Marrakech travel guide
Marrakech is an excellent base for day trips: the Atlantic coast, the High and Middle Atlas, the desert and Morocco's largest city are all within a day's return journey. This guide helps you choose.
Day trips at a glance
Distances and driving times are approximate, one way, and depend on traffic and stops.
| Destination | Distance | Driving time | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agafay Desert | under 50 km | under 1 hour | Desert scenery close to the city, sunsets |
| Ourika Valley | about 65 km | about 1 h 30 | River valley, villages, cooler air in summer |
| Atlas Mountains | about 65 km | about 1 h 30 | Mountain villages and walks |
| Ouzoud Waterfalls | about 150 km | 2 h 30 to 3 h | Waterfalls, olive groves, macaques |
| Essaouira | about 190 km | 2 h 30 to 3 h | Atlantic coast, medina, seafood |
| Aït Benhaddou | about 185 km | 3 h 30 to 4 h | Fortified village, High Atlas pass |
| Casablanca | about 240 km | about 3 h | Hassan II Mosque, Atlantic Corniche |
Choosing a trip
For a short, easy day, the Agafay, the Ourika Valley and the Atlas villages are close to the city. Essaouira and the Ouzoud Waterfalls are full days with a good balance between driving and time on site. Aït Benhaddou and Casablanca are long days with more time on the road: worth it if those places are a priority for you.
Group, small-group or private?
Shared trips are the simplest and usually the lowest price per person. Small-group minibus trips are quieter. A private vehicle suits families and friends who want to travel together; it is priced per vehicle, so it becomes better value as the group grows. See group tours, small-group tours and private tours.
When to go
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for most trips. In summer, inland destinations are hot in the middle of the day, while the mountains and the coast are cooler. In winter, the High Atlas often has snow and mountain passes can occasionally close for a few hours.
What to bring
- Water, sun protection and a hat, all year round.
- A warm layer for the mountains, the coast and winter evenings.
- Comfortable closed shoes.
- Cash in Moroccan dirhams (MAD) for meals, entry tickets and small purchases; card payment is not accepted everywhere.
- Your passport or identity card.
- Motion-sickness tablets if winding roads bother you.
Local customs
Dress modestly in villages and at religious sites, covering shoulders and knees. Ask before photographing people. Non-Muslim visitors can enter very few mosques in Morocco; the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca is one of them, on guided tours.