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5 Best Day Trips from Marrakech

Marrakech has a lot to offer. Rich in history, culture, and beautiful architecture. If you have a few days to spare but you are looking for something to do, here are some great options for you.

1. The Atlas Mountains

What better way to see the country than to drive through it? The Atlas Mountains are a fairly short drive from Marrakech. The drive is spectacular and is one of the most beautiful drives in the world.

The roads tend to be in good condition and the mountains on either side are spectacular. There are lots of opportunities to stop for walks. Stop and visit Berber villages which are still living in their traditional ways.

Alternatively, you can drive higher up into the mountains and stay in the desert for a few days. This may sound scary but is actually quite beautiful. The view will take your breath away and make sure you get pictures of the beautiful landscape.

2. Essaouira

If you are looking for something a little different, then Essaouira is a good option. It is a charming town which is popular with tourists and has a mixture of culture and surfing culture. This town is great if you are looking for some fun in the sun!

If you like adventure and want to see something different, then getting to Essaouira is easier than you think. Why not go surfing at Taghazout, which is nearby? Or take a ride with an experienced guide on an off-road quad bike.

3. Fès

Fès is an amazing place. It is probably one of the most beautiful cities you will ever see. Full of culture and amazing architecture. The Medina is a huge complex of narrow streets, and this coupled with beautiful mosques, palaces, and gardens, makes Fès a wonderful place to visit.

There are many things to do, too many to list here. For example, the souks are filled with wonderful items, and the smells of spices are indescribable. The Medina is great to visit on your own or with a guide. There are many things that you could explore while in Fès, these are just 5 of the top things.

Essaouira and Fes are coastal towns, so they are easy to access. Marrakech is fairly large, so you will need about 2 hours to drive to either of these towns.

See related: Best Bus Tours Istanbul

4. Saïss

Saïss was one of my favorite places I visited in Morocco. It is a traditional Moroccan town. It has an amazing souk which gets very busy with tourists. It can get very busy and can be difficult to navigate the souk but it is worth it.

The souk is full of artisans who make beautiful items of jewelry, leatherwork, and such. There are many artisans selling items, so you should have a good look around to see what you can find.

Saïss has a very nice climate, it is a lot warmer (probably because it was built on a Mediterranean coast) than most other areas of Morocco. Saïss is about 2 hours drive from Marrakech.

5. The Sahara Desert

The Sahara Desert is a fabulous place to visit. You can enjoy this without a guide, however, I highly recommend that you visit with a guide. A guide will provide you with transportation from Marrakech to the desert. They will also help you set up camp.

In the desert, you can meet nomads who will lead camel safaris. This is a great way to enjoy the desert and make some new friends. Other activities you can enjoy in the desert include quad biking, sand boarding, and hot air balloon rides.

There are many things to do, too many to list here. For example, the souks are filled with wonderful items, and the smells of spices are indescribable. The Medina is great to visit on your own or with a guide. There are many things that you could explore while in Fès, these are just 5 of the top things.

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