Private Day Trips from Marrakech
Day trips from Marrakech reach three landscapes in a few hours: the High Atlas and its Berber villages, the desert hills of Agafay and the road over the mountains to Ait Ben Haddou, and the Atlantic coast at Essaouira. Every trip we run from Marrakech is private, with your own driver from your riad or hotel, and back the same evening.
The shortest, Agafay, fits into an afternoon; the longest, Ait Ben Haddou, takes about 12 hours. All start from about $40 per person for groups of up to 6. For the Sahara dunes, plan at least 2 days: see our desert tours from Marrakech.
- Day trips
- 7 from Marrakech
- Closest
- Agafay, 45 min
- Longest
- Ait Ben Haddou, 12 h
- Price
- From about $40 pp
Day Trips from Marrakech
Sorted from the shortest day to the longest.
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Day tripAgafay Desert Tour from Marrakech
The stony desert hills 40 minutes from Marrakech, at sunset, with a camel ride or dinner at a camp if you like.About 6 hours · From about $40 pp -
Day tripOurika Valley Day Trip from Marrakech
The nearest green valley to Marrakech: villages, argan oil and the walk to the Setti Fatma waterfalls.About 7.5 hours · From about $40 pp -
Day tripAtlas Mountains Day Trip from Marrakech
Berber villages, walnut groves and a valley walk below Toubkal, 90 minutes from Marrakech.About 9 hours · From about $40 pp -
Day tripOuzoud Falls Day Trip from Marrakech
Morocco’s best-known waterfalls, about 110 m high, with a walk to the pools and macaques in the olive trees.About 10 hours · From about $40 pp -
Day tripEssaouira Day Trip from Marrakech
A walled port town on the Atlantic: the ramparts, the fishing harbor and grilled fish for lunch.About 11.5 hours · From about $40 pp -
Day tripCasablanca Day Trip from Marrakech
The Hassan II Mosque with a guided visit inside, lunch on the Corniche and the Habous quarter.About 12 hours · From about $40 pp -
Day tripAit Ben Haddou Day Trip from Marrakech
Over the Tizi n’Tichka pass to the earth-built ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, and Ouarzazate if you like.About 12 hours · From about $40 pp
Compare Marrakech Day Trips
| Day trip | Length | Route | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agafay Desert Tour from Marrakech | About 6 hours | Round trip from Marrakech | A desert sunset without a long drive |
| Ourika Valley Day Trip from Marrakech | About 7.5 hours | Round trip from Marrakech | Green valley, waterfalls, a relaxed day |
| Atlas Mountains Day Trip from Marrakech | About 9 hours | Round trip from Marrakech | Mountain villages and an easy walk |
| Ouzoud Falls Day Trip from Marrakech | About 10 hours | Round trip from Marrakech | Waterfalls, a gorge walk and wildlife |
| Essaouira Day Trip from Marrakech | About 11.5 hours | Round trip from Marrakech | The sea, a relaxed medina and fresh fish |
| Casablanca Day Trip from Marrakech | About 12 hours | Round trip from Marrakech | The Hassan II Mosque and the Atlantic |
| Ait Ben Haddou Day Trip from Marrakech | About 12 hours | Round trip from Marrakech | The Atlas road and a UNESCO kasbah village |
Which Marrakech Day Trip Suits You?
Four questions settle it.
How long do you want to drive?
Under an hour and a half each way: Agafay, the Ourika Valley and the Atlas Mountains. About 3 hours: Essaouira, the Ouzoud Falls and Casablanca. About 4: Ait Ben Haddou.
Mountains, water or desert?
For villages and walking, Imlil in the Atlas. For waterfalls, the Ouzoud Falls, or the smaller falls at Setti Fatma in the Ourika Valley. For desert scenery close to the city, Agafay at sunset, or a camel ride in Marrakech in the Palmeraie.
History or the sea?
Ait Ben Haddou is the finest earth-built ksar in Morocco; Essaouira gives you ramparts, a fishing port and sea air; Casablanca has the Hassan II Mosque.
Who is coming?
With children or older travelers, keep to the shorter trips. The walks at Ouzoud and Setti Fatma have steep, uneven steps. As a couple, the Agafay sunset or a slow day in Essaouira is hard to beat.
Planning Day Trips from Marrakech
Pickup in the medina
Cars cannot reach most riads in the medina, so your driver meets you at the nearest gate or square. Hotels in Gueliz, Hivernage and the Palmeraie are picked up at the door.
Seasons
In July and August Marrakech often passes 40 °C, so we leave early for Essaouira and the falls, and late for Agafay; the mountains are the coolest escape. In winter the Atlas is often white with snow, and the Tizi n’Tichka pass can close for a few hours after heavy snowfall.
Private, not shared
Many day trips sold in Marrakech are shared minibuses with fixed stops. Ours are private: the car waits for you, you stop where you want, and the day ends when you are ready.
What to bring
Comfortable shoes for the walks, a warm layer for the mountains even in summer, sunscreen, and cash in dirhams for lunch, entrance fees and tips, since cards are rarely accepted outside the cities.
One day or more?
If Ait Ben Haddou, the desert or the coast appeal, consider a night away: our desert tours from Marrakech pass through Ait Ben Haddou, and our tours from Marrakech reach the whole country.
Marrakech Day Trip Questions
Something else on your mind? Send us your question and a real person on our team answers.
What is the best day trip from Marrakech?
For most first-time visitors, the Atlas Mountains: close, beautiful and easy. If you love the sea, Essaouira; for a sunset, Agafay.
Can you do a Sahara day trip from Marrakech?
Not to the Sahara dunes, which are about 9 hours away at Merzouga. The Agafay desert, 40 minutes from the city, is the closest desert landscape; for dunes, take a 2- or 3-day desert tour.
Can we combine two places in one day?
Yes, when they are close: the Ourika Valley and Imlil, or Agafay and the Lalla Takerkoust lake. Tell us what you want to see and we tell you what fits.
What time do day trips from Marrakech start?
Most start between 7 and 9 am; the Agafay sunset trip starts in the afternoon. We set the time with you.
How much does a private day trip cost?
From about $40 per person for groups of up to 6. The car and driver are yours alone, so the price per person depends on your group size and the trip. We reply with an exact price within 24 hours; a 30% deposit confirms your booking.
Leave the City for a Day.
Tell us your date, where you are staying and which trip you like. We reply within 24 hours with a plan and a price.
