what to do in Marrakech
Marrakech Day Trips
The 21 Best Day Trips from Marrakech
What are the best day trips from Marrakech? Walking in the Atlas Mountains, admiring the dunes in a hot air balloon, marveling at the architecture and prehistoric ruins, or even strolling in the colorful and lively souks, the day trips from Marrakech are multiple and impressive.
Best of all? For most of these tours, you can leave Marrakech in the morning and come back the same day!
Read on, choose your favorite destination and have a wonderful experience!
1- Essaouira
Let yourself be transported through the narrow and fortified streets of the Essaouria medina, with slight European influences (but the majority of which is North African in style). This trip to Essaouira also gives you the opportunity to discover the beautiful Moroccan coast. On this tour, you will see how the modern world blends harmoniously with ancient architecture and history. It is also important to note that Essaouira is considered a World Heritage Site!
2 - Ouzoud waterfalls
Explore the bustling streets of Marrakech and immerse yourself in the depths of nature. At Ouzoud Falls, you can marvel at how the stunning waterfall, nestled between layers of flora, falls over a massive rock face. Close to the sparkling waterfalls you will find the Al Abid River, where you can cool off. Don’t forget to watch out for the monkeys swinging from tree to tree! Immersing yourself in nature against a backdrop of spectacular images of flora and fauna makes for an unparalleled day trip from Marrakech.
3 - Palm grove
Located just outside Marrakech, the Palmeraie is the easiest opportunity to leave the noisy and bustling city for a pleasant camel ride. The local guides are known to be welcoming, and they will do their best to provide an authentic perspective on Moroccan culture: a tea break is always included!
4 - Merzouga Desert
Let yourself be enveloped by the calm and inexplicable beauty of the Merzouga desert. Whether it’s riding a camel through the smooth dunes of Erg Chebbi, watching the sun emerge from the depths of the sand, camping under the hundreds of stars of a Bedouin encampment or trekking the High Atlas Mountains , it’s safe to say that this magical, peaceful and thrilling three-day desert tour from Marrakech will leave a clear picture in your mind for years to come.
5 - Agadir
Fancy a luxurious but quiet getaway? The lines of palm trees, the white and sandy coasts and the beach bars of Agadir are calling to you. Agadir, although seaside and touristy, offers a range of activities. The day trip from Marrakech will introduce you to Agadir’s collection of great sites, such as the fish market, Agadir beach, the medina, and more. You may be able to choose your destinations depending on your visit!
6 - Ouarzazate
This day trip from Marrakech will introduce you to “African Hollywood”. Ouarzazate may be the largest city in Morocco, but its architecture and stunning beauty will distract you from the many tourists who stroll around the area. En route to Ouarzazate, you will stop at the UNESCO heritage site, Ait Benhaddou. And this site has attracted filmmakers for many years! Ouarzazate has a few interesting destinations including the Taourirt Kasbah, which gives you a glimpse into the lavish lifestyles of the past.
7 - Mount Toubkal
Escape the desert, the cities and climb to the top of North Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Toubkal. The snow-capped peaks of the summit will bring you a different vision of Morocco. En route to the top of Jebel Toubkal, you will discover the village of Imil and hike near the sanctuary of Sidi Chamharouch. During this trek, you will discover incredible landscapes and cross varied terrain. Allow time, as the entire trip will take three days.
8 – Casablanca
Most of you may know Casablanca from the iconic 1945 film of the same name, but the city also offers a plethora of beautiful historical sites to visit. The day trip from Marrakech to the Atlantic coast will allow you to discover the main sites of the Moroccan city: eat seafood at the central market, admire the intricate design of the royal palace and patrol the Habous district, built in France.
9 – Asni and Imlil
Most of you may know Casablanca from the iconic 1945 film of the same name, but the city also offers a plethora of beautiful historical sites to visit. The day trip from Marrakech to the Atlantic coast will allow you to discover the main sites of the Moroccan city: eat seafood at the central market, admire the intricate design of the royal palace and patrol the Habous district, built in France.
10 - Atlas Mountains
Escape to the ever-vast Atlas Mountains for a breath of fresh air and a glimpse into Moroccan culture. This eye-opening excursion will take you to Imlil where you can sip mint tea, dine with a Berber family, and learn a wealth of facts about the history of the region. Besides the cultural experience, the terraced fields, bordered by walnut and cherry trees, will undoubtedly provide you with many images that will amaze you for many years to come.
11 - Desert of Zagora
Vous avez quelques jours de libre ? Si oui, le désert de Zagora vous attend ! Cette excursion de deux jours vous transportera de la ville colorée et animée de Marrakech au calme et sublime désert de Zagora, où vous monterez à dos de chameau pour assister au lever et au coucher du soleil. Et des tentes berbères traditionnelles vous accueilleront pour la nuit ! Les tentes berbères, traditionnellement fabriquées en poils de chèvre et de mouton, constituent un abri idéal pour séjourner dans le désert.
12 - Ourika Valley
Even the hilly landscapes – with varied flora and fascinating rocks, will enchant you on the road to the Ourika Valley. The excursions in the Ourika valley perfectly integrate many essential activities, such as the visit of a Berber village, where the Moroccan tradition is highlighted, and the discovery of the crafts of Moroccan women who produce Argan Oil. Followed by an enriching trip to Setti Fatma Falls!
13 - Imlil
Imlil will delight all those who hope to experience the rich and fascinating culture of Morocco. From houses stacked perpendicularly, bordering terraced fields with a backdrop of rock faces, to exploring the countryside revealing interior details of Moroccan heritage and tradition, there is something for everyone. Even the drive from Marrakech to Imlil will have you taking photos one after the other. An excursion to Imlil from Marrakech will last a full day.
14 – Ait Benhaddou
The ancient architecture of the Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou has earned it the prestigious title of UNESCO World Heritage Site. And the powerful and irrefutable beauty that surrounds Ait Benhaddou has drawn filmmakers to the assemblage of historic buildings. While exploring Ait Benhaddou, you will have the chance to discover where the scenes of Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia, The Mummy, and some scenes of Game of Thrones were filmed. This trip to the desert will enchant you.
15 – Oukaïmeden
Do you want a different landscape, terrain and view? Oukaïmeden, the beautiful ski resort nestled in the High Atlas, will satisfy all your snowboarding, skiing and winter desires! Who would have thought that Morocco, the land of rolling dunes, had a beautiful ski resort? This is without a doubt a must have for ski and snowboard fanatics. If you don’t like skiing or snowboarding, you can also experience the beautiful landscapes and the daily life of the locals on a one-of-a-kind mule ride.
16 - Atlas Mountains in a hot air balloon
Enjoy a panoramic view of the Atlas Mountains from the clouds! You will soar into the sky aboard a hot air balloon, alongside the rising sun. Sitting amidst purple clouds, cotton candy skies and golden hues, you will see the still desert landscapes stretching out below, farther and farther away. To top it off, some excursions also include a camel ride and an authentic Berber breakfast after the flight.
17 - Agafay Desert
The Agafay Desert is just 30 kilometers from Marrakech, making it an ideal location for a day trip. If you don’t have a lot of time but want to immerse yourself in Moroccan culture for a few hours, you may consider heading to the Agafay Desert. Why ? This trip gives you the possibility of quad biking through the surrounding landscapes! Start at Lake Lalla Takerkoust, pass through various villages, taste mint tea, and experience the Moroccan desert. On this trip you will spend the day admiring breathtaking views.
18 - Rabat
Some people may think that most capital cities are dense places with little to see. But Morocco’s capital, Rabat, steeped in history, offers ancient buildings and interesting sights with a hint of French influence. Just outside the city you will find the ruins of Chellah, which date back to when the Romans and Phoenicians stayed in Morocco. The Hassan Tower, a UNESCO heritage site, is also emblematic of the fascinating history of Morocco. The relaxing atmosphere, the magnificent sites, the stories and ancient tales make Rabat a destination worthy of the importance it deserves!
19 – Taroudant
The trip from Marrakech can take around three hours each way, but it’s possible to drift off to this picturesque city in five or six hours! Taroudant, nicknamed the “Grandmother of Marrakech”, offers visitors pleasant landscapes. In Taroudant, lush green palm trees contrast with the red mud, and the peaks of the High Atlas looming in the background. It’s very picturesque! A visit here will also introduce you to the ins and outs of a traditional market; it is worth walking around the two souks.
20 – El Jadida
Want to discover the history of Morocco while enjoying a plate of fresh seafood along the coast? The walled city, once owned by the Portuguese, contains an array of archaic buildings that survived enemy attacks many years ago. And you can’t get to El Jadida without visiting the cistern. In 1514 someone built the underground building, but the site remained unknown to the public until 1916. It is definitely an attraction you should not miss!
21 - The Jbilets Desert
Des dunes jusqu’aux routes de gravier, le désert des Jbilets offre le terrain idéal pour s’amuser avec des quads et des véhicules tout-terrain (VTT). Vous aurez l’occasion de voir des paysages merveilleux tout en vivant une aventure passionnante en plein air.
