Marrakech
The starting point of most routes — and a place worth two days of your time.
Most journeys begin here because this is where the airport is. But Marrakech is worth it even without moving on: the Koutoubia mosque, Jemaa el-Fnaa square, the Bahia palace and the Jardin Majorelle are all within walking distance.
For the Jardin Majorelle we recommend booking tickets in advance — the queue can cost you an hour. For the souks we recommend nothing at all: getting lost without a plan is the point.
You stay in riads: unremarkable houses from the outside, hiding a courtyard with a fountain, often a pool and sometimes a hammam behind the door. That is not a hotel, that is a house.
Routes that pass through here
Marrakech to Erg Chegaga – Your Desert Adventure in Morocco
Over the High Atlas, down the Draa valley, off-road into the dunes.
The Magic of Morocco – From Imperial Cities to the Sahara
The Magic of Morocco From Imperial Cities to the Sahara
Grand Morocco Trek
Marrakech, the Atlas, three days walking in the desert and two days on the Atlantic.