Arrive at Marrakech Menara Airport, transfer to your riad or hotel in the medina and drop bags; rest and freshen up after travel. Most hotels will hold bags for early arrivals and check-in from 2:00pm but you can usually store luggage earlier.
Rooftop spot in the medina for a relaxed first Moroccan meal and views over the souks; great for salads, tagines and mint tea. Café des Épices is typically open 9:00am–11:00pm.
Wander the winding souks near Jemaa el-Fnaa for leather, lamps and spices; visit the exterior gardens and minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque (non-Muslims cannot enter the mosque). Souks are generally open 9:00am–7:00pm, evenings stay lively.
Experience the square's transformation at dusk — snake-charmers, storytellers, orange-juice stalls and food vendors; this is the cultural heart of Marrakech and best at sunset/early evening. The square is open 24/7 but most stalls get busy from 6:00pm.
Dine on traditional Moroccan dishes with a view over Jemaa el-Fnaa; a convenient, atmospheric introduction to Moroccan cuisine. Restaurant hours usually from 11:00am–11:00pm.
Traditional riad breakfast with Moroccan breads, olive oil, honey and mint tea to fuel a full day of sightseeing. Most riads serve breakfast from 7:30am–10:30am.
Late 19th-century palace with ornate courtyards, cedar ceilings and tranquil gardens — excellent for photography and history. Open roughly 9:00am–5:00pm.
Rediscovered 20th-century, richly decorated mausoleums of the Saadian dynasty; small site but evocative of Morocco's past. Typical opening 9:00am–4:45pm.
Modern Moroccan cuisine on a rooftop in the souks with contemporary atmosphere and good tagines; popular, so expect a wait at peak times. Open approximately 12:00pm–11:00pm.
Colourful botanical garden created by Jacques Majorelle and later restored by Yves Saint Laurent; the Berber museum adds cultural context. Usually open 9:00am–6:00pm (extended in summer) — book tickets in advance to avoid queues.
Relax in your riad or book a traditional hammam and scrub experience for a cultural and restorative treatment before evening activities. Hammams generally operate 9:00am–10:00pm; private riad hammams vary.
Well-known, women-run restaurant famous for impeccably cooked tagines and pastilla; reservation recommended as it fills up. Open evenings from around 7:00pm.
Leave early to cross the High Atlas via the Tizi n'Tichka pass (scenic mountain drive, allow 3–4 hours to Aït Benhaddou with stops). Roads open year-round; winter can be snowy.
UNESCO-listed ksar — a striking fortified village used as a film location; climb to the kasbah for panoramic views. Site generally accessible 9:00am–5:00pm; local guides available.
Explore Taourirt Kasbah and — time permitting — the Atlas Film Studios famous for movie sets; a fascinating insight into Morocco’s film history. Kasbah typically open 9:00am–5:00pm; studios often open for tours 9:00am–5:00pm but check ahead.
Well-rated restaurant offering Moroccan and Mediterranean dishes in a pleasant garden setting; good for a restful evening. Usually open for dinner from 7:00pm.
Drive east via the Dades Valley to Tinghir and Todra Gorge; the route has dramatic gorges and palm groves — allow time for scenic stops. Roads open year-round.
Short canyon walk and photos amid towering limestone cliffs; great for a gentle, dramatic walk and local tea. The gorge is open to the public at all times; best visited in morning/late afternoon for cooler light.
Arrive Merzouga village and transfer to camel handlers; short rest and briefing before setting out into the dunes around sunset. Desert pickups typically scheduled mid-afternoon onwards; timing varies by provider.
Ride a camel into the dunes to watch an unforgettable Sahara sunset and reach a desert camp where you'll spend the night under the stars. Typical camel-trek + overnight camp packages range and commonly include dinner and breakfast.
Wake early for a short walk or camel ride to a dune crest to watch the sunrise over Erg Chebbi — an iconic desert moment. Sunrise time varies by season; camp staff will set the schedule.
Breakfast at the camp, then return to Merzouga village by camel or 4x4 depending on your package. Most camp packages include return transfer in the morning.
Explore Rissani’s traditional market (souk), historic ksar ruins and local life; it’s a less-touristy market than big cities and a good cultural stop. Main market mornings are busiest; check local market days if you want livestock/produce markets.
Eat at a roadside restaurant or small local auberge serving hearty tagines and simple local dishes — refuel for the afternoon drive through palm valleys and rocky gorges.
Arrive in the Dades Valley for dramatic rock formations and sweeping viewpoints — short walks and photos at sunset are recommended. Public and hotel viewpoints are open anytime.
Leisurely morning drive through rose country (in season) and impressive gorges, stopping for photos and local handicraft shops. Roads open year-round; morning light is best for photos.
Visit the well-preserved Kasbah Amridil in Skoura — a working kasbah set within palm groves and a great quick cultural stop. Open roughly 9:00am–5:00pm.
Enjoy a relaxed lunch and, if interested, a final quick look at local movie-set souvenirs before the drive back to Marrakech. Most places serve lunch until 3:00pm.
Return across the High Atlas via the Tizi n'Tichka pass; allow about 3.5–4 hours depending on traffic and photo stops. The pass offers mountain vistas and Berber villages en route.
Treat yourself to a memorable final dinner in Marrakech — both restaurants offer refined Moroccan tasting menus and a comfortable atmosphere; booking ahead is recommended. Typically open from 7:00pm.
Enjoy a last leisurely breakfast facing Jemaa el-Fnaa — perfect for people-watching and a final taste of Moroccan coffee and pastries. Café de France is typically open early to late.
Spend the morning buying last-minute souvenirs (leather, spices, lamps) or, if you missed it earlier, return to the Majorelle Garden — be mindful of opening hours (usually 9:00am–6:00pm).
Quick lunch in the medina (eg. Café des Épices or a riad lunch) then collect your bags and transfer to Marrakech Menara Airport for your onward flight — allow at least 1 hour to the airport and 2 hours for international check-in.
Arrive at the airport for your flight home or onwards; if your flight is later you can leave luggage at your riad and enjoy more time in the medina before heading to the airport.