Getting around — Marrakech-Safi Region

Getting around the Marrakech-Safi region is simpler than it looks, provided you plan ahead. Marrakech, served by an international airport (RAK) with direct flights from London, Paris, Brussels, Geneva and many other European cities, is the natural entry point for the whole region. In town, the medina is strictly walking territory: the alleys don't admit cars, and that's precisely what makes them so atmospheric. To reach Guéliz or Hivernage, the modern districts, the small red petits taxis are quick and cheap — make sure they switch on the meter when you set off.

To link Marrakech to Essaouira, two options stand out. Coach companies Supratours and CTM run several daily services from Bab Doukkala station; the journey takes around 2h30 for a modest fare with decent comfort. Shared grand taxis (six-seat Mercedes) are slightly faster but tighter. If you hire a car, count 2 hours on the coastal road via Chichaoua or the N8 — a perfectly correct route through landscapes of argan trees emblematic of the region.

Excursions to the High Atlas are easiest by hire car or through the many travel agencies in Marrakech. The Ourika valley is 40-50 minutes from the centre; Imlil, the trailhead for Toubkal, around 1h15. Stand taxis can also drive you up to Imlil for a fare negotiated in advance. For multi-day treks, organised 4x4 transfers reach more remote valleys such as Aït Bougmez. If you plan to venture onto mountain tracks, hire a vehicle with proper off-road insurance suited to the back roads of the Marrakech-Safi region.

One final point worth flagging in the Marrakech-Safi region: map distances are deceptive, as winding mountain roads stretch real driving times considerably — always add a generous margin to your estimates. Avoid driving at night on secondary roads, which are poorly lit, and fill up the tank whenever possible before climbing into the Atlas, where petrol stations get sparse.