There’s no other way to put this: Marrakech is a lot. But is it too much to take in when you only have a pair of days to explore? My first trip here lasted just two days, and after spending a few hours in the Medina—the crowded, chaotic market where leather tanners, carpet makers, spice sellers, and others set up shop—I still had plenty of time to take in the rest of the city. The trick is to take lots of breaks, stopping to enjoy a bag of figs in one of the pretty parks or a tagine at one of the open-air eateries. And bonus: The people watching here is next level.

This 3-day Marrakech itinerary has everything you'd want for a long weekend: stroll the colorful gardens, gaze up at the minarets crowning the mosques, and get lost in the narrow lanes and endless shops of the sprawling Souks.

My best advice for anyone just getting to know Marrakech: Take it slow. You’ll appreciate the sights and smells of Medina—the sprawling market where you’ll probably spend most of your time—more by wandering down a few of the twisting alleyways than you will by power-walking your way from one end to the other. Whenever I feel myself picking up the pace, I know it’s time to seek out a bench in one of the hidden gardens or grab a table in one of the rooftop restaurants that overlook the vendors in the main square. That gives me a chance to relax, regroup, and actually enjoy this mesmerizing ancient city.