Land at Marrakech Menara; take a taxi (or arranged transfer) to Riad Bab 54 in the medina — allow 20–35 minutes depending on traffic. This gets you into the heart of the city quickly so you can drop bags and start exploring.
Check in and settle at your riad (you have a noon check-in). Use this time to freshen up, drop luggage, and grab a quick mint tea — riads are compact so allow a calm 30–60 minutes.
Take a brief walk toward the spice square and Koutoubia Gardens to orient yourself and see the minaret from the outside; it’s a gentle introduction to the souks and takes little time before your lunch reservation.
Enjoy classic Moroccan dishes with a contemporary touch in a popular medina spot — your reservation at 2:00pm is well-placed after check-in. The restaurant usually serves lunch from around noon through mid-afternoon; still confirm the reservation on arrival day.
Take a taxi north toward Jardin Majorelle / YSL Museum — expect about 20–35 minutes depending on traffic; allow extra time for finding parking/entrance queues. Buy timed-entry tickets in advance if possible to skip lines.
See the iconic cobalt-blue villa, cactus garden and peaceful ponds — Majorelle is Marrakech’s most photographed garden and a must for plant lovers and photographers. Typical November hours are roughly 8:00am–5:30pm (winter schedule may apply); confirm opening times and book a timed ticket to avoid long queues.
If time allows, visit the Yves Saint Laurent Museum next door to explore fashion exhibits and the link between YSL and the Majorelle estate; the museum commonly closes around 6:00pm (verify current hours). Pairing Majorelle + YSL makes for an efficient cultural block.
Taxi back to the medina and spend about an hour at the riad to rest and change for dinner; this ensures you have time to relax and avoid rushing to your 7:30pm reservation.
Leave the riad with generous buffer time to reach Folk Marrakech for your 7:30pm reservation; depending on Hivernage/Guéliz traffic this trip is usually 10–25 minutes.
Enjoy a contemporary Moroccan dinner with lively atmosphere — Folk Marrakech is known for a modern twist on local cuisine and good ambiance for a first-night celebration. Confirm the reservation and any dietary requests in advance.
If you still have energy after dinner, return to Jemaa el-Fna for the famous night-time spectacle of food stalls, performers and market life — the square comes alive after dark and is free to enter (watch your belongings).