9 Best Day Trips from Marrakech

The best day trips from Marrakech will see you crossing stark desert landscapes and imposing mountain passes. Marrakech impresses with its sacred mosques, labyrinthine souks, and mosaic-tiled palaces, but there are plenty of attractions outside its old Medina. You’ll visit Berber villages untouched by modern life and lush green valleys that teem with fruit trees.

Traverse the High Atlas foothills for dramatic waterfalls and bohemian riverside restaurants, or stop by sleepy red-clay hamlets where hospitable Moroccan families feed groups of hungry hikers. While you’re at it, ski under North Africa’s tallest mountain, cool off in an infinity pool in a luxurious Sahara Desert camp, or explore a UNESCO-listed fort that’s been featured in Game of Thrones and Gladiator.

1. Ourika Valley

For breathtaking vistas and a storied Berber culture

Good for: Adventure, Couples, Photo

An hour south-east of Marrakech, Ourika Valley takes one’s breath away with its snow-capped mountains, characterful Berber villages, and whimsical displays of springtime wildflowers. Head to Setti Fadma to hike its well-marked trails and see the Seven Cascades. Afterwards, dine riverside at a quaint cafe and feast on aromatic tagines on colorful rugs that are scattered with throw cushions.

For an off-the-beaten-path adventure, visit the Aghmat Archaeological Site where you can explore the remains of an important medieval Maghreb city, including a grand mosque and a public bathhouse. Meanwhile, green thumbs can call in at Le Paradis du Safran, an organic saffron farm. Enjoy a pot of tea and a petal-infused foot bath before admiring the resident peacocks.

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2. Aït Benhaddou

Historic fortified village featured in major Hollywood blockbusters

Good for: Adventure, History, Unusual

The palm-fringed oasis of Aït Benhaddou is located 3 hours and 20 minutes from Marrakech via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, a road that unfurls spectacularly before rugged mountain vistas. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, this earthen clay ighrem is set along the historic Sahara caravan route frequented by old-world salt traders. Today, it looks no different from when it was first erected, sometime during the 17th century.

The ocher-colored buildings have featured in iconic Hollywood productions including Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and Lawrence of Arabia. Stay overnight in one of the luxurious hotels that are peppered throughout the surrounding desert. Get the luxury treatment at Le Berbere Palace with sky-blue swimming pool and trio of atmospheric restaurants.

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3. Ouzoud Waterfalls

Enchanting beauty spot with resident monkeys

Good for: Adventure, Couples, Photo

Ouzoud is Morocco’s tallest waterfall, and an epic natural wonder can be reached in 2 hours and 40 minutes from the heart of the Red City. For a unique vantage point, board a tourist boat and bob about under mammoth cliffs. Don’t miss the throngs of Gibraltar monkeys that gather to watch tourists from the surrounding trees.

Come in the colder months when there are fewer tourists and the falls are at their most spectacular due to heavy seasonal rainfall. If you’re feeling hungry, stop at a nearby restaurant for an authentic Moroccan meal in its tropical plant-filled garden. Try the fragrant tagines, buttery flat bread, and freshly squeezed orange juice.

Location: Cascades Ouzoud, Ouzoud 22576, Morocco

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4. Agafay Desert

Cinematic landscapes on the doorstep of Marrakech

Good for: Adventure, Luxury, Unusual

The starkly beautiful Agafay Desert is just 45 minutes from Marrakech, perfect for a day trip. The arid expanse is edged by rock dunes and ice-capped mountains, which lend it a surreal yet romantic quality. A number of reputable tour operators offer hot air balloon rides at dawn, including convenient hotel transfers, pre-flight pastries and coffee, and a delicious Berber breakfast in a carpeted tent.

After a quad bike ride across sunbaked terrain, treat yourself to a night of R&R. Agafay Luxury Camp is celebrated for its sapphire-hued infinity pool, welcoming Tfaya Restaurant, and nomad-chic tents with timber furniture, antique traveling trunks, and rattan lamps. Alternatively, check out the White Camel that boasts a tantalizing menu of spa treatments.

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5. Imlil

Berber stronghold that exudes beauty

Good for: Adventure, Photo

Nestled in the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains a 1 hour 20-minute drive from Marrakech, you’ll find Imlil. It’s an authentic Berber village and agricultural haven that’s abundant with apple, walnut, and cherry trees. Acting as a launch pad for climbers who want to scale the heights of Toubkal Mountain, this enclave offers easy access to scenic landmarks including Tighedouine Gorge and Asif N’au Mizane river.

Hike to the Imlil Cascades before dining at an atmospheric Moroccan restaurant and savoring authentic North African treats. To meet a collective of Berber rug weavers, drop by the Adrar Cooperative where you can admire their handmade pure wool carpets and support the local Amazigh community.

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6. Ourigane Valley

Undiscovered gem in the High Atlas Mountains

Good for: Adventure, Couples, Photo

Sixty-four km south of Marrakech in the heart of Toubkal National Park, you’ll find Ourigane Valley. It’s a fertile farming region that’s home to Berber villages, juniper forests, and breathtakingly beautiful viewpoints. Hire a professional guide for a hike across off-the-beaten-path terrain and lunch with a local family. We recommend the hamlet of Tikhfist for its dazzling views of the Azzaden Valley or the sand-colored town of Tizi Oussem, which teeters high above sea level.

Visit Ourigane on Thursdays when Berber families descend from the mountains by donkey to set up shop in the souk. For a luxury stay, check into Domaine de la Rosaraie for its bougainvillea-filled courtyards, inviting blue-green swimming pool, fragrant springtime rose garden, and farm-to-table restaurant.

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7. Lalla Takerkoust

Man-made reservoir with its own special magic

Good for: Adventure, Families, Food

Famed for its cobalt-blue waters and snow-capped mountain backdrop, Lalla Takerkoust offers an oasis of respite from the hustle and bustle of Marrakech, especially when the weather is scorching. Only 40 km from the Red City, this expansive lake is adored by families for its golden beaches and sporting activities, including jetpacking, jet skiing, swimming, and canoeing.

Lined with restaurants that boast fabulous views of the water, foodies will have a field day making their way around Lalla Takerkoust, trying delicious Moroccan fare wherever they stop. Dine on the sun-kissed terraces, enjoy côte de boeuf, chicken, and olive tagines, and indulge in charcuterie platters loaded with meat, fruit, and nuts.

Location: Lalla Takerkoust, Al Haouz Province, Marrakesh-Safi, Morocco

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8. Oukaïmeden

All-seasons playground that’s famed for its sports

Good for: Adventure, Couples, Families

Two hours south of Marrakech, in the High Atlas Mountains, you’ll find Oukaïmeden ski resort and views of majestic Mount Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak. Access 7 distinct lifts for skiing and snowboarding on color-coded runs or splash out on a helicopter drop-off.

During summer, when the region enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate, outdoor enthusiasts flock to Oukaïmeden for its bouldering expeditions (a form of extreme rock climbing) and picture-postcard hikes along fragrant alpine trails. It’s also a haven for adrenaline-seeking off-roaders who ride the high mountain paths on their adventure touring motorcycles. If you’d like to stay overnight, book a comfy room with a view of the forest at Marrakech Ourika Oukaimeden.

Location: P2030, Oukaimeden 40273, Morocco

Open: Daily from 10 am to 3 pm

Phone: +212 6591-00968

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9. Asni

Traditional mountain town offering a glimpse of the past

Good for: Adventure, Photo, Budget

Set in the river valley of Moulay Brahim, an hour from Marrakech, Asni offers a fleeting glimpse of Berber life on its characterful streets. While Sir Richard Branson’s luxury Kasbah Tamadot is located nearby, this back-to-basics village keeps things authentic with its lively Saturday souk run by local Berber traders. Peruse handmade clothing, farm-grown fruits, and exotic silver jewelry.

The scenic Kik Plateau, which can be found above the village, offers superb hillwalking in the spring when carpets of alpine wildflowers burst into life. Photographers also love Asni for its unparalleled image opportunities that spring up at regular intervals: think mules wearing colorful blankets and douars (tent villages) on the hillsides.

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