How to Spend a Day in Marrakech

We were sitting in an intimate courtyard in Marbella, Spain, enjoying sake, sushi, and conversation when our host suddenly jumped up from the table to take a call from a friend named Javier. A day later, after an interesting chain of events, we were in Marrakech, Morocco.

Because we couldn’t deviate too much from our planned itinerary (we had a direct flight back to Chicago 3 days later), we flew in to Marrakech in the morning and back to Marbella that evening.

What do you do when you only have 8 hours in Marrakech, a city that has been inhabited since the Stone Age? Crazy right?! Founded in the 12^th century, the ancient trading hub is the fourth-largest city in Morocco.

If you are debating whether you can explore Marrakech in one day, go for it.  While this list is definitely only a taste of what Marrakech has to offer, it’s a great first-time guide for anyone looking to hit all the major spots.

Wander around aimlessly in Jemaa el-Fnaa square and marketplace 

Jemma El-Fna square is massive, surrounded by a large souk (a traditional North African market) and many nooks and crannys that lead to alleys into the medina quarter (aka the old city). The red-brick city walls that were built in the 1100s are still in existence today.

The square is unlike anything I have ever seen and apparently gets even more mysterious as the day goes on, with storytellers and magicians appearing at dusk. We didn’t get to witness any of this but we did spot a group of snake charmers immediately upon entering the square. One of the snakes actually bit a man after this photo was taken, so we quickly went on our way.

Relax on a rooftop terrace and sample tagine, traditional Moroccan food

After an hour exploring the market and haggling a bit in the square, we ate lunch at Terrasse Des Epices, a restaurant on a terrace overlooking the bustling stalls of the souk. We relaxed on cushions and leisurely feasted on tagine, a stew-like dish cooked in the dish it’s actually served in, which is called a tagine pot. Tagine is a mix of vegetables, tender meat and spices.

Paired with a Sancerre and salad, it hit the spot. It was just what we needed to refuel and continue our marathon sightseeing day.

Ride a rickshaw to Bahia Palace, a sprawling paradise in the heart of the Medina

Our next stop involved checking out Bahia Palace, a 150-room oasis that most certainly has its fair share of secrets. Built in the late 1800s by a man who was a slave and rose to power as a high official to the Sultan of Morocco, the Bahia palace means “brilliance” in Arabic and after what I saw, that puts it lightly.

The cabs were a bit overpriced so we took a rickshaw instead – it was a much faster way to explore the labyrinth inside the city walls.

Escape the chaos with a visit to Jardin Majorelle, a French artist’s masterpiece later restored by Yves Saint-Laurent

Tucked inside the Medina, Jardin Majorelle was created in 1924 by a French artist, Jacques Majorelle, who was inspired by the day-to-day life of the Moroccan people.

The buildings and tiles throughout the garden are painted a piercing cobalt blue, which was patented by Majorelle as “Majorelle Blue”.

In the 1950s, Majorelle was forced to sell the land and eventually the garden was purchased by fashion designers, including Yves Saint-Laurent, in the 1980s. After the death of Saint-Laurent, the ashes of the fashion icon were scattered in this garden.

Recap your day over light bites and drinks at the Royal Mansour Le Jardin

The end of our day in Marrakech was quickly approaching. After the hustle and bustle of Jemaa el-Fnaa square, we visited the Royal Mansour Le Jardin, a luxury hotel owned by King Mohammed VI of Morocco.

Underneath the lush trees and foliage of the outdoor garden, we sipped on cocktails and recapped our amazing day. An hour later, we were whisked off in a car to head back to the airport – what a whirlwind trip!