Atlas Mountains Day Trips

It depends on what you mean by desert. Agafay, about 30 kilometres away (45 minutes to an hour by road), is a stony desert without sand dunes. The real dunes are much further: Zagora about 350 km, almost six hours by road, and Erg Chebbi near Merzouga about 534 km, more than nine hours each way. That is why those trips take several days: Zagora in two days from €49, Merzouga in three days from €60.

Summer is very hot: in July, daytime highs average close to 38 °C. In January it is about 19 °C by day, but nights drop to around 6 °C. Spring and autumn sit between those extremes and are the best seasons for desert and Atlas trips. In summer, plan outdoor activities for the morning or the evening.

Not if you are not Muslim: the mosque is in use and closed to non-Muslims. You see it from outside, and at night it is lit up. To see religious architecture from the inside, there is the Ben Youssef Madrasa: open daily, 50 dirhams according to its official site, with tickets currently sold only at the entrance.

Yes: the garden sells tickets only online, through its own website. It is open daily from 8:00 to 18:30, last entry 18:00. The Yves Saint Laurent Museum next door is closed on Wednesdays. The offers in our comparison are worth it mainly if you want a guide, a pick-up or a combination with other sights.

Yes. Since 2018, climbing Toubkal (4,167 m, the highest peak in North Africa) is only allowed with a licensed mountain guide. The usual starting point is the village of Imlil, about 60 kilometres from Marrakesh; most offers take two days with a night in the mountains. When booking, check that the guide is included.

The earthquake of 8 September 2023 hit Imlil, Asni and many villages around Toubkal hard. Atlas day trips and treks are being offered again, and we compare several dozen of them. We cannot judge from afar how each village looks today; if in doubt, ask the operator before you book.

Marrakesh Menara Airport is about 6.6 km from Jemaa el-Fna square. By petit taxi it takes 10 to 15 minutes.

No, Marrakesh has no sea. The usual coast for a day trip is Essaouira, 176 km away: about two and a half hours by car, three by bus. A day trip therefore means around five hours of driving; for a real beach day, it is better to stay the night.