Visiting Morocco

Ourika Valley Day Trip

There are some great day trips from Marrakech that are worth doing if you have time while you are visiting Morocco.

Just outside of Marrakech is the Ourika Valley. The area’s greenery provides a stark contrast to the dry land around the city. Its water source is from the Atlas Mountains, which tower above the valley and provide stunning backdrops to the landscapes and waterfalls in the area.

The Ourika Valley is an easy day trip from Marrakech. You can get there by hiring a car or taking a tour. There are large bus tours, private tours, and van tours of the Ourika Valley, so you have plenty of options.

Another good day trip is to the Palmeraie. The area surrounds the city, and is home to some of the top resorts and hotels in Marrakech. You can go for lunch at the famous Amanjena hotel and walk around the pretty grounds, or just take a drive and explore.

For trips further afield, consider taking a day trip to Essaouira. At just 2.5 hours from Marrakech by bus, Essaouira is a great way to escape the heat of the city and get some fresh coastal air by the ocean.

Closer in to Marrakech are the stunning Atlas Mountains. No trip to the city is complete without a visit to the peaks. It is difficult to do a day trip from Marrakech to the Atlas Mountains, but if you can go on an overnight trip or multi-day excursion, it is highly recommended.

Marrakech

Buses from Marrakesh to Essaouira are run by Supra Tours.

Supra Tours is a subsidiary of state-run ONCF.

Buses leave Marrakech for Essaouira 5 times a day, from 8:30am until 9:00pm.

Buses from Essaouira to Marrakech return at the same regular intervals, although not the same times.

The total bus time from Marrakesh to Essaouira is 2 hour and 29 minutes.

The cost of a one-way bus ticket from Marrakesh to Essaouira is 65 DHS.

Discount bus tickets are available for those with youth discount cards, senior discount cards, family discount cards, and loyalty cards.

Morocco

Buses from Essaouira to Marrakesh are run by Supra Tours.

The company Supra Tours is a subsidiary of ONCF.

Buses leave Essaouira for Marrakech 5 times a day, from 6:00am until 6:45pm.

Buses from Marrakech to Essaouira return at the same regular intervals, although not the same times.

The total bus time from Essaouira to Marrakesh is 2 hours and 29 minutes.

The cost of a one-way bus ticket from Essaouira to Marrakesh is 65 DHS.

Discount bus tickets are available for those with youth discount cards, senior discount cards, family discount cards, and loyalty cards.