3 Days in Morocco

Start at the Koutoubia Mosque (exterior only, from 0 MAD) for photos of the iconic minaret in soft morning light. Walk through the olive garden beside it, then head to the Bahia Palace (entry from 70 MAD) to explore its stunning zellige-tiled courtyards and painted cedar ceilings. Allow 60-90 minutes. Continue on foot to the Saadian Tombs (entry from 70 MAD), a hidden necropolis rediscovered in 1917. The intricate Italian Carrara marble and carved cedarwood are worth the short wait in line.

Walk to Cafe Clock Marrakech in the Kasbah area for a Moroccan-fusion lunch. Try their famous camel burger (from 85 MAD) or a classic vegetable tagine (from 65 MAD). For a budget option, head to the food stalls in the Mellah (Jewish Quarter) for brochettes and bread (from 25 MAD).

Dive into the souks from the north side of Jemaa el-Fnaa. Navigate through the spice souk (Rahba Kedima), the leather souk, the carpet souk, and the metalworkers' quarter. Do not buy on your first pass. Instead, note prices and locations. Return to your favorite shops later for bargaining. Allow 2-3 hours. Aim to emerge at the Maison de la Photographie (entry from 50 MAD) for a fascinating collection of early Moroccan photographs and a rooftop terrace with Atlas Mountain views.

Head to Jemaa el-Fnaa as it transforms at sunset. Watch the storytellers, musicians, and performers from a rooftop cafe first (mint tea from 20 MAD), then descend into the food stalls for dinner. Stall 1, 14, and 32 are reliable choices. A full meal of grilled meats, salads, and bread costs from 40 MAD. For a special evening, book dinner at Nomad (from 150 MAD per person) overlooking the spice square.

Option A: Ouzoud Waterfalls (2.5 hours from Marrakech). Depart at 7:00 AM with a shared minibus (from 150 MAD return) or private driver (from 800 MAD return). The 110-meter cascades are Morocco's most spectacular waterfalls. Hike down to the base (30 minutes) for a boat ride to the base of the falls (from 20 MAD). Barbary macaques are common along the trail.

Option B: Ourika Valley (1.5 hours from Marrakech). A closer option if you prefer a shorter drive. Shared transport from 100 MAD return. Explore the Setti Fatma waterfalls (guide from 100 MAD), visit a Berber village, and stop at a local argan oil cooperative (free entry). The valley is greener and more accessible than Ouzoud.

At Ouzoud, eat at one of the riverside restaurants overlooking the falls. Fresh tagine with chicken and olives from 50 MAD. At Ourika, try a traditional Berber lunch in Setti Fatma village: couscous Friday special from 45 MAD, or tagine from 50 MAD. Both locations serve fresh-squeezed orange juice from 15 MAD.

Continue exploring your chosen destination. At Ouzoud, swim in the natural pools at the base of the falls (seasonal) and hike the upper trail for panoramic views. At Ourika, visit the Berber museum and explore the terraced gardens along the river. Begin the return journey to Marrakech by 16:00 to arrive before dark.

Back in Marrakech, reward yourself with a traditional hammam experience. A public hammam costs from 50 MAD or a mid-range spa hammam from 300 MAD. Afterwards, dinner at Al Fassia (from 150 MAD per person), an all-women-run restaurant famous for its traditional Moroccan cuisine, or grab street food from the Jemaa el-Fnaa stalls once more.

Start at the Jardin Majorelle (entry from 70 MAD, Berber Museum additional from 30 MAD). Arrive right when it opens at 8:00 AM to avoid crowds. The cobalt-blue villa surrounded by exotic cacti and bougainvillea is one of Morocco's most photographed sites. Allow 60-90 minutes. Walk next door to the Yves Saint Laurent Museum (from 100 MAD) for its striking architecture and rotating fashion exhibits. Continue to the nearby Jardin Secret (from 60 MAD) for a peaceful hour among restored Islamic gardens.

For your final lunch, splurge on a rooftop terrace. Le Jardin (from 120 MAD per person) in the medina offers excellent Moroccan-Mediterranean fusion in a lush garden setting. Budget travelers can find excellent msemen (Moroccan flatbread with honey) and fresh juice in the streets around Mouassine fountain from 20 MAD.

Dedicated souvenir shopping time. Return to the souks armed with knowledge from Day 1. Top purchases: leather goods from the tanneries (bags from 150 MAD), handwoven rugs (from 500 MAD), argan oil (from 80 MAD for cosmetic grade), spices (from 10 MAD per bag), and ceramics (from 30 MAD). Visit the Ensemble Artisanal (government fixed-price cooperative) to calibrate fair prices before bargaining in the souks.

End your trip with a Moroccan cooking class (from 350 MAD including market visit and dinner). Learn to make tagine, couscous, and Moroccan salads. Alternatively, book a farewell dinner at Dar Yacout (from 600 MAD per person) for a multi-course palace dining experience with live Andalusian music. For a budget-friendly finale, enjoy a final sunset from a rooftop cafe with mint tea (from 20 MAD) and pastilla.

Start at the Hassan II Mosque (guided tour from 130 MAD), one of the world's largest mosques and the only one in Morocco open to non-Muslims. The guided tour is mandatory and takes about an hour. The retractable roof, glass floor over the Atlantic, and 210-meter minaret are extraordinary. Book the 9:00 AM or 10:00 AM tour in English. Afterwards, walk along the Corniche seafront promenade for Atlantic views and stop at the Ain Diab lighthouse.

Head to the Central Market (Marche Central) area for the freshest seafood in Morocco. Restaurants like La Bavaroise serve grilled fish platters from 80 MAD. For a quick bite, the fish sandwich stalls outside the market sell generous portions from 20 MAD. Pair with a fresh avocado juice from a nearby juice bar (from 15 MAD).

Explore Casablanca's Art Deco heritage in the Quartier Habous (New Medina), built in the 1930s as a French interpretation of traditional Moroccan architecture. Browse the olive market and pastry shops. Walk through the Mauresque quarter to see the blend of Art Deco and Islamic design. Visit the Villa des Arts (from 20 MAD) for contemporary Moroccan art. End at the Mohammed V Square to see the grand courthouse and fountain.

Dinner at Rick's Cafe (from 200 MAD per person), the Casablanca-themed restaurant inspired by the 1942 film. Housed in a beautifully restored riad with a pianist and classic atmosphere. For a more local experience, dine at La Sqala (from 100 MAD per person) in a historic bastion near the old medina, known for its garden courtyard and traditional Moroccan cuisine.

Take the ONCF train from Casablanca Voyageurs station. Trains depart every 30 minutes and take just 55 minutes. First class from 75 MAD, second class from 50 MAD. The Al Boraq high-speed train is even faster at 45 minutes from 99 MAD. Arrive by 9:00 AM for a full day.

Begin at the Hassan Tower and Mohammed V Mausoleum (free entry). The unfinished 12th-century minaret and its forest of broken columns is one of Morocco's most evocative ruins. The adjacent mausoleum is a masterwork of modern Moroccan craftsmanship in marble and zellige. Continue to the Kasbah of the Udayas, a 12th-century fortress overlooking the Bou Regreg river. Wander the blue-and-white painted streets and visit the Andalusian Gardens (free).

Eat at the Kasbah des Oudayas cafe for mint tea and light lunch with river views (from 50 MAD). For something more substantial, walk into Rabat's medina to find local restaurants serving chicken pastilla (from 35 MAD) and fish chermoula (from 45 MAD). The medina is less touristy than Marrakech or Fes and prices reflect this.

Visit the Chellah necropolis (from 20 MAD), a stunning Roman-era ruin overgrown with fig trees and inhabited by storks. One of Morocco's most atmospheric sites. Then explore the Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (from 40 MAD), the country's premier art museum with rotating international exhibitions alongside Moroccan masters.

Return to Casablanca by train (55 minutes, last trains around 21:30) or stay overnight in Rabat for an early morning departure. Dinner in Rabat at Dar Zaki (from 120 MAD per person) for exceptional Moroccan home cooking, or at Cosmopolitan (from 90 MAD) near the Agdal district for a modern bistro atmosphere.