Casablanca: 3-Day Private Marrakech and Essaouira Tour

You will depart Casablanca following pickup from your accommodation at 8:00AM. From there you can relax on the 3-hour drive to Marrakech. Upon arrival, you will meet your local guide for a 3.5-hour walking tour around the Medina. You will see the stalls of the old fortified city, before going to the Palais de Bahia to discover its fantastic courtyards and mosaic walls built for Bou Ahmed.

You will then stroll through the Jewish Quarter (“Mellah”), where you’ll notice the difference in the architecture of the district. You can discover the hidden Saadian tombs, built during the reign of Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur in 1557, and can also go into some of the stores of the souk to purchase spices and Morocco’s famous Argan oil. 

You will eventually Arrive at the Koutoubia Mosque, completed under the reign of the Almohad Caliph Yaqub al-Mansur (1184–1199), before experiencing the electric atmosphere of Jemaa el-Fnaa, the busiest square and market place in Africa. You can sample some freshly-pressed orange juice as you watch the snake charmers, henna tattoo artists, and water merchants. 

Next, you will stop for a tasty lunch in a restaurant with a terrace overlooking Jemaa el-Fnaa square (not included). You will then meet your chauffeur for the drive to Majorelle Garden, which has been bought and restored by the French designer, Yves Saint Laurent. You will benefit from about 1.5 hours of free time to explore the quiet oasis and villa that contains the Berber Museum, and can stroll around the botanical gardens to see cacti and other plants, along with vibrant cobalt walls in a shade now known as “Majorelle Blue”. At the conclusion of your first day, you will overnight in the Medina of Marrakech.

Day 2: Marrakech, Essaouira

You will begin your second day by going for a camel ride. Following breakfast, your driver will bring you to La Palmeraie, an oasis on the outskirts of Marrakech. You can hop on your camel for a ride of about 90 minutes (including a short break) through the palm groves of Le Palmeraie. Afterwards, it will be time to drive to Essaouira.

Upon arrival in Essaouira, you can discover the Portuguese character of the city at your own pace. You can visit the bustling fishing port and see how the freshly-caught fish are sold and grilled, walk through the lovely Medina with its blue and white houses and countless restaurants, and can also observe the crafts for sale. You will later climb the historic fort with its watchtower, and can get a glimpse of life in the 16th century. That evening, you will spend the night in a Riad in Essaouira.

Day 3: Essaouira, Casablanca

On your third day, you will drive along the coastline with a lunch break in Oualidia or El Jadida back to Casablanca, where you will be dropped off at your hotel or to the Casablanca Cruise port.