Day Trips from Marrakech
The city of Marrakech is inspiring but there’s a lot to see and do if you travel outside it. Here’s our top picks for day trips from the city
AGAFAY DESERT
It takes at least three days to explore the Sahara if you’re starting from Marrakech. But the Agafay is a good alternative because the stone desert channels the big sky vibes and it’s only an hour from the city. There are lots of luxury tented camps in Agafay offering anything from lunch and quad biking, to dinner under the stars. Our pick is White Camel where you can spend a day beside the pool before having lunch or dinner on their deck with a backdrop of white tents and stunning views of the Atlas Mountains. You can throw in a camel ride too if you want to go all out Lawrence of Arabia
OURIKA VALLEY
Life is lived traditionally in the Ourika Valley and the rural area is filled with pretty scenery and hiking trails. We’d recommend starting your day with a trip to the Anima Gardens. Created by artist Andre Heller, you’ll find pieces of his work installed in the gorgeous gardens that are filled with plants, ponds and gazebos. They’re playful, colour-soaked and there’s also a small cafe. Oh. And a museum with works by Picasso, Rodin and Keith Haring. Then drive on to lunch at Bab Ourika – a hotel with stunning views of the Atlas Mountains. They grow produce in their gardens and lunch is served on a large terrace with 360 degree vistas.
ATLAS MOUNTAINS
The Atlas Mountains stretch 1600 miles through Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia and separate the Sahara from the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. The High Atlas are about an hour outside Marrakech and centuries ago travellers from the south would cross them to trade in the city with merchants from the north. Today, a trip into the mountains offers the chance to see life in the small villages there, as well as discover more of the beautiful scenery. Our Atlas Experience includes a guide, hike and lunch cooked by a local family which is a highlight for many El Fenn guests. You can get more details on this excursion from our concierge team.
ESSAOUIRA
Sunset walks along ancient walled ramparts, seafood served fresh from boats and a beach that (almost) never ends….? If you’re in the mood to mix up your trip to Marrakech with some beach time then Essaouira is the perfect place to do it. The town on the Atlantic coast is also at the heart of the Unesco-protected region where Argan trees grow, as well as one of Morocco’s key wine areas. About 2.5 hours drive from Marrakech, Essaouira is a haven for arts and crafts fanatics with keenly priced rugs, raffia shoes and pottery in the souks, a handful of brilliant vintage homewares stores, and numerous art galleries.
Don’t forget that if you’re in the mood to extend your trip to Marrakech with the chance to explore further afield, we’ve got lots of ideas on the blog where you’ll find a guide to the regions of Morocco as well as our favourite cities and areas including the history-packed city of Fez and the charming coastal lagoon of Oualidia. If you are staying at El Fenn our guest services team will be delighted to help you plan your itinerary to include some or all of the above.
