The Best Day Trips from Marrakesh
Marrakesh is the perfect base camp: within one to three hours you can stand under North Africa's biggest waterfalls, lunch in an Amazigh village, or watch the sun set over a stone desert. Here are the day trips that are actually worth it.
The Short List
| Trip | Time / Why go |
|---|---|
| Ourika Valley | 1h - the easiest escape: riverside tajines, seven waterfalls walk at Setti Fatma |
| Ouzoud Falls | 2h30 - 110 m of waterfalls, rainbows and Barbary macaques; the classic full-day |
| Agafay Desert | 45 min - lunar stone desert with luxury camps: sunset dinner, camel or quad, no long drive |
| Imlil and the High Atlas | 1h30 - walnut groves, waterfall walk and lunch facing Toubkal, North Africa's highest peak |
| Ait-Ben-Haddou | 3h30 each way over the Tizi n'Tichka - the movie-star ksar; a long but epic day |
| Essaouira | 2h30 - ramparts, fishing port and seafood lunch; goats-in-argan-trees photo stop en route |
| Oukaimeden | 1h30 - Africa's highest ski resort in winter, alpine pastures in summer (guide here) |
| Lalla Takerkoust lake | 50 min - lakeside lunch, paddle and Atlas views; combine with Agafay |
How to Go
- Shared tours: the cheapest (Ourika or Ouzoud from about 150 - 250 Dhs per person) - efficient, but on the clock.
- Private driver: 800 - 1,500 Dhs per car per day depending on distance - the comfortable formula for families (see Morocco with kids).
- Self-drive: easy roads to Ourika, Agafay, Essaouira and the lake; the Tichka pass demands daylight - see our car rental tips.
- Grand taxi / bus: Essaouira has excellent bus links; for valleys, negotiated grand taxis work for small groups.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best day trip from Marrakesh?
For first-timers: Ouzoud falls for a full spectacular day, or Agafay for a half-day desert sunset without the 9-hour Merzouga drive. With kids, Ourika's riverside restaurants win.
Can you do the Sahara as a day trip from Marrakesh?
The real dune Sahara (Merzouga) is too far for a day - that needs the 2 - 3 day desert loop. Agafay's stone desert is the honest one-day alternative.
Related articles : Destinations
Advertisement