Marrakech 1-day itinerary

Start at Bahia Palace (70 MAD) — a stunning 19th-century palace with intricate zellige tilework, carved cedar ceilings, and peaceful courtyards filled with orange and banana trees. Then plunge into the medina souks — a labyrinth of narrow alleys bursting with leather goods, carpets, lanterns, spices, and Berber jewellery. Get deliberately lost. Breakfast at a medina café — msemen (flatbread) with honey and mint tea (20–30 MAD).

Taxi (20–30 MAD) to Jardin Majorelle (150 MAD) — the cobalt-blue Art Deco garden created by Jacques Majorelle and later owned by Yves Saint Laurent. Cacti, bamboo groves, and the electric blue of the buildings are impossibly photogenic. The YSL Museum next door (100 MAD) is world-class. Walk through the Gueliz neighbourhood — the French colonial new town with cafes, galleries, and boutiques along Avenue Mohammed V.

As the sun sets, Jemaa el-Fnaa square erupts into life — snake charmers, musicians, acrobats, henna artists, and dozens of smoke-billowing food stalls. Eat at the food stalls — grilled meats, snail soup, fried fish (30–60 MAD for a full meal). Then climb to a rooftop terrace at Café Glacier or Nomad for panoramic views over the square buzzing below. Mint tea and shisha as the night unfolds.