Getting Around Marrakech: Your Ultimate Transport Guide

High on many people’s bucket lists, Marrakesh is the perfect place to ride a camel. Whether it’s at the aforementioned Palmeraie or in the Sahara Desert, there are lots of opportunities to ride these majestic creatures. Yes, they can be a bit temperamental at times, but there really aren’t many better ways to explore than a Marrakesh camel ride. 

Sat atop of your trusty camel, you’ll have a great way of the gorgeous sand dunes that roll across the horizon. And you’ll look the part too, as many tour packages will provide you with a traditional Cheich to wear on your head. This turban/veil garment is mostly worn by the Berber people and is designed to keep wind-borne sand from blowing into your face. 

Riding a camel on a Marrakesh desert trip is one of the most fun things you can do with a group of friends or family as tour packages often work out at a great value when you book with multiple people. And if you’re worried about safety - the camel handlers always stay close by to help you and lead you as one great big camel train.

One for the adrenalin junkies among you, exploring the city on a quad bike is one of the most popular Marrakesh activities. Available through a number of full-day and half-day packages, you and your party can rip through the city’s sand dunes with relative ease. Far from being an exclusively high-octane activity, many packages offer a tour of the local surroundings in addition to the actual quad biking. And if you pick the right Sahara desert tour, you can even stop off at a traditional Berber village for a spot of lunch and mint tea.

When you’ve had your fill of Marrakesh desert trips and want to get reacquainted with your own two feet, there’s still so much to see around the city. The best mode of transport for getting around the traditional medina – walking around the seemingly endless maze of souks is probably the most popular pastime you can indulge in. You may well get lost but that’s all part of the fun when you are searching for places to see and visit. Lose your way for one minute and you may well find yourself in a secret courtyard with gorgeous fountains and plants. 

Still wondering what to see in Marrakesh? The city’s main square of Jemaa el-Fnaa is simply a must-visit. Full of activity, there’s countless street food vendors, quaint cafes, and so much more.

Another way of seeing the city, albeit in a more serene way than a quad bike, is by a Calèche – otherwise known as a horse drawn carriage. Stopping at all the major places of interest and waiting for you while you explore, it’s the best way to see the city in style.

Even though there is so much to see and do in the city, you’d be forgiven for wanting to explore the further reaches a little more too. And if you do, there are plenty of Marrakesh day trips to indulge in. Some Marrakesh day trips include visits to the three stunning valleys of Asni, Ourika and Oukaimeden where you can enjoy another camel ride and have lunch in a Berber home. 

Other desert tours will take you to the foot of the Toubkal Mountain, the highest peak in North Africa, or show you the fantastic Ouzoud waterfalls. And if none of these trips or modes of transport have quite tickled your fancy – you could just go all out and treat yourself to a hot air balloon ride over the Sahara.