Marrakech Day Trip from Casablanca: Camel Ride, Medina & Majorelle Garden

Summary

Private Marrakech journey from Casablanca with camel ride and medina wanderings

You’ll step into Marrakech’s living story—from camel rides in the Palm Grove to winding alleys of the medina with a local guide who knows every shortcut. Taste fresh bread, feel mosaic tiles underfoot at Bahia Palace, pause in Majorelle Garden’s electric blue shade—and find yourself changed by small moments you didn’t expect.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what actually happens when you leave Casablanca behind for a day? I did. Our driver, Karim, picked us up right at the hotel—he had this quiet smile and kept the A/C just right, which I weirdly appreciated more than I thought I would. We rolled past the Hassan II Mosque (that minaret really is massive), and then it was just road and radio static for a while—three hours isn’t short, but watching Morocco blur by out the window made it feel like some kind of moving painting. There’s something about that first glimpse of Marrakech’s red walls that makes you sit up straight.

The Palm Grove was our first real stop. The air smelled dusty-sweet and there were camels everywhere—like actual camels, not just for tourists. My camel was named Aicha. She grunted when I climbed on (I probably deserved it). The ride was bumpy but sort of peaceful, and I kept thinking how strange it felt to be both touristy and oddly timeless at once. After that, we hit the Majorelle Garden. Blues so bright they almost hurt your eyes if you stare too long; cacti taller than me; little pockets of shade where locals sat chatting in French and Arabic. Our guide Fatima told us about Jacques Majorelle painting here for decades—I tried to imagine having that much patience.

The medina is chaos in technicolor: Jemaa el-Fna square full of orange juice stalls, snake charmers (which honestly made me nervous), kids darting between carts piled with spices. Fatima steered us through alleys so narrow my backpack scraped the walls. She pointed out a bakery hidden behind a wooden door—you could smell bread baking before you saw it. At one point she laughed at my attempt to say “shukran” properly; I still don’t think I got it right. The Koutoubia Mosque rises up suddenly—huge but somehow gentle against the sky—and we just stood there for a minute because everyone else did too.

By late afternoon we’d wandered through Bahia Palace’s mosaic rooms (tiles cool underfoot) and Gueliz’s wide streets where teenagers lounged outside French cafés like they owned the place. My feet were tired but my head was buzzing—in a good way. On the drive back to Casablanca, Karim handed out bottled water without saying much, just this small gesture that felt oddly comforting after all that noise and color. Still thinking about those garden blues even now.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Casablanca to Marrakech city tour

• Pickup from Casablanca hotel
• Pass Hassan II Mosque
• Travel 3 hours to Marrakech
• Visit Palm Grove and camel ride
• Drive 20 minutes to Majorelle Garden
• Explore The Secret Garden
• Visit Koutoubia Mosque
• Drive 15 minutes to The Mellah
• Visit Bab Agnaou gate
• Drive 10 minutes to Jemaa el-Fna square
• Explore Samarin market
• Visit old medina of Marrakech
• Pass Gueliz district
• Drive 5 minutes to Bahia Palace

Top questions

How long is the drive from Casablanca to Marrakech?

The drive takes about 3 hours each way by private vehicle.

Is hotel pickup included for this Marrakech day trip?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off in Casablanca are included.

Do I need to book the camel ride separately?

No, a camel ride in the Palm Grove is included free with your tour.

Are entry fees to attractions like Majorelle Garden covered?

The tour includes entry as part of your guided visit; check with your operator for any exceptions.

Is lunch provided during this private day trip?

No lunch is specified as included in this itinerary.

Is this tour suitable for families or travelers with limited mobility?

The tour suits all fitness levels; infants must sit on an adult's lap.

Will there be a local guide during the Marrakech visit?

Yes, you’ll have a registered historian guide throughout your time in Marrakech.

What languages do guides speak on this tour?

Your multilingual driver and guide can assist in several languages including English and French.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Casablanca in an air-conditioned vehicle with Wi-Fi, a multilingual driver at your disposal throughout the journey, bottled mineral water along the way, a registered historian guide leading you through each Marrakech highlight, plus a free camel ride in the Palm Grove before returning home in comfort.