If you are planning a trip to Morocco, you are not alone. Last year, the Kingdom made Egypt the top tourist destination in North Africa. According to UN tourism data, Morocco’s tourism population has been growing steadily, with Morocco’s tourism volume growing 20% from 2023 to 2024, when 17.4 million tourists visited. Among all cities, including Casablanca, Fez and Rabat, Marrakech is listed as the most popular destination for tourists in Morocco.
Although Marrakech is not completely affected by the full range of overtourism, some early signs, including crowds and higher prices, remain. Thankfully, if you want a quiet trip, you can easily escape the available crowds. Less than an hour’s drive from the bustling city, the Atlas Mountains offer nature, adventure and exotic culture, making it an ideal detour destination for a day or two to get off the beaten track from Marrakech.
The mountainous areas are home to hanging peaks, walking, cycling or donkeys), dramatic desert landscapes, and dozens of villages inhabited by indigenous Berber communities. Whether you are hiring one of a number of tour companies that offer tours of the mountains, rent a car, or go to the area alone by bus, this is your job once you arrive.
What to see and do
Atlas Mountain has three parts: High Atlas (or just Atlas), Middle Atlas and Anti-Atlas (or Miniato) Mountain. The Highland Atlas Mountains are easiest to reach from Marrakech, while the nearest large village Asni is about an hour’s drive from Marrakech.
Go for a hike
The mountains of the High Map Atlas have more than 400 peaks, with more than 13,000 feet. Nevertheless, the range still has a wide variety of trails and skill levels. Mount Toubkal is the highest mountainous land in northern North Africa, with a distance of 13,665 feet and can be hiked by a guide. For a scenic, more challenging hike, try traversing the trails of Mgoun National Park, a global terrain park known for its scenic rivers, deep canyons and dramatic mountain views.
Visit Berber Village
One reason for hiking to the guide is that they usually take you to the end of the trek (usually their relatives) to a Berber village, which is a great way to experience the local culture. On the hills, the Berber family usually opens their humble homes to hikers and travelers, making fresh mint tea and bread in a clay oven.
Those who witness the house prepare Moroccan mint tea, which is usually made of fresh herbs that grow in the garden, is constantly poured between the pan and glasses to make it completely blended before applying the brew to delicate glasses. Meanwhile, his wife would flatten the bread dough and press it to bake the inside of the clay wood-burning oven. If you are lucky, your owner can also provide pickled olives from their trees and hand-mill olive oil at the public stone factory in their village.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Atlas Hill was also home to several Jewish communities. Most Jewish Berbers from the Atlas Range left Morocco in the 1950s and 1960s, but there were still some villages, despite the underpopulation. One of them is Anraz, a photogenic ghost town with abandoned clay structures that you can visit with local guides. There is a well-preserved synagogue – Jews still in Casablanca and a well-preserved cemetery for holidays.
Locally made textiles in the store
Another highlight is a visit to the Tamgounss Weaving Center of the Eve Branson Foundation in Tansgart Village, where women learn to embroider and hand-knit to win independent life. Watching weavers on the loom is fascinating, their beautiful handmade rugs, tablecloths and other items are also for sale.
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Where to live
There are several local Kasbahs to stay, but if you want to use points, ASNI’s Virgin Limited Edition Kasbah Tamadot is the most luxurious choice among Atlas Mountains. Like many buildings in the area, some damage was suffered during the 2023 earthquake. After seven months of closure, it reopened at the end of 2024, just in time for the 20th anniversary of 2025. The renovation works bring the hotel from 28 rooms to 42 rooms, adding a new restaurant and children’s club.
The original building is a Casba originally owned by the local governor, and then an Italian merchant who restored it, dating back to 1920. Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group, purchased the estate in 2000 and turned it into a hotel in 2005.
Some of the largest accommodations are newly built standalone riads with rooms with local textiles, metalwork and ceramics. They also come with a private pool or hot tub.
When it reopened, the hotel also added a new restaurant under a huge canvas tent. The assay serves Moroccan and Western cuisine, with traditional Moroccan tasting menus on some nights and comes with live Moroccan music. There is also an outdoor terrace restaurant overlooking the pool for lunch, each meal begins with a series of asphalt breads.
There is indeed time to explore the hotel: indulging in the spa’s Hamam treatment, playing tennis on the clay court, taking Tagine cooking classes, and enjoying a freshly prepared mint tea with ASNI employee Mohammad, who has worked here since 2005.
Booking point
Prices for Virgin Limited Edition Kasbah Tamadot start from $577 per night. But you can also exchange Virgin Red Dots for 140,000 per night. After a minimum two nights stay, the extra night costs 70,000-85,000. (This is one of the lowest redemption rates available for any Virgin Limited property.) To book, please contact Virgin Limited Edition at (877) 577-8777 or email enquiries@virginlimitededition.com to confirm availability and points rates.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club works with each major credit card rewards program, and once you link your Flying Club account to your Virgin Red account, your points are synced throughout the program. (Note: One mile transfers directly to one mile in Virgin Red.)
While this is not the best redemption rate, you can take advantage of Chase Ultimate Rewards’ transfer bonus to the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, which lasts until June 15.
How to get there
The main airport closest to the Atlas Mountains is Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK), which has seen direct flight expansion from the United States, which can be booked on points and miles.
United flew directly to Marrakech
Last year, United Airlines launched a seasonal direct seasonal flight between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). The route was restored on October 25, 2025 and lasted until March 28, 2026.
If you book flights from EWR to RAK using United MireagePlus Miles, one-way economy tickets start at 42,200 miles, and business-grade tickets start at 180,000 miles (minimum taxes and fees, about $5.60). Joint price dynamic rewards, so you may have to use more miles on peak dates, while joint credit card holders and prime minister elite members can use even lower pricing.
Flights from Delta to Marrakech
Delta Airlines will launch its own direct seasonal service to Marrakech from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) on October 25, 2025. The service lasts until the end of April 2026.
To book a RAK flight for this ATL with Delta Skymiles, an estimated one-way economy ticket starts at 48,000 miles, and a 270,000 miles in the Delta, with taxes and fees of about $5.60. Delta Awards are also dynamically priced, so hopefully use more miles on peak dates. Delta credit card holders can expect redemption discounts.
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