Have you ever dreamed of getting lost in ancient markets, sleeping in a palace-like riad, or watching the sunrise over the Atlas Mountains? This is exactly what you can experience with just 2 days in Marrakech. As someone who has fallen in love with this magical city, I want to share my perfect 48-hour adventure through the Red City that will leave you bewildered (in the best way possible)!
Quick Travel Tips Before We Begin
Before I take you through my journey, let me share some quick advice that will make your 2 days in Marrakech much smoother:
- Money Matters: The exchange rate is about 10 dirhams to 1 USD or Euro - great news for travelers! I recommend having about €50 per person in cash when you arrive to use the fast-track customs line (trust me, it saves you about 2 hours of waiting).
- Getting Around: The easiest ways to navigate Marrakech are by taxi or motorbike. The traffic seems chaotic at first, but somehow, it all works!
- Medina Etiquette: Be respectful when filming or taking photos in the Medina, as people live and work there. Consider hiring a local guide who knows everyone (like I did) to make your experience more authentic.
- Weather: Expect dry heat, especially in summer months. The temperature reached about 100°F (38°C) during my visit, but the lack of humidity made it bearable.
Now, let's dive into my itinerary for 2 days in Marrakech!
Day 1: Exploring the Ancient Heart of Marrakech
Morning: Arrival and Breakfast
I arrived in Marrakech late the night before and stayed at Janan Tamsna, the first Black-owned hotel in Morocco. When I woke up and finally saw the property in daylight, I was amazed! The hotel is absolutely stunning, with beautiful gardens, massive doors, and five-star luxury in every corner.
Breakfast was a feast of fresh pastries, juices, and traditional Moroccan dishes - the perfect fuel for a day of exploration. If you're curious about investing in Moroccan real estate or entrepreneurship opportunities, this is also a great place to connect with knowledgeable people.
Mid-Morning: The Magical Medina with a Local Guide
lighting shop in a market of marrakech, Morocco
After breakfast, we headed to the ancient Medina (old city) with our guide, Abdulghani. Did you know that "Marrakech" actually means "cross quickly"? Our guide explained that this name came from the dangerous open terrain that made traders vulnerable to both pirates and Atlas lions (now extinct). If you didn't cross quickly, you were in trouble!
The Medina is surrounded by tall walls and contains the oldest part of the city. The tallest building in Marrakech is here, and by law, no building can be higher. What's particularly interesting is that while most people think Morocco is all desert, Marrakech is actually an oasis thanks to water runoff from the Atlas Mountains.
Our guide also shared his experience of the devastating earthquake that hit Morocco in September (7.6 magnitude). It's sobering to hear personal accounts of these events that we normally just read about in the news.
Afternoon: Markets, Palaces, and Traditional Lunch
Walking through the bustling markets of the Medina is an explosion for all your senses! You can find literally everything here - from colorful fruits and vegetables to live birds, handmade crafts, and spices.
I was surprised to see how young some of the shopkeepers were. Our guide explained that in Morocco, children learn practical skills early, giving them something to fall back on even if they go to college later. The fruits were the most vibrant I've ever seen, and I learned something new about olives - they change color as they ripen!
One important tip: be careful when shopping for souvenirs. Many shops sell machine-made items imported from China, but what you really want are handcrafted pieces made by local artisans. Our guide helped us distinguish between the real and the fake, which was invaluable!
Bahia Palace: A Masterpiece of Moroccan Architecture
Our next stop was the breathtaking Bahia Palace ("Brilliance or Beautiful"). Built in the mid-19th century, this palace is considered a masterpiece of Moroccan architecture. For just 7 USD, you can explore this 19-acre property with its multiple courtyards, over 50 rooms, and stunning gardens filled with orange trees.
The detailed plaster work throughout the palace is incredible - and here's an interesting fact: because plaster dries so quickly, artisans had to create their designs on the spot without planning! This spontaneous creativity resulted in unique, one-of-a-kind patterns covering every inch of the walls.
Our guide showed us the area where the sultan's four wives used to live "together in peace and harmony" - though he jokingly added, "in dreams, fairy tale!" I couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to have this magnificent place as my home - "Hey, come into the living room to watch a movie" and it's this enormous, ornately decorated hall!
Traditional Moroccan Lunch
After all that walking, we were ready for lunch! We headed to a restaurant called Laita, recommended by our hotel owner. The rooftop views were spectacular - we could even see the Atlas Mountains in the distance.
I finally got to try tangine, the traditional Moroccan dish I'd been hearing about. Tangine is both the name of the meal and the cone-shaped clay pot it's cooked in. The slow-cooked blend of meat, vegetables, and spices was absolutely delicious! My friend tried the kefta meatballs, which she said were amazing too.
Evening: Shopping with the Experts and Historical Education
After lunch, it was time for some real shopping. Thanks to our guide, we skipped the tourist traps and went straight to places where genuine artisans create their goods. The difference in quality was immediately obvious! I bought a beautiful leather bag combined with wool - a perfect souvenir that will remind me of Marrakech for years to come.
Ben Yusuf Madrasa: Morocco's Oldest University
Our final stop for day one was Ben Yusuf Madrasa, established in the 14th century. While it's now a museum rather than a functioning university, this was once one of the biggest schools in North Africa, housing over 900 students!
The architecture is stunning, especially the ablution area where students would perform wudu (ritual cleansing) before prayer. We also got to see the dormitories where students lived - they were tiny! The freshman rooms were so small I couldn't even lie down flat in them. Senior students got slightly better accommodations with windows and views.
Women's Co-op: Supporting Local Artisans
Before heading back to our hotel, we visited a women's cooperative. This initiative empowers local women by giving them opportunities to produce and sell traditional Moroccan goods. The textiles, especially the wool fabrics and colorful rugs, were absolutely beautiful. Even better, they ship worldwide, so you can support these women artisans even if you can't carry everything home!
On our way back to the hotel, we sadly saw significant earthquake damage throughout the city - a reminder of the challenges this resilient community has faced.
Day 2: Hot Air Balloons and Museum Treasures
Hot air balloon ride near Marrakech
Early Morning: Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride
Day two started very early - we had to wake up at 4:00 AM to meet our driver for a hot air balloon adventure! After an hour's drive to the Agap Desert, we watched as our balloon was prepared and inflated. The entire process was fascinating, from laying out the fabric to pumping it with hot air until it stood upright.
The experience of floating above the desert as the sun rose over the Atlas Mountains was absolutely magical. I can't even describe how beautiful the views were! The tour company took care of everything - from hotel pickup to coffee and tea before the flight, safety instructions, and even pumping motivating music to get everyone excited. The tour ended around 9:00 AM, and we headed back to the hotel for a well-deserved nap.
Afternoon: Museum Hopping and Architecture Tours
After our rest, we visited Lat Marrakech, a museum housing over 9,000 pieces of treasures, artifacts, jewelry, and textiles gathered from West Africa to China. The owners, Marlene and Poo Gonji, moved to Morocco years ago and created this incredible space to share their collection out of love for the city.
We were lucky enough to get a private tour from the owner himself! The collection included everything from gold anklets from Yemen (so heavy the wearer could barely walk) to samurai suits and geisha dresses in a room dedicated to Asian artifacts.
Saadian Tombs: A Historical Secret
Our next stop was one of the most historical sites in Marrakech - the Saadian Tombs. This sacred cemetery was walled off for centuries, and no one knew what was inside until a small plane flew over the Medina and discovered it! It's amazing to think this historical treasure was hidden in plain sight for so long.
Modern Marrakech
To round out our visit, we toured some of modern Marrakech, including the beautiful Opera House, the Royal Theater, and the newly built train station. The contrast between ancient and contemporary architecture shows how this city honors its past while embracing the future.
With the World Cup coming to Morocco in 2030, there's certainly potential for growth and investment in this beautiful city.
Final Thoughts on 2 Days in Marrakech
Two days in Marrakech is just enough time to fall in love with this magical city, but not nearly enough to experience everything it has to offer. From the ancient wisdom embedded in its architecture to the kindness of its people, Marrakech captivated me in ways I didn't expect.
If you're planning your own adventure here, I recommend hiring a knowledgeable local guide who can help you navigate the Medina and distinguish authentic experiences from tourist traps. And don't miss the hot air balloon ride - it's worth every dirham and every minute of lost sleep!
Have you been to Marrakech or are you planning a trip? I'd love to hear about your experiences or answer any questions in the comments below!