Ourika, Ouzoud, Essaouira… those are my classics, and for good reason. But for those who ask, I also offer two destinations almost no one thinks to explore from Marrakech.
After years of organising day trips from Marrakech, there are two names that almost never come up in requests — and yet they are two of the destinations that have left the deepest impression on me. Oualidia and Safi: two cities on the Atlantic coast, between El Jadida and Essaouira, which I now offer privately and on a tailor-made basis to those who want to see something beyond the usual circuits.
I don't put them forward for everyone. They require a full day on the road and are suited to travellers who have already explored the region a little, or who are simply looking for something radically different. But for those with the desire and the time, they are two experiences I find truly precious — and ones I am always happy to share.
Oualidia: the oyster lagoon
As with a trip to the Cascades d'Ouzoud or to Aït Ben Haddou, plan on a full day of travel — but the scenery has absolutely nothing in common. No mountains or kasbahs here: a calm lagoon, sheltered by a sandbar, where turquoise water contrasts with the open ocean right beside it.
I went in November, and it was 26°C — perfect weather to enjoy both the beach and the lagoon. That kind of tranquillity, after the buzz of the Médina, does you a world of good.
The boat trip: my favourite moment
Oualidia is Morocco's oyster capital, and tasting them fresh with the water right in front of you is all part of the ritual. But what struck me most was the boat trip. Allow an hour or two to explore the lagoon at a gentle pace, in almost total silence. It is one of the region's largest migratory bird reserves, and from the boat you get remarkably close to them — a suspended moment, worlds away from the bustle of Marrakech.
Where to eat?
For a great meal in Oualidia without spending a fortune, I recommend Au Crabe Au Calme: a simple, generous spot at very reasonable prices. Exactly the kind of place I look for when I want to eat well and local.
Safi: Morocco's pottery capital
At a comparable distance from Marrakech, Safi offers a radically different experience — rawer, more authentic, far removed from the tourist codes you find in Essaouira. The city carries real history: a 16th-century Portuguese fortress, the Château de la Mer (Ksar el Bahr), still dominates the port and the ocean. That silhouette alone, seen from the seafront, is worth the journey.
Potters at work
What I loved in Safi was being able to watch the craftsmen directly on the esplanade dedicated to pottery — you see them throwing, sculpting and painting their pieces live, with no staging for tourists. There is something very honest about this city: people work, people live, and the curious visitor is welcome without anyone building a set for them.
Souks where the price is right
For shopping, the souks of Safi have a different feel from those of Marrakech — they are real souks frequented by locals, with noticeably more accessible prices. I came home with a beautifully sculpted artisan box, bought directly from the craftsman for 20 dirhams, without even needing to negotiate at length. Those little joys are exactly why I recommend these hidden destinations.
A private experience, built together with you
Unlike my classic trips such as the Vallée de l'Ourika, Oualidia and Safi do not fit into a catalogue format with fixed dates and set prices. These are days I build with you, at your own pace and according to your interests: oyster tasting facing the lagoon, a visit to a potter's workshop, free time on the beach, a wander through the local souks… The itinerary is entirely tailor-made, and the price is set based on what we design together.
Getting started is simple: use the free planning tool to give me an idea of what you're looking for, how many days you have and what interests you — I then put together a personalised itinerary with you, with no commitment.
What you need to know before you go
- A full day on the road, comparable to a trip to the Cascades d'Ouzoud or Aït Ben Haddou — but with a completely different landscape: ocean, lagoon and fishing ports rather than mountains and valleys.
- A 100% tailor-made format: contact me directly so we can build the itinerary together, at your pace and around what appeals to you most.
- A two-day option: both destinations work very well over two days if you prefer to take your time — it is even often the format I recommend for those who really want to soak up these places.
- Oualidia and Safi can be combined: the two cities are only about an hour apart, which makes a combined day entirely feasible depending on your schedule.
Who are these trips for?
For curious travellers who have already savoured the Médina and the classics, and who want to discover a more hidden side of Morocco — the world of oysters and lagoons, or that of potters and fishing ports. These are destinations that don't try to dazzle: they reveal themselves to those who take the time to discover them. And that is exactly the kind of trip I love to offer.
Ready to go off the beaten track? Tell me about your project via the planning tool — I'll build the itinerary with you.
Céline, your host in Marrakech
A local guide for 10 years, I take travellers from around the world on a journey of discovery through Marrakech — its secrets, its addresses and its authentic experiences.
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