Three Perfect Days: A Trip to Marrakesh

For your first night’s stay, check out Riad Kniza. Located in the oldest quarter of the medina (historic old town), Riad Kniza is a restored 18th-century traditional home built around a beautiful courtyard.

An important thing to keep in mind is many riads are located deep inside the medina and finding your way around the narrow streets that often look like one another may be overwhelming. So, we recommend organizing your transportation from the airport with the riad you’re staying at.

Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted with mint tea, which is a symbol of hospitality that’s often offered at hotels, restaurants and even while shopping at the souks in Marrakesh.

Spend your first day exploring and sightseeing. Jardin Majorelle gained fame when it was restored and opened to the public by the designer Yves Saint Laurent in the 1980s. This popular tourist attraction is renowned for its vibrant cobalt blue buildings, exotic plants and tranquility. Plus, both the garden and YSL Museum are wheelchair accessible.

Bahia Palace is a 19th-century palace. “Bahia” means brilliance in Arabic, and the palace was designed to be grand and capture Islamic and Moroccan art. You can spend a great deal of time admiring the wooden archways, intricate mosaic tiles and serene garden.

Alternatively, Le Jardin Secret is a beautiful garden located in the heart of the medina. It features exotic plants, a tower with panoramic views of the city and even a café.

You can also take a cooking class to get a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship that goes into preparing dishes like tagine. Tagine is a slow-cooked stew prepared in a traditional clay pot. Help shop for the ingredients you need, prepare the meal and enjoy it with your hosts.

For an alternative experience, take a walking food tour and sample a variety of savory and sweet dishes as you walk around the medina. You'll also visit a community oven. Historically, community ovens were wood-fired and used to bake bread. Now locals use them because they give the bread a smoky flavor and golden crust that’s difficult to achieve at home.

If you’d prefer a restaurant for dinner on your first night, treat yourself at the breathtaking La Mamounia hotel. Their in-house restaurant, Le Pavillon de la Piscine, gives you a taste of Moroccan special dishes at one of the most opulent hotels in the world. Keep in mind, the dress code is “elegant” with a no shorts rule enforced after 6 p.m.

For a more casual option, Dar Dar offers a sunset view of Koutoubia Mosque. We recommend trying the pink couscous (lamb) or veggie pastilla (seafood). They also have great cocktails. Or, if you want to try some street food, you can walk around Jemaa el-Fnaa (the main square) and try food from different vendors.

Start your day early with a sunrise hot air balloon over Morrocco’s countryside. Take in an aerial view of farms and the Atlas Mountains. Plus you get to celebrate your memorable flight with a traditional (and delicious) breakfast.

A Moroccan breakfast usually consists of bread called msemen (flaky flatbread) served with jams and eggs. You’ll also be offered fresh juice, mint tea and coffee. Be sure to eat up to fuel a day of shopping at the souks!

The souk is a vibrant marketplace in the medina filled with shops selling traditional Moroccan crafts, textiles, spices and more. Some larger shops may accept credit cards, but most only take Moroccan dirhams. While haggling is part of the culture, most shop owners are trying to run their small businesses so if you’re comfortable paying the prices they give, you can skip the haggling and just pay what they quote you.

After shopping, it’s time to go see an architectural masterpiece. Ben Youssef Madrasa was an Islamic school for more than four centuries but is now a popular tourist site. The entire school is covered in wood, carved calligraphy and mosaic tiles. The main floor is also wheelchair accessible with white marble floors.

Another site to explore is Dar El Bacha, a palace built in 1910 with ornate ceilings, fountains and a courtyard filled with orange trees. It’s also home to the popular Bacha Café that sells coffee from over 35 countries. We recommend getting there early to avoid the lines.

For lunch in the medina, eat at Le Jardin, considered a calm oasis amidst the souks. Try the chicken and pear tagine or go for the vegetarian seasonal options, all while you enjoy the calming sounds of birds chirping as you eat.

For dinner visit Nomad, a rooftop restaurant that you’ll need to book in advance. This restaurant offers views of the medina and both traditional Moroccan cuisine and international dishes.

For your second night’s stay in Marrakesh head to Riad El Fenn. This riad has a café for guests only, a rooftop pool and orange trees throughout the property.

Start day three with a new experience: going to a hammam. A hammam is a public bathhouse. There are a few different types, but La Maison Arabe has a traditional hammam with the option of having someone guide you through the process. They exfoliate and clean you while leading you through several rooms at varying temperatures. La Mason Arabe also provides massages and facials since it doubles as a spa.

Before visiting a hammam for the first time there’s a few things you should know:

• The hammam has three rooms of increasing heat that you’ll go through.
• While a traditional hammam has a separate area for men and women, some offer a couples’ experience.
• Most men wear boxers or swim shorts and women typically wear a bikini or underwear.
• We recommend only bringing your clothing and a small amount of cash with you.

Spend your evening in the Agafay Desert. First, take an exhilarating ATV ride on the dunes or a more traditional camel ride. Then, enjoy a gorgeous sunset in the desert followed by a three-course Moroccan dinner under the stars and a live show. We recommend you schedule a tour in advance that includes transportation.

Other food options for day three include:

• Patisserie Belkabir for Moroccan breakfast pastries and coffee.
• L'Mida offers rooftop views with locally-sourced ingredients and seasonal menu items.
• To catch a show or enjoy a late-night glass of wine, head to Comptoir Darna.

On your final night’s stay, try the Fairmont Royal Palm. This property has the largest golf course in the city and a relaxing spa. Before bed, enjoy a final cup of mint tea on your private terrace, gazing out at the breathtakingly rugged Atlas Mountains.