MARRAKECH IN 3 DAYS: TRAVEL GUIDE TO VISIT THE RED CITY
Every trip is a quest and a fascination for the universe of the senses”.
Marrakech is the most visited city in Morocco and the most touristic of all. Marrakech has the privilege of being a makhzen city: an imperial city made up of fabulous palaces and souks, full of seductive sensory experiences, which exert the power to bewitch the traveler who visits Marrakech. Marrakech is chaotic, exotic, noisy, crazy and tricky. Travel to Marrakech in 3 days with our Marrakech travel tips, to tour the city through the senses, with the best things to see in Marrakech in 3 days and what to avoid….
TIPS TO VISIT MARRAKECH IN 3 DAYS (AND FALL SURRENDERED TO ITS CHARMS)…
Our first advice to visit Marrakech is to do it, at least 1 day, with an expert guide in Marrakech. In our opinion, it is essential to know what you are seeing.
Marrakech is also a city with thousands of years of history behind it and touring the main sites to visit in Marrakech in 3 days and its labyrinthine souks with a guide in English is the best option for a first contact (and situation) of tourism in Marrakech. We were lucky to have the presence of Mr. Alaoui and thanks to him, we left with the feeling of having explored the most hidden treasures of Marrakech.
TRAVEL TIP: TAKE A FREE TOUR IN SPANISH OR FREE GUIDED TOUR OF MARRAKECH: Get to know the legacy of Marrakech and many more curiosities with this free tour of Marrakech in Spanish, which will take you to the most beautiful and surprising corners of the spectacular Red City. And what’s more: it’s free!
And for the rest of the days, we advise you to document your trip to Marrakech with a good Pocket Guide to Marrakech (click on the link), with maps containing the main streets (and alleys) of the city of Marrakech. Also applications like Maps.Me, (which do not need internet connection), are also very useful to move around Marrakech on your own, when it comes to finding the places to visit in Marrakech in 3 days.
MARRAKESH IN 3 DAYS: SIGHTSEEING IN MARRAKESH
WHAT TO SEE IN MARRAKECH IN 3 DAYS
1 The Palaces of Marrakech
The 16th century El Badi Palace was one of the most majestic palaces in the world, with 360 rooms, although it is hard to believe looking at its small ruins, the only thing that remains today. Only your imagination can restore it to its former splendor. So, if your time is short, we advise you to focus better on the wonderful Bahia Palace, a Palace of the Thousand and One Nights, decorated with Zellige Tiles, from the 19th century.
This amazing palace complex, shows us with ostentation, large rooms, gardens and harems of exquisite carved pieces, and amazing carved wood panels. A place to visit in Marrakech in one of the 3 days, which will not leave you indifferent…
2 Strolling around the Koutoubia and its gardens
The Koutoubia Mosque is the landmark and emblem of the city of Marrakech. The Koutoubia Mosque is the first thing the traveler sees when arriving in Marrakech: its 70-meter minaret dominates the skyline of Marrakech.
It is of the twelfth century and the same architect who designed the Giralda in Seville, hence its great resemblance. Its interior is not accessible to non-Muslims. Do not miss the beautiful gardens and fountains, free entry, an oasis to visit in Marrakech in some of the 3 days of your trip.
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Traveler’s Tip: Come back at sunset and watch as a warm and magical reddish light catches its minaret. You will be contemplating the best sunset over Marrakech.
RELATED: THE 10 BEST TOURS FROM MARRAKECH THAT YOU CAN NOT MISS
3 The souks of Marrakech: A must-see classic in Marrakech in 3 days
The souks of Marrakech are one of the most iconic places to visit in Marrakech to feel the pulse of the city. A labyrinth of alleys that resemble Ali Baba’s treasure caves: they are full of stalls selling clothes, goldsmiths, leather goods, slippers, jewelry, carpets, lamps, and everything you can imagine…
Whether you buy or not, it is an unforgettable experience of a trip to Marrakech in 3 days. We advise you to visit them with an expert guide, who will take you to see the best and most colorful stalls. This tangle of alleys exhibits perhaps the most sensory part of Marrakech, with its play of light and dark lights, the aroma of spices and food, which take you back to other times…
But also, for the colors and textures of the products sold and the bustle of vendors, the crazy motorcycles and clueless passersby, which reminded us a lot of the wonderful markets of Istanbul. If you are traveling with children to Marrakech, they will love it.
With so much chaos, it’s easy to feel like you’re inside a movie from another era. The best thing to do is to let yourself get carried away by the experience and not get overwhelmed, even if you get lost. Sooner or later, you will end up arriving at a familiar spot.
SOUKS NOT TO BE MISSED IN MARRAKECH
Souks des Tapis: The carpet souk and former slave auction site. It’s like being in another world…
Souks des Babouches: Babouches and leather belts of all colors and textures. We took as a souvenir a fabulous leather belt in the stall of the one who had been the king’s craftsman for decades. It is a souk that we recommend for its color and fabulous photo opportunities.
Marrakech is color…
The Souk Ableuh: These are the stalls of olives and pickles. A whole succession of colorful pyramids that flood the smell and sight and if you want, also your palate.
Souk des Ferroniers (The Blacksmiths’ Souk)
The latter is one of the most impressive souks of Marrakech. Suddenly, one feels transported back in time to the Middle Ages, to the musical rhythm (almost hypnotic) of the metallic blows of hammers and chisels. Hand in hand with our guide, we discover great treasures in some of the stalls.
But also, some creepy, like the store where shackles of great weight and size that, we were told, had belonged to former African slaves in the past… One of the curiosities to see in Marrakech in 3 days.
What you should not do in the souks of Marrakech: Tips for visiting Marrakech and its souks.
Accept help from “friendly” strangers who approach you to guide you through the Medina of Marrakech. They are only looking to make money at your expense, and will take you to the store of a relative or acquaintance, where they will earn a commission: You should know that such kindness comes at a price.
Showing interest in an item you are not really interested in. Focus only on what you really like, and don’t forget to haggle, never accept the first price you are offered.
Say no to free teas (or gifts) offered in stores. You’ll take them, but you’ll be forced to buy something in return.
And if for a moment you need to escape the chaos of the souks, we recommend these “two oases” to relax or have a snack: The Arab Café and the Café des Épices (The Spice Café).
Aperitif at the Café des Épices.
WE CONTINUE WITH MORE THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN MARRAKECH IN 3 DAYS
4 Having a mint tea overlooking the Jemaa el Fna Square
The Jemaa el Fna Square is a must-see place that you must visit one of the 3 days of your trip to Marrakech, both day and night. It is located in the heart of the Medina (the old walled city). This former place of celebrations and executions, is today, the heartbeat of the city and a chaotic place, but with a strange charm.
During the day we will see musicians, acrobats, water carriers (do not drink the water they offer you, it is not treated and will hurt your stomach), carriages, tooth pullers (we dare not call them by their profession), fortune tellers and snake charmers….
And at night, food stalls and the most diverse smells, flood the place and smell.
View of Marrakech Square from the Grand Balcony of the Glacier Cafe.
The Jemaa el Fna Square is on the international list of Intangible Cultural Works of UNESCO. However, it can become a big tourist trap and we have to warn you about what not to do here.
We do not advise eating at street stalls, the hygiene and origin of the products is of dubious quality.
Do not get henna tattoos in the square, the dyes used are not good and can cause skin irritations and allergies. If you are interested in getting one, go to a specialized store.
Do not take pictures of the animals, or take pictures of yourself with them, the picture will be really expensive. The owners take the opportunity to make a killing with tourists: You will see the monkeys chained, but trained by the owners to perhaps steal from you while you take the picture. Avoid this practice and you will save yourself a lot of trouble. And besides, you will not contribute to animal abuse.
What (yes) to do instead:
Have a freshly squeezed natural juice. Watch that they do it in front of you and do not lose sight of the glass (they usually add water that is not mineral and can cause strong diarrhea).
And if so much chaos saturates you, we recommend you to contemplate the chaotic square from the heights, from where you can have a delicious mint tea, while watching the great spectacle of lights, sounds, smells and colors…
Mint tea, one of the small pleasures of Marrakech…
5 The Sadi Tombs: Another of the places to visit in Marrakech in 3 days
The Sadi Tombs are, without a doubt, an essential place to see in Marrakech for its great beauty.
These are 66 royal tombs of the late sixteenth century and early seventeenth century, wonderfully decorated with carved tiles and fine cedar wood carvings that catch the senses.
Some mausoleums, such as that of Ahmed el-Mansour, will leave you open-mouthed.
6 Buying spices in the Spice Square: Rahba Kedima Square, another of the things to do in Marrakech in 3 days.
If there is a place to be enraptured when visiting Marrakech, it is in the Spice Square. We can state emphatically that it is the most colorful square in Marrakech. Make a note of it in your 3-day trip to Marrakech.
Its aromas will guide you immediately, to this colorful (and olfactory) corner of Marrakech. The universe of spices is suggestive, magical and almost unreal, where the colorful pyramids trap the senses. During the walk you will be accompanied by the soft aromas of pepper, sandalwood and eucalyptus, among others.
In any of its exotic stalls you can buy ointments and spices to remedy any ailment and is one of our favorite places to visit in Marrakech for its exotic colors and smells.
7 The Majorelle Gardens
The Majorelle Gardens are another of the things to see in Marrakech in 3 days to get nice pictures.
They were created in 1924 by Jacques Majorelle, French painter who settled in Marrakech in 1919. They are located in the new area of the city.
In the 1960s the garden was acquired by the designer Yves Saint Laurent, who recovered it by bringing plants and species from his travels around the world. He gave it a sensual and exotic style, and made it his particular oasis of residence in Marrakech.
It is beautiful, but too overcrowded and expensive, in our opinion. It is, however, a great oasis if you are traveling with children in Marrakech.
8 Relaxing in a traditional Hammam: a must after visiting Marrakech for 3 days.
Do not hesitate to have a treatment in a Traditional Bath: a steam bath, followed by a black soap, a thorough gommage of the skin and finally, a massage with a hair wash. An authentic experience to enjoy in Marrakech. Here we tell you what you should know before visiting them:
RECOMMENDED: GO TO A TRADITIONAL HAMMAM IN MARRAKECH: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW.
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