Four to five days gives a good balance between Marrakech's medina and a day trip into the surrounding Atlas Mountains, which is worth protecting as its own day rather than squeezing in as an afterthought. Days 1 and 2 stay inside the medina. Jemaa el-Fnaa, the city's legendary main square, is worth experiencing at two different times of day — by day for juice stalls and snake charmers, and again after dark when it transforms into a vast open-air food market. Wander into the souks behind the square for leather goods, lanterns, and spices, accepting that getting at least a little lost is part of the experience in a medina with no real street grid. Spend your second day continuing through the medina, ideally with a guide for at least part of it, since the lack of clear navigation makes a knowledgeable local genuinely useful here in a way it isn't in most cities. Day 3 moves outside the medina to the Majorelle Garden and the adjacent Yves Saint Laurent Museum. The garden's vivid cobalt-blue buildings against lush planting make it one of the most photogenic and genuinely peaceful spots in the city — a deliberate change of pace from the medina's intensity. Spend the rest of the day in Gueliz, the newer part of the city, for a more contemporary contrast to the old town. Day 4 is for the Atlas Mountains, reachable by a relatively short drive from Marrakech. Berber villages, valley hiking, and — in winter — snow-capped peaks visible from a city that otherwise feels entirely desert-adjacent, make this one of the most worthwhile day trips in Morocco. Book through a reputable operator rather than attempting the drive independently unless you're comfortable with mountain roads. Day 5, if you have it, is best spent on a hammam and spa morning, followed by a final, slower wander through the souks for any last-minute shopping. This is also a good day to revisit Jemaa el-Fnaa at whichever time of day you didn't see it on day one, since the square genuinely offers two different experiences depending on the hour. A few practical notes: bargaining is expected in the souks, not rude — start well below the asking price and expect to settle somewhere in the middle. Dress modestly, especially outside riads and resort areas. And negotiate petit taxi fares before the ride starts, since meters are rarely used in practice regardless of what's technically required.