8 Best Day Trips From Marrakech, Morocco

On By Gabby BoucherIn Africa, Morocco

Here are some of the best day trips from Marrakech, all of which showcase the beauty and culture of Morocco!

Day trips are an amazing way to explore Morocco. From the coastal towns and beaches, to the rugged Atlas Mountains and the magical Sahara Desert, there is so much to see and do in this diverse country.

Marrakech, although not the capital of Morocco, is probably the most popular city for tourists.

With its bustling markets and captivating architecture, Marrakech is often the go-to spot for travelers in Morocco. It’s affordable and well-connected, so it’s a convenient place to stay.

When my partner and I visited Morocco, we stayed in Marrakech for 3 weeks because we were doing a work exchange in a hostel.

During our time here, we did lots of day trips from Marrakech so we could explore more of the country. Marrakech has its charms, but the trips we took outside the city turned out to be the highlights of our time in Morocco.

So for travelers staying in Marrakech, consider some of these day trips!

Morocco budget travel guide Atlas Mountains
Views while driving through the Atlas Mountains in Morocco

How to get around on these day trips from Marrakech

The best ways to travel to these destinations near Marrakech are guided tour or public transport. You can also hire a car and drive yourself, though I don’t think that’s the best way to get around Morocco.

Guided Tours

Tours are incredible in Morocco.

Prices are really cheap, and you’re often transported directly to and from your accommodation. This saves you the hassle of organizing public transport in Morocco, which can sometimes be confusing.

For each day trip destination, I’ll recommend the best ways to get there. Sometimes public transport isn’t available, so tours are the best option.

I booked quite a few day trips on Get Your Guide in Morocco, and I always had a seamless experience.

View the best Marrakech day tours on Get Your Guide

Public Transport

Depending on where your day trip destination is, public transport can be really straightforward.

It’s easy to catch a public bus or collective taxi to popular destinations such as Essaouira, Imlil, or Casablanca. Taking public transport also means you can spend the day at your leisure without the confines of a guided tour.

Bookaway is a great resource for finding cheap buses or minivans around Morocco if you want to book transport in advance. Otherwise you can just head to the local bus stations and buy tickets on the day.

Find cheap transport around Morocco on Bookaway

Rental cars

You can also rent a car in Morocco and drive yourself around the country. I didn’t personally experience this, but other travelers have said that Morocco’s roads are safe and well marked.

I thought the traffic in Moroccan cities looked like a nightmare to drive in. My partner drove a car for a few hours in Safi and it was pretty hectic. And Marrakech is one of Morocco’s busiest cities, so I can only imagine how insane driving would be there.

However, if you’re taking a car on day trips outside the city, I’m sure the roads are much more mellow. So it’s up to you! Having your own car would give you much more freedom and flexibility, but also a bit more responsibility.

Check out my list of Important Morocco Travel Tips before you go!

8 Best Day Trips From Marrakech

The best day trips from Marrakech include Essaouira, the Atlas Mountains, Ait-Ben-Haddou, and so much more!

For many of these destinations, you may want to spend a few days there rather than a day trip. Places like the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert have so much to offer that a multiday trip is more enriching than a day trip.

But every traveler is on their own schedule and budget. So I’ll recommend the best Marrakech day trips and you can decide how you’d actually like to plan your excursions.

1. Essaouira

The charming coastal town of Essaouira was one of my favorite Marrakech day trips. It’s a short drive, and you can easily just book a bus that gets you to and from the town centre. Then you’re free to explore Essaouira how you choose.

We had a lovely time strolling through the scenic streets, admiring the shops and getting lost in the Medina. I also loved walking along the city walls near the ocean, feeling the salty breeze and dipping our toes in the Atlantic Ocean.

A highlight of the day trip to Essaouira is stopping to see the goats in trees on the way (as seen in the cover image for this post!).

Read my full Budget Travel Guide to Essaouira for more tips.

essaouira medina morocco
Streets full of art in Essaouira

2. Agadir

Agadir, located on the southern Atlantic coast of Morocco, is a vibrant city known for its stunning beaches and sunny weather.

The city was largely ruined by an earthquake in 1960, and has since been rebuilt with contemporary architecture combined with traditional Moroccan charm.

The Kasbah ruins and the Souk El Had are city highlights, and you can explore with a local guide to learn more about the history. as are the nearby natural swimming holes of Paradise Valley.

Book a half-day trip to Paradise Valley from Agadir for 15 USD

3. Ait-Ben-Haddou and Ouarzazate

One of the most famous day trips from Marrakech is the ancient Aït Benhaddou village, also spelled Ait-Ben-Haddou.

The picturesque, hilly location is made up of rippling layers of fortified walls and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s a super cool spot to take photos!

The nearby town of Ouarzazate has a similar look, and both places have been used as sets in many Hollywood films and shows.

When you book a multiday Sahara Desert tour from Marrakech, you’ll often stop here on the way to break up the drive. But you can also just visit Ait-Ben-Haddou and Ouarzazate on a day trip without going all the way to the Sahara.

ait ben haddou day trips from marrakech
Ait Ben Haddou is a beautiful place

4. Ouzoud Waterfalls

These gorgeous waterfalls are located in the middle of rural Morocco, with not much else around them. But if you’re looking for a nice getaway from the city, the Ouzoud Waterfalls are an excellent day trip from Marrakech.

Book a cheap tour that includes accommodation pick-up, as there is no direct public transport here.

Once you arrive at Ouzoud Waterfalls, you can walk down the steep, winding steps to pass various lookout points and reach the pools at the base of the falls. People will try to sell you guided walking tours, but it’s easy to just explore on your own.

Enjoy a peaceful swim, admire the surprisingly lush surroundings, and grab a bite to eat at one of the tourist cafes along the stairs.

ouzoud waterfalls in morocco day trips from marrakech
Ouzoud Waterfalls, Morocco

5. Casablanca

Casablanca is located on the Atlantic coast and is Morocco’s largest city. It’s known for its incredible architecture, cosmopolitan vibe, and thriving business district. It’s a huge economic hub, and therefore it’s very busy!

We only spend a day in Casablanca while we were in transit from the north of Morocco to the coastal town of Safi. Personally, the city was a bit too hectic for our taste, so it wasn’t my favorite place.

But the crown jewel of the city, the magnificent Hassan II Mosque, made it worth the trip. This is one of the largest mosques in the world! Though we didn’t go inside, just admiring this colossal structure from the outside and enjoying the seaside views was very impressive.

casablanca mosque morocco
The majestic Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca

6. Safi

If you’re looking for a serene coastal getaway in Morocco, Safi is the place to be! We spent a few days here with some locals from Airbnb and were able to visit some truly beautiful and remote beaches.

The city of Safi itself is busy, with a massive stretch of public beach within walking distance from town. It’s a popular spot for surfing in winter.

Safi is also known for its arts and culture. You can see unique historic landmarks such as the 16th-century Kechla fortress and the Portuguese-built Cathedral of Safi.

And be sure to browse through the medina and admire the handicrafts! Safi has lots of amazing traditional pottery and ceramics, so you can find some stunning souvenirs here.

safi morocco beach day trips from marrakech
A deserted beach on the outskirts of Safi

7. Agafay Desert

If you want to get the Sahara Desert experience but you’re short on time, a day trip from Marrakech to the Agafay Desert is your best bet!

It’s just a 30-minute drive from the city, whereas driving to the actual Sahara takes a full day. If you don’t have time for a 3-day Sahara tour, choose an Agafay day trip! The Agafay Desert day trips are also much cheaper than the Sahara Desert multiday tours.

These day trips often include quad biking, camel rides, ethereal sunset views over the desert, and dinner with a show.

Visit the Agafay Desert if you don’t have time for the Sahara!

8. Imlil, Atlas Mountains

Visiting Imlil in the Atlas Mountains was the highlight of my time in Morocco! The crisp mountain air and rugged peaks make the charming mountain town very charming.

We spent 2 nights here and did some amazing day hikes through the villages and up into the remote mountains. I highly recommend spending a few days here, but it’s also good for day trips from Marrakech.

Many people use Imlil as a base for hiking Mount Toubkal, the highest mountain in Morocco. If you’re an extreme hiker you can tackle this trek with a local guide!

Read my full guide to visiting Imlil, Morocco on a budget.

imlil scenery atlas mountains day trips from marrakech
Stunning scenery in Imlil, Atlas Mountains

Best Overnight Trips From Marrakech

If you have time to take an overnight trip from Marrakech, these are also some amazing places to check out. They are all too far to do as a day trip if you want quality time at the destination.

But these are perfect for a 2 or 3 day trip from Marrakech!

1. Erg Chebbi Dunes in the Sahara Desert

  • Travel time: 8.5 hours
  • Public transport: No direct public transport, I know people who have taken a bunch of buses and hitchhiked but a tour is 100% the easiest way
  • Recommended tour: 3 Day Merzouga Sahara Desert Tour

Venturing out to the golden sand dunes of the Sahara Desert is at least a 3-day adventure from Marrakech. It takes an entire day to drive out there, so a 3-day Sahara Desert tour from Marrakech is basically 1 day in the desert.

But it’s still worth it! One day in the Sahara is magical. You’ll get to admire the vast stretches of dunes, ride a camel, watch the sunset and sunrise, and have a festive dinner under the stars.

Read my full guide to visiting the Sahara Desert from Marrakech.

camel trek sahara desert morocco
Camel treks at the Erg Chebbi sand dunes in the Sahara

2. Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen is one of the most gorgeous places in Morocco. Every corner of this little city surrounded by the Rif Mountains is scenic, mostly due to the iconic blue paint slathered on every building.

The calming blue colors, the appealing architecture and design, the vibrant local handicrafts, and the towering mountains in the distance make Chefchaouen a photographer’s paradise.

You can easily explore the city in a day, but it’s a 7 hour drive from Marrakech so you wouldn’t be able to head here on a day trip.

Check out my Chefchaouen Photo Diary for photo inspiration!

blue architecture and mountains in chefchaouen morocco
Chefchaouen is one of Morocco’s most beautiful cities.

3. Fes

  • Travel time: 5.5 hours
  • Public transport: CTM Bus takes about 8 hours, Moroccan Railways Train takes about 6 hours, or you can fly
  • Recommended tour: Marrakech to Fes 3 Day Desert Tour

Known as the cultural capital of Morocco, Fes is one of the oldest cities in northern Africa. With a sprawling Medina that dates back to ancient times and an authentic local culture, you can uncover many local traditions and sights here.

Spend a day or two here wandering through the Medina, shopping for local handicrafts, checking out the famous Chouara Tannery, and admiring the architecture.

two travellers walking through old medina walls in fes morocco
Getting lost in the maze of the Fes Medina

Thanks for reading my list of the best day trips from Marrakech, Morocco!

I hope this inspires you to explore more of Morocco besides just the city.

If you have more time to spare, I also highly recommend doing a work exchange in Morocco with a program such as Worldpackers.

You can stay with locals, work in exchange for free accommodation, and have more time to soak in the culture here. We were able to explore so much of Morocco because of our work exchange, so I’m really glad we did it this way.

Read more posts about Morocco:

Morocco Travel Tips: Important Things To Know Before Traveling To Morocco

Morocco Budget Travel Guide

Chefchaouen Morocco Photo Diary

Imlil Morocco Budget Travel Guide: Atlas Mountains

Budget Travel Guide to Essaouira, Morocco

Is Fes, Morocco Safe? 10 Safety Tips To Know

BEST DAY TRIPS FROM MARRAKECH MOROCCO

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