There are plenty of Marrakech day tours and trips to take when visiting Morocco’s red city. I always recommend these day tours to my clients when they are short on time but who would still like to explore what the Marrakech region offers. They often come back inspired and grounded, thankful to have embarked on this adventure.
When planning a trip to Marrakech, I usually suggest spending at least three or four days exploring the city and one or two days having an exciting adventure.
If you have more time, I highly recommend going on a more extended tour instead, which will include more beautiful desert spots and picturesque villages in the Atlas mountains. This four-day Marrakech desert tour offers one of the best overviews of Marrakech and its stunning surroundings.
If you have less time to spare or don’t like long car rides, these day tours from Marrakech, keep reading.
The Best Marrakech Day Tour For You Will Depend On Several Factors
There are many possible destinations for your Marrakech day tour, and it can be hard to decide when you don’t know their differences. Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
Are you looking for a tranquil retreat or an action-packed adventure?
Is it more appealing to you to be alone throughout your experience or to have others around? Do you prefer to go alone, or would you like a guide?
How much time do you prefer to spend in a car?
What’s your budget?
Thinking about the answers to these questions can help you choose an adventure that’s perfect for your family. Here’s a selection of the best Marrakech day trips that I recommend to anyone visiting Marrakech. Some are harder to get to, and you might need to hire a guide or driver. I’ll try to give as many details as possible to help make your decision easier.
Marrakech Day Tour 1: The Ourika Valley
One of my favorite day trips from Marrakech is to the Ourika Valley. It is conveniently located within a short 1.5-hour drive and can be done in one day. On your way to this beautiful spot, you’ll see the majestic Atlas Mountains, then, as you make your way through lovely mountain villages, winding roads, and lush vegetation until you reach Siti Fatima, your destination.


Tesrfi Ait Abed Atlas Mountains
The famous seven waterfalls are within reach if you wear the right shoes and love a little hike. I usually go with my family, meaning I can’t go on complex trails, so I could only make it to one waterfall. The rest are farther up the trail and slightly more complicated to reach.


Man pouring mint tea into glasses on colorful tray, Ourika valley and High Atlas Mountains in the background. Morocco.
The trails are easy to navigate as you’ll most likely just follow locals who will be hiking as well. You won’t get lost if you stick to the main trail and avoid going off-road. I have seen people of all ages, from toddlers to seniors, attempting the climb and getting help from a family member, a friendly stranger, or a guide. Countless boys and men will be splashing around in the water over the summer, and you are welcome to join them. If you’re a woman, you can join, too, as long as you dress conservatively and bathe in a way that doesn’t show too much skin. If you can cover your hips with a scarf or skirt, that would be very respectful to the local community.
You can drive to Ourika yourself, although I wouldn’t recommend it unless you’re familiar with the region. The roads in the mountains are pretty narrow, and some taxi drivers can pressure you to drive faster. It’s better to hire a driver or go with a guide who will arrange a nice plan for your trip.
If you go with a tour guide, you’ll probably have several stops in the High Atlas Mountains to cover more ground than only the Ourika Valley. You will stop for tea breaks and lunch breaks in beautiful spots; you may go hiking and see the stunning waterfalls; you can eat at a local house in one of the Berber villages on your way, and much more. Your day trip from Marrakech will be inspiring and enriching.
If that’s something you are interested in doing while in Marrakech, then I highly recommend checking Omar’s day trip from Marrakech. He is a local guide I always recommend to my family, friends and clients whenever they visit the region.
Marrakech Day Trip 2: Lake Lalla Takerkoust
During the French protectorate in the 1920s, this lake and dam were artificially built to provide hydroelectric power to Marrakech. The lake is now a favorite destination for locals looking for a day of water fun and relaxation, especially during the hotter months.


Lake Lalla Takerkoust near Marrakech, Morocco.
For a day trip from Marrakech, you can bring your picnic blanket, Moroccan pastries, side salads, juices, and fruits, and enjoy a day of swimming, eating, and playing together. You can also have lunch at a restaurant overseeing the lake.
Other available activities include quad biking and horseback riding, and if water levels allow it, you can go paddle boarding or power boating on the water.
If you’d like to stay more days in the area, you can book a room in one of the resorts that line the lake and enjoy their pools, hammams, and restaurants.
Day Trip 3: The Agafay Desert
Getting to the Sahara desert will take more than a day trip from Marrakech. It takes at least three days and eight to ten hours to travel from Marrakech to the Sahara Desert. One of the most loved desert destinations is the Merzouga desert.


Merzouga desert landscape
While some people manage to go to Merzouga in two days, I find it overly stressful and tiring, and I would never recommend it!
If you want to experience a wholesome desert tour with camel riding, stargazing, and a magical night in a desert tent, as well as the landscapes and beautiful villages along the way, Ouarzazate, Ait Ben Haddou, and more, then I highly recommend going on a tour that takes at least three or four days, like Omar’s four-day desert tour.
If you are short on time and can’t spare four days for a desert tour, there is a very nice option close to Marrakech: the Agafay Desert.
The landscapes in the Agayaf desert are very different from those in the Merzouga desert. While the Merzouga desert is a sand desert, Agafay is an arid stone desert. You can go for the day, ride a camel, take a cooking class, or have lunch at a locals tent, or you can spend the night – which I would highly recommend – as you’ll get to experience a beautiful night star gazing, dancing to drums and eating by the fire. With Omar’s two day trip to the Agafay desert, you’ll be back to Marrakech the next day.


Agafay Desert, near Marrakech, offers a unique desert experience. Though more of a rocky plain than traditional dunes, it still evokes a sense of isolation and serenity. Visitors can enjoy camel rides, stargazing, and serene landscapes, making Morocco a compelling desert destination.
Day Trip 4: Atlas Mountains Day Trip from Marrakech
In the High Atlas, close to Marrakech, there are a plethora of little Berber (Amazigh) villages, like Imlil, Amzmiz, and Tahanaout. Locals in these communities are tucked away in valleys and slopes and rarely leave their villages, living rural lives that are refreshing to witness. Locals take care of most of their own food needs, and they sell what they don’t use in Marrakech and other cities.
In these villages, traditional clay constructions coexist with more contemporary house designs. Fields and orchards are common sights in the areas surrounding these towns.
You can go there alone, but a local guide is always a good idea as roads are hard to navigate. Also, a guide will be beneficial for touring the villages and help you immerse yourself in local life, as most locals only speak Amazigh – not even the Moroccan dialect. Most Omar tours mentioned above will take you to at least one of these villages.
Marrakech Day Tour 5: Ouzoud Waterfalls
Traveling to the Ouzoud waterfalls will take at least three hours from Marrakech, so I recommend this trip to those who have already visited the desert (either Agafay or Merzouga) and the Ourika Valley, both mentioned above.


Ouzoud waterfalls, Grand Atlas in Morocco
You should head north instead of south for a day trip to the Ouzoud waterfall in the Middle Atlas Mountains. You can have lunch or a tea break at one of the many charming restaurants overlooking the falls or pack a picnic and enjoy the scenery while you eat. In addition to the Barbary macaques that call this area home, several hiking routes will take your outdoor adventure to the next level.


A monkey eating near the Ouzoud waterfall (Morocco)
Marrakech Day Trip 6: Oukaimden
You have two options here that are both reachable via Oukaimden: either visit the Ouzoud waterfalls, or get to Toubkal, one of Morocco’s highest peak mountains, which is approximately two hours drive from Marrakech. Along the way to both, you’ll see stunning countryside landscapes that are typical of Morocco.


Hiking to the summit of Jabal Toubkal, highest Mountain in the Atlas Mountain range.
Both trips can be done from Marrakech in one day. If you like hiking and adventure, and if the weather and snow conditions allow it, you can join the hordes of people who want to reach the peak of the Toubkal. Climbing Mount Toubkal in the winter, nevertheless, calls much more experience and skill. Two or three days is the typical time required to reach the top.
During the winter, you can rent skis and enjoy a thrilling day of skiing down the slopes. Furthermore, sledding is fun for beginners and smaller children learning to ski. Having said that, if you have less skii skills or don’t enjoy the snow and cold, then you should probably skip this destination.
Marrakech Tour 7: Essaouira
Although Essaouria can be visited in one day is you depart from Marrakech, you’ll probably have to start your trip early in the morning to get to Essaouira early enough to enjoy what the city offers.
Essaouira is most enjoyable during fall, spring, and summer. You’ll be able to enjoy its beautiful beaches and restaurants overlooking the sea, its large souk where you can shop Moroccan souvenirs, the Jewish quarter, the delicious food, the chill life of locals, and so much more. If you love fish, then you’ll be thrilled, as most fish dishes served in restaurants are ultra-fresh, made with fish straight out of the sea.


View of the Essaouira medina
You can rent a car and drive yourself to Essaouira, or you can take the Supratour bus from Marrakech.
Although you can visit Essaouira in one day and be back in Marrakech the same day, it’ll probably be tiring. Ideally, I recommend spending at least one night in the city to enjoy it comfortably.


Beautiful sunrise in Essaouira port


colorful streets of essaouira
Marrakech Trip 8: Marrakech to Ouarzazate and Ait ben Haddou
Another possible day trip from Marrakech is visiting Ouarzazate or Ait Benhaddou. Travelers are primarily drawn to the area to see the spectacular Ait Ben Haddou fortified hamlet. In addition, the surrounding area is home to breathtaking desert vistas and a plethora of additional kasbahs to discover. The Telout Kasbah is a must-see on any trip to the area.


Beautiful landscape of Ksar Ait benhaddou
Both destinations require approximately a four-hour drive from Marrakech, so this is not the most relaxed day tour from Marrakech. However, you can still do it if you are limited in time and can start your trip early in the morning.
The other option is a 3-day or 4-day tour with Ouarzazate or Ait Benhaddou as a stop, like the 4-day desert tour mentioned above.