Only have a few days to experience the beauty of Morocco? You’re in luck because whether you’re a shopaholic, luxuriating jet-setter or a history buff, you can experience it all in Marrakech.

Here are some highlights you won’t want to miss:

Stroll the Jardin Majorelle

Jardin Majorelle is the former home of the late legendary fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent, and it’s said his ashes are scattered around the lush, tropical gardens. But before owning the home, the property originally belonged to Jacques Majorelle, a famous French artist who came to Morocco to improve his health conditions and lived there until his death in 1962, when Saint Laurent purchased the property. It’s been preserved as a garden and museum and is a beautiful way to spend a morning or afternoon.

Shop the Souks in the Medina

Here you can spend hours, even days, shopping in the bustling souks (marketplaces) of the medina. The medina is an endless maze of colorful and dizzying alleys filled with restaurants, jewelry shops, textile vendors and more. Your senses will be overloaded, but take the time to soak it all in. It’s truly a sight to behold. And don’t forget to buy extra luggage… you’re going to need it for the plane ride home.

Soak in a Hammam

After a long, hot day of shopping and traversing the dusty alleys of Marrakech, a hammam is a relaxing way to wind down. A hammam is a traditional, sometimes communal, bath. It’s a tradition dating back to the days of the sultans and is still performed today. You can expect a technique of steaming, washing and exfoliating your skin. And while there are many styles of hammams, some public baths and some a bit more private and luxurious, the experience is definitely an interesting one and one you can’t miss.

Visit the Mosques

Morocco is a Muslim country and there are endless Mosques throughout the region. However, the Koutoubia Mosque, built in 1162, is Marrakech’s most famous mosque. Standing 70 meters tall, the towering building can be seen from anywhere in the city. And although non-muslims aren’t allowed to enter, it’s still a beautiful site to visit and wander around.

Take a Cooking Class

Learning how to cook Moroccan food with a local, might be one of the coolest, most authentic experiences in Marrakech. You’ll start off by going to the local farmer’s market to pick your ingredients, learn about the history of the cuisine and then go back and learn the prepping and cooking techniques to make your own home-cooked Moroccan meal. All followed by the opportunity to properly learn how to pour and serve Moroccan tea — yes, there’s a specific way to do it!

Day Trip

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can take a trip out to the Sahara desert where you can dune surf, ride camels into the sunset, fly high above in a hot-air balloon and spend a night in a luxury tent under the Moroccan sky while listening to the beat of the Berber drums.

In Marrakech, there’s no shortage of amazing food at all price points. Whether you love simple snacks, fresh fruit, street food or a five-star meal, you won’t be disappointed. Here are a few places to visit depending on your appetite.

Breakfast

Café des Epices: This cute coffee shop right in the middle of the medina is three floors of fabulousness. Offering a rooftop terrace, there’s no shortage of options where to sit and enjoy a delicious, fresh meal as you overlook the craziness of the walled city.

For a luxurious way to start your day, head to brunch at La Mamounia. Here, you’ll be treated like a Sultan and indulge in some of Marrakech’s finest offerings. But, make a reservation because it does book up quickly.

Lunch

Cuisine de Terroir: A great option if you’re in search of good traditional Moroccan food. Here you can have dishes like Tagine or Shawarma, and don’t forget to wash it all down with some mint tea. (Note: I couldn't find a specific website for Cuisine de Terroir, but you can find it in the medina area of Marrakech.)

For a more elevated experience, head to the poolside restaurant at Jnane Tamsa and enjoy a leisurely lunch under the Moroccan sun. Here you’ll be able to experience a decadent lunch in the most beautiful setting while taking a dip in one of the five pools on the property to help cool off.

Dinner

Just like breakfast and lunch options, the dinner experiences are endless. One of the more popular dinner options is to go to “dinner and a show” at Comptoir Darna replete with choreographed belly dancers, dimly lit lanterns and a stunning, Moroccan setting. It’s a lively scene where you can feast on Moroccan-influenced cuisine, sip on some creative cocktails and be entertained by the energetic performers of Marrakech.

For a go-all-out farewell meal, head to La Grande Table Marocaine at the Royal Mansour. Set in a colorful-tiled riad, this opulent dining room operated by the most attentive wait staff, is just one of the reasons it made the “World’s Top 50” restaurant list. Make sure to make a reservation well ahead of time.