The 9 Best Day Trips From Marrakech
Keep reading for our recommendations for the best day trips from Marrakech!
Updated August 2024
With cheap flights, year-round good weather and thrilling culture, Marrakech is fast becoming a top tourist attraction, especially for those looking for a long-weekend away from the UK.
And whilst time constraints may mean that travelling around a lot of Morocco is not a possibility, that doesn't mean that you have to be confined to the pink city for the duration of your stay. In fact, there are several excellent day trips you can make from Marrakech that will show you a completely different side of Morocco - and give you the chance to get out and about in its spectacular countryside and mountains!
Here are our pick of the best day trips from Marrakech.
Day Trips From Marrakech
Essaouira / Visit independently with our guide or join a tour
Marrakech Palmeraie / Opt for a Quad Bike Experience or a Camel Ride In Groves
Atlas Mountains / If you can’t spend a few days, it’s bes to visit with a tour - this one is excellent
Ouzoud Waterfalls / Easy to reach if you have your own vehicle or alternatively join a tour that includes a boat ride
Agafay Desert / Combine it with the Atlas Mountains this highly-rated full day option or opt for the most popular option which begins in the evening and allows you to enjoy a golden hour camel ride followed by sunset, dinner and music at a Berber camp before returning to the city.
Ouarzazate and Ait Benhaddou / Distance to cover means most wouldn’t want to do this independently - instead this excellent full-day option hits all the highlights
Ourika Valley / Cover a lot of ground on this super popular full-day tour that takes in the Valley and the Mountains
Marrakech Day Trrips | How To Get Around Independently
Whilst a number of destinations within this post are easily accessible by public transport, there remain several that can only be reached with your own car; that’s why we recommend that independent visitors to Marrakech wanting to explore beyond the main sights or at their own pace rent their a vehicle.
It also makes visiting more than one attraction in a single day much easier without having to rely on tours.
We rarely go direct when hiring our road trip vehicles, instead preferring to use two popular rental aggregators to compare costs and find the best deal. The two companies we use are AutoEurope and RentalCars - both of which we have had excellent experiences with.
If you’re planning on renting a car during your time in Morocco, we highly recommend reading our two helpful posts ‘Renting a Car in Morocco | Essential Things You Need to Know’ and ‘21 Things to Know Before a Moroccan Road Trip’. This country and its drivers are not without their little quirks and idiosyncrasies, so these posts should help allay some of your concerns and provide some tips to make your experience a little smoother.
Additionally, we’d also suggest reading ‘Nine Essential Car Rental Tips for Travellers’, for general tips on how to save money on your car hire and avoid some common vehicle rental mistakes.
One important thing to note about using Marrakech as a base to explore the country with your own vehicle is that staying in the medina is generally not recommended. No vehicles are allowed in this section of the city and parking would be a nightmare (and far from where you’re staying). Instead, we’d recommend basing yourself in one of the resorts in the newer section of the city which have free parking. This will also mean you’re able to avoid the worst of the traffic when driving into and out of the city.
How far is too far for a day trip?
If you read other ‘Best Day Trips from Marrakech’ articles, you’ll notice that many contain a greater number of suggestions. Read a little deeper however, and you’ll soon discover that many options on the list are more than a three hour drive each way.
We could have included these options within this blog post, but decided that we would limit our suggestions to one, places that can be accessed within a couple of hours with your own wheels, or two, locations that although some distance away, are a common day trip from Marrakech, and for which there are a number of reputable tours.
As much as you may wish to explore Morocco beyond Marrakech, we don’t believe that many of you would enjoy spending most of the day cooped up in a vehicle!
The Chilled Coastal Town Of Essaouira
If the hectic nature of Marrakech is getting to you, consider a day trip to Essaouira.
Here, within the blue and white confines of its pretty medina, is a different side of Morocco. A place for men to fish, for lazy afternoon strolls and steaming pots of mint tea enjoyed overlooking the ocean. Not only is it stunningly beautiful and culturally quite different, it offers the chance to hit the beach, cool down in the summer months, and indulge your inner Game of Thrones fan!
With its year-round winds, it’s also the perfect place to head if visiting Morocco during the summer months when temperatures soar elsewhere in the country, and a fantastic place to learn to kite surf.
Following our wonderful stay in the city, we’ve written a complete guide to our favourite things to do in Essaouira - be sure to check it out!
Do It Independently
The good news for those who prefer to travel independently, is that it’s super straightforward to reach Essaouira from Morocco with public transport, with two bus companies (CTM and Supratours - both modern and comfortable) and multiple departures every day.
The journey takes just over 2.5 - 3 hours, and the cost varies between 90 and 120 dh dependent upon which company you travel with, and which service. Supratours appear to be the preferred company, although we travelled one way with each and can recommend the two equally.
There are also various tourist buses running the route, and you can view all options - alongside CTM and Supratours schedules - on this website in English.
Alternatively, you can book this highly-rated shared transfer service that includes some photo stops along the way, or this one if you’d prefer a private option (both have free cancellation which is ideal if you’re still planning your trip).
Grand taxis regularly run this route, and you should expect to pay between 600 and 900 dh to hire the entire vehicle.
The good news is that the approximately 2.5 hour drive with your own vehicle is simple, straight-forward and along a good road.
This post has more information on how to get from Marrakech to Essaouira with public transport.
Take A Tour
This is a common day trip from Marrakech, and as such their are an abundance of tour options available. The following are highly recommended:
With literally thousands of excellent reviews, this full-day group tour is our pick for those wanting to visit Essaouira from Marrakech, and also includes a visit to an Argan oil co-operative.
Alternatively, if you’d prefer a private tour, this full-day tour is a good option.
Get Your Adrenaline Fix At Marrakech Palmeraie
At just over 10 minutes away, this is by far the easiest day trip to / from Marrakech, and remains a popular activity for many who visit - especially for those that are keen to see a little beyond the city limits, but don’t have the time to devote an entire day to an excursion.
Marrakech Palmeraie is a lush green space filled with beautiful palm groves that dates back to the 12th century. Now edged by large resorts and golf course, it can feel a tad touristy, but continues to draw in visitors with its sunset camel rides and adrenaline-busting quad biking.
Do It Independently
Whilst Palmeraie’s proximity to the centre of Marrakech means that it’s easy to reach by private taxi (grand taxis and public buses don’t really run this route), as you’ll only make your way here if taking part in an activity, it makes sense to visit as part of a tour.
Take A Tour
There are many tours out to the palms, and many with hundreds of excellent reviews. These are a handful of the most highly rated:
Quad Bike Experience | A two hour tour that allows you explore the Palmeraie and Jbilets Desert on your quad bike. Includes a traditional mint tea in a Berber village.
Camel Ride In Groves | This two hour tour includes an hour-long camel ride through the groves and tea in a traditional Berber village.
Camel Ride and Quad Experience | If you’d like to combine the two options above, consider this four hour tour with excellent reviews.
Head High In Imlil And The Atlas Mountains
Located in the Toubkal National Park, Imlil is the starting point for those off to climb Mount Toukbal, the highest peak in North Africa. That said, this isn't a spot only for adventurous types and even if you're not up for a challenging trek, this small village provides a wonderful insight into Berber culture and there are a number of much shorter (some only a couple of kilometres) hikes which are perfect to whet your appetite!
This is a place that was on our Moroccan itinerary for so long, but needed ditching at the last minute when we fell head over heels for Essaouira - but we really hope to make it there one day.
This post has some excellent information for those wanting to hike Toukbal.
Do It Independently
Travelling with public transport, there is no direct route to Imlil. Instead you have two alternative options:
Grand Taxi | Either hired privately or shared with other passengers, a grand taxi is an easy way to reach Imlil from Marrakech. These leave from the grand taxi station just outside Bab er Robb, the gate on the southwest edge of the Medina. Expect to pay between 250 and 300 MAD for the entire vehicle, or if you share a full taxi it could cost as little as 50 MAD per person. Journey time is around 75 minutes.
Bus | It is possible to take a bus as far as Asni, and then a taxi or shared minibus to to Imlil. For the bus, you have two options: the first is Line 30 at 10.30am (20dh, 90 minutes) from the Gare Routiere de Marrakech but this can be unreliable. The alternative option is to hop in one of the minibuses from Bab er Robb to Asni which run every two hours and cost 20dh per person. (there is a 1pm bus from here, but obviously this is too late for a day trip).
Shared taxis from Asni cost 15dh per person, a private taxi is 50dh and the minibuses depart every two hours and cost 15dh.
Rental Car | If you have your own vehicle, it’s a lovely drive from Marrakech along an almost entirely paved road.
Take A Tour
Whether you’re craving the challenge of summit Mount Toukbal or looking for a more sedate day trip around the Berber villages in the Atlas Mountains, there is a tour to suit:
Atlas Mountains Day Trip tour | This super popular tour - where the guides are noted as excellent - begins at a local organ oil cooperative before moving on to Asni and then Imlil where you’ll stop for tea. After it’s time for an easy walk through the local countryside (you decide how long you’d like to walk for), finishing at a traditional Berber village for lunch. On the way back to Marrakech you’ll stop in the Moulay Brahim Gorges for a picturesque camel ride.
Atlas Mountains Full-Day Hiking Trip | This incredibly popular full day tour from Marrakech includes time in several Berber villages (including Imlil), a scenic two - three hour hike, a camel ride and a traditional lunch in a Berber household with local mint tea.
Full-Day Desert and Mountain Tour | Only in Morocco for a short while and looking to squeeze in as much as possible? This highly-rate tour is the one for you, combining the best of the Atlas Mountain with an afternoon in the Afagay Desert.
Atlas Mountains With Horseback Ride | Whilst we wish this tour included a little more time on the actual horse, it’s the best option for those that would like to combine the beauty of the Atlas Mountains with a horse ride.
Hike Mount Toukabal | If you’ve got a couple of days to dedicate to Mount Toukbal but would prefer to join a tour, there are a couple of excellent options that you can book online including this 2D/1N express option, and this three day full-on trek.
Recommended Tours In Marrakech
You can plan your stay in Marrakech with our guide for travellers - ‘13 Wonderful Things To Do in Marrakech’ - filled with advice and inspiration.
If you’re short on time, visiting only for a couple of days or looking for a little adventure closer to Marrakech, there are an abundance of great tour options within the city.
These come highly recommended:
Oasiria Water Park | If you’re visiting Marrakech with kids during the summer months, this is the activity you’re definitely going to want to do! Includes transfer from the centre of Marrakech. Alternatively, you buy the a skip-the-line entrance ticket separately and arrange your own transport (meaning you can have as long as you like at the waterpark).
Hammam & Massage Experience | Enjoy a rejuvenating body scrub and a relaxing massage at a traditional hammam in the heart of the Medina. Includes pick-up if necessary.
Cooking Class | We love to take cooking classes when we’re in a new country and this one has excellent reviews. Over four hours you’ll shop for the ingredients, cook alongside a local and then enjoy the fruits of your labour.
Babouch Making Workshop in the Medina | Learn how to make Morocco’s traditional shoe - the babouche - in this hands-on 3.5 hour class. You even get to take the shoes home with you!
Hot Air Balloon Ride | We were fortunate to do this on our last trip to Marrakech, and it was an experience we’ll remember forever. The most economical option is to join a shared balloon ride, but if you’re wanting to take to the skies for a special occasion, consider this incredible private ride which includes breakfast as you fly!
Marrakech Bike Tour | A twist on the classic sight-seeing tour, this three-hour experience covers all the top spots of Marrakech but is done on two wheels!
Half-Day Historical and Cultural Tour | One of the most popular group walking tours, spend three hours discovering the cultural and historical highlights of Marrakech.
If you’d prefer a private walking tour, this one is popular and has great reviews too.
Cool Down at Ouzoud Waterfalls
The impressive Ouzoud falls located high in the Atlas Mountains, are probably one of the most popular destinations for day-trippers from Marrakech, and whilst we wouldn't personally recommend visiting on the weekend (it gets crazy busy), they're a spectacular site in the week.
This impressive waterfall is one of the most common day tours from Marrakech, and with good reason. Fed by the El-Abid River, the Ouzoud Falls drop a total of 110 meters (360 feet) across several tiers. Besides appreciating the views of this striking waterfalls set within the El-Abid Canyon, you can take a boat ride to the bottom of the falls or go swimming in the cool river.
Begin your walk overlooking the falls then follow the path down toward the base for an easy hike with spectacular views. It's also possible to take a boat ride for some up-close action (expect to pay around 20 MAD per person).
If visiting in the summer, it would be incredible to cool off in the icy-cold river so be sure to bring your swimming costume!
Do It Independently
We visited Ouzoud Falls on our 10-day Morocco road trip itinerary; if you have your own vehicle, you can make the journey in around two and half to three hours.
Alternatively, for the determined and those on a budget, we have been advised by a reader that it is possible to take public transport to the Falls, although it is very time consuming:
First you’ll need to head to the main bus station (Bab Doukkala) and grab a shared taxi to a small town called Azilal. This should cost around 50 MAD per person if the taxi is full - if you want to get going before all seats are full, you may be asked to pay a little more.
From Azilal you’ll need to transfer into another shared taxi which will take you to Ouzoud. This should cost around 25 MAD per person, but if you’d like to pay for the whole taxi it will cost approximately 150 MAD.
Take A Tour
If you don’t have your own vehicle and public transport seems a bit of a faff, consider this incredibly popular (it has nearly 15,000 excellent reviews!) and highly-rated Ouzoud Waterfalls Tour from Marrakech. It’s a full day tour so gives you a decent amount of time at the falls and includes a guided hike and a boat trip beneath the falls.
Adventures In The Agafay Desert
Many people visit Morocco with dreams of spending a night in a Sahara Desert Camp. However, with even the most whistle-stop tour requiring at least three days out of your itinerary, it's not always a possibility.
Thankfully however, there is a more realistic alternative: the Agafay Desert, a rugged, almost luna-like expanse, just 40 kilometres south of Marrakech.
A popular weekend escape for wealthy residents of the pink city, in addition to the standard Sahara Desert camp experience it offers horse riding, dune-exploring and quad bike excursions.
Do It Independently
As much as we love a good independent trip, for this particular destination we think you're best off taking a tour.
Even if you have your own vehicle, you’ll have to join a tour to enjoy the activities on offer in the desert.
Take A Tour
The most popular Agafay Desert tours also visit the Atlas Mountains, like this excellent priced and highly-rated full day option (which includes a camel ride in the desert).
Alternatively, the most popular Agafay tour is this one which begins in the evening and allows you to enjoy a golden hour camel ride followed by sunset, dinner and music at a Berber camp before returning to the city.
The more intrepid should consider this full day quad adventure through the desert, or combine a one-hour quad bike experience with a camel ride and sunset dinner at the camp on this incredibly popular tour.
Relax At Lalla Takerkoust
Technically at the edge of the Agafay Desert, Lalla Takerkoust is a man-made reservoir built by the French nearly a century ago. Designed to provide irrigation and electricity to Marrakech, over years it has also come to be quite the popular tourist attraction - especially in the summer months when the heat in Marrakech can become stifling.
The lake offers a number of water-based activities such as paddle boarding, canoeing and swimming (naturally), and it’s possible to combine a trip here with some land-based activities in the Agafay Desert.
Do It Independently
There is no public transport to Lalla Takerkoust, but it is easy enough to get there with either your own rental car or a taxi.
Journey time by car is around 30 minutes and parking is available.
Take A Tour
Unfortunately, whilst there used to be a number of tours which took visitors to Lalla Takerkoust, none are currently available. We’ll be sure to keep an eye out to let you know if they reappear.
If you’re really desperate to see the lake and you don’t have your own transport, one tour that does include it on the itinerary is this paragliding excursion - obviously only practical if you like a little excitement on your travels, but worth mentioning none the less!
Get Star Struck At Aït Benhaddou & Ouarzazate
Quite possibly the most popular day trip from Marrakech (and one that surely delights every person that makes the effort), is a journey across the Tizi n' Tichka mountain pass to the city of Ouarzazate and spectacular Ait Benhaddou.
Famed for their involvement within the movie industry, Ouarzazate is known as the Holywood of Africa (with most visitors focussing spending their time amongst the movie sets of the Atlas Studios), whilst the one thousand year old, UNESCO listed Aït Benhaddou is instantly recognisable as having provided the backdrop to such famous shows as Game of Thrones.
Both are well worth escaping Marrakech for the day - especially if you can be at Aït Benhaddou for sunset for a view that is nothing short of magical.
Do It Independently
As a day trip, your only option to do this independently is with private taxi hire or car rental (buses take too long - nearly five hours from Marrakech to Ouarzazate - and are too infrequent); the journey time is around three hours providing you don’t stop for too many photos!
If you do go on your own, then make sure you read our guide to Ouarzazate.
Take A Tour
Given the popularity of these two iconic Moroccan landmarks, it comes of little surprise that there are an abundance of day trip and tour options from Marrakech.
Our number one pick if happy to join a group is this full day (13 hour) tour which ticks all the boxes for a day trip including scenic drive, stop-off for photos, Ouarzazate and Ait Benhaddou. It comes highly recommended, with thousands of reviews. Do note that the upfront cost seems exceptionally good value because neither lunch nor entry fees are included - still a bargain though!
Alternatively, if you’d prefer a private tour this one also has good reviews.
Go Off The Beaten Track In The Ouirgane Valley
Lying approximately 60 kilometres south of Marrakech, in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, lies the dusty-red Ouirgane Valley.
A little more off-the-beaten-track than the day-tripping destination of the Ourika Valley (see below for tips of visiting this valley), this is a place where despite some moves towards modernisation, much of the traditional Berber way of life continues, where you can hike between villages and enjoy an incredible backdrop that has existed for millennia.
Popular things to do in the Ouirgane Valley include:
- A four-hour hike through five Berber villages. You can do this independently, but it’s much easier - and provides sustainable employment for the local population - to employ a guide. This should cost around $30 USD and should be arranged in advance.
- Head out on a bike ride through the valley
- If you’ve got your own vehicle, don’t miss the traditional village of Assif Zagawari
- Hike to the top of Tizi Oussem fro spectacular views (should take around 2.5 hours).
Do It Independently
Travelling within the Ouirgane Valley is best done with your own vehicle - just be sure to take the paved R203 for an easy 1 hour and 20 minute drive.
Alternatively, jump on a bus from Marrakech to Asni (around one hour) and then transfer into a taxi - shared or otherwise - for the final 15 kilometres to Ouirgane.
If speed is more important than budget, hire your own taxi to reach Ouirgane directly.
Take A Tour
Tours to the Ouirgane Valley are less abundant than its Ourika counterpart, however there are a handful of options, like this full day tour which includes a camel ride, a visit to a souk (on Tuesdays and Saturdays), a 1.5 hour guided hike between villages in the Ouirgane Valley and a traditional lunch in a local Berber house.
Alternatively, if you’d prefer a day trip which focuses on hiking, this 9 hour private tour (not currently available) may be more appropriate.
Escape The Heat In The Ourika Valley
Wonder where the locals go to cool off in the height of summer? That would be the Ourika Valley. Home to Siti Fatma, a bustling village with riverside restaurants and spectacular views, it has become increasingly popular over the last few years with tourists keen for some respite from the sweltering summer heat of Morocco.
And at just under an hour from Marrakech, it's the perfect day trip, especially if you take the time to hike to Setti Fatma (the seven waterfalls) which is an easy walk from the centre of the village. Note that young boys may insist that you require a guide, but it’s perfectly possible to hike to the waterfalls independently - just ask where the path starts.
Art lovers should also make a point to visit Anima Garden. Designed by multimedia artist André Heller, hidden within a garden of shady pathways, wildflowers, cacti, palm trees and tall grass you’ll find unusual and often colourful sculptures referencing local and international themes.
There's a free shuttle service to Anima from just behind Koutoubia Gardens in Marrakesh with seat preference given to those with online reservations. You can book your tickets here.
Do It Independently
The easiest way to reach the Valley (namely the small village of Siti Fatima) independently is with your own vehicle. This should take around two hours depending upon traffic and weather.
It is absolutely possible to get there with public transport, but we’ve found conflicting reports online about the best way to do this - if you’re reading this post and you’ve make the journey we’d love to hear from you in the comments so we can confirm which of the several routes we’re aware of is actually the best.
If you don’t hire a car, your other option is a taxi; shared taxis do exist but as getting one back to Marrakech can be problematic, we’d recommend instead negotiating a rate for a private taxi there and back (a day rate). Price depends very much upon your negotiating skills but shouldn’t cost any more than 600 MAD.
If you are considering renting a car in Morocco, read this guide first with tips and advice.
Take A Tour
There are a huge number of tours which offer day trips here, but one of the most popular, and highly rated is this Ourika Valley & Atlas Mountain Full-Day Tour. This includes a visit to see traditional Berber homes, a women’s argan oil co-operative, time at the waterfalls, and a stop at roadside souks.
Alternatively, you could join this super popular day tour which takes in the Atlas Mountains and its five different valleys: Ourika, Oukaimeden, Sidi Fares, Asni, and Tahnoaut. There’s an option to do this in a group or privately.
To see all the available tours, click here.
