Why you should take a detour to the Atlas Mountains from Marrakech
Editor's Note
If you are planning a trip to Morocco, you’re not alone. Last year, the kingdom dethroned Egypt as the top tourism destination in North Africa. According to UN tourism data, Morocco’s tourism numbers have been steadily increasing, with a 20% jump from 2023 to 2024, when 17.4 million tourists visited. Among of all its cities — including Casablanca, Fez and Rabat — Marrakech ranks the most popular destination in Morocco for visitors.
Though Marrakech isn’t quite suffering the full-blown effects of over-tourism, some early signs, including crowds and higher prices, persist. Thankfully, there's an easy escape from the crowds available if you want a quieter trip. Less than an hour's drive from the bustling city, the Atlas Mountains offer nature, adventure and a singular culture, making them an ideal detour destination to get off the beaten path from Marrakech for a day or two.
The mountains are home to jutting peaks ripe for climbing (by foot, bike or donkey), dramatic desert landscapes and dozens of villages where the indigenous Berber communities live. Whether you hire one of the myriad tour companies offering excursions to the mountains, rent a car or snag a bus to the area on your own, here’s what to do once you arrive.
What to see and do
The Atlas Mountains have three sections: the High Atlas (or just Atlas), the Middle Atlas and the Anti-Atlas (or Little Atlas) Mountains. The High Atlas Mountains are the most accessible from Marrakech, with the closest large village of Asni just about an hour’s drive away from Marrakech.
Go hiking
The High Atlas Mountains have more than 400 peaks, with several over 13,000 feet. Still, the range has a variety of trails with an assortment of skill levels. Mount Toubkal, the highest mountain in northern Africa at 13,665 feet, can be trekked with a guide. For a scenic, more challenging hike, try a trail through Mgoun National Park, a UNESCO Global Geopark known for its scenic rivers, deep gorges and dramatic mountain scenery.
Visit a Berber village
One reason to hike with a guide is that they will typically bring you to a Berber village at the end of your trek (often a relative of theirs), which is a great way to experience the local culture. In the mountains, it is common for Berber families to open their humble homes to hikers and travelers, making fresh mint tea and flatbreads in their clay ovens.
Witness the man of the house prepare Moroccan mint tea, made with fresh herbs usually grown in their garden, by continuously pouring the mixture between the pot and glasses to fully combine it before serving the brew in dainty glasses. Meanwhile, his wife will flatten the bread dough and press it against the inside of her clay wood-fired oven to bake it. If you're lucky, your hosts may also serve cured olives from their trees and olive oil hand-pressed in their village’s communal stone mill.
The Atlas Mountains were also home to several Jewish communities in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Most Jewish Berbers from the Atlas Mountains left Morocco in the 1950s and '60s, but a few villages remain, although they’re unpopulated. One is Anraz, a photogenic ghost town of abandoned clay structures, which you can visit with a local guide. There is a well-kept synagogue — still used for holidays by Jews from Casablanca — and a preserved cemetery.
Shop locally made textiles
Another highlight is a visit to the Eve Branson Foundation Tamgounssi Weaving Centre in the village of Tansghart, where women learn to embroider and weave by hand to earn an independent living. Watching the weavers on the loom is fascinating, and their beautiful handmade rugs, tablecloths and other items are also for sale.
Where to stay
There are several local kasbahs to stay in, but if you want to use points, the Virgin Limited Edition Kasbah Tamadot in Asni is the most luxurious option in the Atlas Mountains. Like many buildings in the region, it sustained some damage during the 2023 earthquake; after a seven-month closure, it reopened at the end of 2024, just in time for its 20th anniversary in 2025. The renovation brought the hotel from 28 to 42 rooms, adding a new restaurant and kids club.
The original building, a kasbah first owned by a local governor and then an Italian businessman who restored it, dates back to 1920. Richard Branson, the founder of the Virgin Group, bought the estate in 2000 and turned it into a hotel in 2005.
Some of the largest accommodations are the newly built, stand-alone riads, which feature rooms decorated with local textiles, metalwork and ceramics. They also come with private pools or hot tubs.
When it reopened, the hotel also added a new restaurant under a massive canvas tent. Assays serves Moroccan and Western food, some nights offering a traditional Moroccan tasting menu accompanied by live Moroccan music. There’s also an outdoor patio restaurant overlooking the pool for lunch, where every meal begins with an array of Berber flatbreads.
Do leave time to explore the hotel: Indulge in a hammam treatment at the spa, play tennis on the clay courts, partake in a tagine cooking class and enjoy a glass of freshly prepared mint tea with Mohammad, an employee from Asni who has been working here since 2005. All of the employees at Kasbah Tamadot are Moroccan, so ask them for their local tips — they have many.
Booking with points
Rates at Virgin Limited Edition Kasbah Tamadot start from $577 per night. But you can also redeem Virgin Red points starting at 140,000 points per night. After a minimum two-night stay, additional nights cost 70,000-85,000 Virgin points. (This is one of the lowest redemption rates available for any Virgin Limited property.) To book, contact Virgin Limited Edition at (877) 577-8777 or email enquiries@virginlimitededition.com to confirm availability and points rates.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club partners with every major credit card rewards program, and once you link your Flying Club account to your Virgin Red account, your points will sync across the programs. (Note: Capital One miles transfer directly to Virgin Red.)
Though that isn’t the best redemption rate, you can make your points go slightly further by taking advantage of Chase Ultimate Rewards’ 25% transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, which runs through June 15.
How to get there
The closest major airport to the Atlas Mountains is Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK), which is seeing an expansion of direct flights from the U.S. that are bookable on points and miles.
United direct flights to Marrakech
Last year, United Airlines launched seasonal direct flights between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to RAK. That route resumes Oct. 25, 2025, and runs through March 28, 2026.
If you use United MileagePlus miles to book this flight from EWR to RAK, one-way economy tickets start at 42,200 miles, and business-class tickets from 180,000 miles (taxes and fees are minimal at around $5.60). United prices its awards dynamically, so you may have to use more miles on peak dates, while even lower pricing may be available to United credit card holders and Premier elite members.
Delta direct flights to Marrakech
Delta Air Lines will launch its own direct seasonal service to Marrakech on October 25, 2025, from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). This service runs through the end of April 2026.
To book this ATL to RAK flight using Delta SkyMiles, expect one-way economy tickets to start at 48,000 miles, and Delta One tickets from 270,000 miles, with taxes and fees around $5.60. Delta awards are also dynamically priced, so expect to use more miles on peak dates. Delta credit card holders can expect discounts on redemptions.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.