After walking through the colorful streets of Marrakech’s Medina, you might need a change of pace. The Medina is full of buzzing market stalls, spices in the air, and crowded alleyways filled with locals and tourists. But once you’ve explored its souks, palaces, and busy squares, the next step is to see what’s beyond. Renting a car in Marrakech gives you the freedom to explore nearby spots at your own pace. Our blog covers the best destinations near Marrakech.
The Agafay Desert is 30 kilometers south of Marrakech. This rocky landscape is not made of golden sand dunes like the Sahara. Instead, it has stone hills, dry riverbeds, and clear skies. Most camps can be reached within 45 minutes to 1 hour by car, and the roads are smooth and paved, so you do not need a 4x4.
You will find luxury desert camps that mix comfort with Berber tradition. These camps have private tents, real beds, clean bathrooms, and hot showers in some places. You can stay overnight to enjoy the full desert vibe. Some camps offer camel rides during sunset, while others organize quad biking trips or horseback rides across the rocky hills.
Camps serve traditional Moroccan dishes, like tagines, couscous, and oven-baked bread, often in cozy tents or under the stars. Many nights include live Berber music or cultural shows. Because Agafay is far from city lights, it is also a great place for stargazing. On clear nights, you can see the Milky Way and countless stars while relaxing by a campfire.
The Ourika Valley is about 1 hour south of Marrakech and offers a cool escape during summer. As you leave the Haouz plain, the air becomes cooler and cleaner. The valley winds through orchards, gardens, and fields. Spring is the best time to visit, but it’s lovely all year. It’s one of the most relaxing places to visit near Marrakech when you want fresh air and mountain views.
You can stop at small villages like Aghbalou, which has a brick mosque and riverside cafés. The paved road ends at Setti Fatma, a peaceful village 1,500 meters high. This is where many travelers go hiking. The most popular walk is to the seven waterfalls, a 1-hour round trip through rocky trails and forested paths. You’ll need good shoes because the trail can be slippery after rain. You can also hike uphill through the forest for two hours to see a wide view of the valley’s small homes and green fields.
On your way there or back, stop at a Berber argan oil co-operative. Here, women show you how argan oil is made using traditional tools. You can sample oils with bread and dips. Before reaching Setti Fatma, you'll also pass riverside restaurants with colorful chairs and rooftop views. After your hike, sitting there with a fresh tagine and cold drink feels like the perfect reward. If you’re lucky, you might spot monkeys playing near the rocks while eating.
The Atlas Mountains are one of the most refreshing places to visit near Marrakech. Just 90 minutes away by car, the views along the road change from dusty paths to green valleys and snow-covered tops in winter. Villages like Imlil sit close to Mount Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa. Imlil is a good spot for hiking and a peaceful place to escape the city.
The short hike to the Imlil waterfalls is a favorite. It takes about an hour and passes stone houses, goats climbing steep rocks, and cold mountain streams. The trail is not hard, but the rocks can be slippery, so bring good shoes. At the top, the waterfall flows into a small natural pool, and locals sometimes sell fresh orange juice beside it. Some travelers even fill their bottles with water from the falls. It’s cold and clean, coming straight from melting snow.
After your walk, you can rest in a Berber guesthouse or eat at a small mountain restaurant. The meals are simple but tasty. Tagines, couscous, and salads are served with a view of red cliffs and green slopes. You can enjoy the silence while sipping mint tea on a terrace. Compared to the busy streets of Marrakech, the mountains are quiet and wide open.
The Palmeraie is 20 minutes away from the Medina. This vast palm grove stretches over 130 square kilometers. It has more than 100,000 palm trees, along with birds, reptiles, and desert plants. You can ride camels through the grove, wear blue robes, and stop for Moroccan mint tea in small Berber tents. You can also ride a horse, book a quad tour, or try biking across the flat, dusty paths.
This area is known for its luxury hotels and wellness spas. If you’re tired after walking through Marrakech’s alleys and markets, the Palmeraie is a good place to slow down. Many hotels offer day passes, so you can swim, rest, or get a traditional hammam treatment. The silence and wide views give your mind a break. Some restaurants have rooftop seating with views of the palm trees, while others serve fresh tagines in shaded garden areas.
Palm trees here are more than just decoration. The date palms produce fruit that is part of Moroccan meals and culture, especially during Ramadan. Other palm types, like hearts of palm, are used for oil, wood, and food. A short road trip from Marrakech to the Palmeraie gives you nature and relaxation without leaving the city far behind.
The Ouzoud Falls are about a 162-kilometer road trip from Marrakech. The drive takes around 2 hours and 40 minutes by car. These are the tallest waterfalls in Morocco, surrounded by red cliffs, tall trees, and cold mist from the falling water. The path from the top to the bottom is easy to follow, with small cafés, local shops, and good photo spots. You don’t need a guide, but you can hire one if you want more local stories or help with the trail.
If you can get close to the water, you'll find wooden rafts at the bottom of the falls. You can get very wet during the ride, so a waterproof bag can be helpful if you bring a phone or camera. Some people go for a swim, while others just sit and enjoy the cool air. You might also see Berber monkeys playing in the trees or walking near the path. They are wild but used to people. There are restaurants near the waterfalls, but the food can be expensive.
Lalla Takerkoust Lake is about 45 minutes from Marrakech by car. On the way, you’ll drive through Tameslouht and peaceful farmlands. The lake has calm blue water near the Atlas Mountains. You can spend the day jet skiing, trying quad biking, or renting a paddle boat. If you want a slow afternoon, bring food for a picnic or have lunch at one of the lakeside restaurants. The area also offers camel rides, paragliding, and overnight Berber camp stays.
Swimming in the lake is not allowed since it’s a water reservoir. Instead, you can go flyboarding, water skiing, or take a guided boat ride to enjoy the mountain views. Jet ski rentals start at around 300 dirhams, or £20 for 30 minutes, depending on the operator. One of the most exciting tours here is the mountain biking adventure through the Agafay Desert and Turtle Valley. This route offers a mix of desert dunes, Berber villages, and forest trails, with lake views. Local guides provide bikes and helmets, so you don’t need to bring your gear.
Amizmiz is about 58 minutes from Marrakech by car, along the P2009 road. It’s a small town at the base of the High Atlas Mountains, around 56 kilometers south of the city. It’s not crowded with tourists. Most people here are Berbers who speak the Tashelhiyt dialect. This is one of the best day trips from Marrakech, especially on Tuesdays. You can explore the traditional homes, olive groves, and weekly market, where locals sell fresh food, crafts, and clothes.
You can go here for a short hike, lunch at a small café, or to start a trek on the Amizmiz Trail. This circular route takes one day and begins right in the town. It starts with a steep path lined with cactus plants, whose fruit is sold in summer. After your trek, stop at a shop to buy local honey, known for its pure taste and health benefits. It's made by wild bees and is a special product of Amizmiz.
Terres d’Amanar is about 52 minutes from Marrakech by car, near the High Atlas Mountains. This mountain park offers many outdoor activities. You can try zip-lining, tree-top walks, horseback riding, or mountain bike rides. There’s also a children’s play area, so younger kids have their own space to explore. For something slower, take a forest walk, visit the craft workshops, or relax by the outdoor pool. There’s an on-site restaurant with Berber-stle decor, where you can stop for lunch. If you want more time to enjoy the place, you can also stay overnight in one of the eco-lodges. The activity park is open daily, and you can book your activities when you arrive.
Tameslouht is a small mountain village about 27 minutes from Marrakech by car. It lies in the High Atlas foothills and is known for its Sufi religious history. The town was once home to the scholar Sharif el-Abdallah ben Hossein Hassani, remembered as “the man of the 366 sciences.” He built two shrines here, though they are closed to non-Muslim visitors.
The village became more popular after hosting a graffiti and street art festival, which brought music, workshops, and live performances. Tameslouht is also home to the Amazigh Heritage Museum and the Dar Charkia Museum, where you can learn more about local culture. If you're interested in handmade crafts, the village has several pottery and tapestry workshops. Many products sold in big cities are made here, and you can often buy them for a lower price. There is also a small market every Friday.
Many great places near Marrakech are easy to reach by car. In just one to two hours, you can explore valleys with rivers, waterfalls in the mountains, quiet lakes, and desert camps with camel rides. Some spots are good for hiking or swimming, while others are perfect for resting and enjoying local food. These day trips from Marrakech let you see more of Morocco without traveling far.
Final Rentals is a trusted car rental platform in Morocco. We offer budget-friendly car rental options, easy online booking, and pick-up points across Morocco, including in Marrakech. You can choose a small car for exploring the city or a larger vehicle suited for the mountains.
