Day Trips from Marrakech
While you’ll need ample time to explore other major cities in Morocco, there are several places to go that can be done as a day trip from Marrakech. We’ve listed some of our favorites below:
Atlas Mountains + Ourika Valley: Head out of the city and toward the mountains! In just a 45 minute to 1.5 hour drive, you can wind your way up through the Ourika Valley to the Atlas Mountains. The valley is a greener landscape than you’ll see elsewhere around Marrakech so it’s a nice change of scenery and there are plenty of places to stop off for a hike or bike ride. As you head further up, there are a lot of switchbacks, so be prepared with some meds if you get carsick! Enjoy the panoramic views, local villages, and perhaps even visit Morocco’s lone ski mountain, Oukaimeden. If you want to make a longer trip of it, we recommend spending a night or two at Kasbah Tamadot, a really special property that is on the grounds of an old kasbah. They recently underwent a major renovation after suffering some damage in the 2023 earthquake and we hear the place is nicer than ever!
Agafay Desert: About 45 minutes southwest of Marrakech, you’ll find the Agafay Desert, which isn’t like the picturesque sandy dunes of the Sahara, but is much more accessible. It’s a rocky landscape, with outer space vibes, and really cool to see. You can take a quad bike tour, get your insta photo riding a camel, and have lunch at one of the luxury desert camps.
Essaouira: A coastal city on the Atlantic side, Essaouira (or Essa, to the locals) is a laid-back town known for beaches, seafood, raffia handcrafts and argan oil. If you feel overwhelmed in the souks of Marrakech, head to Essaouira for a much smaller medina that’s easy to navigate and where shopping comes with less haggling. It’s very walkable, with two major intersecting pathways comprising most of the old city. Walk along the old port to see the classic blue wooden fishing boats and city walls with old Moorish ramparts. The city was a major trade hub for centuries, so there’s a wealth of history (spanning Roman times, Portuguese influence in the 1500s, French influence in the 1600s, the modern period beginning in the mid to late 1700s where the city had a flourishing Jewish population handling trade with Europe, and then French influence again in the early to mid 1900s). After your walking tour and souk shopping, we recommend Nomade or Hotel Salut Maroc for a lunch break. There are some higher end houseware and design stores on the path near Hotel Salut as well. If you’re staying the night, Heure Bleue Palais is a classic and under the Relais & Chateaux brand.
Casablanca: Morocco’s cosmopolitan city, Casablanca is about 2.5-3 hours from Marrakech. Be sure to visit the Hassan II Mosque, the 2nd largest mosque in Africa. The grounds and tilework are truly magnificent. If you can time it to arrive at prayer time, the call to prayer is an incredibly special experience. Note that non-Muslims can’t enter the mosque unless on a guided tour. If you’re staying the night, do dinner at one of the beachside restaurants or one of the traditional Moroccan restaurants that have belly dancing for a fun experience. 5 star luxury at either the Four Seasons or the newly remodeled Royal Mansour.
