Summary of Day Trips from Marrakesh
If you are residing in Marrakesh, it is likely that your accommodation is situated within the renowned medina.
Nonetheless, while it is captivating, spending several days there can become overwhelming, especially if you are visiting during peak season. Fortunately, numerous retreats lie within convenient reach of the Red City, allowing you to experience fresh air and a different facet of Moroccan life.
From scenic mountain trails to desert camps and refreshing beachside retreats, art-filled gardens to organic cooking classes, delving beyond the city is an excellent manner to engage with the country on a deeper level. Below are five of our preferred day excursions from Marrakesh, accompanied by a grand taxi fare calculator to aid you in estimating your trip costs.
1. Spend a day in the Agafay Desert
Travel time: 45 minutes
If your schedule does not allow for a visit to the Sahara, an adventure to the stony landscape of Agafay, located approximately 30km (19 miles) south of Marrakesh, might be an ideal choice. This area features undulating rocky topography that has shaped into solid dunes surrounding semi-arid plains, stark valleys, sporadic oases, and isolated Berber villages, all of which beckon exploration and excitement.
With options such as horseback riding, camel caravans, and quad tours, as well as gentle hikes and tranquil picnics, various companies like Marrakech Desert Trips offer an opportunity to appreciate this rugged terrain. If you wish to expand your visit and witness the sunset, consider staying overnight in one of several camps spread throughout the landscape. These camps provide a range of amenities from campfire dining and stargazing with professional telescopes at Scarabeo Camp to a day at the pool and lunch at the White Camel.
How to get to Agafay from Marrakesh: If you have arranged a tour or an overnight accommodation, transportation from your riad is typically included, usually starting from around 500 MAD. For a day trip on your own, the most efficient method is via grand taxi, departing from Bab Doukkala in Marrakesh, at approximately 250 MAD one way. Remember to secure your driver for the return journey.
2. Lose yourself in the wonder of Anima Gardens
Travel time: 45 minutes
André Heller’s imaginative, art-infused Anima Gardens create an enchanting experience akin to Alice in Wonderland, captivating both children and adults. Spanning several acres, these lush gardens feature mirrored groves, oversized beaded heads reminiscent of those found in the souks, and gleaming nazars (amulets against the evil eye) integrated into bougainvillea bushes, interspersed among towering, blossoming shrubs and trees, resembling a fantastical Garden of Eden. This serene sanctuary provides a delightful escape from the high-energy atmosphere of the medina.
Upon completing your exploration, enjoy lunch at the onsite Paul Bowles Cafe, which offers a menu that changes seasonally based on locally sourced ingredients from the Ourika Valley. The rooftop setting provides a breathtaking view of Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa. Admission tickets are available online for 155 MAD; children aged 12 to 16 cost 65 MAD, while entry is free for children under 12.
How to get to Anima Gardens from Marrakesh: A complimentary shuttle bus departs from the Koutoubia car park (“Parking & Lavage”, located behind the Koutoubia mosque) daily at 9:30 am and 2:30 pm, returning from Anima Gardens at 1:00 pm and 5:30 pm.
3. Hike the foothills of the High Atlas
Travel time: 1 to 1.5 hours
Characterized by its rugged, reddish-hued landscapes and glistening rivers framed by the majestic Atlas Mountains, the foothills provide a breathtaking backdrop for outdoor activities. Following the earthquake, stunning hiking trails are accessible through Ourika and Ouirgane, and the local population increasingly relies on the economic influx this brings.
Trails meander through the valleys, taking you to cascading waterfalls (note that the popular seven waterfalls of Setti Fatma can experience high visitor volume), emerald hillsides, and rammed earth villages scattered throughout the scenery, offering plenty of opportunities for refreshing stops with mint tea and Berber tagines. Spring offers particularly stunning sights as the mountains come alive with wildflowers and blossoming fruit trees, although year-round hiking is a commendable way to enjoy the fresh air for a few hours.
Within Toubkal National Park, hiring a guide is now mandatory, and there are checkpoints in place, so do not attempt to navigate alone. Arrange day treks with reliable organizations such as Trekking Morocco or Atlas Mountain Guide, both of which include round-trip transportation from Marrakesh in their services. Prices vary based on group size.
How to get to Ourika or Ourigane from Marrakesh: A CTM bus departs for Ourika from the Gare Routière Bab Doukkala in Marrakesh multiple times a day, taking between 1.5 to 2 hours (45 MAD). A one-way trip to Ourika from Bab Doukkala in a grand taxi is available for approximately 250 MAD for the entire vehicle, or 50 MAD per seat. Ourigane is not serviced by bus; therefore, hire a grand taxi, costing from 420 MAD for the whole vehicle, or 70 MAD per seat.
4. Take a beach day in Essaouira
Travel time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Although this destination requires an early departure and a late return, Essaouira captivates many travelers with its relaxed coastal appeal. Transitioning from a fortified Portuguese port to an artistic sanctuary with a bohemian atmosphere, this quaint town is famed for its expansive sandy beaches and UNESCO-listed medina, interconnected by a labyrinth of narrow lanes lined with whitewashed structures accented in blue.
Visit the lively harbor mid-morning to witness the fishing boats arriving with their catches of the day, complemented by freshly shucked oysters. Explore sunlit souks filled with artisanal crafts, and savor exceptional cuisine at some of the country’s most vibrant and eclectic restaurants. Options such as Caravane Cafe, Dar Baba, Umia, and La Table Madada are outstanding choices, particularly when complemented by organic wines from Le Val d’Argan winery in nearby Ounagha. If your schedule permits, considering staying overnight offers rich rewards, with various options available for every budget, from elegant Villa Maroc to the trendy, affordably priced Mama Souiri.
How to get to Essaouira from Marrakesh: Supratours buses depart from beside the train station in Marrakesh four times daily and require approximately three hours for the trip. The first bus from Marrakesh leaves at 9:00 am, with the final bus out of Essaouira at 5:00 pm. The fare starts at 100 MAD each way. A grand taxi costs roughly 1200 MAD one way for the entire vehicle or 200 MAD per seat.
5. Cook over fire at an Atlas farm
Travel time: 45 minutes
The best culinary experiences begin with the finest seasonal ingredients. At Ourika Organic Kitchen, you commence your cooking class by gathering fruits, vegetables, herbs, and teas from the delightful gardens. Set against the majestic Atlas Mountains, you will immerse yourself in Amazigh culinary heritage in an open-air kitchen, where most dishes are prepared over charcoal.
Anticipate richly flavored, vine-ripened eggplants and tomatoes grilling for zaalouk de souss, locally produced chicken seasoned with chermoula (herb, garlic, and spice marinade) and then slow-cooked in an earthenware tagine until it reaches smoky tenderness, as well as the flaky, delicate pastry of a quail pastilla (available upon request).
Classes commence at 11:00 am and conclude around 2:00 pm, rewarding your efforts with a delicious meal that reflects your hard work. Dining outdoors invariably enhances the flavor, making this potentially the best meal of your entire visit. Prices begin at 2800 MAD for two participants, which includes transportation to and from Marrakesh.
How to get to Ourika Organic Kitchen from Marrakesh: Ourika Organic Kitchen is located within the Ourigane Valley. A one-way trip to Ourigane from Bab Doukkala in a grand taxi costs approximately 420 MAD for the vehicle or 70 MAD per seat.
This article was originally published on December 10, 2020, and was subsequently updated on December 9, 2023.
