) was an ancient Islamic school that once had more than 900 students. Today it is considered one of the most interesting places to visit in the city due to the beauty of its architecture.

At its centre, as is customary in old Moroccan buildings, is a courtyard with a fountain. Around it you can see several rooms built with cedar and stucco and decorated with tiles of various colours.

The prayer room is also very interesting, as its decoration with pineapples and palm trees is one of the most exuberant in the city.

Discover Koubba Ba'Adiyn

This domed building was built in the 12th century by Ali Ben Yussef, the second Almoravid king. It is the only remaining example in the city of the architecture of that period and, in addition to its aesthetic and historical value, it is a good example of how water was stored at that time.

The best way to see this monument is to go down to its base and stand under the dome. This is where you can best see its extraordinary decoration. In the past, there was a pond with a fountain at the base.

Enter the Marrakesh Museum

The Marrakesh Museum is a good place to visit with a guide, as there is not much information about what you are seeing and you will not be able to understand the function of much of the collection.

However, the palace itself, in which the museum is located, is really impressive and worth paying just to see it. Its central courtyard stands out, and you're sure to spend some time admiring all its details.

To end the day, I recommend you go to a place where, as well as having dinner, you can see a belly dance show. One of the most popular is Le Narwama, located near Jamaa El Fna.

From Marrakech there are a number of organised excursions that will allow you to discover the desert of Marrakech, the Atlas Mountains and impressive towns such as Essaouira. For this third day, I suggest you travel to Essaouira to enjoy its attractions.

Although you can get from Essaouira to Marrakech on your own, booking an excursion to Essaouira will allow you to make the most of your time and not have to worry about adjusting transport schedules.

Marvel at Essaouira

Most tours to Essaouira leave very early in the morning from Marrakech to make the most of the day. The distance is approximately 160 kilometres and you'll be able to enjoy some stunning natural scenery along the way.

After arriving in Essaouira, you'll be able to stroll through its charming streets, which have a much quieter atmosphere than Marrakech. You can also visit a cooperative where the famous argan oil is produced, as well as the port of Essaouira:

• The port of Essaouira: crowned by a bronze cannon, it is the most iconic point of the city.
• Moulay el Hassan square.
• The souks.

Lunch, which is usually included in these tours, is taken in a local restaurant. Here, the traditional Moroccan food found in Marrakech restaurants is complemented by many seafood and fish dishes.

Dinner at Kafe Merstan

It's quite likely that you'll be feeling pretty tired when you get back to Marrakech, especially if your excursion has included a camel ride. Depending on your state of mind, you can either dine at your hotel if it offers that option, or have a bite to eat at one of the trendy eateries.

A very nice place is the Kafe Merstan, whose beautiful terrace will allow you to relax after such an intense day.

The activities for this last day of your stay in Marrakech will be determined by the departure time of your return flight, as it will not be the same to go to Marrakech airport just after lunch as it will be if, with luck, your flight doesn't leave until the following morning. Despite this, the proposed itinerary is quite complete.

Tour the Palm Grove of Marrakech

Marrakesh's Palm Grove area, about 10 kilometres from the Medina, has become one of the city's tourist centres. Despite this, the atmosphere still retains some of its magic thanks to its more than 100,000 palm trees and fruit trees.

To get there you can negotiate a fare with a taxi driver (which is one of the most basic tips for visiting Marrakesh). If you prefer to keep it simple, you can book a tour of the Majorelle Gardens and the Marrakesh Palm Grove. You can also take a camel ride through the Marrakesh Palm Grove

. Depending on how you've gone and your interest in the area, you'll find several restaurants where you can have a good tea or a typical Berber lunch.

Get to know Gueliz: the modern Marrakech

On your way back to the city, I recommend a stroll through Gueliz, the so-called "European quarter". Built by the French during the protectorate, its urban planning follows the structure of the great Parisian boulevards, with Avenue Mohammed V as its central axis.

Although this 3-kilometre-long avenue reaches all the way to the Medina, the atmosphere in the streets is radically different.

If you haven't eaten in the Palm Grove, in Gueliz you'll find a wide range of options and you can choose between restaurants serving Moroccan food and others with a more Western offer.

Visit the Majorelle Gardens

When you arrive at the next point of interest you'll think you've found an oasis within the city of Marrakech, especially if you've travelled to Marrakech in summer.

The Majorelle Gardens, created by a French painter of the same name, is the largest in the city. Inside, in addition to the art deco gardens themselves, you can find an interesting museum, but just walking through its paths is worth the effort. I recommend that if you want to see it in detail, book a tour of the Majorelle Gardens.

Taste the last (or penultimate) mint tea.

On the way back to the Medina, back to the fascinating spice souk, I suggest you pop into the Cafe des Épices, a favourite with travellers arriving in the city.

As well as taking a last stroll around the souk area and doing some final shopping, the terrace of the cafe offers incredible views of the city and the Atlas Mountains. There is probably no better way to end the trip.

Say goodbye with a massage in a hammam

If you have time and want to go home relaxed, you should try a traditional Arab bath, the hammam. In Marrakech you will find a wide range of them, but I advise you to go to a mixed one that offers everything you need to enjoy the experience.

Also, I recommend that you book your massage in a hammam in advance, as it is a very popular activity in Marrakech. Also included with this booking are transfers, bath, 45-minute massage and a mint tea to round off your memorable trip to the Moroccan tourist capital.