Marrakech Atlas
3
Day Itinerary •
Morocco
Three days in Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains covers the essential Marrakech experience: the extraordinary medina souks and the Djemaa el-Fna at dusk, the finest palaces and gardens in Morocco, and a day in the High Atlas with the snow-capped summit of Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa, visible above the extraordinary Berber villages of Imlil. This route moves from the sensory overload of the medina to the extraordinary silence of the mountains and back, giving the full contrast that makes Marrakech unlike any other city on earth. The Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, the Majorelle Garden and an afternoon in a Berber village above the clouds complete the picture.
Best Time To Visit
March to May or September to November
Getting There
Fly into Marrakech Menara (RAK)
Getting Around
Walking in medina, grand taxi for Atlas
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 160 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, one mountain walk
DAY 1
THE MEDINA, PALACES AND DJEMAA
MORNING
THE KOUTOUBIA, THE MEDINA SOUKS AND THE BAHIA PALACE
Begin at the Koutoubia Mosque, the 12th-century minaret that defines the Marrakech skyline, then plunge into the medina souks in the morning cool. The souk des teinturiers, the metalworkers quarter and the extraordinary carpet souks around the Rahba Kedima are all outstanding. The Bahia Palace, built in the 1890s, has the most extraordinary Moroccan interior in the city with its zellige tilework and carved cedarwood ceilings. Entry Bahia approx 7 euros. Drive: 15 min walk
MIDDAY
THE SAADIAN TOMBS AND EL BADI PALACE
The Saadian Tombs contain the most extraordinary funerary architecture in Morocco. The Chamber of the Twelve Columns with its extraordinary stalactite ceiling is outstanding. El Badi Palace nearby survives as magnificent ruins of Ahmed el-Mansour's 16th-century palace, once the most extraordinary in the Islamic world, its vast courtyard, sunken gardens and stork-topped towers still extraordinary in their scale. Entry approx 3 euros each. Drive: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
DJEMAA EL-FNA AT DUSK
The Djemaa el-Fna is the most extraordinary public square on earth. By day it belongs to the snake charmers, henna artists and orange juice sellers. At dusk it transforms into a city within a city: a hundred food stalls appear, the Gnawa musicians begin, the storytellers gather their crowds and the smoke of a thousand grills fills the air. Climb to the Cafe de France rooftop for the finest view of the extraordinary spectacle. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Mellah, the old Jewish quarter immediately south of the Bahia Palace, is the least visited and most atmospheric part of the medina. The extraordinary balconied houses, the remarkable Lazama Synagogue and the whitewashed Jewish cemetery are all remarkable. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Riad breakfast Moroccan breakfast of msemen, argan honey and mint tea on the riad terrace. | Lunch: Cafe des Epices Rooftop above the spice market. Tagine, fresh juice and harira soup. | Dinner: Djemaa el-Fna stalls Eat at stall 14. Harira, merguez, kefta and the finest fried snails.
DAY 2
GARDENS, MEDERSA AND HAMMAM
MORNING
THE BEN YOUSSEF MEDERSA
The Ben Youssef Medersa, the largest theological college in Morocco, has the most extraordinary courtyard interior in Marrakech. The carved stucco, the intricate zellige tilework and the cedarwood screens that rise from the central pool are the finest example of Moroccan architectural decoration in the city. The student cells on the upper floors and the view over the medina from the gallery are outstanding. Entry approx 3 euros. Drive: 20 min taxi
MIDDAY
THE MAJORELLE GARDEN AND YSL MUSEUM
The Majorelle Garden, created by Jacques Majorelle and restored by Yves Saint Laurent, is the most extraordinary garden in Morocco. The cobalt blue studio building, the cactus garden with its extraordinary succulent collections and the remarkable Islamic art museum within the garden make it unlike any other space in North Africa. The YSL Museum alongside has the finest fashion exhibition in Africa. Entry approx 12 euros. Book online. Drive: 30 min walk
AFTERNOON
THE NORTHERN MEDINA CRAFTSMEN AND A TRADITIONAL HAMMAM
The northern medina around the Ben Youssef Mosque is the most authentic part of the city, the craftsmen still working in their extraordinary traditional workshops: woodturners, leather workers, weavers and metalworkers in the same streets they have occupied for centuries. A traditional hammam in the late afternoon, the ritual of kessa scrub and savon beldi black soap, is the finest way to end the medina experience. Hammam approx 10 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Maison de la Photographie on Rue Ahel Fes has the finest historical photographs of Morocco from 1870 to 1950 and the best rooftop view of the Atlas Mountains from any point in the medina. Entry approx 5 euros. Almost always quiet. Do not miss the terrace.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe near the Koutoubia Mint tea and msemen in the morning cool before the medersa opens. | Lunch: Nomad Restaurant Contemporary Moroccan rooftop. The finest bastilla in a modern setting. | Dinner: Le Jardin Restaurant Beautiful riad garden. Lamb tagine with preserved lemon and olives.
DAY 3
HIGH ATLAS AND IMLIL
MORNING
DRIVE TO IMLIL IN THE HIGH ATLAS
drive The grand taxi drive from Marrakech to Imlil climbs through the extraordinary Moulay Brahim gorge to the High Atlas at 1,740 metres. The snow-capped Toubkal at 4,167 metres appears as the valley narrows. The contrast between the rose-red city below and the clarity of the mountain air above is one of the great transitions in travel. Organise the taxi from Bab Rob the evening before. Approx 30 euros each way. Drive: 30 min walk
MIDDAY
IMLIL VILLAGE AND THE WALK TO AROUMD
Imlil is the base for Toubkal and the finest Berber village in the High Atlas. The walk up to Aroumd through walnut groves and past extraordinary mountain streams takes about 45 minutes. Aroumd at 1,900 metres has direct views of the Toubkal summit above and the extraordinary silence of the mountains. The village women weave on doorstep looms and the Berber cooperative sells extraordinary local products. Free. Drive: Return taxi to Marrakech
AFTERNOON
RETURN TO MARRAKECH AND THE FINAL DJEMAA
Return to Marrakech for a final afternoon in the medina. The contrast between the mountain silence and the extraordinary chaos of the city is one of the most remarkable re-entries in travel. A final walk through the souks in the late afternoon and a rooftop drink over the Koutoubia at sunset completes the Marrakech experience. The Djemaa at dusk one final time is unmissable. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Kasbah du Toubkal above Imlil is a restored Berber kasbah at 1,800 metres with the finest panoramic view of the Toubkal massif. Day visitors can take tea on the extraordinary terrace. The walk up from Imlil takes 20 minutes and the view is worth every step.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Riad breakfast Early start for the Atlas. Final riad breakfast before the mountain drive. | Lunch: Cafe Soleil, Imlil Simple Berber tagine and mint tea in the mountain village at altitude. | Dinner: Final dinner, Marrakech medina The finest bastilla and lamb tagine at a medina riad restaurant.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Medina riad, all 3 nights Riad inside the medina walls for the full experience. Approx 80 to 200 euros per night. Riad location tip Book a riad in the northern medina near Ben Youssef, not in the tourist south. Atlas day trip Day trip to Imlil from Marrakech. No overnight needed for the 3 day version.
Top Tips
1. Hire a local guide for your first medina morning. Navigation without one wastes half a day.
2. The Djemaa el-Fna is at its best after sunset. Arrive at dusk and stay until the drums begin.
3. The Bahia Palace is extraordinary at opening time before the tour groups arrive at 10am.
4. The Majorelle Garden sells out. Book online at least 3 days ahead, especially in spring.
5. Bargaining in the souks is expected. Start at a third of the asking price, meet in the middle.
6. The grand taxi to Imlil must be negotiated before departure. Insist on the full price upfront.
Total Budget
90 to 245 euros/day