🕌 Day 1: Dive into the Historic Medina – Culture, Souks & Rooftops

Morning

• Brunch at Zedd Café
  • Start your trip with a slow morning at Zedd Café, a beautifully designed rooftop café with stylish seating and a relaxed vibe.
  • Price: Around €5–9 per person for a full brunch (try the avocado toast or Moroccan breakfast combo with mint tea).
  • 📝 Tip: Grab a rooftop seat and enjoy views over the rooftops of the Medina — come early to avoid the crowds.
• Visit Medersa Ben Youssef
  • This former Islamic college is one of Marrakech’s architectural gems. The tilework and cedar wood carvings are breathtaking.
  • Entry: ~50 MAD (€5)
  • 📝 Tip: Arrive at opening time to avoid tour groups and enjoy the peaceful ambiance.

Midday

• Explore the Semmarine Market & Medina
  • Step right into the heart of the Medina, Marrakech’s old town. The Semmarine Market is one of the main souks here — colorful, noisy, and fascinating.
  • You’ll find everything from handmade leather goods to carpets, lanterns, spices, and more.
  • 📝 Tip: Bargaining is a must! Start at 50% of the asking price and negotiate from there — with a smile.
• Pastry break at Pâtisserie Al Jawda
  • One of the best spots to sample traditional Moroccan pastries like gazelle horns, almond sweets, and honey-soaked cookies.
  • Great for a sugar fix and buying edible souvenirs.

Afternoon

• Visit Le Jardin Secret
  • A peaceful botanical garden tucked away behind Medina walls. Think water features, exotic plants, and Moroccan architecture.
  • Entry: ~60 MAD (€5–6)
  • 📝 Tip: There’s a rooftop café here too if you want another tea or coffee break.
• Tinsmiths’ Square (Place des Ferblantiers)
  • A lesser-known spot near the Mellah (Jewish quarter), known for its handmade lanterns and decorative metalwork.
  • 📝 Tip: Perfect place to support small artisans and avoid the chaos of the main souks.

Evening

• Dinner at Moroccan Teahouse Restaurant
  • Cozy and traditional with lanterns, live music on some nights, and delicious tagines.
  • Price: 80–150 MAD (~€8–15) for mains like couscous or lamb tagine.
  • 📝 Tip: Reserve a rooftop table for sunset if possible — magical lighting and authentic vibes.

✨ Day 2: Jemaa el-Fnaa, Local Life & Sunset Palaces

Morning

• Stroll through Jemaa el-Fnaa
  • Marrakech’s main square and cultural heartbeat. During the day, you’ll see juice stalls, henna artists, and musicians. In the evening, it transforms into a food and entertainment festival.
  • 📝 Tip: Be cautious with street performers and animal handlers — they often charge aggressively for photos. Avoid supporting animal cruelty (e.g., monkeys or snakes).
• Coffee or tea at Café de France or rooftop nearby
  • Grab a seat overlooking the square and people-watch — the chaos is oddly relaxing from above.

Midday

• Lunch at Café Arabe
  • A chic mix of modern and Moroccan decor, with an expansive rooftop and excellent cuisine.
  • Price: €10–20 per person.
  • 📝 Tip: Try the lamb tagine with prunes or the chicken pastilla for a flavorful experience.

Afternoon

• Visit El Badi Palace
  • A majestic ruin with sun-drenched courtyards and nesting storks on the ramparts. Once a lavish palace, it now holds beautiful silence and grandeur.
  • Entry: ~70 MAD (€7)
  • 📝 Tip: Don’t miss the underground tunnels and panoramic views from the walls.
• Shop at Place des Épices (Spice Square)
  • A smaller, more charming square in the Medina specializing in — you guessed it — spices!
  • A great place to pick up Ras el Hanout, saffron, or Argan oil.
  • 📝 Tip: Ask for scent samples and spice demos. Vendors love to explain the uses and will sometimes offer tea!

Evening

• Dinner at Restaurant Regue Jamaa
  • A local favorite tucked behind the main square. Simple décor, great food, and budget-friendly prices.
  • Mains start around 60 MAD (~€6).
  • 📝 Tip: Try the vegetarian couscous or lamb tagine. After dinner, take a slow walk back through the illuminated Jemaa el-Fnaa.

🌇 Day 3: Modern Marrakech – Gueliz, Art & Upscale Cuisine

Morning

• Brunch at Zedd Café again or a Gueliz café
  • If Zedd stole your heart on Day 1, feel free to return. Otherwise, explore one of Gueliz’s modern cafés like MyKawa, 16 Café, or Pâtisserie Amandine.
• Head to Gueliz
  • This is the modern district of Marrakech, offering a stark contrast to the Medina. Think wide boulevards, Art Deco architecture, European-style cafés, and boutiques.
  • 📝 Tip: Visit the Ensemble Artisanal for artisan-made goods at fixed (non-bargaining) prices.

Midday

• Lunch at Safran by Koya
  • A beautiful, modern Moroccan fusion restaurant that uses saffron as a hero ingredient. Refined flavors and serene interiors.
  • Price: Around €12–25 for a main and drink.
  • 📝 Tip: Book in advance — this place gets busy with both locals and tourists.

Afternoon (Optional activities)

• Relax at a traditional Hammam or Spa
  • Treat yourself to a local wellness ritual. Try Les Bains de Marrakech or Heritage Spa.
  • Price: Hammam & massage ~€30–60.
  • 📝 Tip: Go for a hammam + argan oil massage package — you’ll walk out feeling reborn.
• Jardin Majorelle & YSL Museum
  • If you’re still up for sightseeing, visit the iconic blue garden that once belonged to Yves Saint Laurent.
  • Entry: 150 MAD for both garden & museum (€12–14)
  • 📝 Tip: Go in the late afternoon when it’s less crowded and the colors are even more vibrant.

Evening

• Final dinner — your choice
  • Revisit your favorite spot, or try a final rooftop café like Café Clock (also great for live music and camel burgers).
  • 📝 Tip: End the night with mint tea, Moroccan cookies, and a view over the glowing city skyline.

✅ Final Tips for a Smooth Marrakech Trip

• Cash is king: While some places accept cards, many markets, taxis, and cafés don’t.
• Taxis: Always agree on a price before you get in. Rides within the city cost around 20–50 MAD (~€2–5).
• Dress respectfully: Cover shoulders and knees, especially in the Medina or religious sites.
• Navigation: Google Maps is helpful but not always accurate inside the souks — don’t hesitate to ask friendly shopkeepers for directions.
• Language: French is widely spoken, and a few Arabic words go a long way:
  • Salam Alaikum (Hello), Shukran (Thank you), La Shukran (No thank you)