This post is all about the most epic 3 day New Orleans itinerary.
New Orleans is an eclectic city that sweeps you into every beat (and beignets!)
I’ve created the best 3-day itinerary for New Orleans to help you have a more successful and less stressful trip. Don’t forget to print your FREE New Orleans Printable Checklist so you don’t miss a thing!
So, you’re taking a trip to the Big Easy? Here are the recommendations I swear by to have a fantastic trip in NOLA!
Here is the BEST 3 day New Orleans Itinerary.
3 Day New Orleans Itinerary (the short version)
Day 1 – Check into your hotel. Walk around the French Quarter and have a beignet. Stop by Jackson square and St. Louis Cathedral. Visit Hotel Monteleone and have a drink at the carousel bar.
Day 2 – Explore the Garden District and Magazine Street. Brunch at the Ruby Slipper Cafe. Take a cemetery tour. Dinner and drinks on Frenchmen Street.
Day 3 – Book a fancy jazz brunch. Explore more of Bourbon Street. Dinner at Galeries. See Fritzel’s jazz band. Have a drink at the Dungeon. Enjoy your last night in Nola!
3 Day New Orleans Itinerary (the detailed version)
Day 1
Check into your hotel and get ready to explore the French Quarter.
Stop and have a beignet and cafe au lait. Cafe Beignet on Royal Street is what I recommend over the famous Cafe Du Monde.
Stroll through the beautiful Jackson Square and admire the St. Louis cathedral.
Enjoy walking in and out of thrift stores and various shops in the French Quarter. I encourage you to venture beyond bourbon street, as there are so many beautiful and interesting corners of the quarter.
Visit Hotel Monteleone and have a drink at the famous rotating Carousel bar.
Day 2
Start your day off on Magazine Street. Have brunch at the Ruby Slipper Cafe and explore the many shops lining Magazine street.
Next, admire the beautiful houses in the Garden District. Some famous houses to see are the home of Anne Rice and the filming location for American Horror Story Coven.
Book a cemetery tour to see the famous cemeteries of New Orleans. Due to the swampy terrain, graves are buried above ground which makes for a unique sight to see.
After you’ve covered the garden district, head on over to Frenchmen street for dinner and drinks.
Day 3
Your last day in NOLA! Begin with a fancy jazz brunch. I recommend Commander’s Palace, Court of Two Sisters, or Broussards. Be sure to make a reservation in advance.
We opted for Broussards, as it was suggested by a local. It was incredible!
Spend your last day back in the french quarter. Walk Bourbon Street and explore some of the hole-in-the-wall bars. Be sure to have a drink at the Dungeon!
After eating a scrumptious dinner at Gallier’s, go to Fritzel’s Jazz Club for an enchanting performance that captures New Orleans perfectly.
Have an Awesome Time in NOLA!
That concludes the most epic 3-day New Orleans Itinerary covering all the highlights and my personal favorite stops.
This post is all about how to spend 4 days in New York. So you’re heading to the big apple but ONLY have 4 days? Don’t fret! 4 days in New York City is the perfect amount of time to get a taste of America’s greatest city. After moving here at the beginning of the…
Looking for the BEST Colombia packing list!? This post is all about what to pack for Colombia. Packing for Colombia was a daunting task. For years I’ve backpacked across Europe and the Middle East, but never South America. I felt like I was entering a new arena in the…
This post is all about things to do in Cartagena. Colorful colonial buildings line the streets as a whiff of empanada greets your nose and music echoes all around you. Welcome to Cartagena. Cartagena is undoubtedly the most beautiful city in Colombia. With its…
Looking for the BEST Colombia packing list!? This post is all about what to pack for Colombia. Packing for Colombia was a daunting task. For years I’ve backpacked across Europe and the Middle East, but never South America. I felt like I was entering a new arena in the…
This post is all about things to do in Cartagena. Colorful colonial buildings line the streets as a whiff of empanada greets your nose and music echoes all around you. Welcome to Cartagena. Cartagena is undoubtedly the most beautiful city in Colombia. With its…
The city, beach, and desert all in 7 days make for the BEST 1-week Itinerary for Morocco. If you are wanting to have the time of your life in Morocco and stay within a budget, this guide is perfect for you.
Just saying “Morocco”, I can nearly smell the mint tea and hear the snake charming music erupt from Marrakesh’s main square, Jemaa el-Fnaa. Morocco is one of the most magical places I have explored.
Planning your trip.
Perhaps I seem dramatic, but it was absolutely a trip of a lifetime. However, to make this trip memorable, it did take quite a bit of research. If you could take any bit of information from this post, it is these 3 words right here:
MOROCCO IS BIG.
Now read that one more time, and register it. The most common mistake I hear is people get stuck riding in between destinations nearly their entire trip because they didn’t study the distance between them. Even if you really narrow your trip down, you will likely be riding in a car for quite a while. This trimmed-down itinerary will have you in the car for about 23 hours total throughout your week trip.
Morocco is safe to travel.
I hope hearing this can put your mind at ease. My best friend and I traveled to Morocco together, without a man, and we were both twenty-one. I have felt more unsafe in hostels in London than in the streets of Morocco.
Tips on safe travel in Morocco:
Here are some extra precautions I take while not just traveling in Morocco, but really anywhere.
Carry your bag in front of you, and/or secure locks on your bags. Little children are the ones you have to especially look out for in Morocco. They are smart, quick, and incredibly adorable!
Men WILL come up and catcall you. Most of the time they are harmless, just annoying.
Set yourself a curfew. We actually didn’t do this, some of our Riad’s enforced an 11pm curfew.
Stay where people can see you. This is my #1 rule when traveling. There are lots of private tours offered in Morocco for cheap prices but perhaps opt for the group tours where you will be surrounded by a few other travelers.
Taxi travel. Establish a set price BEFORE you get into the taxi. All of our taxies were pre-booked before our trip. Meaning our Airbnb Riad’s had their own taxi arrangements set up for us, with a reasonable fare we agreed upon beforehand. Additionally, avoid putting your luggage in the trunk as you may not ever get it back.
Now let’s get to the fun part, building the best 1-week Itinerary for Morocco!
Day 1 – Arrive in Marrakesh
Jemaa el-Fnaa Square
Where to stay in Marrakesh – Airbnb Riad’s
Marrakesh is filled with some of the most beautiful accommodation options. A Riad is a traditional Moroccan home or palace with an interior courtyard/garden and most likely what you’ll be staying at during your trip. Many Riad’s are very nice, affordable, include a delicious breakfast, and offer transportation. A fantastic Riad I stayed at is available on Airbnb here if you are needing a recommendation for one. When searching for accommodations, I recommend you to find one near Jemaa el-Fnaa Square (the main square) and read reviews very thoroughly to be sure you are getting the best value.
the lobby of my Riad in Marrakesh.
Contact your Riad before your arrival, and ask if they can arrange pick up from the airport.
This is probably the best value in terms of convenience. Most Riad’s will offer this service to you before arrival. It is up to you to communicate with them in terms of time and airline tickets (they track the arrival). In my opinion, it was totally worth paying $25 in advance to have a taxi waiting for us. We knew we weren’t getting scammed and that the driver knew exactly where our Riad was.
After you get settled, take time to explore Marrakesh!
Be sure to pin your accommodation on your phone/map, or make sure it comes up on Google Maps. You WILL get lost in the Medina, and you’ll have to find your way back.
Day 2 – Marrakesh
Marrakesh is just one of those places you have to see. It is both chaotic and beautiful. While I loved my time in Marrakesh, it isn’t somewhere I would want to spend more than a day or two. The main things to do are shop at the markets, get lost in the Medina, and eat some awesome food. Which can all be achieved in 24-48 hours.
I am actually cringing in this pic because the man literally threw the monkey on me!
Marrakesh, Morocco
I am always starving after a full day of exploring! Our favorite restaurant in Marrakesh was Nomad. We went during the offseason, so I would recommend making reservations on their website if you can, it was very popular.
Nomad was amazing. The atmosphere was relaxing, especially in comparison to the loud streets of Marrakesh. For dinner, I had the Vegetarian plate, which consisted of chickpea salad, tzatziki, avocado and barley with celery and sesame seeds. For dessert, I had the Ultra-rich chocolate cake. That chocolate cake was definitely one of the tastiest I’ve ever had, and I’m a girl who knows her chocolate!
Day 3 – Depart on your Sahara Desert Tour
This was the moment we had been waiting for … to ride camels and camp in the Sahara! Talk about a check-mark off the bucket list! We were so excited for this tour, we definitely looked like goons among our sophisticated European group members (who were so lovely). We were the annoying American girls who could not stop squealing every time we saw a dog or something cool, but boy did we embrace it! This tour alone packs in A LOT and deserves its own blog post. If you are considering taking a Sahara tour on your trip, click below to read an extensive breakdown of the tour.
The first day of your Desert tour will be a lot of driving, mixed in with stops along the way at the Atlas Mountains, Kasbah Ait Ben Hadou, and Dades Valley.
Atlas MountainsAït Benhaddou
Day 4 – Sahara Desert Tour
This will be the second day of your Sahara Desert tour, which will mainly include Dades Valley, Tinghr, and camping in the Sahara. Spending the night in the Sahara Desert was one of the most magical experiences. Dancing to the beat of the drums, stargazing with my best friend, and sledding down the dunes at midnight were just a few of the highlights.
Berber Home – Sahara Desert Tour
Sahara Desert Tour
Day 5 – Back on the road to Marrakesh
Sadly, this is the last day of the Sahara Desert Tour. You will be completely exhausted and get back into Marrakesh around 7 pm. At this point, you could get a taxi from Marrakesh and head to the next destination on this itinerary, Essaouira. Alternatively, you could spend one more night in Marrakesh. Neither option is right or wrong, however, if traffic is bad or something happens to where you don’t make your scheduled taxi to Essaouira that evening, you may be in a bind. If you could get a taxi for 9 or 10 pm to allow a bit of wiggle room, that may be ideal. We chose to spend one more night in Marrakesh just to be safe, however, we were so exhausted we ordered pizza and stayed in!
Day 6 – Essaouira
This beautiful beach town of Essaouira was something we nearly overlooked, as we read from many other travelers that it was best as a day trip, or not really worth seeing. We found this to not be true, we LOVED Essaouira. It’s a charming little fishing town, that was exactly what we needed to relax after the hustle of Marrakesh and the exhaustion of trekking through the desert. The trip to Essaouira is only 2 hours from Marrakesh, and absolutely worth the journey.
The Med Taxi transport service was a complete weight lifted off our shoulders. Their prices are reasonable and they are fabulous at communicating. We communicated before or trip through WhatsApp, informing them of our dates and the transportation we needed. They took us to Essaouira and back to Marrakesh airport on our last day. Realistically, there are probably cheaper transport options you could find last minute, but they had great reviews, and we were really covering our bases to not get scammed. They were easy breezy and put our minds at ease having it booked beforehand.
Med Taxi price is 50 euros each way, total.
If you choose to not go with Med Taxi and use a different transport service, as always, be sure to confirm the price before getting into the taxi. Also, clarify that it is total and not per person.
Day 7 – Essaouira
Finish your trip relaxing on the beach or exploring Essaouira’s historic port. Don’t forget to snap a pic of the beautiful blue boats!
Essaouira, Morocco
Essaouira is such a lovely town that requires it’s own in-depth guides. If you are lucky enough to fit this gem into your Morocco itinerary, you can peek my Essaouira Travel Guide and/or my Essaouira Pocket Guide. WiFi is spotty so I really do recommend downloading the free Pocket Guide to keep on your phone!
That concludes the Best 1-Week Itinerary for Morocco! If you are having any doubts about making the leap to this incredible country, I must urge you to go! Enter the country with an open-mind, respectfulness, and prepare to be totally amazed.
Essaouira is a fishing town located in the Western region of Morocco. Don’t overlook this charming port village during your time in Morocco, it is truly a gem!
Essaouira does have an airport. Alternatively, you can find transport services from major cities such as Marrakesh. MED Taxi, which was 50 euros each way, is my preferred taxi service.
Med Taxi even lets you stop along the road when you see something totally insane, like this…
goats in a tree
Where to stay
I booked “Dar Skala Essaouira” Airbnb, which was fantastic. Our host, Jorge, greeted us warmly upon arrival and gave us a map along with tips for the best experience during our time here.
Here are more amazing options on where to stay in Essaouira:
Gusto Italia is not traditional Moroccan food, but offers some delicious Italian, which you may be craving after eating traditional Moroccan dishes all week!
Triskala is another fantastic option. This restaurant is beautifully decorated and offers tasty traditional Moroccan food.
Gusto Italia – Shrimp Fettuccine
Triskala – Falafel Platter
What to do in Essaouira
We visited during December, and there were hardly any tourists. I assume during peak tourism, it’s quite busy during the day with all the day trip tours from Marrakech.
This is why I recommend spending 2 days here, so you get to explore it when it’s quieter in the evenings. Overall, it should be MUCH more low-key than Marrakech.
1. Explore the Port.
Essaouira, Morocco
Exploring the port is one of the main things you’ll want to during your time in Essaouira. I would even suggest visiting during twice, both during the morning and late evening so you can get a glimpse of the morning craziness and the quiet nighttime.
2. Shop in the Medina.
The Medina of Essaouira is much more manageable than Marrakesh’s gigantic maze. It has a lot of similar things that you’ll find in the Marrakesh markets, only they will be cheaper!
The historical Essaouira Medina is listed as a UNESCO site.
Shopping tip – buy a Moroccan scarf! They are a cheap souvenir that you can pack easily in your luggage.
3. Watch the sunset on the beach.
Morocco truly has the most stunning sunsets. Laying on the beach watching the sun go down is the perfect way to end your trip.
Book yourself a massage and traditional hammam to end your busy trip feeling relaxed. A traditional hammam is a classic cleansing technique of Middle Eastern culture.
Azur Spa was so beautiful! You’ll be greeted with delicious mint tea while you gaze at rose petals and fountains decorated throughout the lobby.
That concludes a perfect trip to the beautiful port town of Essaouira!
Essaouira was a stop that was nearly looked over when planning our itinerary. It’s really quite a gem of a town that is entirely different than the rest of Morocco. If you are looking for an experience that is both cultural and relaxing, this is the place for you.
This post is all about how to spend 4 days in New York. So you’re heading to the big apple but ONLY have 4 days? Don’t fret! 4 days in New York City is the perfect amount of time to get a taste of America’s greatest city. After moving here at the beginning of the…
Looking for the BEST Colombia packing list!? This post is all about what to pack for Colombia. Packing for Colombia was a daunting task. For years I’ve backpacked across Europe and the Middle East, but never South America. I felt like I was entering a new arena in the…
This post is all about things to do in Cartagena. Colorful colonial buildings line the streets as a whiff of empanada greets your nose and music echoes all around you. Welcome to Cartagena. Cartagena is undoubtedly the most beautiful city in Colombia. With its…
Looking for the BEST Colombia packing list!? This post is all about what to pack for Colombia. Packing for Colombia was a daunting task. For years I’ve backpacked across Europe and the Middle East, but never South America. I felt like I was entering a new arena in the…
This post is all about things to do in Cartagena. Colorful colonial buildings line the streets as a whiff of empanada greets your nose and music echoes all around you. Welcome to Cartagena. Cartagena is undoubtedly the most beautiful city in Colombia. With its…
This post is all about how to spend 3 days in Dublin.
(updated February 16, 2022)
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure here.
Planning a trip to Ireland?
Only 3 Days in Dublin can seem overwhelming in a city that offers so much! Dublin is full of beautiful sights, incredible food, and beer… lots and lots of beer!
I’ve created this Ultimate Dublin Checklist for your trip, so you don’t miss a thing.
This is something you MUST see during your time in Dublin. Tours book up quickly. I recommend buying your ticket in advance online.
Book a tour here for fast-track access to Book of Kells and a Dublin Castle Tour.
After a full day of tours and sightseeing, enjoy your free time and wander around Grafton street.
Day 2
On your second day in Dublin, consider booking a full-day tour to some of the iconic landmarks in Ireland.
Unfortunately with only 3 days, you just can’t do it all! Both the Cliffs of Moher and Giants Causeway are both fantastic day trips from Dublin.
The driving distance is several hours to both destinations, but they do a great job by breaking it up with fun sights and stops along the way.
The Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher
The Giant’s Causeway
The Dark Hedges
Day 3
On your last day in Dublin, you’ll want to see either The National Gallery of Ireland or visit the Guinness Factory if you’re a beer lover.
Expect to spend about 3 hours at each of these activities.
The National Gallery is free. The Guinness Ticket is about $30 (check for discounts).
Next, head over to Christ Church Cathedral if you didn’t get a chance to see it on the free walking tour.
End your time in Dublin with a pub crawl. If pub crawls aren’t your thing, stop by Temple Bar and Sin E Nightclub for a guaranteed fun night out in Dublin.
That concludes a full 3 days of Dublin, Ireland
This itinerary was based on highlights of my own experiences in Dublin and can be switched around to accommodate your interests and time.
Although 3 days isn’t nearly enough time to explore this historic city, I think it’s the perfect amount of time to get a taste of what it has to offer. Enjoy your time in Dublin!
Welcome
Hi, I’m Natalie. I eat dessert every day and I like to travel.
