Is 2 Days In Marrakech Enough? A Guide To Morocco’s Best City
Read on to discover what to do when visiting Marrakech for 2 days!
Visiting Marrakech for just 2 days may not sound sufficient to fully experience this immersive city, but it’s surprising just how much you can do in 48 hours!
Marrakech is without doubt one of the liveliest and most memorable cities I’ve ever visited (I’ve been there on 2 occassions). From it’s bustling souk markets, beautiful minorets and entertaining main square, there’s a lot to unpack.
That’s why I’ve put together this 2 day itinerary, detailing all the must see activities and places to visit in one of the most thrilling and fascinating cities you’ll ever get to visit.
⌚ In a rush? My Marrakech Hotel Recommendations:
Hotel Central Palace
Dar Tasnime
Riad El Arsat & Spa
My Atlas Mountains Tour Recommendations:
Atlas Mountains Guided Day Hike
Paradise Valley Day Tour
Imlil Region Tour of Atlas Mountains
Atlas Mountains Experience
Is 2 Days In Marrakeck Enough?
In all honesty, I would say visiting Marrakech for just 2 days is not entirely enough time to discover this fascinating city, including its rich history and cultural traditions.
There is so much to do in and around the city that you ideally need 3-4 days. However, it is possible to experience a lot of the city’s cultural highlights in just 2 days if you’re short on time.
You can enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city, get a sense of Marrakech’s way of life and explore the main attractions that it has to offer.
How To Spend 2 Days In Marrakech
WIth there being so many different possible activities in Marrakech, I’ve whittled down this 2 day itinerary to what I believe to be the most interesting places and things to do that you simply can’t miss out on:
Day One: Cultural Highlights of the Old Medina
For your first day in Marrakesh, I recommend visiting what are probably the most famous and renowned attractions within the historical old medina, which is the central area of the city:
Morning: explore the Souks Markets of Marrakech
Starting your morning exploring Marrakech’s souk markets is a bit like a first time swimmer jumping in the deep end of a swimming pool!
The traditional souk markets in the city can be an absolute assault on the senses. Expect to see stalls and shops of everything you can imagine, selling the likes of clothes, carpet, jewellery, medicine, leather, art, food, spices and plenty more.
They are vibrant, lively places for sure and you’ll definitely get an understanding of what Marrakech is all about when visiting. There are several souks within the city and three that you should most definitely visit:
- Souk Semmarine – this is the biggest and most famous market in Marrakech, based very centrally close to the main square – Jemaa el-Fnaa.
- Souk El Kebir – situated north of the square within the medina, this is another popular souk that mainly sells leather goods and has a more relaxed atmosphere compared with Souk Semmarine.
- Souk Nejjarine – here you’ll find everything from musical instruments for sale to some of the best olives you’ll ever get to taste!
👉 Pro Tip: although the sellers at the souks are all very smiley and friendly, they can be somewhat overly aggressive when it comes to selling items, especially if you begin haggling with them over a price.
This is known to be notoriously difficult, so only engage with the sellers if you’re definitely interested in making a purchase.
Otherwise just smile back and politely decline their offers to go have a look inside their store. Or you could end up trying on some traditional clothing – which is what happened to me!
Afternoon: stroll around Jardin Majorelle
After the overwhelming souk market experience in the morning, I next recommend a totally different change of pace for the afternoon – the tranquil oasis of Jardin Majorelle.
This is easily the most beautiful tourist attraction in Marrakech, based not too far outside of the old medina.
The Jardin Majorelle was owned by the late fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent and is a botanical garden that is not to be missed. Walking around the breath-takingly beautiful gardens is such a relaxing and re-invigorating experience.
It’s amazing just how well the place is preserved and it really is an ideal visit for romantics, influencers and anyone looking to escape the madness of the old medina for a few hours.
Evening: enjoy the entertaining Jemaa el-Fnaa
The main square in the heart of the old medina in Marrakech really comes to life after dark and is an awesome place to soak up the atmosphere.
Here you’ll find so many different performers and sellers, such as snake charmers, musical groups performing traditional Moroccan music and even local comedians.
It really is a hodgepodge of local characters and is always an entertaining evening to say the very least.
In the main square at night time you’ll find countless food stalls as well, with food sellers trying their best to convince you to try their delicacies.
👉 Pro Tip: you may wish to give the food stalls a miss however if you’re squeamish and/or you’re vegetarian/vegan (as I can attest).
A lot of the stalls in the main square have actual goat’s heads on show, which can be off-putting to say the least.
Having said that, I have eaten at the food stalls in the main square and was surprisingly impressed with my meal – and the prices are super cheap as well.
Day Two: The Atlas Mountains
Having experienced all the craziness of the old medina on day one, for day two I recommend getting out of the city and discovering one of the most beautiful natural sites in all of Morocco – the stunning Atlas Mountains.
Morning & Afternoon: Atlas Mountains Day Trip
How many hours you spend visiting the Atlas Mountains all depends on what kind of tour you decide to go on. Day tours can take anywhere from 5 to 11 hours, with the drive from Marrakech taking at least 1-2 hours each way.
Activities vary in the region as well. You can go on a hiking tour, discover the beautiful Paradise Valley as well as some fascinating Berber villages. Here are some of the best day tour options to the Atlas Mountains from Marrakech:
- Atlas Mountains Guided Day Hike – if you’re in the mood for exercise then this is the tour for you! You’ll spend an unforgettable 5 hours hiking the mountain region with professionals.
- Paradise Valley Day Tour – enjoy stunning waterfalls and natural pools at this enclosed natural area within the Atlas Mountains on this 5 hour day trip.
- Imlil Region Tour of Atlas Mountains – this 8-9 hour tour will take you to some of the most special regions, including the valley of Imlil, Asni valley, Tahnaout valley and more.
- Atlas Mountains Experience – this is a longer day trip lasting up to 11 hours, where you’ll visit the amazing Lalla Takeroust Lake, traditional clay-built villages and get to experience rich Berber culture.
Evening: Rooftop views of Marrakech
After a long day discovering the magnificent Atlas Mountains, there’s only really one way to finish your 2 days in Marrakech – by enjoying a meal at a typical rooftop restaurant overlooking Jemaa el-Fnaa square.
You’ll find numerous rooftop restaurants that are perfectly placed with fantastic views of the city. This is a great way to relax over a nice traditional Moroccan meal and soak up the views of the lively square one last time.
Map of Marrakech
Check out this useful interactive map of Marrakech which features pins for all of the locations mentioned in this blog post:
Best Places To Stay In Marrakech
There are some absolutely amazing accommodation options within Marrakech, ranging from cheap hostels to luxurious riads. Here are my three different accommodation recommendations at three different price ranges:
Budget Recommendation: Hotel Central Palace
If you’re on a really tight budget when in Marrakech then don’t fret – there are a lot of super cheap hotels to choose from – and Hotel Central Palace is one of the cheapest.
With a great location based close to the famous Koutoubia Minaret, this hotel also features a beautiful roof terrace with amazing panoramic views of the city. Plus it has a 24 hour front desk and an airport shuttle is also available.
⭐ Check out Hichem’s review of Hotel Central Palace:
“Nice Ryad hotel, very central, great value for money this time of year, few minutes walk to the old historic town of Marrakesh and souk.”
➡️ Check for availability at Hotel Central Palace here
Mid-Range Recommendation: Dar Tasnime
Dar Tasnime is a top rated hotel based centrally within the old medina, just 500 metres from Souk Semmarine. The interior decor of this riad hotel looks absolutely gorgeous and prices are really reasonable too.
With spacious family rooms available and another stunning rooftop terrace, this is a great choice when visiting Marrakech. Visitors were quick to highlight the superb breakfast available and the overall friendly ambience of the hotel.
⭐ Check out Louise’s review of Dar Tasnime:
“Beautiful, comfortable and spacious room! Very nice location. The most friendly owner! Breakfast is good, we even got breakfast-to-go twice. We loved this Riad!”
➡️ Book a room at Dar Tasnime by clicking here
Luxury Recommendation: Riad El Arsat & Spa
And finally, if you want to experience the luxurious side of Marrakech, then I recommend a stay at the gorgeous Riad El Arsat & Spa.
Based just 7 minutes away from Jamaâ El Fna Square, this is an exceptional riad which features an outdoor swimming pool surrounded by a lovely garden and sunbathing terrace.
Plus it has a spa and wellness centre (which is ideal after the chaos of Marrakech!), a top rated restaurant, stunning air conditioned rooms and parking spaces.
⭐ Check out Katie’s top review of Riad El Arsat & Spa:
“It’s a little oasis in the middle of the Medina! You walk 10 mins to the square but can’t hear anything inside, it’s a little paradise! You can sunbathe by the pool or go out and explore. The staff are exceptional…”
➡️ Check for availability at Riad El Arsat & Spa here
2 Days In Marrakech FAQS
Let’s now answer some of the most commonly asked questions that travellers have when visiting Marrakech:
Is Marrakech safe for visitors?
As there have been serious terrorist attacks in Marrakech in the past, it’s only understandable that you may have some safety concerns when considering a trip to Marrakech.
However, in my experience Marrakech is a very safe city to visit, as is Morocco. Having visited the city twice, I never encountered any safety issues and it is known to have a low crime rate too.
What are the best day trips to take from Marrakech?
If you decide to visit Marrakech for longer than 2 days, then it’s likely you’ll want to take a day trip to explore nearby regions and cities. Here are my day trip recommendations from Marrakech:
- Essaouira – less than 3 hours away by bus from Marrakech, this is a fantastic port city next to the Atlantic Ocean. It’s calm, relaxed vibe is in total contrast to Marrakech, making it ideal for a day trip or longer.
- Atlas Mountains – as mentioned in this blog post, it is possible to reach the Atlas Mountains on a day trip from Marrakech and is a memorable journey that I definitely recommend – the views are incredible!
- Sahara Desert – although a 2-3 day trip to the Sahara desert is the better choice (and a trip that I can certainly recommend), it is possible to reach the Sahara desert in just one day if you’re short on time. It’s worth doing as well – the sights are simply unforgettable.
What other cities in Morocco should you visit?
Although I personally think that Marrakech is the best city to visit in Morocco, there are several other cities that are also worth visiting.
So here are my recommendations of cities to visit in Morocco, which I have personally enjoyed:
- Essaouira – as mentioned above, Essaouira is a perfect destination close by to Marrakech. Check out the blue boats in the port and enjoy the medieval fort that surrounds the old city.
- Chefchaouen – in my opinion the most beautiful city in all of Morocco! Famous for its blue walls everywhere you look, Chefchaouen is a dream for photographers and instagram influencers alike.
- Fes – another hectic, lively city which is quite similar to Marrakech with lots of historical sites worth seeing. The famous Chouara Tannery is a must visit place.
- Tangier – reachable from Spain via ferry, Tangier is a fascinating place. Definitely explore the old medina, which is like stepping back into ancient times.
Conclusion: 2 Days In Marrakech
So that concludes everything you need to know about spending 2 days or more in Marrakech. Although 2 days is perhaps too short a time to fully enjoy everything it has to offer, you can still enjoy most of the city’s main attractions.
I absolutely love the overwhelming atmosphere of Marrakech! It is in my opinion the best city in all of Morocco, a country that is often overlooked and considered overrated unfairly by tourists.
From the hectic souk markets and entertainment in the main square at night, to the stunning Atlas Mountains nearby – Marrakech is a truly unforgettable experience regards of how many days you stay for.
Now that you know that 2 days in Marrakech is enough time to see the main sights, I hope you feel inspired to visit a city that is simply umissable when in Morocco.
Pin This Post!
➡️ Planning your trip? Here are my favourite resources:
🏨 Accommodation: I recommend using Booking.com
🚙 Rental Car: Use Discover Cars for the best car rental prices
❤️ Travel Insurance: I recommend using Visitors Coverage
✈️ Flights: Use Kiwi.com for the best prices on flights
