Whilst many people head to Morocco and spend their entire holiday in Marrakech, the country of Morocco has so much more to offer! Within a few hours you can reach some of the country’s most unique spots and experiences. Whether it’s a day tour from Marrakech to the Atlas Mountains, an overnight stay in the Sahara Desert or a trip to the world famous film studios of Ouarzazate, Morocco has experiences for all tastes and budgets. Read on for our article of the 5 best tours from Marrakech!
- 5 best tours from Marrakech
- 1. Spend a night in the dunes of the Sahara Desert in Erg Chebbi, Merzouga
- 2. Visit the breathtaking High Atlas and see north Africa’s tallest mountain
- 3. Ride camels, and go sandboarding in the Agafay Desert
- 4. Go surfing and practice yoga in the coastal town of Essaouira
- 5. Experience the Atlas film studios in Ouarzazate
- Bonus Experiences
- Where to go after Marrakech?
5 best tours from Marrakech
This is our list of the 5 best tours from Marrakech that you can do during your stay in this bustling imperial city. These are all tours that we personally have done ourselves during our time in Morocco and highly recommend to anyone visiting this beautiful country. Some of the tours can be done as day trips, and others require a few days to really experience them to the best.
Note: Travel insurance is a must for any travel abroad, especially when doing any adventurous activities. Although problems rarely occur, it is better to be covered in case they do. We use SafetyWing and recommend it to anyone travelling the world.
1. Spend a night in the dunes of the Sahara Desert in Erg Chebbi, Merzouga
Time: 3 – 4 days depending on the experience you choose
One of the most unique experiences you can have in Morocco is to spend a night (or more) camping in the dunes of Erg Chebbi. Whether it’s absolute luxury you want, or an authentic, back to nature experience, there are possibilities for all tastes and budgets. We chose a real back to basics experience when we went, and it was by far the highlight of our entire 1 month in Morocco. Surrounded by nothing but towering sand dunes for 2 nights in the desert, with some of the best starry skies we have ever seen at night, this is an experience not to be missed. Just be prepared for the heat (or cold in winter!) and get used to not having a phone signal for the duration of your stay!
We recommend:
- 3 days: This 3 day desert safari to Merzouga and the dunes of Erg Chebbi, including an overnight stay in a Berber camp in the desert!
- 4 days: This 4 day all inclusive tour of the Atlas mountains, including overnight in a luxury desert camp, a visit to Ait Benhaddou, and the incredible Dades Gorge!
2. Visit the breathtaking High Atlas and see north Africa’s tallest mountain
Time: 1 – 3 days depending on the experience you choose
The Atlas mountains, cutting through the heart of Morocco, offer an incredible and vast range of panoramas and excursions to enjoy, full of breathtaking landscapes and local Berber traditions. There are so many tours from Marrakech to different parts of this incredible mountain range, from single day visits to Berber villages, to overnight hikes to remote mountain towns. The absolute ultimate trip you can do here is summiting Mount Toubkal, which is the tallest peak in North Africa at a whopping 4167 metres above sea level.
We recommend:
- For the adventurous: This 2 days 1 night guided trek up to the summit of Toubkal!
- For keen hikers: This 2 day trek to the Azzaden Valley where you stay in a traditional Berber village!
- For a day trip: This guided hike and boat trip around the famous Ouzoud Waterfalls!
Read more: Our full article on the 7 best experiences and trips you can take in the High Atlas mountains!
3. Ride camels, and go sandboarding in the Agafay Desert
Time: 1 – 2 days depending if you want to camp in the desert
Just a 30 kilometre drive south of Marrakech is the Agafay Desert. This desert can be likened to the dunes of Erg Chebbi, just on a much smaller scale, offering overnight camping, quad biking, sand boarding and even camel riding. Compared to the camping options at Erg Chebbi, the camps in Agafay are much more of a luxurious affair, and will set you back 150 euros + per night. If the dunes of Erg Chebbi are a little too far from Marrakech for you, then Agafay is the perfect option.
We recommend:
- For thrill-seekers: This half day quad biking experience in the Agafay Dunes including a sunset dinner!
- For camel riders: This full day desert tour with a guide and camel trekking!
- For luxury campers: This Agafay desert retreat with a luxury tent, swimming pool, dinner and a show!
4. Go surfing and practice yoga in the coastal town of Essaouira
Time: 1 day to fully discover the city
Essaouira in Morocco is a far cry from the bustling Marrakech medina. Situated on the coast, directly west from Marrakech, Essaouira is a melting pot of alternative lifestyles, arty shops and cafes, and home to some of the freshest seafood in the country! Just a short 2 hour drive from Marrakech, Essaouira is an ideal pick for a guided day out from the city. You can tour the historic medina, shop for souvenirs in the numerous art galleries and local street artists, or give surfing a go with some surf lessons on the beach.
We recommend: This day trip to Essaouira including a guided tour of the medina, and visit to a womens Argan oil collective!
Read more: Our full article on the 5 best things to do in Essaouira when you visit!
5. Experience the Atlas film studios in Ouarzazate
Time: 1 day to fully explore the area
Positioned between the chaotic and touristy Marrakech, and the enchanting orange sand dunes of the Sahara Desert, Ouarzazate and its surroundings are a must-see destination if you are in the area. Ouarzazate, dubbed the ‘Hollywood of Africa,’ hosts some of the world’s largest film studios, which filmed historical movies like ‘The Ten Commandments’ or ‘Asterix and Cleopatra’. Just a short drive from Marrakech you can Ouarzazate and the surrounding attractions in just 1 day as part of a guided tour.
We recommend: This day trip to Ouarzazate and Ait Benhaddou including a stop at Atlas Studios and lunch!
Read more: Our full article with the list of top 7 things to do around Ouarzazate!
Bonus Experiences
Other than the list of best tours from Marrakech above, there are a number of unique experiences you can have without even leaving the city. Read on for our list of bonus experiences you can have without leaving Marrakech!
See Marrakech from above in a hot air balloon
Whilst we personally didn’t have the time (or budget) to try this experience, we spoke to many travellers that did. Seeing the massive city of Marrakech from above is one of the most unique experiences you can have here. If your timeframe and budget allows we recommend giving it a go!
We recommend: This 40 minute early morning balloon ride over Marrakech with traditional Moroccan breakfast included!
Take a Moroccan cooking lesson with a local chef
Moroccan food is revered the world over, and what better place to learn how to cook these incredible dishes than the heart and soul of Moroccan cuisine, Marrakech. You will first go shopping in the local market for ingredients before heading back to the local kitchen to learn how to make your own tagines, couscous and even how to make Moroccan mint tea!
We recommend: This half-day Moroccan cooking class with local chef!
A guided shopping tour in the Marrakech souks
The medina of Marrakech is home to numerous souks and markets. Navigating these souks and finding the best bargains and authentic products is a skill in of itself, and what better way to discover the souks than with a guided shopping tour. You will also visit some local artisan workshops to see how some of the traditional Berber products are hand-made.
We recommend: This half day guided shopping tour of the Marrakech souks!
Where to go after Marrakech?
Now you know the best tours from Marrakech, and are probably wondering where to head next on your tour of Morocco. If you are craving some beach life, you can head west to Essaouira and spend a few days there exploring the medina. Read our full article of what to do in Essaouira here.
If you need to cool off, you can head to Imlil in the High Atlas mountains to do some hiking. Read our full article on the best things to do in the High Atlas on the blog here.
If you have any suggestions or comments, don’t hesitate to let us know by leaving a comment!
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