Marrakech City and Day Trips
Use the medina as your base for day trips to Ait Ben Haddou, Essaouira, the Ourika Valley and Agafay.
The first two days cover the city's classic sights. After that, alternate between short and long day trips: cross the Tizi n'Tichka pass to the earthen fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou, then on the next day take only a relaxed half day in the city and head to Agafay in the evening for sunset. Next, visit Essaouira on the Atlantic coast, plus the Ourika Valley and Anima Garden. The whole trip stays in one hotel, suiting first-time visitors who don't want to pack up for long-distance travel.
In winter, the Tizi n'Tichka pass is sometimes temporarily closed due to snowfall.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrival and Night Scene at the Square
Marrakech City（Koutoubia Mosque、Jemaa el-Fnaa）
About 20 minutes by taxi from the airport to the old town. Walk around the square.
Stay: Medina and Jemaa el-Fnaa
Day 2 · Madrasa, Souks and Bahia Palace
Marrakech City（Ben Youssef Madrasa、Medina Souks、Le Jardin Secret、Bahia Palace）
Spend the day walking inside the medina, heading from north to south.
Stay: Medina and Jemaa el-Fnaa
Day 3 · Over the Mountains to Ait Ben Haddou
Ouarzazate（Tizi n'Tichka Pass、Aït Benhaddou）
Hire a car or join a tour leaving early in the morning. The one-way trip via the pass takes about 4 hours, and you return to the city in the evening. The full day takes about 12 hours.
The mountain roads have many bends, so take motion sickness medication in advance if you are prone to car sickness.
Stay: Medina and Jemaa el-Fnaa
Day 4 · Half Day at the Saadian Tombs and Agafay Sunset
Marrakech City（Saadian Tombs、El Badi Palace、Agafay Desert）
In the morning, walk around the Kasbah area. In the afternoon, take a car for about 45 minutes to Agafay, and return to the city after dinner.
Agafay is a stony desert rather than sand dunes, and nights are cold because of the large temperature difference.
Stay: Medina and Jemaa el-Fnaa
Day 5 · Essaouira on the Atlantic Coast
Essaouira（Medina of Essaouira、Skala de la Ville、Essaouira Port、Port Fish Grills & Fish Market）
Take a long-distance bus or join a tour for a one-way trip of about 3 hours. Walk around the old town, then return to the city in the evening.
It is windy and cool by the sea, so bring a jacket.
Stay: Medina and Jemaa el-Fnaa
Day 6 · Anima Garden and Ourika Valley
Marrakech City（Anima Garden、Ourika Valley & Setti Fatma）
Hire a car for about 40 minutes to Anima Garden, then about 40 minutes further into the mountains to the Ourika Valley, returning to the city in the evening.
After rain, the waterfall trails are slippery, so watch your footing.
Stay: Medina and Jemaa el-Fnaa
Day 7 · Majorelle Garden and Departure
Marrakech City（Jardin Majorelle / Musée Yves Saint Laurent）
Take a taxi for about 15 minutes to Jardin Majorelle, then about 15 minutes by taxi to the airport.
Visit during opening hours when crowds are smallest, and book tickets online in advance.