Top 5 Day Trips from Marrakesh

If you’re based in Marrakesh, you’re likely nestled in its legendary medina.

However enchanting it may be, spending several days there can become a bit overwhelming, particularly during high season. Luckily, there are numerous nearby escapes from the Red City that provide fresh air and a new perspective on Moroccan life.

From serene mountain trails to desert camps, breezy beach retreats, art-filled gardens, and organic cooking classes, venturing beyond the city is an excellent way to experience the country more deeply. Here are five of our top day trip recommendations from Marrakesh. Additionally, here’s a grand taxi fare calculator to give you an idea of expected costs for your journeys.

1. Enjoy a Day in the Agafay Desert

Travel duration: 45 minutes

If a journey to the Sahara isn’t feasible, consider a trip to the stony expanse of Agafay, just 30km (19 miles) south of Marrakesh. This area features rolling rocky landscapes that have shaped into solid dunes, surrounded by semi-arid plains, stark valleys, sporadic oases, and scattered Berber villages, making it perfect for exploration and adventure.

From horseback riding and camel caravans to buggy tours, gentle hikes, and peaceful picnics, there are many ways to appreciate this rugged beauty through companies like Marrakech Desert Trips. For a more immersive experience, consider spending the night in one of the several camps scattered across the area. These camps offer various amenities, from campfire meals and stargazing with professional telescopes at Scarabeo Camp to poolside relaxation and dining at the White Camel.

Getting to Agafay from Marrakesh: If you’ve arranged a tour or an overnight stay, return transportation from your riad is typically included, starting around 500 MAD. For a day trip on your own, the best option is to take a grand taxi from Bab Doukkala in Marrakesh, with fares starting at 250 MAD one way. Don’t forget to arrange your return ride with the driver.

2. Immerse yourself in the magic of Anima Gardens

Travel duration: 45 minutes

André Heller’s enchanting, art-filled Anima Gardens offers an Alice-in-Wonderland experience that delights both children and adults. Spanning several acres, the vibrant gardens feature mirrored clearings, enormous beaded sculptures reminiscent of those in the souks, and shimmering nazars (amulets against the evil eye) nestled among bougainvillea, all set against a backdrop of towering, flowering shrubs and trees, creating a whimsical paradise. It’s a joyful, engaging, and wonderfully tranquil escape from the lively energy of the medina.

After your exploration, enjoy lunch at the on-site Paul Bowles Cafe, which boasts a seasonally rotating menu crafted from local ingredients sourced from the Ourika Valley. From the rooftop, you can savor stunning views of Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa. Entry tickets are available online for 155 MAD, while tickets for children aged 12 to 16 cost 65 MAD, and entry is free for kids under 12.

Getting to Anima Gardens from Marrakesh: A complimentary shuttle bus leaves from the Koutoubia car park (“Parking & Lavage”, located behind the Koutoubia mosque) every day at 9:30 AM and 2:30 PM. The return trips from Anima Gardens to Koutoubia are at 1 PM and 5:30 PM.

3. Hike the foothills of the High Atlas

Travel duration: 1 to 1.5 hours

Boasting rugged, red-hued landscapes and shimmering rivers set against the towering Atlas Mountains, the foothills offer a breathtaking backdrop for outdoor adventures. Following the earthquake, beautiful hiking trails are accessible through Ourika and Ouirgane, with local communities increasingly relying on the tourism revenue these routes attract.

Winding trails traverse the valleys, leading to beautiful cascading waterfalls (note that the renowned seven waterfalls of Setti Fatma are a very popular day trip and can become crowded), vibrant green hillsides, and traditional rammed earth villages scattered throughout the landscape, providing plenty of opportunities for refreshing pots of mint tea and Berber tagines. Springtime is particularly stunning when the mountains burst into bloom with wildflowers and fruit blossoms, but the area is ideal year-round for a breath of fresh air.

In Toukbal National Park, hiring a guide is now mandatory, and there are checkpoints in place, so don’t attempt to go alone. You can book day treks with reputable companies like Trekking Morocco or Atlas Mountain Guide, both of which include return transportation from Marrakesh in their pricing. Costs vary based on group size.

Getting to Ourika or Ourigane from Marrakesh: A CTM bus departs for Ourika from the Gare Routière Bab Doukkala in Marrakesh several 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 costs from 250 MAD for the entire vehicle, or 50 MAD per seat. There are no buses to Ourigane, so you’ll need to hire a grand taxi, costing from 420 MAD for the whole car or 70 MAD per seat.

4. Enjoy a beach day in Essaouira

Travel time: 2 hours and 45 minutes

Essaouira entices many visitors with its laid-back coastal appeal, despite the early start and late return. Once a fortified Portuguese port, this artistic haven exudes a bohemian atmosphere, featuring expansive sandy beaches and a UNESCO-listed medina, interwoven with narrow alleyways lined with whitewashed buildings accented in blue.

Head down to the lively harbor in the late morning to watch fishermen return with their catch while enjoying freshly shucked oysters. Stroll through sunlit souks filled with handcrafted goods and indulge in exceptional cuisine at some of the country’s most vibrant and colorful eateries. Notable mentions include Caravane Cafe, Dar Baba, Umia, and La Table Madada, especially when paired with organic wines from the local Le Val d’Argan winery in nearby Ounagha. If your schedule permits, consider staying overnight, with accommodations ranging from the elegant Villa Maroc to the stylishly affordable Mama Souiri.

How to reach Essaouira from Marrakesh: Supratours buses depart from next to the train station in Marrakesh four times daily, taking around 3 hours. The first bus leaves at 9am, and the last bus from Essaouira is at 5pm, with tickets starting at 100 MAD each way. Alternatively, a grand taxi costs approximately 1200 MAD for the entire car or 200 MAD per seat.

5. Experience cooking over fire at an Atlas farm

Travel time: 45 minutes

At Ourika Organic Kitchen, the finest meals begin with the best seasonal produce. Your class kicks off with foraging for fruits, vegetables, herbs, and teas from the vibrant gardens. Set against the majestic Atlas Mountains, you’ll immerse yourself in Amazigh culinary traditions within an outdoor kitchen where most dishes are prepared over charcoal.

Prepare to savor richly flavored, sun-ripened aubergines and tomatoes as they grill to perfection for zaalouk de souss, locally sourced chicken marinated in chermoula (a blend of herbs, garlic, and spices) cooked in a traditional earthenware tagine for a smoky, tender finish, along with the flaky pastry of a quail pastilla (available upon request).

Classes run from 11am to around 2pm, culminating in the delightful reward of enjoying the dishes you've created. Dining outdoors makes every bite taste even better, and this meal is likely to be the highlight of your entire journey. Prices begin at 2800 MAD for two people, which includes transportation to and from Marrakesh.

Getting to Ourika Organic Kitchen from Marrakesh: Located in the Ourigane Valley, a one-way trip to Ourigane from Bab Doukkala in a grand taxi costs approximately 420 MAD for the entire car or 70 MAD per seat.