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Lagoonsblue5

Regular54 posts

2025-06-19

Hi there, I’m about to take my nephews to Morocco for a week to celebrate their 18th birthdays during the first week of September. I’ve already planned most of it, but I’d love any advice or tips on my itinerary! Thanks in advance to anyone who replies :)

Day 1: Agadir → Essaouira Morning: Crocoparc/cable car/kasbah (I’d considered Paradise Valley, but it seems less great now? Dirty, drought, etc.?) Depart for Essaouira, lunch in Taghazout around 1 PM. Mid-afternoon to evening in Essaouira, overnight there. Visit the medina, walk along the ramparts and fishing port. Sunset from the Skala du Port or the beach. Dinner at one of the seafood restaurants near the port.

Day 2: Essaouira → Marrakech → Agafay Desert Morning: 🔹 Early departure from Essaouira to Marrakech (~2.5 hours). Afternoon: Explore Marrakech: 🔹 Jemaa el-Fna Square 🔹 Majorelle Garden Late afternoon: 🔹 At 3 PM, depart for the Agafay Desert (~1 hour) for a camel ride + quad excursion. Evening: 🔹 Dinner and overnight in the desert.

Day 3: Agafay → Marrakech → Ouzoud Morning: 🔹 Return to Marrakech from Agafay at 11 AM. Late morning & early afternoon: Last spots in Marrakech: 🔹 Bahia Palace 🔹 Ben Youssef Madrasa Mid/late afternoon: 🔹 Depart for Ouzoud (~2.5 hours). Evening: 🔹 Overnight in Ouzoud. Day 4: Ouzoud → Marrakech Morning: 🔹 Visit Ouzoud Waterfalls. Early afternoon: 🔹 Return to Marrakech (~2.5 hours). Late afternoon/evening: 🔹 Free time in Marrakech to wander the souks and experience Jemaa el-Fna Square at night with its evening atmosphere. Evening: 🔹 Overnight in Marrakech. Day 5: Marrakech → Aït Ben Haddou → Ouarzazate Early morning: 🔹 Depart for Aït Ben Haddou via the Tizi n'Tichka Pass (~3 hours 45 minutes). Midday: 🔹 Visit the Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou. Afternoon: 🔹 Drive to Ouarzazate (~30 minutes), visit the Taourirt Kasbah. Evening: 🔹 Overnight in Ouarzazate. Day 6: Ouarzazate → Agadir Very early departure in the morning. Morning: Visit Agadir’s souk. Afternoon: 🔹 Relax at the hotel pool, jet ski, and overnight stay. Day 7: Agadir Morning off. 🔹 Beach and pool time. Return flight.

Thanks so much!

LA Lagoonsblue5 Regular ·2025-06-19

Just to clarify, I’ll have a rental car :)

Mathews Globetrotter ·2025-06-19

hi there, plan extra time for the Marrakech to Ouarzazate drive—the road isn’t easy with lots of switchbacks and turns. So visiting Aït Benhadou might feel rushed. Ideally, set aside a full day to explore this site.

69Eric Veteran ·2025-06-19

Hey For the Majorelle Garden, you need to book online. No ticket sales on-site

Elhine Globetrotter ·2025-06-19

Hello,

A trip this tightly scheduled isn’t really compatible with the Moroccan way of life. Even though Moroccans can adapt to rushed travelers, unexpected delays will really slow down your timing. And it’s a shame to have to force yourself to leave a place where you’re feeling good—where you’ve already arrived late—just because of this or that... all that rushed-person stress! From your very first day: Agadir to Essaouira is 3.5 hours (without photo stops). Add in your restaurant visit (not in 20 minutes, I assume), and just so you know, the crocodile park opens at 10 AM (inshallah).

I think I would’ve spent a little more time in Essaouira and gone straight to Agafay without passing through Marrakech (especially since driving in Marrakech can be a real hassle and time-consuming).

Not sure there’ll be water at Ouzoud in early September.

Even without Ouzoud, that’s about 1,200 km in 6 days of driving—around 200 km/day. With an average speed of 50 km/h (except for Essaouira-Marrakech at 80-120 km/h and Taroudannt-Agadir at 80 km/h), you’ll spend a lot of time on the road.

Murielle

... là-bas si j'y suis...

SO Soju Veteran ·2025-06-20

Has the Kasbah Taourirt reopened to tourists? Since the earthquake, it was closed for repairs and safety checks.

SOJU

LA Lagoonsblue5 Regular ·2025-06-20

Hi! Allow extra time for the Marrakech to Ouarzazate trip—the road isn’t easy with lots of switchbacks and turns. So, visiting Aït Benhadou might feel rushed. Ideally, plan a full day to explore this site.

Okay, thanks for the extra info! On average, how long do you think the trip would take if we take it easy? Thanks

LA Lagoonsblue5 Regular ·2025-06-20

Hi, For the Majorelle Garden, you need to book online. No ticket sales on-site

I had the info but thanks anyway—could’ve been different! :)

LA Lagoonsblue5 Regular ·2025-06-20

Hello,

A trip this tightly scheduled isn’t really compatible with the Moroccan way of life. Even though Moroccans can adapt to rushed travelers, unexpected delays can really throw off your timing. And it’s a shame to have to leave a place where you’re finally starting to feel comfortable—just because you’re already running late—all because of this and that... the stress of being in a hurry! From your very first day: Agadir to Essaouira is 3.5 hours (without photo stops). Add in your restaurant time (not 20 minutes, I’m guessing), and just so you know, the crocodile park opens at 10 AM (Inshallah).

I think I would’ve spent a little more time in Essaouira and gone straight to Agafay without stopping in Marrakech (especially since driving in Marrakech can be a real hassle and time-consuming).

Not sure if there’ll be water at Ouzoud in early September.

Even without Ouzoud, that’s about 1,200 km in 6 days of driving—around 200 km/day. With an average speed of 50 km/h (except for Essaouira-Marrakech at 80-120 km/h and Taroudannt-Agadir at 80 km/h), you’ll spend a lot of time on the road.

Murielle

I’m fully aware I’ll be spending quite a bit of time on the road, but I also see the journey itself as part of the discovery—not necessarily a chore, even if it’s tiring. And I totally get that it might come off as very "rushed" or "hectic," but I actually enjoy this kind of "road trip" discovery style. Sure, it doesn’t leave much time to relax or unwind, but it gives a great overall glimpse.

Does Ouzoud often dry up? I didn’t know that—thanks for the heads-up!

That said, I’m still taking your comments into account. I’m not completely set on the crocodile park—I’m worried it might still be interesting with kids, but maybe I’m wrong. Same with the Majorelle Garden—it’s expensive and super touristy, while there are other, more intimate gardens. Anyway, that’s exactly why I’m asking for opinions—nothing’s set in stone yet! :p Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts! ^^

LA Lagoonsblue5 Regular ·2025-06-20

Has the Taourirt Kasbah reopened to tourists? Since the earthquake, it was closed for repairs and safety checks.

It does look like it’s still under construction—I didn’t know that. I’ll take your message into account, thanks! :)

Groschats Veteran ·2025-06-20

Hello,

Ait Ben Haddou, which has been turned into a giant tourist shop, doesn’t take much time in my opinion... A few hours is more than enough.

I recommend arriving from 3 PM onwards... The hot hours give the site a sublime light for photos... And the mass tourism buses start leaving around then. Visiting during the day isn’t great with all the groups arriving mid-morning and leaving by mid-afternoon.

I’d skip Ouzoud, which might not be very nice in early September anyway. Plus, Ouzoud has been horribly concreted over... The road there from Marrakech is a bit boring and long. I’d add a day in Essaouira instead, where it’ll be cooler than Ouzoud at this time of year.

Just staying overnight in Ouarzazate for Taourirt seems pointless to me... I’d rather sleep in Ait Ben Haddou to enjoy the site in the evening and early morning when it’s cooler.

Visiting Agadir’s souk in the afternoon after leaving Ouarzazate is ambitious... It’s a long drive (8–10 hours).

As for Agafay, it’s not a desert but a marketing invention... 😅 It’ll be hot there in early September, and the road between Essaouira and that area is pretty ugly.

Qui écoute trop la météo, passe sa vie au bistrot !

Aoreora1 Regular ·2025-06-21

Hi there, It might be a bit tiring, but if you feel up to it, no problem! Just to give you an idea, places like Kasbah Oufela and Croco Park seem tough to visit in the morning, for example...

Just make sure the day you plan to visit Souk El Had isn’t a Monday, as it’s closed.

Mathews Globetrotter ·2025-06-22

You should still dedicate some time to Aït Benhadou—it’s a pretty impressive ksar, and you can easily get lost in its maze.

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