Destination guides
Best Day Trips from Marrakech
The best day trips from Marrakech at a glance
| Day trip | Drive from Marrakech | Length of the day | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ourika Valley | About 1 hour | About 9 hours | From €37 | An easy first trip, children, cooler air in summer |
| Ouzoud waterfalls | 2.5–3 hours | About 11 hours | From €47 | Nature lovers who enjoy a walk |
| Essaouira | 2.5–3 hours | About 11 hours | From €37 | A slow day by the Atlantic |
| Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate | About 4 hours | About 12 hours | From €70 | Culture, if you cannot spend a night in the south |
| Agafay desert camel ride | About 45 minutes | Late afternoon and sunset | From €35 | Children, a sunset close to town |
| Casablanca | About 3 hours | About 12 hours | From €85 | The Hassan II Mosque and a big-city change of scene |
| Rabat | 3.5–4 hours | About 13 hours | From €90 | Culture in the calm capital |
Prices are per person for a private trip and depend on group size; each page lists exactly what is included.
1. Ourika Valley: the easy escape (about 1 hour)
Green terraces, Berber villages and riverside cafés at the foot of the High Atlas. Short drive, short walk to the Setti Fatma waterfalls, and noticeably cooler air in summer. A perfect first excursion and great with children. See our Ourika Valley day trip from Marrakech.
2. Ouzoud waterfalls: the most spectacular (2.5–3 hours)
The highest waterfalls in Morocco drop around 110 metres into a green gorge, with Barbary macaques in the olive trees. It is a full day with a fair amount of walking, but it rarely disappoints. Details on our Ouzoud waterfalls from Marrakech page.
3. Essaouira: the Atlantic (2.5–3 hours)
A relaxed, windy port town with a UNESCO-listed medina, ramparts over the sea and grilled fish at the harbour. The road crosses argan country. Ideal if you need a break from the intensity of Marrakech. See our Essaouira day trip.
4. Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate: the long one (about 4 hours)
Over the Tizi n'Tichka pass to the famous earthen ksar. It is a long day, roughly eight hours in the car in total, so only choose it if you cannot spend a night in the south. Our Ait Ben Haddou day trip leaves early to make the most of it.
5. Agafay desert: sunset close to town (45 minutes)
A stony desert of bare hills just outside Marrakech. Go in the late afternoon for a camel ride or quad biking, watch the sun set behind the Atlas and stay for dinner in a camp.
6. Casablanca or Rabat: the cities (3–4 hours)
For a change of scene, the motorway takes you to Casablanca and the Hassan II Mosque in about three hours, or to Rabat, the calm capital, in three and a half to four. Long days, but very different from Marrakech.
How to choose
- With children: Ourika, Agafay, or a camel ride in the Palmeraie.
- For nature: Ouzoud, then Ourika.
- For culture: Ait Ben Haddou, Rabat or a Marrakech city tour.
- For a slow day: Essaouira.
Browse all our day trips from Marrakech, or tell us what you love and we will suggest the best fit.
