Morocco · Hiking

5-Day Marrakech, Atlas Hiking and Essaouira Coast Tour

5 Days Round trip from Marrakech Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Watch dancers, henna artists, and acrobats in lively Jemaa el-Fna Square
02 Hike the High Atlas foothills amid the stunning beauty of the Amizmiz Valley
03 Bake bread with a Berber family and experience local traditions and hospitality
04 Climb ramparts overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in Essaouira
05 Taste fresh seafood in laid-back Essaouira

Experience a perfect balance of culture, adventure, and relaxation on this 5-day itinerary through Marrakech, the High Atlas Mountains, and Essaouira. Explore Marrakech's historic medina, lively souks, and landmarks, then hike through the foothills near Amizmiz and share a traditional lunch with a local Berber family. Continue to the Atlantic coast to discover Essaouira's UNESCO-listed medina, seafront ramparts, and fresh seafood. Along the way, enjoy a rich mix of imperial history, mountain landscapes, and laid-back coastal charm.

Experience a perfect balance of culture, adventure, and relaxation on this 5-day itinerary through Marrakech, the High Atlas Mountains, and Essaouira.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Marrakech, Essaouira, Atlas Mountains

Languages English, French, German, Italian, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival and Exploring Marrakech

Early evening is a lively time in Jemaa el-Fna Square. Greetings from Marrakech, nicknamed the "Red City" for its red sandstone walls and buildings. Marrakech, a former imperial city, remains an exciting place and was once a significant trading hub for tribes in the Atlas Mountains. Jemaa el-Fna, Africa's busiest square, is found in this city just north of the foothills of the Atlas Mountains.
Start your exploration of Marrakech's historic medina at the Koutoubia Mosque and Gardens. Non-Muslims are not permitted inside the mosque, but it is still interesting to see the 253-foot (77-meter) minaret and foundations from the 12th century. Visit the adjacent garden's fountains and pools.
Explore the intricate maze of souks hidden behind regular restaurants and shops, and indulge your senses. You can find a variety of spices, woodwork, and babouche at Souk el Attarin, Souk Chouari, and Souk Smata, known for traditional Moroccan slippers. For a look at how cloth and yarn are dyed using conventional techniques, visit the Souk des Teinturiers, or dyers' souk. The Ben Youssef Madrasa, a 16th-century Koranic school, is a fine example of Moroccan Islamic architecture. Pay attention to the elaborate interior decoration, which includes carved cedar ceilings, plaster sculptures, and zellij tiling.
As the sun sets, head back to Jemaa el-Fna to take in the spectacle as the square comes to life with musicians, dancers, and snake charmers. For food, browse the numerous stalls and vendors. Alternatively, for a more laid-back experience, find one of the many cafés perched above the square and enjoy a meal while taking in the sights before retiring to your riad for the night.

Day 02

Amizmiz and the High Atlas Mountains

The small town of Amizmiz is located at the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains, not far south of Marrakech. Before meeting your mountain guide to start your hike along quiet narrow roads and mule paths, explore the modest market in the old town. You are unlikely to encounter other tourists in this remote area. As a result, you will enjoy trekking through traditional Berber villages that cling to the hillsides while observing local farmers and shepherds going about their daily tasks.
Learn about the terraced farmland that local farmers have created to transform the mountainside into usable farming land.
Before continuing your hike, stop by a local family to learn about their way of life and share a traditional lunch with them. As guests in their home, get to know a different local Berber family while enjoying a hearty meal and their company.

Day 03

From the Atlas Mountains Back to Marrakech

Before bidding your hosts farewell and setting out on the trail, enjoy breakfast with them. Before returning to Marrakech, continue exploring the local landscape and other nearby towns.
When you get to Marrakech, check out the Saadian Tombs and the area around the kasbah, south of Jemaa el-Fna, to learn about the 500-year-old craftsmanship involved in building them.
As you make your way through the Mellah, the Jewish neighbourhood, and toward the 19th-century Bahia Palace, stop by the sunken gardens of the 17th-century El Badi Palace. If you have time, you might also want to visit the Dar Si Said Museum, also known as the Museum of Moroccan Arts, to see its collections of clothing, artefacts, jewellery, and exquisite Hispano-Moorish carvings on cedarwood decorations.

Day 04

Essaouira's Ramparts, Surf and Seafood

After breakfast, travel west to the relaxed beach town of Essaouira on the Atlantic coast. The route leads you through endemic argan forests and across vast, rolling plains. When grass pasture is scarce or unavailable, you might be lucky enough to spot goats munching on argan fruit while grazing in the trees.
Arrive in the charming port city of Essaouira, a welcome change from chaotic Marrakech, and spend the rest of the day at your leisure.
Explore the UNESCO-listed medina, go horseback riding in the surf, learn how to kitesurf, or stroll along the Skala de la Kasbah, the ramparts built along the seafront in the 18th century. Old brass cannons line the interior walls and overlook the Atlantic Ocean, and they were installed by European engineers. Fans of Jimi Hendrix might want to take a quick taxi ride to Diabat, at the end of Essaouira's beach, where he is said to have spent some time.
Enjoy a fresh seafood meal on your way back to Essaouira.

Day 05

Return to Marrakech and Departure

Bid the Windy City adieu and head back to Marrakech. It is possible to make a pit stop at an argan cooperative en route to observe how the prized oil is extracted from the nut.
Return to Marrakech and, if time permits, explore the Marrakech Museum before seeing the only remaining Almoravid structure, the 12th-century Almoravid Koubba. The museum, housed in the 19th-century Dar Mnebbi Palace, has a sizable collection of both traditional and modern artwork, as well as artefacts from Berber, Moroccan Jewish, and Islamic cultures.