Best Day Trips from Marrakesh

Marrakesh or Marrakech is the fourth largest city of Morocco and the capital of the mid-southwestern region of Marrakesh-Safi. Unquestionably, Marrakech is a beautiful city with rich history, astonishing architecture and unique culture, but Morocco has a lot more to offer. We present you a list of 10 places for amazing day trips from Marrakesh.

Agadir

Agadir is a town located on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean, at the foot of the Atlas Mountains. In 1960, the city was destroyed by an earthquake. Afterwards, Agadir was completely rebuilt and now it is the largest seaside resort in Morocco. Although the city’s inland quarters covered in concrete are not very appealing, the beachfront promenade is absolutely beautiful and many residents are attracted by a year-round mild climate.

What to see and do

Agadir is best known for its long sandy beach followed by a promenade for all five kilometres.

The only proper historic attraction in Agadir are the colossal walls of the Kasbah which provide the best panoramic views of the city and the coastline.

The city centre of Agadir is quite modern and it has a couple of intriguing monuments such as the Grand Mosque, the Amazigh Museum and the Agadir Memorial Museum.

Another fun thing to do while visiting Agadir is to go shopping at Souk El Had, Agadir’s central market covering more than 0,13 square kilometers and hiring approximately 10,000 people.

Where to eat

Bab Agadir is a small restaurant cafe offering traditional Morrocan food with vegan and vegetarian options.

Babakoul is a traditional Morrocan restaurant serving large portions of food at cheap prices.

Let’s Be Healing Food is a cozy restaurant offering healthy and organic food at cheap prices.

How to get from Marrakech to Agadir

The cheapest way to get from Marrakech to Agadir is by bus. The road distance is approximately 250 kilometers and the journey lasts around 3 hours.

Casablanca

Casablanca is the largest city of Morocco, located in the central-western part of the country. It is Morocco’s main port as well as an economic and business hub. Although it is not as popular as other cities in Morocco, Casablanca has its own charm as it is a place where French colonial heritage meets traditional Arab trends.

What to see and do

Hassan II Mosque is one of the largest mosques in the world and it is also open to non-Muslims. It is decorated with handmade carvings in stone and wood, entangled marble flooring design, cedar ceilings covered in gold and magnificent geometric mosaic tilework.

Place Mohammed V is also known as the ‘Pigeon Square’ because of numerous pigeons that come there seeking food. The square is surrounded by many administrative buildings and it features a beautiful fountain that displays a light show at nighttime.

Mahkama du Pacha is a building with astonishing traditional Moroccan architecture that serves as a court of justice.

Where to eat

Le Cuisto Traditionnel is an authentic Moroccan restaurant with beautiful interior, delicious local dishes with vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options.

NKOA is a trendy restaurant with moderate prices offering fusion cuisine.

Organic Kitchen is a restaurant with a wide selection of healthy organic dishes at reasonable prices.

Rick’s Cafe is a recreation of the bar from the popular movie Casablanca. Every detail is carefully selected to make this restaurant and cafe bar as similar as possible to the bar from the movie.

How to get from Marrakech to Casablanca

The cheapest way to get from Marrakech to Casablanca is by bus. The road distance is approximately 240 kilometers and the journey lasts around 3 hours 30 minutes.

Essaouira

Essaouira is a coastal city in the western region of Meṛṛakec-Asfi in Morocco. This vibrant city is well known for its great cuisine and chill atmosphere. The city’s exceptional beauty attracts many tourists each year and because it is very windy, it is a popular destination among surfers.

 What to see and do

Essaouira’s picturesque Medina is a part of Unesco’s World Heritage list and it was used for an opening scene in the movie Othello, as well as some scenes from the popular series Game of Thrones.

Fishing Port in Essaouira, although small, is one of the busiest in the country. It is a great place for all photography lovers as it is very vibrant and colourful.

Borj El Barmil is a fort located at the entrance to the port providing beautiful views. It recently served as a filming location for the popular show Game of Thrones.

Le Souk is a bazaar with lots of handmade souvenirs, clothes, jewelry, bags et cetera. If you’re shopping for gifts for your friends, this is the perfect place!

Where to eat

La Coupole is a trendy restaurant located on the Essaouira beach, serving seafood and fusion cuisine at reasonable prices.

Khmissa is a small cozy restaurant serving local dishes at moderate prices. 

Mandala Society is a mix of traditional and modern healthy dishes. The portions are large and the prices are cheap.

For a quick bite, we recommend going to Mactoob, a burger place with vegan and vegetarian options, or, if you’re craving something healthy, go to Yoo Healthy Food.

How to get from Marrakech to Essaouira

The cheapest way to get from Marrakech to Essaouira is by bus. The road distance is approximately 183 kilometers and the journey lasts around 3 hours.

Ouarzazate

Ouarzazate is not known for its beauty, but if you’re planning on visiting then you probably knew that. The city is known as Morocco’s Hollywood. Ouarzazate served as a filming location for numerous movies and TV shows thanks to it’s huge movie set.

What to see and do

Expectedly, most of the town’s tourist attractions are film-related.

Musée de Cinema is not as spectacular as the big movie set outside of the city centre, but if you’re short on time, it is a decent alternative.

Atlas Film Corporation Studios is one of the largest movie studios in the world, located around 5 kilometers from the centre (~15 minute car drive). The studio covers approximately 30,000 square meters and it contains numerous movie props and sets. Guided tours are organized every 20 to 40 minutes, but you can also explore the studio on your own.

CLA Studios, located around 9 kilometers from the city centre (~15 minute car drive), contains some of the most popular Hollywood movie and TV show sets including Game of Thrones, Troy, The Mummy, Gladiator et cetera.

Where to eat

La Kasbah des sables is a restaurant offering French, Moroccan and Mediterranien cuisine at moderate prices.

Douyria is a restaurant serving African, Moroccan and Mediterranian dishes with vegetarian and vegan options. Portions are large and prices are moderate.

Habous is a restaurant located on the main square, it offers local cuisine with vegan and vegetarian options at cheap prices.

How to get from Marrakech to Ouarzazate

The cheapest way to get from Marrakech to Ouarzazate is by bus. The buses depart every four hours and operate every day. Travel time is approximately 4 hours 30 minutes.

Ait Benhaddou

Ait Benhaddou is a fortified village and one of the best examples of Moroccan terrene clay architecture. In the early 1900’s there were around 90 families living in the fort and nowadays there are only about 5 left. The village is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage List and it served as a setting for numerous films including Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator.

What to see and do

The only attraction in the village is the fortress, but don’t worry, there’s plenty to see. There are two entrances to the fortress, you’ll have to cross the new bridge or use the stepping stones over the river which is not as bad as it seems as the river is almost completely dry in the warmer months. Once in the village, or as the locals call it, Ksar (meaning literally ‘’fortified village’’) you can walk around and admire the astonishing architecture which is so well preserved that it looks almost the same as it did in the 11th century. Keep in mind that the fortress has a lot of steps, so be prepared for a little bit of hiking. Inside the walls, one of the families opened a traditional cafe where you can get a refreshing beverage and learn a bit more about their cultural heritage.

Where to eat

Kasbah Valentine is a restaurant offering traditional African and Moroccan food; the staff is friendly and the prices are cheap.

Auberge Azaddou Tamlalt is a lovely restaurant with a great view, cheap prices and large portions of food.

Bagdad Cafe is a restaurant serving traditional Moroccan dishes with vegan and vegetarian options.

How to get from Marrakech to Ait Benhaddou

The road distance between Marrakech and Ait Benhaddou is around 181 kilometers and there are two ways to travel: by car and by bus. The cheaper way to travel is by bus and the journey lasts approximately 5 hours. Keep in mind that there are no direct buses to Ait Benhaddou and they all stop at the crossing approximately 20 kilometers away from Ouarzazate but, in daytime, there are numerous taxis waiting there.

Atlas Mountains

The Atlas Mountains is a mountain range in Northwestern part of Africa, also known as Maghreb. They stretch for approximately 1500 kilometers and its elevation is over 4000 meters. Due to its size and position, the climate varies from place to place but every year from September to May it snows in the mountain tops.

What to see and do

Over the past few years, the Atlas Mountains became a favourite tourist destination of many people due to its unspoiled nature and extreme beauty. The mountains are perfect for a tranquil and peaceful holiday away from the noise, traffic and electronics. In some of the villages, running water and electricity were novelties until roughly 20 years ago, and in some of the villages still are. The Atlas Mountains are great for active holidays because of its many hiking locations and they all provide beautiful views as nature is practically untouched. 

Where to eat

La Belle Vue is a restaurant providing amazing views over the mountains and it is well known for its Berber omelette and mint tea.

Kasbah Du Toubkal is a real jewel located in the village of Imlil, the view is breathtaking and the food is delicious.

Atlas Prestige is an authentic Moroccan mountain restaurant serving great food at moderate prices.

How to get from Marrakech to Atlas Mountains

The road distance between Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains is only about 105 kilometers. Unfortunately, there are no direct buses that leave from Marrakech to the mountains. However, the taxi ride would be quite cheap, especially if you’re not travelling alone, and the travel time should be around 2,5-3 hours (depending on where exactly you are going).

Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen is a city in the northwest of Morocco and it is best known for its blue houses and buildings. That’s why the city’s nickname is ‘’Morocco’s Blue Pearl’’. However, there are no direct buses departing from Marrakech so the journey can take up to 10 hours, but if you have more than a day to spend in this charming little town, we strongly recommend visiting.

What to see and do

This picturesque town really has a lot to offer. It has numerous alleyways and hidden gems so it is recommended to book a tour. Wandering the streets of Medina is a ‘must’ and be sure to charge your phone battery because every bit of the city centre is so stunning and unique that you will want to take a lot of photographs. In the heart of the medina you will find the main square, Plaza Uta El Hammam, and it is also where kasbah and the Grand Mosquée are located. Another tourist attraction in Chefchaouen is shopping because the town offers a great variety of homemade traditional and unique souvenirs that you will not find in other cities in Morocco.

Where to eat

Sofia is a cafe restaurant that still follows the ancient culinary tradition of Morocco, it also offers vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options.

Marisco Twins is a restaurant that offers local cuisine and large portions of food at cheap prices.

Aladdin is one of the most famous restaurants in town with a beautiful view overlooking the main square and a wide selection of international and local dishes.

How to get from Marrakech to Chefchaouen

The road distance between Marrakech and Chefchaouen is around 575 kilometers. As mentioned, there are no direct buses from Marrakech so travelling by buses can take up to approximately 10 hours. Other options of travelling are by a train or a plane, but the best way to travel would be by a car.

Fez

Fes or Fez is the second largest city of Morocco, located in the northeast of the country. It has a very rich history and cultural heritage. Fes is possibly one of the most authentic historic Moroccan cities with a well-preserved tradition and customs.

What to see and do

The town’s medina is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is so well maintained that it is considered to be one of the best examples of historic towns of Arab-Muslim world. In addition, it is also one of the world’s largest pedestrian zones containing numerous nameless alleys. The city centre is brimming with mosques, shops and craft shops, food stands and numerous artists displaying their works of art in the streets. Some of the best examples of Moroccan craftsmanship in architecture are: Bou Inania Madrasa, Bab Bou Jeloud and Al-Attarine Madrasa, all three are a real feast for the eyes and are located within walking distance of approximately 20 minutes. Outside the walls of medina, you can find the Jardin Jnan Sbil, the oldest gardens in the city.

Where to eat

Veggie-pause is a vegetarian and vegan restaurant, located in the heart of medina, serving healthy food and fusion cuisine at cheap prices.

Le Tarbouche Fes is a small restaurant serving traditional Moroccan dishes with vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options.

For a quick bite we recommend going to Al Oud, a lovely cafe restaurant with delicious food, friendly staff and cheap prices.

How to get from Marrakech to Fes

The road distance between Marrakech and Fes is around 546 kilometers. There are three different ways of getting there: via bus, train or a plane. The fastest option is the plane and the travel time is approximately 2 hours 40 minutes. The cheapest option is the bus and the travel time is approximately 9 hours. The alternative is to take the train and the travel time is approximately 6 hours 50 minutes.

Ourika Valley

Ourika Valley is a perfect destination for a one day trip from Marrakech, located only about 50 kilometers south from the city, at the foothills of the Atlas Mountain. The valley is best known for its seven falls of Setti Fatma located just a short walk from the village of the same name.

What to see and do

A day trip to Ourika Valley is a perfect opportunity to escape the heats and the busy tourist hubs, as well as enjoy nature and some fresh air. The village of Setti Fatma still contains historic buildings that were once homes of Berbers. The tourism is well-developed so the village has a lot of restaurants, shops and workshops. The traditional handmade souvenirs made by local craftsmen are especially interesting. Another fascinating village in the valley is Tafza. The village is very old-fashioned, meaning that the residents still live the same way as their ancestors did. It is particularly intriguing to see how the animals live alongside the owners, kids play in the streets, women take care of the households (and even wash clothes in the river) and men tend to their jobs.

Where to eat

As mentioned, the valley has a very well-developed tourism, meaning that there are plenty of restaurants, bars and hotels with a wide range of choices. Whichever part of the valley you choose to visit, you will find something that works for you.

How to get from Marrakech to Ourika Valley

The road distance between Marrakech and Ourika Valley is around 50 kilometers (travel time is approximately 1 hour) but it depends on which part you are planning on visiting. The best option is to go to the Marrakech bus station and ask for the bus schedule for your desired destination.

The Sahara desert

The Sahara desert is the world’s largest hot desert, covering the area of approximately 9,200,000 square kilometers in the north of Africa. It is a very attractive tourist destination due to its astounding beauty, incredibly soft sand, magical starry nights and the unforgettable camel rides.

What to see and do

It is highly recommended to book a tour for a trip to the Sahara. There is a great variety of tours, from one day to multiple days tours, private or group tours. The best time to visit is between October and May when the temperatures during the day are still bearable, but keep in mind that in the winter months the temperatures after the sundown can go below freezing. The Sahara experience is definitely a ‘must’ when visiting Morocco so make sure to check the offer on different Sahara desert tours and enjoy the romantic sunrise or sundown over the remarkable reliefs of unbelievably soft sand, learn to ride a camel and take some astonishing photos!

Where to eat

Every organised tour to the Sahara desert has planned stops to restaurants, but keep in mind that you probably won’t be offered another choice so before booking a tour we recommend you do a little bit of research on the restaurants as well. 

How to get from Marrakech to the Sahara desert

If you will nor be travelling with an organized group, the best way to travel to the Sahara is by a car or a plane. To get to Sahara, you will first need to get to Merzouga, which is approximately 383 kilometers from Marrakech (the road distance is around 560 kilometers). Travel time by plane is around 3 hours 35 minutes and the travel time by car is around 9 hours.