Marrakech in four days: everything you need to know to explore the city in depth

Visiting Marrakech in four days will allow you to see all of Marrakech's attractions, from the Medina to the Menara Gardens, the souks and, of course, the Jamaa el Fna square. You will also have time to take an excursion to some of the magical locations in the surrounding area.

The first impression of the traveller arriving in Marrakech is one of chaos and disorder, with its narrow streets full of locals and tourists, vendors with their stalls, noise everywhere, colours and flavours. However, it is all this atmosphere that makes the city a magical and unique place, capable of attracting thousands of visitors each year.

Arriving in the streets of Marrakech, with its crowds, vendors, noise and smells can make some visitors feel a little uneasy. My advice is to try to keep an open mind and go into the trip eager to soak up the incomparable atmosphere of the city.

Marrakech is normally a safe city, but, as with any destination, it's always a good idea to keep in mind a few safety tips for travelling to Morocco.

A good way to get to know the medina and some of the main attractions of Marrakech, at least until you check the city, is to hire a guided tour offered there. With your guide, you'll not only learn more about what you're seeing, but you'll also get to know the city's hidden secrets.

Enter the souk

There's nothing better than starting your trip Moroccan-style: with a mint tea in one of the cafés near the Jamaa el Fna square. This will not only give you your first taste of Moroccan gastronomy, but you'll also get to see the atmosphere that is beginning to build up in the square. When you're done, take a stroll around the square. If you're lucky, some of the many vendors who come here every day will have already set up shop, as will the henna tattooists, jugglers, storytellers and snake charmers.

After this first taste of Marrakech's most iconic spot, it's time to head into the city's souk for one of the most intense experiences of your trip. The best thing about going early is that the labyrinth of streets that make up the souk is not yet crowded. You'll find everything from slippers to fabrics of all kinds, food, spices, ceramics and tinware.

It is possible that, despite the time of day, you may find the stroll through the different sectors of the souk (divided according to the type of products) exhausting. If this is the case, you can always hire one of the organised tours that take you around the area and help you shop. It is essential to bargain with the seller when buying a product.

Koutoubia Mosque and its minaret

This mosque is the most important mosque in Marrakesh and its minaret, some 70 metres high, is still the highest point in the city.

The interior, unfortunately, cannot be visited by non-Muslims, but this does not prevent the decoration of the minaret and the exterior of the so-called booksellers' mosque (translation of its name from Arabic) from being worth a stop, as well as its neat architecture.

Rest and lunch

After a few hours wandering around the souk and other parts of the medina, it's time to take a well-deserved rest and recharge your batteries. Although the area is full of places to eat, some of the most recommended are:

• Bazaar Cafe
• Atay Cafe
• Cafe Clock, where, if you dare, you can try a camel meat burger.

Enter the Dar Si Said Museum

Marrakech may be best known for its square and its proximity to the desert, but its ancient buildings and art collections do not detract from this.

The next place to visit, still inside the medina, is the Dar Si Said Museum.

In the case of this museum, the exhibition is made up of objects from Berber culture, as well as carpets, textiles and furniture. Dar Si Said is housed in a former 19th century palace with a beautiful interior courtyard. Don't miss the delicate decoration of its wooden doors.

Mellah: the old Jewish quarter

In the 16th century, several groups of Jews expelled from Spain and Portugal sought refuge in Marrakesh. They settled in the red city in their own quarter, the Mellah.

The Jewish community has dwindled over the years, but the quarter still retains a different atmosphere from the rest of the city. With its narrow streets, it is very interesting to stroll through them and discover some of its attractions.

As well as strolling through the neighbourhood, no traveller should miss a visit to the Jewish cemetery and the Salat Alzama synagogue.

Sunset at Jamaa el Fna

To end this intense first day on a high note, head back to the Jamaa El Fna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Before going down to the square, you can find a spot on one of the surrounding terraces and watch the sunset from there while you enjoy a cup of tea or coffee. From here you can also see how the atmosphere of the Jamaa el Fna changes and a large number of food stalls begin to set up.

The music and performances by street artists give the square a magical atmosphere that captivates all visitors. If you've been to Marrakech with children, I can assure you that they will enjoy the experience.

If you wish, you can choose from the food stalls set up in the square the one that most appeals to you. On the other hand, if you prefer something quieter, there are places like the Nomad in the surrounding area.

With the experience gained on the first day you will probably already know how to get around Marrakech. Although you can hire another tour of the medina to show you all there is to see and do, the following tour can also be done on your own.

Enjoy the Bahia Palace

The day will start early with a visit to one of the most beautiful buildings you can find in Marrakech: the Bahia Palace. It is one of the most visited monuments in the city, so it is advisable to arrive at a time that allows you to avoid the crowds and see it at your leisure.

The Bahia Palace was built in the 19th century with the intention of making it the largest building of its kind in the world. Although surpassed by other palaces in the world, there is no doubt that its architecture, its yellow and blue courtyard full of aromatic plants, its mosaics and the decoration of its columns have kept it as one of the must-see places in Marrakech.

The only problem is the lack of information in English. This means that many tourists prefer to visit it with a guide for a more enjoyable visit.

Check out the views from the El Badi Palace

Another very interesting building to visit in Marrakech is the El Badi Palace. It dates back to the 16th century and much of its structure is in ruins, although excavations have been taking place in the area for years. According to chronicles, it once had more than 300 rooms, all decorated with crystal, turquoise and gold.

Some rooms and its extraordinary courtyard are still standing. The place also conceals in one room the minbar (pulpit) of the Koutoubia mosque, as well as a beautiful view of the city from the ramparts,

. After leaving the palace I recommend that you stroll around the area for a while and take a break in one of the cafés in the Jardin Sidi Ahmed El Kamel.

Saadid Tombs, one of the jewels of Marrakech

One of the jewels of Marrakesh are the Saadid Tombs. Although less well known than some of its other attractions, this small funerary complex hides wonders inside.

Among other things, the tombs are considered one of the finest examples of traditional Moroccan architecture. Built by Sultan Al Mansur, they remained hidden for centuries after another sultan had them walled up.

It was not until 1917 that they were rediscovered, revealing the marble and gold with which they were built. Inside you will find a small courtyard with the tombs of secondary figures, although the most outstanding feature is the so-called Hall of the 12 Columns, in which Al Mansur himself is buried.

After this visit it may be time for lunch. There are several interesting places in the area, among which I recommend the pleasant terrace of the Kasbah Cafe.

Ben Youssef Madrasa

The Madrasa (or Medersa) Ben Youseef was an ancient Islamic school that once had more than 900 students. Today it is considered one of the most interesting places to visit in the city because of the beauty of its architecture.

At its centre, as is usual in old Moroccan buildings, is a courtyard with a fountain. Around it you can see several rooms built with cedar and stucco and decorated with tiles of various colours.

The prayer room is also very interesting, as its decoration with pineapples and palm trees is one of the most exuberant in the city.

Koubba Ba'Adiyn

This domed building was built in the 12th century by Ali Ben Yussef, the second Almoravid king. It is the only remaining example in the city of the architecture of that period and, in addition to its aesthetic and historical value, it is a good example of how water was stored at that time.

The best way to see this monument is to climb down to its base and stand under the dome. This is where you can best see its extraordinary decoration. In the past, there used to be a pond with a fountain at the base.

Marrakesh Museum

The Marrakesh Museum is a good place to visit with a guide, as there is not much information about what you are seeing and you will not be able to understand the function of much of the collection.

In any case, the palace where the museum is located is really impressive and it is worth paying to see it just to see it. Its central courtyard stands out, and you're sure to spend some time admiring all its details.

To end the day, I recommend you go to a place where, as well as having dinner, you can see a belly-dancing show. One of the most popular is Le Narwama, located near Jamaa El Fna.

From Marrakech there are a number of organised excursions that will allow you to discover the desert of Marrakech, the Atlas Mountains and impressive towns such as Essaouira. For this third day, I suggest you travel to Essaouira to enjoy its attractions.

Although you can go from Essaouira to Marrakech on your own, the truth is that a tour will allow you to make the most of your time and not have to worry about adjusting transport schedules.

Essaouira

Most tours to Essaouira leave very early in the morning from Marrakech to make the most of the day. The distance to Essaouira is approximately 160 kilometres and you will be able to enjoy some breathtaking natural landscapes along the way.

After arriving in Essaouira you can stroll through its charming streets with a much quieter atmosphere than in Marrakech. You can also visit a cooperative where the famous argan oil is produced, as well as the port of Essaouira:

• The port of Essaouira: crowned by a bronze cannon, it is the most iconic point of the city.
• Moulay el Hassan square
• The souks

Lunch, which is usually included in these tours, is taken in a local restaurant. Here, the traditional Moroccan food you'll find in Marrakech' s restaurants is complemented by many dishes made with seafood and fish.

Dinner at Kafe Merstan

It's quite likely that you'll be feeling quite tired when you return to Marrakech, especially if your excursion has included a camel ride. Depending on your state of mind, you can either dine at your hotel if it offers that option, or have a bite to eat at one of the trendy eateries.

A very nice place is the Kafe Merstan, whose beautiful terrace will allow you to relax after a busy day.

The activities for this last day of your stay in Marrakech will be determined by the departure time of your return flight, as it will not be the same to go to Marrakech airport just after lunch as it will be if, with luck, the plane doesn't leave until the following morning. Despite this, the proposed itinerary is quite complete.

Palm grove

Marrakesh's Palm Grove area, about 10 kilometres from the Medina, has become one of the city's tourist centres. Despite this, the atmosphere still retains some of its magic thanks to its more than 100,000 palm trees and fruit trees.

To get there you can negotiate a fare with a taxi driver (which is one of the most basic tips for visiting Marrakesh). If you prefer to keep it simple, there are several organised tours from the city that include a visit to a village in the area.

Depending on how you've gone and your interest in the area, you'll find several restaurants where you can have a good tea or a typical Berber lunch.

Gueliz: the modern Marrakech

On your way back to the city, I recommend a stroll through Gueliz, the so-called "European quarter". Built by the French during the protectorate, its urban planning follows the structure of the great Parisian boulevards, with Avenue Mohammed V as the central axis.

Although this 3-kilometre-long avenue reaches the medina, the atmosphere in the streets is radically different.

If you haven't eaten in the Palm Grove, in Gueliz you'll find a wide range of options and you can choose between Moroccan and more Western restaurants.

Majorelle Garden

When you reach the next point of interest you will think you have found an oasis within the city of Marrakech, especially if you have travelled to Marrakech in summer.

The Majorelle Garden, created by a French painter of the same name, is the largest in the city. Inside, as well as the art deco gardens themselves, you can find an interesting museum, but a stroll through the paths alone is worth the effort.

The last (or penultimate) mint tea

On the way back to the medina, to the fascinating spice souk, I advise you to go into the Cafe des Épices, a favourite of travellers arriving in the city.

As well as a last stroll around the souk area and some final shopping, the terrace of the cafe offers incredible views of the city and the Atlas Mountains. There is probably no better way to end the trip.

A good massage in a hammam before returning home

If you have time and want to return home relaxed, you should try a traditional Arab bath, the hammam. In Marrakech you will find a wide range of them, but I advise you to go to a mixed one that offers everything you need to enjoy the experience.

Also, I recommend that you book in advance as it is a very popular activity in Marrakech. Also included with this booking are transfers, bath, 45-minute massage and a mint tea to round off your memorable trip to the Moroccan tourist capital.