Things to See Near Marrakech: From the Atlas to the Desert

1. Into the Atlas Mountains

The High Atlas begins almost at the edge of the city. On a clear day you can see the snow from the rooftops of the medina, and within an hour you are among walnut trees and mountain villages.

• Ourika Valley (about 1 hour): A green valley of riverside cafés and Berber villages. At Setti Fatma, a short hike leads to a series of waterfalls.
• Imlil and Toubkal National Park (1.5 hours): A mountain village at 1,740 metres, the starting point for walks beneath Jbel Toubkal, at 4,167 metres the highest peak in North Africa.
• Oukaimeden (1.5 hours): A small ski resort in winter and cool walking country in summer, with prehistoric rock carvings.
• Lalla Takerkoust (45 minutes): A lake at the foot of the mountains, good for lunch with a view.

Local tip: In the mountains, a local guide costs little and supports the village. He will also show you paths you would never find alone.

2. A day in the mountains: what it is like

A typical day in Imlil starts with the drive across the Haouz plain and up the valley through Asni. From the village, a local guide leads you on a walk of two to three hours along mule tracks, past terraced fields and villages built of stone and earth, with the peaks of Toubkal National Park above.

Lunch is usually a tagine on the terrace of a family house, followed by mint tea. The Ourika Valley is a gentler version: more cafés beside the river, a shorter walk to the waterfalls and, on Mondays, a busy country market at Tnine Ourika.

3. Waterfalls and stone desert

Two very different landscapes lie to the north-east and the south-west of the city. One is all water and greenery, the other bare rock and silence.

• Ouzoud waterfalls (2.5 hours): The highest falls in Morocco, dropping about 110 metres into a gorge. Walk to the bottom, take a raft towards the spray and watch for wild Barbary macaques.
• Agafay desert (45 minutes): A landscape of pale, rolling stone hills, with camps for lunch, sunset dinners, camel rides and quad biking. There are no sand dunes, but the views of the Atlas are superb.

4. Kasbahs and the coast

These three are the longest day trips. They are possible, but each involves six hours or more in a vehicle, so consider staying the night.

• Aït Benhaddou and Ouarzazate (3.5 hours): Over the Tizi n'Tichka pass to the most famous kasbah village in the country and the film studios beyond. A long day, and better as part of a desert tour.
• Essaouira (3 hours): A white Atlantic port with ramparts, a busy fishing harbour and fresh seafood.
• Telouet (3 hours): The crumbling palace of the Glaoui pashas, high in the Atlas.

5. More ideas close to the city

• Ouirgane: A quiet valley of red earth and pine forest on the road to the Tizi n'Test, good for gentle walks and long lunches.
• Anima Garden: A modern garden of sculpture and exotic plants on the Ourika road, about 40 minutes from town.
• Asni: A small mountain town with a large Saturday market.
• A hot-air balloon flight: At sunrise over the plain north of the city, with the Atlas on the horizon.

6. Is a day trip to the Sahara possible?

No. The nearest real dunes are at Zagora, about seven hours away, and the great dunes of Merzouga are further still. To sleep in the desert you need two days for Zagora or three for Merzouga. If you only have a day, the Agafay desert gives a taste of the atmosphere.

7. If you have two or three days

With two days, you can cross the Atlas, follow the palm groves of the Drâa Valley to Zagora and spend a night in a camp among small dunes. It is a long way for a short stay, but the scenery on the road is superb.

With three days, you can reach Merzouga and the high dunes of Erg Chebbi, sleeping the first night in the Dades Valley. This is the trip most travellers have in mind when they picture the Sahara, and it can finish in Fes rather than returning to Marrakech.

8. How to choose

With only one free day, pick the trip that contrasts most with what you have already seen.

• For cool air and an easy walk: Ourika or Imlil.
• For families: Ouzoud, for the monkeys and the boat ride.
• For a sunset dinner: Agafay.
• For a change of scene: Essaouira.
• For history and landscapes: Aït Benhaddou.

9. Tips for a smooth day trip

• Leave early: Mountain roads are slow, and popular spots are busiest from late morning.
• Private or shared: Group excursions are cheaper; a private driver lets you choose where and how long to stop.
• Bring cash for lunch, guides and entrance fees.
• Wear shoes with grip, especially for Ouzoud and the Ourika waterfalls.
• Pack a layer: The mountains are several degrees cooler than the city.
• If you are prone to car sickness, sit in the front for the Tichka pass.

10. The High Atlas after the 2023 earthquake

In September 2023 a strong earthquake struck the High Atlas south of Marrakech and caused great loss in mountain villages. The valleys around Imlil, Ourika and Ouirgane are open to visitors, and tourism is an important part of their recovery. Hiring a village guide, eating in a family guesthouse and buying from local cooperatives all help directly.

Frequently Asked Questions