With an abundance of unique sights and scenery to explore, a visit to Marrakech promises an experience truly unlike any other.
Whether it be basking in wonder as you navigate through the souks, soaking in the culture as you visit some of the city’s most popular landmarks, or breathing in a variety of spices and flavours as you learn how to cook in the traditional Moroccan way, it can be difficult knowing how to spend your time in the Red City.
Especially if you’re only visiting Marrakech for a short period of time, the more organised you can be during your visit, the more efficiently you’ll be able to use your time there.
In order to do exactly that, we thought we’d lend a helping hand. In this article, we will run through the ideal itinerary we think you should follow during your first 24-hours visiting the city. This will guarantee you as authentic a Moroccan experience as possible within only a short period of time.
Morning (8:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
Any visit to Marrakech needs to start in the Djemaa el Fna – the city’s main square – where any feelings of jetlag will quickly fade into the distance.
Equally mesmerising and chaotic whatever time of day you visit, the UNESCO-recognised Djemaa el Fna square is the ideal place to enjoy a hearty breakfast before embarking on a non-stop day of sightseeing activities. As the heart of Marrakech, the square is also a great way of finding your feet in Marrakech and getting your bearings a little.
Once you’ve finished eating and are feeling all caffeinated, spend the latter part of the morning navigating your way through the square’s alleyways and souks. This will eventually lead you to the Marrakech Museum, providing you with the opportunity to uncover the city’s rich history in your own time.
If you’re worried you won’t know what the museum will look like, don’t worry – you will. Housed within the former Mnebhi Palace, the museum is absolutely stunning and is just one of the many great examples of classical Andalusian architecture you will encounter during your visit.
Lunch (12:00 PM – 2:00 PM)
Once you have finished reading up all about Marrakech’s history, the chances are you’ll have probably worked up a bit of an appetite again. Well, we have good news – the museum is perfectly positioned for you to grab a nice bite to eat.
Within close proximity to the museum, you’ll find a number of great places to eat – many of which even offering a combination of incredible views and a range of traditional Moroccan dishes.
No visit to Marrakech would be complete without trying at least one of harira soup, lamb tanjia or fish chermoula, after all, so now is the ideal time to embrace a few of Marrakech’s best-loved culinary classics.
Afternoon (2:00 PM – 5:30 PM)
Now you’ve eaten, you should be feeling newly-energised and ready to power on with the day. From wherever you chose to eat, hop into a taxi and head towards one of Marrakech’s most relaxing sites: the Jardin Majorelle.
A vision of the French landscape painter Jacques Majorelle, a visit to the garden will provide you with the ideal spot to enjoy your lunch while soaking in Marrakech’s culture, sights and scenery.
Whether you’re up for doing something more active – spending the afternoon meandering around the vast landscaped grounds – or something more laidback – relaxing next to its soothing streams and fountains – the choice is entirely down to you.
However, one thing you must make time for during your visit is the on-site Berber Museum. Located within the Art Deco villa-studio of Jacques Majorelle, this museum will teach you all about the garden’s history and further your knowledge of Marrakech’s development.
Evening (5:30 PM – Late)
After you’ve finished at the Jardin Majorelle, hop into another taxi and head towards the Café Clock. While this may sound like a simple place to get a bite to eat, we can promise you it is really anything but.
Like you would probably expect, the café serves an extensive menu of food, offering the perfect opportunity to fill up on any Moroccan dishes that you were too full to try at lunchtime. But, that’s not all.
The café also offers a number of cultural activities for you to get involved in. Whether it be enjoying a live music event, attending a traditional Moroccan storytelling workshop or learning how to use a wide range of spices within your cooking, the café offers several classes to choose from, making it easy for you to enjoy your evening however you’d like.
