Weekend & Day Trips from Marrakech, Morocco

1. Essaouira

Essaouira is a lovely resort town along Morocco's Atlantic Ocean coastline, located just two and a half hours east of Marrakech's city center. The town is known as the "Wind City of Africa" for its excellent windsurfing conditions, which are caused by its forceful alizée trade winds that are strongest between April and November. Its gorgeous medina old town district is lined with historic fortifications and antique brass cannons, known as the Skala de la Kasbah and designed in the 18th century.

Visitors can explore the town's art and cultural attractions, which lured international celebrities like Jimi Hendrix to the area in the 20th century. The region's unique fusion gnawa music style, a blend of indigenous, blues, and rock music styles, is on display each year at the Gnaoua Festival of World Music in June. Art galleries, boutiques, and marketplaces line the city center, selling goods like signature Moroccan royal tea, crafted with a blend of 15 native spices. Essaouira Map

2. Toubkal National Park

Toubkal National Park is a gorgeous national park in Morocco's High Atlas mountain range, located just an hour outside of Marrakech's city center.

Toubkal National Park, which was established in 1942, is home to the impressive snowcapped Jebel Toubkal peak, which stands more than 4,000 meters above sea level. Mountain trails traverse the peak between the town of Imlil and the Mizane Valley, open to the public throughout the year for world-class hiking experiences.

Hikes to the summit take approximately two and a half hours, traversing through stunning gorge landscapes and past impressive waterfalls. Taxi service is operated between the park and Marrakech throughout the year, making it a great location for day trips. Guest house lodging is offered at the beautiful Riad Dar Adrar, which showcases a gorgeous onsite hammam and Turkish bath.

3. Ouzoud Falls

Ouzoud Falls is a collection of waterfalls located near the Moyen Atlas village of Tanaghmeilt, approximately two hours northeast of Marrakech in the Moroccan province of Azilal. The falls, which are named for the Berber word for "the act of grinding grain," are one of Morocco's most-visited sites, renowned for their spectacular 360-foot combined drop into the gorge of the El-Abid River.

Visitors can travel into the Atlas Mountains via several road tourism services from Marrakech and explore the site region on foot as part of one-hour walking tours that follow the path to the lip of the falls. Beautiful red rock cliffs surround the falls site, which is often flanked by gorgeous rainbows and shimmering mist. Native Barbary apes populate the region, often making appearances for photo opportunities. While in the area, visitors can explore the remains of several historic mills or dine at their choice of area restaurants with waterfall views. Map

4. The Agafay Desert

The Agafay Desert is a gorgeous otherworldly desert expanse located approximately an hour southwest of Marrakech's city center, accessible via the Route d'Amizmiz. The region is a popular weekend trip destination for Marrakech residents and visitors, known as a top spot for outdoor recreation in Morocco. Visitors can enjoy excellent opportunities for horseback riding and exploration of the region's stunning sand dunes, which create unparalleled natural ambiance against the backdrop of the High Atlas Mountains. Camel rides embark from Marrakech to the area throughout the week, a great option for visitors looking for a quintessential Moroccan tourism experience. Manmade reservoir Lalla Takerkoust is a top spot in the area for canoeing and water sports. Quad bike riding is also popular, along with overnight camping at a number of primitive campsite areas offering secluded overnight experiences. Map

5. Ouarzazate

Ouarzazate is a charming city located just south of the High Atlas mountain range, considered to be the gateway to the expansive Sahara Desert. The city, which was originally established in its modern incarnation in the 1920s as a French colonial site, became a major motion picture production center in the mid-2oth century, commonly referred to as "Ouallywood," known for its recreations of Tibetan, Roman, and Egyptian film backdrops. Visitors can view gorgeous historic landmarks such as the 19th-century Taourirt Kasbah, known for its former prominence on the trans-Saharan spice trading route. Northwest of the city center, beautiful Ait Ben Haddou has gained international prominence after being featured in the television series Game of Thrones. Quad biking is popular along the region's desert landscapes throughout the beautiful Draa Valley. Map

6. The Ourika Valley

The Ourika Valley is a stunning river region located approximately half an hour outside of Marrakech, following the banks of the High Atlas' lovely Ourika River. The region, which is known as a popular day trip spot from Marrakech, is acclaimed for its gorgeous waterfalls that make for excellent nature hike and photography opportunities. It is rich in traditional indigenous Berber culture, known as one of the most unspoiled historic regions near Marrakech. Visitors can view a plethora of native wildlife in its traditional habitat, including endangered Barbary macaques, which are only found in the Atlas range and nearby Algeria and Gibraltar. Throughout the winter months, temperatures remain cooler than most of Morocco, fostering gorgeous blooms of almond and cherry trees and wildflowers. Map

7. Palmeraie

Palmeraie is a stunning oasis on the northern edge of Marrakech's city center, stretching over an area of 54 square miles. The region is known for its eponymous grove of several thousand palm trees, which are believed to have been planted during the Almoravid period through the use of a khettara network. It is the source of a number of ancient regional legends, giving rise to its colloquial title as the "ardent children of the African earth and sun." Today, more than 100,000 date palms grow throughout the region, along with a number of fruit and olive trees which are fed by reservoirs and irrigation wells in the area. A number of lovely resorts line the region, including the splendid Palmeraie Golf Palace and lively Nikki Beach. Map

8. Agadir

Agadir is a charming city on Morocco's southern Atlantic Ocean coastline, located within the foothills of the gorgeous Anti-Atlas Mountains. The city, which is the capital city of Morocco's Agadir-Ida Ou Tanane province, has risen from the ashes of its devastating 1960 earthquake to become one of the country's top resort and port cities. Visitors come from near and far to enjoy relaxation on the city's gorgeous beachfront promenade, which is known as a top surfing destination at areas like Devil's Rock and Imesouane. Three world-class golf courses draw visitors to the links throughout the year, while attractions like the Vallée des Oiseaux zoological park and the Museum Municipal du Patrimoine Amazigh keep families busy. The lively Souk El Had marketplace offers more than 3,000 stalls, selling a wide variety of clothing, home goods, and food items. Map

9. Casablanca

Casablanca is Morocco's largest metropolis, immortalized in the 1942 Humphrey Bogart film of the same name. The western Morocco port city, which borders the country's Atlantic Ocean coastline, is Morocco's most progressive place, known for its French colonial legacy and vibrant culture and fashion. Visitors can view stunning landmarks like the Hassan II Mosque, one of the world's largest mosques, which showcases an impressive minaret with lasers pointing toward Mecca. The city's oceanfront Corniche neighborhood is home to beautiful resort hotels and vibrant nightlife, particularly along the Boulevard de l'Ocean Atlantique. Eclectic art galleries populate the town, including the Rêve de mon œil, which exhibits unique welded sculptures by artists around the world. Modern designer shopping is offered in the city's Maarif neighborhood, while bargain marketplace stalls line its Derb Ghalef district. Map

10. The Atlas Mountains

The Atlas Mountains are one of Africa's most impressive natural wonders, extending for 2,500 kilometers throughout Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. The range is comprised of several smaller mountain ranges, which separate the continent's Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines from the expanses of the Sahara Desert. Visitors can explore the region's three distinct areas, including the High Atlas Mountains, which are home to some of Morocco's best-preserved sects of indigenous Berber culture. Impressive Mount Toubkal, North Africa's highest peak, stretches more than 4,100 meters above sea level within Toubkal National Park, offering some of the region's top hiking experiences. 4X4 and hiking excursions are popular as guided or self-guided tours, including challenging multi-day trek experiences. Map