Day trip to the atlas mountains from marrakech

Which places are the best to visit for day trips from Marrakech? Here are the 9 best excursions from Marrakech, with all the info on why to go there, what to do and how to reach each location!

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There is no doubt that Marrakech is the most popular destination in all of Morocco. People come from all over the world to discover this exotic city.

It’s a city that is much more traditional and cultural than Tangier, Rabat, or even Casablanca.

The city of Marrakech stimulates the imagination with its many souks and open-air markets where one can find thousands of spices and beautiful hand-made crafts. It’s definitely a very vibrant and colorful place to visit.

Day trip to the atlas mountains from marrakech
Day trip to the atlas mountains from marrakech
Day trip to the atlas mountains from marrakech
Day trip to the atlas mountains from marrakech

It’s the starting point of many trips to the Sahara desert and it’s the first city most people visit when they arrive in Morocco.

The city is full of culture and interesting history. It’s also a great place to taste Moroccan cuisine and learn Moroccan Arabic.

Although this city can be sometimes very overwhelming (the constant noise kept us awake at night), it’s a destination that is definitely worth visiting.

Reading Tip: The 16 best things to do in Marrakech – Complete Guide to Morocco’s Red City

Day trip to the atlas mountains from marrakech
The crowds of Marrakech are very noisy even in the middle of the night. The city never sleeps…

What makes this city ideal as a starting base to discover Morocco is the fact that it’s close to so many other interesting destinations.

Directly from Marrakech, one can visit a beautiful port town, gigantic waterfalls, and the highest mountain in North Africa. It’s really possible to do so many day trips from Marrakech!

To help you make the best of your time in Morocco, I wrote this guide to the best day trips from Marrakech.

I’ll also explain how to reach each destination by public transport and with your own car from Marrakesh and what you can visit there.

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, I’ll receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. This way you’re helping me run this website and writing more informative and awesome guides like this. I only recommend products and services that I like and trust. Thank you!

Morocco Travel essentials and resources
  • Morocco Travel Guide: 19 things you should know before you go
  • Where to go: The 17 most beautiful places to visit in Morocco
  • Plan your trip: 3 itineraries to discover the best of Morocco
  • Is Morocco safe: 18 useful tips to stay safe while traveling in Morocco
  • Tours and experiences: Book a customized tour
  • Visa: Visa-free or e-visa for most passports – Get your Morocco visa
  • Getting there: Search for flights to Casablanca, Marrakech, Fez or Tangier
  • Where to stay: Find a room in a hotel, hostel, guesthouse or desert camp
  • Travel Insurance: Find the best travel insurance for Morocco
  • Getting around: Rent a car in Moroccoor travel by bus or train

  • Top 9 day trips from Marrakech map
  • 1. Day trip from Marrakech to Ourika Valley
  • 2. Day trips from Marrakech to Atlas Mountains: Imlil and Mount Toubkal
  • 3. Day trip to Oukaimeden Valley
  • 4. Day trips from Marrakech to Sahara Desert: Agafay Desert
  • 5. Day trip to Ait Ben Haddou
  • 6. Day trip from Marrakech to Ouzoud Waterfalls
  • 7. Day trip to Marrakech’s Palm Grove
  • 8. Day trips from Marrakech to Essaouira
  • 9. Day trip from Marrakech to Casablanca

1. Day trip from Marrakech to Ourika Valley

Day trip to the atlas mountains from marrakech

This pristine valley stands at the base of the Atlas mountains. It’s a very lovely destination during spring when all the apple and cherry trees that fill the valley are blossoming.

It’s also the best place to escape the incredibly high temperatures that strike Marrakech during the summer.

It’s a great place to enjoy nature, delight yourself in the sound of the river that flows at the bottom of the valley and see some Barbary monkeys. There are also many beautiful hiking paths that will lead you to a series of waterfalls.

Snow-covered mountains overlook the whole area and give a cooling shade during the warmer months of the year.

There is a small village at the base of the valley called Setti-Fatma. The area around it is filled with almond trees and mud-brick Berber villages.

This is where visitors usually start their trek to see the Ourika Valley waterfalls. It’s very easy to find an English-speaking guide in this town that will show you around the valley for a modest fee.

Day trip to the atlas mountains from marrakech

How to get from Marrakech to Ourika Valley by public transport

There are a few different options to reach the Ourika valley. It’s possible to take a bus to the beginning of the valley and then a shared taxi all the way to the town of Setti-Fatma.

Another option is to take a shared taxi directly from Marrakech to Setti-Fatma. Because there aren’t many people traveling there during the low season, you might have to pay for the whole taxi.

How to get to the Ourika valley from Marrakech BY BUS

Buses to Ourika leave at the Alsa bus stop in Marrakech. This is the location of this bus stop.

You can also take the bus L25 from the Bab Rab bus stop to reach the beginning of the valley.

There are a few shared taxis at the bottom of the valley where these buses will drop you off. From there you can take a shared taxi to Setti-Fatma (around 10 MAD per person).

How to get to the Ourika valley from Marrakech BY SHARED TAXI

Another way to reach Setti-Fatma directly from Marrakech is to take a shared taxi to the small town. Taxis take about one hour and a half to reach the mountain village.

They depart daily from a terminal 3km outside the Bab Er Robb medina gate in the south of the medina.

Because there is very little traffic from Marrakech to Setti-Fatma, I would recommend getting a private taxi for the whole day to bring you there and back. The rate should be around 500 to 600 MAD for a day.

It’s always better to pay at the end of the day, not at the beginning, and agree on the final price upfront.

Here is the location of Bab Er Robb in Marrakech:

How to get to Ourika valley from Marrakech by car

If you have your own car or if you are renting one, nothing will be easier than driving from Marrakech to Setti-Fatma.

Getting there takes around one hour and a half. You’ll have to follow the highway P2017 towards the south-east until you reach Ourika. From there take highway P2030 and you’ll quickly reach Setti-Fatma.

Reading Tip: Everything you need to know about renting a car in Morocco

Day tours to Ourika Valley from Marrakech

Being part of a tour group is becoming a very popular way to reach the Ourika Valley from Marrakech. A lot of different companies near Jemaa el Fena square in Marrakech offer tours to the valleys.

Their prices for the day trip vary but it’s generally around 200 to 250 MAD per person. This includes the ride to the valley and back in a comfortable minivan and a visit to a Berber market.

However, remember that these tour companies might have hidden costs. The price you pay for a tour doesn’t always include the cost of the local guide joining you on this trip. You’ll often have to pay extra for that afterward, as for the food they’re offering at the restaurants.

Reading Tip: 12 common scams you might encounter in Moroccoandhowto avoid them

It’s often better to book these tours online. The description clearly states what is included in the price so you don’t get any extra hidden costs.

Here are Ourika Valley tours we recommend:

2. Day trips from Marrakech to Atlas Mountains: Imlil and Mount Toubkal

Day trip to the atlas mountains from marrakech

Cynthia and I are mountain lovers. After spending a year living in Kyrgyzstan and trekking in the mountains of Central Asia, it was time to discover the Atlas mountains of Morocco.

The small village of Imlil, located just an hour and a half from Marrakech, sits at the base of the highest mountain peak in the country. I couldn’t resist climbing to the summit and it was an experience I’ll never forget!

This peak is called Mount Toubkal and it’s sometimes called one of the easiest peaks above 4000 meters to climb.

Day trip to the atlas mountains from marrakech
Reaching the peak of Mount Toubkal is not as easy as they say…

I had the chance to spend time in the village of Imlil and climbed Mount Toubkal last spring. Even though this trek is considered an easy one, reaching the summit of this mountain was actually harder than I expected.

The mountain is known as Jebel Toubkal in Moroccan Arabic and its summit is at an altitude of 4167 meters.

Because of their proximity to Marrakesh and their year-round accessibility, Imlil and Toubkal are great day trips from the busy city.

Read all about hiking in Imlil and climbing Mount Toubkal in:

The Complete Guide to Imlil and Hiking to Mount Toubkal

Day trip to the atlas mountains from marrakech

How to get to Imlil from Marrakech by public transport

There are a few different options to reach Imlil from Marrakech. You can take a bus to Asni and then a shared taxi all the way to the village of Imlil.

Another option is to take a shared taxi directly from Marrakech to Imlil.

How to get from Marrakech to Imlil by bus

Take the bus to the village in Asni at the central bus station in Marrakech. From there you can easily catch a shared taxi to Imlil for 10 MAD or hitchhike the remaining 17 kilometers to Imlil.

Here’s where you find the central bus station in Marrakech:

How to get from Marrakech to Imlil by shared taxi

The easiest way to get from Marrakesh to Imlil is to take a shared taxi – or a grand taxi as they are called in Morocco. Imlil is just 60 km from Marrakesh so it doesn’t take long to get there by taxi (75-90 minutes).

The shared taxi going to Imlil leave from the grand taxi station across the street from the Jemaa el-Fnaa bus stop.

You can hire the whole taxi for yourself for 250 MAD to 300 MAD or you can share it with other passengers. If you wait for the taxi to fill up, the price will be much lower (around 50 MAD to get to Imlil).

How to get to Imlil from Marrakech by car

If you have your own car or if you are renting one, you can also drive directly to the small village of Imlil.

The road is almost completely paved all the way to the mountain village and will take you through some gorgeous landscapes. The road there is relatively safe but during winter it tends to be covered by rocks that fall from the cliffs nearby so drive carefully.

Day tours from Marrakech to the Atlas Mountains

You can also go on a guided day tour from Marrakech to the Atlas Mountains and Imlil

3. Day trip to Oukaimeden Valley

Day trip to the atlas mountains from marrakech

Oukaimeden is a beautiful ski resort about 80 kilometers from Marrakech and not too far from Mount Toubkal. Before visiting Morocco and more particularly, the Atlas mountains, I had no idea I would find so much snow in a North African country.

Oukaimeden has some amazing ski slopes and plenty of snow for winter sports enthusiasts.

This resort has six ski lifts and there are plenty of hotels and ski rental facilities nearby. What makes this resort so amazing is that you can literally spend the day skiing in sub-zero temperatures before heading back to the warmer climate of Marrakech for the night.

A lift pass costs around 30 MAD for half a day and 50 MAD for a full day. The ski equipment costs 70 to 80 MAD per day. There are also a few ski instructors at Oukaimeden, charging 150 MAD for a half day and 250 MAD for a complete day of classes.

Day trip to the atlas mountains from marrakech
You can ski and visit the markets of Marrakech in the same day…

How to get to Oukaimeden from Marrakech by public transport

There are no buses that travel between Marrakech and Oukaimeden as the road to get there is very winding and in some parts not wide enough for a bus.

Shared taxis from the grand taxi station in Marrakech will typically cost 300-400 MAD for the 75 km to the mountain ski station(each way).

How to get to Oukaimeden from Marrakech with your own car

To reach Oukaimeden with your car, you will have to go towards the same direction as you would for Setti-Fatma (see how to get to Ourika Valley). Drive south on road P2017 and you will find the exit to Oukaimeden near Aghbalou.

It takes about one hour and a half to get from Marrakesh to Oukaimeden.

Day tours from Marrakech to Oukaimeden Valley

If you want to escape from the city life in Marrakech and experience some of the best skiing and snowboarding in Africa with a group of fun people, we suggest this full-day trip to Oukaimeden.

You will be picked up from your accommodation in Marrakesh around 8 AM. and you will be transported from Marrakesh to Oukaimeden is a comfortable minibus.

Your guide will offer local knowledge and opportunities to stop along the way. On arrival, he will arrange all the ski or snowboard equipment you need.

Then get set to hit the slopes. After a break for lunch, you will be free to hit the slopes again for the rest of the afternoon. The return to Marrakesh will depart around 4 PM.

You can also visit Oukaimeden in summer as part of the Atlas Mountains & 4 Valleys Tour including the Ourika Valley (see above):

4. Day trips from Marrakech to Sahara Desert: Agafay Desert

What attracts most people to Morocco are the beautiful images of the Sahara and more specifically all the beautiful desert expeditions that can be done in Merzouga.

As appealing as this may look, this small desert town is located relatively far from Marrakesh and it’s impossible to visit for people that are just in Morocco for a short trip.

Day trip to the atlas mountains from marrakech

The Agafay desert is the next best thing and the best part is that it’s super close to Marrakech.

This desert doesn’t have the sand dunes that are so typical in M’hamid and Merzouga but it’s still a fascinating place.

You may be able to witness some of the local villages by quad if you go there with a tour from Marrakech.

Day trip to the atlas mountains from marrakech

There is even a manmade lake on the edge of the Agafay Desert that was built to provide the city of Marrakech with electricity.

You can swim at one of the beaches alongside the lake or you can rent jet skis or pedal boats and explore the waters.

There are also many hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails in the hills above the lake.

Reading Tip: How to visitthe Sahara Desert in Merzouga

Day trip to the atlas mountains from marrakech

How to get from Marrakech to Agafay Desert by public transport

There are no shared taxis or buses going to the Agafay desert from Marrakesh as far as I know. It can be reached if you have your own (rental) car or if you book a day trip (see below).

How to get to the Agafay Desert from Marrakech by car

If you have your own car or if you are renting one, you should try to reach the Lalla Takerkoust reservoir. This is the man-made lake that stands in the middle of the Agafay desert.

Getting there takes about 47 minutes from the city-center of Marrakech. You’ll have to follow highway P2009 towards the south-west until you reach the desert and the lake.

Day tours from Marrakech to Agafay desert

There are many travel companies offering tours to the Agafay desert. If you’re booking a tour in Marrakech, make sure you know beforehand what is included so you don’t get any unpleasant hidden costs.

A lot of local companies also sell their tours online where you have a clear description of what’s included in the tour and what to expect.

Here are some tours we recommend:

5. Day trip to Ait Ben Haddou

Day trip to the atlas mountains from marrakech

Ait Ben Haddou is an ancient fortified mud-brick village located between the Sahara and Marrakech. It’s a place known as a Ksar- the North African term for “Berber castle”.

This village is one of Morocco’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites and was used as a set in the TV-series Game of Thrones to portray the slaving city of Yunkai that Daenerys Targaryen laid siege to.

It’s a three-hour dusty drive to reach Ait Ben Haddou from Marrakech but it’s totally worth it! This old fortified village is located just 30 km north of Ouarzazate so it’s ideal to visit both locations on a day trip from Marrakech.

Day trip to the atlas mountains from marrakech

How to get to Ait Ben Haddou from Marrakech by public transport

The best way to reach Ait Ben Haddou by public transport is to take a CTM bus from the central bus station in Marrakesh towards Ouarzazate.

A bus ticket between the two cities will cost around 80 MAD and then you might have to pay an additional 10 MAD for your luggage.

Here is the location of the bus station in Marrakech:

As soon as you get on the bus, ask your driver to stop at the crossroads in Taborah. From there, you’ll only be16 km away from Ait Ben Haddou. There will be a few taxis around waiting for passengers at the crossroad in Taborah.

A shared taxi from there to the mud city should cost around 10 MAD if it fills up before leaving.

How to get to Ait Ben Haddou from Marrakech with your own car

If you have your own car or if you are renting one for the day, it will be even easier to reach Ait Ben Haddou.

Although you won’t have to waste time looking for a taxi or a bus, you’ll still have to drive a bit slower than usual. The road between Marrakech and Ait Ben Haddou is quite winding and there are a few treacherous curves along the way so I would advise driving there with caution.

Ait Ben Haddou is located 184 km from Marrakech. Driving there should take about 3 hours and a half. To get there, simply follow highway N9 towards the south.

Day tours to Ait Ben Haddou from Marrakech

This is the most popular way for people to go a quick day trip to Ait Ben Haddou from Marrakech.

There are many different travel companies based in Marrakech that offer tours to the mud village thus the prices for that trip vary greatly.

The base price for that trip is around 300 MAD per person (around 30 euros). Some companies will also combine this tour with a visit to Ouarzazate, raising the prices around 700 MAD per person.

You can expect a smooth ride in a very comfortable air-conditioned minibus and a few stops for refreshments along the way. They usually leave the city around 8:30 am and do a few stops along the way to the old fortified city.

The pick-up will be directly at your hostel or hotel in Marrakech or at the Jemaa el Fna square in the morning. Most tours will provide you with an English or French-speaking driver. Some tours will include a local guide at Ait Ben Haddou in their price while others won’t.

You should check this beforehand with your tour operator or in the tour description. The tours do not include lunch so you should either bring snacks or have money for the restaurants near the old city.

Although the paths are very easy to walk on, we suggest bringing a good pair of walking shoes or some sandals. Also, bring some sunscreen and don’t forget your camera.

Here are some day tours from Marrakech to Ait Ben Haddou we recommend:

Day trip to the atlas mountains from marrakech

6. Day trip from Marrakech to Ouzoud Waterfalls

Day trip to the atlas mountains from marrakech

Going to the Ouzoud waterfalls is one of the best day trips from Marrakech if you travel by car. The road from Marrakech to the Ouzoud waterfalls is quite scenic and there are many beautiful photo stops along the way.

The Ouzoud waterfalls are a series of very tall and very impressive waterfalls that plunge from high cliffs in a huge pool of water. These cascades are 110 meters high and surrounded by lush vegetation all around.

During summer it’s possible to go for a refreshing swim in the water at the bottom of the pools. There are even some boats that can bring you closer to the falls for a modest fee (20 MAD)

Day trip to the atlas mountains from marrakech

The area around the falls is famous for its olive trees and for the presence of Barbary monkeys. It’s a place where one can enjoy nature but in spring and summer, it tends to get very crowded.

Ouzoud is the second tallest waterfall in Africa. It’s a very touristic destination and one of the most visited and photographed natural sites in Morocco.

Read all about this beautiful place in How to visit the Ouzoud Waterfalls – 16 things you need to know before you go

Day trip to the atlas mountains from marrakech

How to get to Ouzoud Waterfalls from Marrakech by public transport

There are a few different ways to reach the Ouzoud waterfalls by public transportation. You could take a shared taxi from Marrakesh to Azilal and then another one to Ouzoud.

How to get to Ouzoud Waterfalls from Marrakech by bus

There’s no direct bus going from Marrakech to Ouzoud. You first have to take a bus from Marrakech to Beni-Mellal and from there take a shared taxi fromto the waterfalls.

You can take a bus from Marrakesh to Beni-Mellal with the two main bus companies in Morocco, CTM, and Supratours or with a local bus at the central bus station in Marrakech.

This option, however, takes time and it’s also more expensive than if you’d get there by shared taxi (see below).

How to get to Marrakech to Ouzoud Waterfalls by shared taxi

You can take a shared taxi from Bab Doukala in Marrakech and it will get you to a village called Azilal not too far from the falls.

A shared taxi from Bab Doukala to Azilal should cost around 50 MAD per person if the taxi is full (6 people) when you leave. Some taxi drivers don’t like to wait until the taxi fills up before they leave so you may have to pay a bit more.

The taxis from Azilal to Ouzoud are a bit cheaper (about 25 MAD per person) and you could pay for the whole taxi to get to the cascades faster. If you’d pay for a whole taxi from Azilal to Ouzoud, it would cost around 150 MAD.

How to get from Marrakech to Ouzoud Waterfalls by car

The Ouzoud waterfalls are located 157 km from Marrakesh and it takes about two hours and a half to get there by car. You can opt to rent a car for the dayas the drive to Ouzoud is very beautiful and you can stop for photos wherever and whenever you like.

To get from Marrakesh to Ouzoud, you will have to drive towards the northeast on highway N8 until you reach highway R208. Once you reach the R208 continue towards the village of Tanant and from there to Ouzoud.

There are a lot of places where you can park your car near the cascades but it will cost between 10 and 20 MAD to park your car there for the day. You can pay that small fee directly to the parking attendant.

Day trip to the atlas mountains from marrakech

Day tours from Marrakech to Ouzoud Waterfalls

The price for organized tours to the Ouzoud waterfalls starts around 275 MAD per person.

This includes the ride to the waterfalls and back in a comfortable minivan but it doesn’t include the price of the local guide or food near the cascades.

If you book a tour to the Ouzoud waterfalls, you’ll save a lot of time that you would have otherwise spent in finding public transport to get there.

You can expect a smooth ride in a very comfortable air-conditioned minibus and a few stops for refreshments along the way.

Reading Tip: The 17 Best Places to visit in Morocco inphotos

7. Day trip to Marrakech’s Palm Grove

Day trip to the atlas mountains from marrakech

Marrakech’s beautiful Palm Grove, also known as La Palmeraie, is less than an hour outside of Marrakech so it’s an ideal day trip to escape the busy city.

La Palmeraie covers 13,000 ha and has about 150,000 palm trees providing shade where camels can escape the heat of the desert.

As you walk around this grove, you’ll find an ancient irrigation system that has been used there for centuries

There are many date sellers and growers working in this beautiful oasis so be ready for a unique cultural experience.

How to get to Marrakech’s Palm Grove by public transport

There aren’t many shared taxis or public buses reaching the palmeraie from the city center but a great alternative is to reach this oasis with the Hop on hop off Marrakesh city tour bus.

This bus has an open upper deck where you will enjoy the best panoramic views of the city in the most comfortable way possible.

This bus also offers a special Palm grove tour route with which you’ll discover the northern part of the city and the Marrakech Palm Grove. There you will be able to enjoy different activities such as a camel or a quad ride.

The route is made of 13 stops and approximately lasts 1 hour.

Day Tours to the Palm Grove of Marrakech

I highly this guided tour to the Palm Grove of Marrakech. It includes a camel ride through the palm trees in the Palmeraie, followed by an amazing off-road adventure on quad bikes.

More tours to Marrakech’s Palm Gove:

Reading Tip: Visit the best places in Morocco with these 3 travel itineraries

8. Day trips from Marrakech to Essaouira

Day trip to the atlas mountains from marrakech

Essaouira is one of our favorite cities in Morocco. It’s a charming port town where everything is much calmer and quieter than in Marrakech. It’s a city that mixes the Moroccan culture and the Portuguese architecture in a very interesting way.

Day trip to the atlas mountains from marrakech

Essaouira attracts a young crowd of surfers and backpackers throughout the year. People go there for the great waves and beaches nearby but also for the small streets filled with the beautiful handicraft of local artisans.

Day trip to the atlas mountains from marrakech
Essaouira has a lot of small markets where you can buy wooden crafts…

Essaouira has its own fortified old medina, amazing cuisine and a fun and hip energy that is very distinct from other Moroccan cities. The city is located very close to Marrakech and also easily accessible from nearby coastal cities such as Casablanca and Rabat.

We loved this small town so much that what was supposed to be a short day trip from Marrakech became a two weeks stay. The vibe of this place was amazing and we really bonded with all the travelers we met there.

Read all about the places to visit and things to do in Essaouira in:

The Complete Guide to Essaouira – Morocco’s City of Wind

Day trip to the atlas mountains from marrakech

How to get from Marrakech to Essaouira by public transport

The small town is located two hours and a half west of Marrakech and is easily reached by bus or by shared taxi.

HOw to get from Marrakech to Essaouira by bus

Getting a bus to Essaouira from Marrakech is relatively easy. You can find a Supratour or a CTM bus to Essaouira at the main Marrakesh bus station.

This bus station is located almost adjacent to the train station in Marrakech:

The journey with bus from Marrakech to Essaouira takes about 3 hours with a twenty-minute break somewhere along the way. This is the cheapest option as a bus ticket costs around 80 MAD per person.

How to get to Essaouira from Marrakach by shared taxi

The fastest way to get from Marrakesh to Essaouira – if you don’t have a car – is by shared taxi. The price per person in a shared taxi should be between 450 and 1000 MAD.

You can find these taxis at the grand taxi station:

How to get to Essaouira from Marrakech by car

If you travel by car, the fastest way to get to Essaouira from Marrakech is by following the highways A7, N8 and R207.

From Marrakech, you will have to drive north-west on the A7 until it merges with highway N8 and R207. Follow the highway R207 west until you reach Essaouira.

The distance between Marrakech and Essaouira is 191 km and driving there will take about 2h40 minutes.

Day tours from Marrakech to Essaouira

You can also prefer to go on a guided day excursion from Marrakech to Essaouira.

The advantages of such tours is that you’ll travel by private transport and learn about the rich cultural mixture that has influenced the city’s architecture while walking in the medina of Essaouira with a guide.

You’ll have time to relax on the beach and some tours also offer a visit to local women’s cooperatives that make argan oil.

HEre are 3 tours we recommend:

9. Day trip from Marrakech to Casablanca

Day trip to the atlas mountains from marrakech

Let’s face it, Casablanca is a very busy city and probably nowhere as quiet and romantic as Essaouira. If you would have just a few weeks to spend in Morocco, it’s not necessarily a city I would recommend.

If you’re in Morocco for a while, however, it could definitely be worth spending some time in this city and then heading back to Marrakech or continuing north towards Rabat or Tangier.

Day trip to the atlas mountains from marrakech
Rabat

Casablanca is a city that has been featured in many movies and it has a fascinating history. It’s a great place to see how modern Morocco mixes with centuries of traditions and architecture.

If you’re going for a day to Casablanca, definitely check out following guide as it gives you an overview of the things to do in this metropolitan city in one or two days:

Read: Casablanca City Guide – 9 Best Places to visit in Casablanca

How to get to Casablanca from Marrakech by public transport

There are a few different ways to reach Casablanca from Marrakech. Because this coastal city is such a popular destination, getting there is not very complicated.

The cheapest mode of transport to get there is by bus, which costs from 90 to 130 MAD.

How to reach Casablanca from Marrakesh by bus

Because Casablanca is a bit farther from Marrakech than the other destinations mentioned in this guide, I would only recommend taking the most comfortable buses in Morocco to get there.

The most comfortable buses in the country are owned and operated by two companies; CTM and Supratours.

The CTM bus stop and the Supratours station are located both very close to each other in an area called Gueliz in the suburbs of Marrakech. It will require a taxi to get there from Jemaa el Fenaa.

Here is the location of the CTM bus station in Marrakesh:

And this is where you will find the Supratours station:

These buses are much more comfortable than the ones owned by less reputable companies but they also tend to be a bit more expensive.

How to reach Casablanca from Marrakech by train

The trains in Morocco are very comfortable and they are the best way to see the Moroccan landscapes while moving from city to city.

There is a train that goes from Marrakech towards Casablanca every two hours. It takes about two hours and a half to get there and the ticket costs around 110 MAD.

Here is where you’ll find the train station in Marrakech:

How to reach Casablanca from Marrakech by shared taxi

There are different taxis going from Marrakech to Casablanca. Shared ones and private ones. The shared taxis are usually old Mercedez Benz in which up to six people are squeezed together.

They are not the most comfortable option but they are definitely cheap. The price per person in a shared taxi should be around 110 MAD.

This is where the shared taxi station is in Marrakech:

Because this is quite a long distance, I wouldn’t advise taking a shared taxi if you’re traveling with someone else or a group of people and you have luggage.

Paying for a private taxi for your group would be a much better option. The price for a private taxi from Marrakesh to Casablanca is around 1000 MAD.

Day trip to the atlas mountains from marrakech

How to reach Casablanca from Marrakech with your own car

If you have your own car, the fastest way to get to Casablanca from Marrakech is by following the highways A7 and N11.

From Marrakech, you will have to drive north for almost three hours before reaching the coastal city.

Day tours from Marrakech to Casablanca

It could also be nice to go on a guided day tour from Marrakech to Casablanca.

You’ll travel comfortably by private transport and visit Casablanca’s main attractions such as the Mosque of Hassan II, Rick’s Cafe, and the Art Deco hotels while learning more about the city’s background.

Day trip to the atlas mountains from marrakech

More MOROCCO TRAVEL Resources:

  • What you need to know before you go: 23 Travel Tips for Morocco
  • Is Morocco Safe?Safety Guide to Morocco
  • How to avoid the 12 most common scams in Morocco
  • See the best of Morocco by following these 3 great travel itineraries
  • Visit these beautiful 17 places in Morocco
  • Tips for traveling to Morocco during Ramadan
  • Morocco City Guides: Fez, Tangier, Essaouira, Chefchaouen, Rabat, Meknes, Marrakech, Casablanca, Agadir
  • The best daytrips from Marrakech
  • Fun things to do in the Sahara: how to plan a desert trip to Merzouga
  • The Complete Guide to Imlil and Hiking Mount Toubkal
  • Everything you need to know about visiting the Ouzoud Waterfalls
  • Rock climbing and other fun things to do in the Todra Gorges and Tinerhir
  • How to get to the Akchour Waterfalls from Chefchaouen
  • A guide to visiting the Ouzoud Waterfalls
  • Surfing in Morocco – The best surfing spots in Morocco
  • How tovisit Paradise Valley in Agadir
  • What to wear in Morocco: Complete packing list for Morocco
  • Morocco photography tips: How to take portraits of people in Morocco
  • Extend your stay in Morocco using one of these 3 ways to renew your Morocco visa
  • Useful tips on how to take the ferry from Tangier to Spain
  • Books about Morocco: 10 Great Novels set in Morocco

We hope you have an awesome time exploring all these destinations around Marrakech. If you have visited some of those already, or think we’re missing one, let us know in the comments below!

Related Posts

How far are the mountains from Marrakech?

How to Get from Marrakech to the High Atlas Mountains. Marrakech is just 55 miles (90 km) from Imlil, a small town and popular travel hub in the High Atlas Mountains. Imlil sits at the base of Mount Toubkal, which is Morocco's highest peak and the second tallest mountain in Africa.

When should I go to Atlas Mountains?

The Atlas Mountains are a year-round destination. Between April and October is the best time to embark on hikes, although some may find it too hot to comfortably complete long-distance routes. The temperature dramatically decreases in winter, and the peaks can receive downfalls of snow.

Can you do a day trip from Marrakech to Chefchaouen?

From Souk El Arbaa you can use the services of CTM or Supratours buses to Chefchaouen. One day trip from Marrakech to Chefchaouen by train.

Can you drive through the Atlas Mountains?

In the Atlas the roads are very good and there are no problems at all to drive there. However do not drive at nighttime because of unlighted vehicles No need to hire a local driver if you respect the rules of the road and the speed limits.