2 days tour from Marrakech to Safi

Start your day with an early morning departure from the busy streets of Marrakech and travel west towards the Atlantic coast. The journey to Safi takes around 2.5 to 3 hours, with a variety of near-at-hand scenery  dessert plains, undulating hills, to the sea breeze of the ocean-front city. Once you arrive, you will start your exploration with a stop at the historical Ksar El Bahr, a 16th century Portuguese sea fortress which used to protect the port from invading forces. Its thick stone walls and sweeping views of crashing waves are a fitting backdrop to a day suffused with maritime past. From there, take a leisurely stroll along the corniche past fishermen casting their lines and the odor of salt and grilled fish carried by the sea breeze. Get to the National Ceramic Museum, located in the old Kechla fortress. Inside, you’ll find Safi’s rich ceramic tradition  from beautifully detailed blue-and-white pottery to Berber motifs that tell the story of generations of craftsmen. After a morning of feasting your eyes on the museum’s treasures, make a beeline for the bustling fishing port, where local seafood restaurants turn out just-grilled sardines, calamari or a hearty fish tagine. Spending the afternoon exploring the winding alleys of Safi’s medina, with traditional markets, artisan workshops and historic sights such as the Great Mosque and Bab Chaaba gate. And as evening comes, sit back with a drink at a café or rooftop restaurant, with an ocean view, see the sun go down into the Atlantic, with the glow of the city starting to sparkle.

Day 2 Begin your day with a short walk or taxi ride to the Colline des Potiers  the hill of the potters  where Safi’s claim to Morocco’s pottery capital is more than a slogan. Here, local potters use age-old methods, handed down through generations, to turn clay into stunningly beautiful handmade art. The place is alive with motion: kilns ablaze, potter’s wheels whirling and rainbows of glazed ceramics shimmying like disco balls on the streets. Take time to watch the potters at work, talk with the potters, or even try your hand at forming a small piece of clay. And many shops sell unique one-offs direct from the source  a souvenir with soul and a blow to first-world ennui. Once you have had your fill, head back into the heart of the city for a low-key lunch (or a final nibble) in the medina where you can enjoy more Moroccan flavors and get a feel for the daily pulse of local life. Afternoon Make for Lalla Fatna Beach, on the outskirts of Safi. The beach, a popular spot for locals and surfers, is a collection of dramatic cliffs and crashing waves. Whether surfing, taking a leisurely walk, or maybe just catching a few rays of Atlantic Beach sunshine, the beach is a quiet escape from the city.

If you have more time, you may want to take a lovely coastal drive farther north to Cap Beddouza, an off-the-beaten-track, picture-perfect slice of Moroccan shoreline comprising rocky cliffs and sea caves. As the evening approaches, set out on the return trip to Marrakech with your packed memories of a day in Safi, a place where history, craft, and natural beauty combine in a setting that’s off the beaten track for most visitors to Morocco.