Marrakech in 5 Days: The Itinerary with Two Day Trips
Five days let you see Marrakech without rushing and leave the city twice: one day on the coast in Essaouira, one day in the Atlas. Here is the plan that best balances medina, nature and desert.
For 5 days in Marrakech, spend day 1 in the medina (Koutoubia, Bahia, souks, Jemaa el-Fna at sunset), day 2 at Majorelle Garden and a hammam, day 3 in Essaouira (a UNESCO-listed port town about 2.5-3 hours away, organised day trips from €7 to €12), day 4 in the Ourika Valley in the High Atlas (about 1 hour away, from €9 to €15), and day 5 on a sunrise hot-air balloon flight (from €52 to €61) followed by an evening in the Agafay Desert (from €14). Always alternate a day trip with a city day to avoid fatigue. Stay in a medina riad. The most-booked tours have between 10,000 and 37,000 reviews on GetYourGuide: book a few days ahead in spring, autumn and school holidays.
The Plan at a Glance
| Day | Plan | Book ahead |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Koutoubia, Bahia, souks, Jemaa el-Fna | Nothing |
| Day 2 | Majorelle Garden, YSL Museum, hammam | Majorelle ticket, hammam |
| Day 3 | Essaouira (full day) | Day trip |
| Day 4 | Ourika Valley, Atlas | Day trip |
| Day 5 | Balloon, free afternoon, Agafay in the evening | Flight + Agafay dinner |
Tours in This Itinerary
| Experience | Rating | Reviews | Duration | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essaouira: coast, medina and lunch in a small group | 4.9 | 9,880 | 11.5 h | €12 |
| Essaouira small-group tour and argan cooperative | 4.8 | 3,082 | 10 h | €7 |
| Ourika and Setti Fatma waterfalls with guide and lunch | 4.9 | 19,327 | 7 h | €15 |
| Atlas, waterfalls and Ourika Valley with lunch | 4.9 | 6,299 | 7 h | €9 |
| Hot-air balloon flight with breakfast buffet | 4.8 | 10,196 | 3-4 h | €61 |
| Agafay: quad, camel and dinner show | 4.8 | 36,771 | 7 h | €20 |
Ratings, reviews and prices taken from GetYourGuide; they may change.
See all day trips from Marrakech· GetYourGuideFree cancellation up to 24h before on most activities · the best time slots sell out first in high seasonReserve now, pay later on many activities
Variations
- Nature instead of coast: swap Essaouira for the Ouzoud waterfalls, falls of about 110 m, 2.5 hours away.
- Film sets and kasbahs: a long day to Ait Benhaddou and Ouarzazate over the Tichka pass (about 3.5 hours each way).
- Real dunes: with 5 days, a 3-day tour to Merzouga is possible, but it leaves only two days for Marrakech.
See also all day trips from Marrakech.
See Essaouira day trips· GetYourGuideFree cancellation up to 24h before on most activities · the best time slots sell out first in high seasonReserve now, pay later on many activities
Where to Stay for 5 Nights
A medina riad for atmosphere and nearby tour pick-ups, or a hotel with a pool in Hivernage or the Palmeraie if you travel with family. See where to stay in Marrakech and the best riads.
See riads and hotels in Marrakech· Booking.comFree cancellation on many properties · the best-rated places fill up firstNo prepayment needed on many offers: lock in your room now
Book your arrival transferYou will be redirected to our partner GetTransfer.FAQ — Marrakech in 5 Days
Is 5 days in Marrakech too long?
Which day trips should I do in 5 days?
Can I go to the Merzouga desert in 5 days?
What budget should I plan for 5 days in Marrakech?
What should I book in advance?
In Short
- Days 1-2: medina, Majorelle, hammam.
- Days 3-4: Essaouira, then Ourika.
- Day 5: balloon and Agafay.
For a shorter stay, see Marrakech in 4 days or in 3 days; on a tight budget, Marrakech on a budget.
