Atlas Mountains day trip (Asni & Imlil)
The most popular day trip from Marrakech. The road climbs through the Kik plateau and Asni market town to Imlil, the village at the foot of Jbel Toubkal, North Africa's highest peak. You can walk with a local mountain guide to a Berber village, have mint tea in a family house and lunch with a view of the peaks.
Ourika Valley day trip
The closest green escape from the city: a river valley lined with riverside cafés, argan and pottery cooperatives and the village of Setti Fatma, where a short guided walk leads to a series of waterfalls. Ideal for a half day or a relaxed full day.
Agafay desert day trip
No time for the Sahara? The Agafay is a rocky desert of golden hills just outside Marrakech, with the Atlas on the horizon. Camel or quad ride in the afternoon, sunset and dinner in a desert camp, back in Marrakech the same night.
Ouzoud Waterfalls day trip
A long day out to the 110-metre falls in the Middle Atlas: walk down past olive groves to the pools, take the small boat close to the falls and look out for the wild Barbary macaques on the trail.
Essaouira day trip
The blue-and-white port city on the Atlantic: walk the ramparts, the fishing harbour and the relaxed medina, eat fresh grilled fish, and stop at a women's argan oil cooperative on the road.
Want the real Sahara?
The big dunes of Erg Chebbi are too far for a day trip (about 9 hours' drive). See our 3 and 4 day Sahara desert tours from Marrakech with a night in a desert camp at Merzouga.