Questions about excursions around Marrakech (page 1 of 7)

Hi there,

A group of 11 of us will be spending a week in Marrakech in May. I’d love your thoughts and advice on these excursions I’ve shortlisted—or any others I might not have considered:

- Visiting Marrakech: with or without a guide? Is one day enough for the main sights? - Essaouira: Is a day trip a good option? Is the journey scenic? - Ouzoud Waterfalls: Is the place worth the trip? - Agafay Desert: Any recommendations to avoid the tourist crowds? - Imlil Valley and Mount Toubkal: A worthwhile detour?

Of course, I don’t plan to do everything in one week, but your input will help me decide... Thanks in advance! !

Hi there

Marrakech: you’ll need 2/3 days. Guide: why not if you’re firm on not wanting to visit shops with them

Essaouira: easy as a day trip, the road isn’t very exciting, but Essaouira itself is really charming

Ouzoud is far and very touristy

Agafay is the trendy thing to do. You’ll be right in the middle of tourist crowds

Imlil: a lovely day out. On Saturdays, the souk in Asni is very picturesque

Hey, I agree with Fanguy...

Just adding a detail since I was about to say the same thing... Fanguy didn’t use the term "desert" for Agafay. Agafay isn’t a desert... It’s pure marketing to sell experiences to all-inclusive adventurers in the palm grove...

Hi Bruno, in April 2019 I acted as a guide for a couple of Spanish friends during a one-week trip to Morocco. I realized that interests vary—so, 11 people!!! I recommend starting with a full day in Marrakech with a guide to see the highlights in the medina: palaces, riads, etc. On the second day, everyone can go at their own pace to explore the outskirts—the "bab" gates, the ramparts, the new districts, Jardin Majorelle, and the Menara Garden with its panoramic view of the Atlas Mountains (even better if they’re still snow-capped).

As for Essaouira, this city is absolutely worth the detour. In the morning, the port is buzzing with energy, especially for seafood lovers—it’s a must-visit. The city and its ramparts are stunning. I love Essaouira: it’s peaceful yet full of life, like a real postcard.

The Ouzoud Waterfalls are best visited midweek when there are fewer Moroccans around, otherwise it gets super crowded. The charm of the site really depends on how much water is flowing!

Oukaimeden offers a gorgeous mountain road leading to a picturesque cable car that takes you up to 3,200m. It’s popular with Moroccans for skiing. I’ve skied there myself with my own gear and even taken off a few times with my paraglider (I worked for two years on a dam 100km from Marrakech). The view of Toubkal and the mountain range is incredible.

My friends wanted to explore Ouarzazate, so we left the riad early. It was a long but amazing drive. Ouarzazate is like a movie set—many films shot in the area prove it. The landscape is arid, the sky a royal blue, and the kasbahs and the Glaoui Palace are majestic. Have a great trip—it might feel a bit short, but it’ll make your group want to come back to Morocco!

To add to what’s been said about Essaouira, it’s a stunning city, so different from the others with its fortress, fishing port, often rough sea, and its blue hues. It’s a paradise for photographers! Here are some photos I took in 2014:

Well, thanks everyone, we're making progress quickly after all! And thanks to my neighbor from Évian for these gorgeous photos that inspired my post and convinced me to include Essaouira in the itinerary...

Ouarzazate, too far. Ouzoud, I took a look, but it doesn’t really appeal to me... Oukaimeden, skiing—I think I know a few spots near home already 😉

So, 2 days in Marrakech 1 day in Essaouira 1 afternoon + evening in Agafay if I find the right provider (I’ve got some people in the group who aren’t used to traveling, so a bit of Fram-style comfort will do them good)... 1 day in Imlil for hiking + village visit 1 day for a hammam + massage (it’s a nearly unanimous request...) And, of course, some downtime by the pool...

I saw on Google the Ouirgane Forest and Dam—does anyone know it? A good place for lunch? We’ll have 2 extra days with 3 friends, so I’d love to spend a day there...

Just to clarify: we’ve rented cars...

Ouirgane is the region where the earthquake happened. When I passed through in October, there were also massive road repairs and machinery everywhere. Not exactly a dream destination!

Hi Bruno, in April 2019 I acted as a guide for a couple of Spanish friends during a one-week trip to Morocco. I realized that interests vary so much with 11 people!!!

That’s the perk of having (a little) travel experience under your belt—you get this aura of a seasoned traveler 🏴‍☠️ that lets you make the calls 😉. Afterward, we already tried it in the Algarve, and it went pretty well... But luckily, I’ve got more travel plans lined up this year with my girlfriend!!

Ouirgane is the region where the earthquake happened. When I went there in October, there were also major road repairs going on and machinery everywhere. Not exactly a dream destination!

That’s why I love this forum—news is always fresh! Any other nice ideas within about 2 hours of Marrakech besides the ones already mentioned?

There’s still the Ourika Valley. Lovely little restaurants with your feet in the water and great options for pleasant walks. A great spot to relax: La Perle de l’Ourika

Hey Bruno,

If I understand correctly, all nights are booked in Marrakech??? You're gonna rack up the kilometers...

Essaouira is really nice but it's a 6-hour round trip.

Imlil was great, even if it's not super representative of Morocco.

For visits, personally, I prefer without a guide. You go where you want, how you want, and stay as long as you want. But with 11 people, it might help to keep everyone's wishes in check...

Ouzoud, meh, not great.

Tizi n'Test? (Not exactly close either...)

We’ll have 2 extra days with 3 friends

If you can avoid staying in Marrakech, Happy Valley (Ait Bouguemez) — see my latest travel journal on the destination (Stops 12-13).

Hey Bruno,

Just adding my two cents with my personal opinion (which is just my own, of course 😛)

- Visiting Marrakech: with or without a guide? Is one day enough for the main sites?

No, you don’t need a guide in Marrakech. There are great maps of the medina, and you can find good summaries in paper guides to cover the essentials—unless you want an in-depth history lesson. One day for all the sites? Here are the main ones: Jemaa el-Fna Square, the souks, the Dar Si Said Museum, the Ben Youssef Madrasa, the Secret Garden, the Photography Museum, the Majorelle Gardens, the Bahia Palace, the Museum of Confluences, and the Saadian Tombs. You in a hurry?

- Essaouira: Is a day trip a good option? Is the journey nice?

The road is pretty ugly. A day trip is doable, but just know you’ll be spending 6 hours round-trip (by bus, and not much less by car—I don’t know if you’ll have rented one by then).

- Ouzoud Waterfalls: Is the trip worth it?

Meh.

- Agafay Desert: Any tips to avoid the tourist crowds?

The sandbox? 🤪

- Imlil Valley and Mount Toubkal: A worthwhile detour?

Not bad for the scenery.

Like Fangui, I’d recommend the Ourika Valley. Given your friends’ "profile," I think they’d enjoy it—Morocco a bit more raw, with the touristy touches that come with this popular excursion. Tons of agencies offer it, so you won’t have to stress, and you’ll have a great day.

And/or, I’d pick Essaouira. The first bus leaves Marrakech at 7:45 AM (otherwise, forget it). It’s a beautiful place, and I know some great fish restaurants 😉

Too bad Ijoukak and its region were devastated by the earthquake. Hopefully, things will have improved by then—check just before you leave. As for the Tinmel Mosque, unless you’re praying over its ruins...

For my Essaouira tip, I forgot that all your nights were in Marrakech. We stayed in Essaouira because the drive is long and the city deserves spending some time there. That said, with a random date in May, I found on Airtruc a riad (Dar Mama) in Essaouira with 6 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms in the city for 220 € per night.

Moral of the story: a week in Marrakech if you want to explore the region isn’t the best plan... too many hours in the car, higher cost than traveling around, and you can find nice and affordable accommodations everywhere. That’s what I was told on this forum when I planned the trip I took with friends, and I confirmed these tips were spot-on... No hard feelings, neighbor?😛, 😉

Aït Bouguemez, wow!! A bit too far, no??? Otherwise, with La Cathédrale, it's gorgeous!

Totally agree with you, and I’ll even go further... Agafay? Meh, meh, meh, and meh. Best left to the "All-Inclusive" crowds at Fram and the like.

Yeah, it's not exactly next door, but with an overnight stay, it's doable.

Going via Demnate, it's less than 200 kilometers (meaning almost 4 hours on the road 😏).

Something like this:

yes, and it's worth it

If you assume Bruno will spend a night there, then there are hundreds of places to see! In that case, I’d definitely recommend Ait Ben Haddou. Especially for the road and the landscapes.

It's a lot less wild...