Finding the perfect fitness retreat in Morocco just got a lot easier… It’s one of our favourite countries for retreats and travel thanks to its warm climate, fascinating culture, and short distance from Europe. So, we’ve put together this guide to the best Moroccan fitness retreats that you can choose from.
Hi! I’m Caroline, your wellness retreat travel guide. I’ve worked in the wellness industry for 15+ years & been lucky enough to stay at amazing health resorts around the world. Let’s get you inspired & prepared to go on your own retreat…
Best Fitness Retreats in Morocco
Here’s an overview of our top picks for Morocco fitness retreats and holidays…
- Helios retreat, Marrakesh (best all-round)
- Etu retreat, Marrakesh (cheapest)
- Bounce Fit Method, Taghazout (best for varied activities)
- No1 retreat, Marrakesh (best for luxury)
- FitFarms retreat, Marrakesh (best for weight loss)
- Special mention: Paradis Plage (for its year-round availability)
Helios is the best fitness retreat in Morocco, followed by Etu as the best budget option. But each of the trips on this list has something unique to offer that might just suit you to a tee.
Let’s look at what each of these retreats includes and why they’re such incredible experiences…
Helios Fitness Retreat, Marrakesh
Helios offer luxury fitness retreats in Morocco and other exotic destinations around the world. Their Marrakesh retreat combines fitness, yoga, and hiking too. You can also extend it to include four extra days at a Saharan desert retreat too.
You stay at the foothills of the Atlas mountains in a traditional Moorish villa. The program includes daily fitness and yoga classes, breakfast and dinner, a luxury goodie bag, and private airport transfers.
The fitness classes include HIIT, mobility work, and boxing along with yoga. Wellness workshops are also part of the program, as is a hike into the Atlas mountains. You get to explore the stunning Mount Toubkal and enjoy lunch in a traditional Berber village.
The fitness retreat ends on the fifth day, but you can extend it and add an extra four days to head into the Sahara. The desert retreat element includes riding camels, quad biking, exploring the dunes in 4×4‘s, and watching the beautiful sunsets.
If you want to enjoy a fitness holiday and experience the local culture of Morocco too, then this retreat is perfect.
Cost – Helios retreat prices start at £1998 for a shared room or £2287 for single occupancy.
Etu Fitness Retreat, Marrakesh
Etu fitness retreats take place several times a year in Marrakesh. They’re run by wellness holiday power houses, Workout Away, who offer escapes across Europe. Etu is the budget-friendly collection in their extensive range of fitness holidays.
Etu’s Moroccan fitness retreat is five days (four nights) long and includes 4* accommodation, all your meals, fitness classes (HIIT, circuits, and strength), plus yoga sessions.
You stay at the Iberostar Club Palmeraie which is 30 minutes from Marrakesh airport and 15 minutes from the city’s Medina. There is a pool to enjoy plus also a spa where you can take advantage of local treatments (for an extra charge). There’s also a free shuttle bus into the city so you can explore Marrakesh during your downtime.
At the time of writing, Etu had just run their first fitness retreat of 2024 and were planning another for the autumn/winter season. Follow their Instagram or sign up for emails to get notified when the next dates are announced.
Price – Etu offer the cheapest fitness retreats in Morocco at £699 for a four night all inclusive package.
If yoga and meditation sound appealing, check out our roundup of the best yoga retreats in Morocco (featuring Marrakesh, Taghazout, Essaouira, and the Sahara).
The Bounce Fit Method, Taghazout
Bounce Fit offer retreats in Taghazout on the coast of Morocco (unlike the others on this list which are mainly based in Marrakesh). This gives you access to the sea which also means options for making surfing part of your Moroccan retreat.
The program includes fitness, Pilates, and yoga classes that are suitable for all levels. They’re designed to help you increase your strength, improve your flexibility, and enhance your overall well-being.
This 7-night retreat also includes a gong sound bath, sand surfing, hiking, and a trip to the local souk. For an additional cost you can also add on surfing lessons too. The package includes your accommodation, all meals, classes, and airport transfers.
Cost – Bounce Fit’s retreat prices start at £825 staying in a shared dorm room, £900 in a shared twin room, or £1275 for single occupancy options.
No1 Boot Camp, Marrakesh
No1 Boot Camp is a truly special option in Marrakesh. It’s a luxury fitness and weight loss retreat that’s ideal for people who want to focus on reducing bodyfat.
You get to stay in an epic hotel with gorgeous Moorish architecture and designer interiors. There’s a stunning pool and perfectly manicured gardens which add to the overall ambiance.
The retreat includes boxing workouts, metabolic conditioning, HIIT sessions, and weightlifting classes. There are also other Moroccan-themed wellness activities on offer such as local hiking, and rejuvenation sessions like massage, hammam treatments, or just chilling by the pool.
The No1 team will conduct a private personalised consultation with you to understand your fitness goals and nutritional needs. They’ll also conduct a body weight analysis and take measurements to help track your progress.
This is truly a luxury option complete with poolside cabanas and high-end accommodation. It has rave reviews from satisfied customers who lost weight and built muscle in a short period of time.
If you’re looking for a luxury fitness holiday where you can lose weight and learn healthier long-term lifestyle habits, then this is the retreat for you.
Cost – No1 Bootcamp retreat prices start at £2500 for a six day stay.
FitFarms Retreat, Marrakesh
FitFarms offer fitness retreats in Morocco for people who’s goal is to lose weight. Their retreats focus on reducing body fat, improving BMI, and toning muscles.
They run retreats around the world but their programs the same core content everywhere. FitFarms focus on three pillars of weight loss at their retreats; exercise, nutrition, and educational workshops.
You’ll stay in a traditional Moroccan villa featuring Moorish architecture with beautiful arches and tile work. Some of the activities even take place by the stunning pool or in the lush gardens!
Located just 40 minutes from the airport, you’re able to walk into Marrakesh market on one of the days for some sightseeing. The hotel is in a gorgeous setting with an exotic feel and a truly Moroccan atmosphere. This is something you won’t necessarily get when staying at chain hotel.
Cost – FitFarm’s retreat prices start at £1199 for a shared twin room with en-suite, or you can upgrade to your own private double room.
Special Mention: Paradis Plage Fitness Hotel, Taghazout
This one is more of a fitness holiday than a fitness retreat but we think it deserves a special mention since it operates throughout the year. While the other retreats on this list only run on specific dates, you can visit Paradis Plage fitness hotel at any time. So if the above retreats don’t work for your schedule, then you might want to try this place instead.
Paradise Plage is a fitness hotel located in the coastal village resort of Taghazout. It offers 4-day, 7-day, and 10-day programs so there’s plenty of options to suit your availability and budget.
You get a personal wellness and fitness consultation along with your choice of one activity per day during your stay. These activities include…
- Cardio sessions – like boxing, interval training, and circuits.
- Strength and sport – such as boot camp workouts, TRX sessions, and kayaking.
- Mind and body – which includes of yoga classes, meditation and breathing techniques.
- Renewal – where you can choose from a range of different types of massage or a facial.
The hotel is stunning with a beachfront yoga pavilion, traditional Moroccan spa, and gorgeous accommodation. It’s a good value option with average prices around £120 per day (perfect for a luxury yoga break on a budget). But being a hotel rather than a retreat, it won’t provide quite the same experience.
Hotels tend to provide a more individual trip whereas retreats offer a group experience. This means that hotels can lack the community aspect that retreats offer.
One of the biggest benefits of retreats is that their group meals and activities are great for connecting with other like-minded people. We think it’s these aspects that are a huge part of the fun!
But opting for a fitness hotel can be a lot more convenient. You have so many potential travel dates to choose from that it’s much easier to book something around other commitments. So it’s definitely one to consider for all the busy wellness retreaters out there.
Cost – Paradis Plage prices start at £520 per person for a 4-day program, £840 for seven days, or £1150 for 10 days.
Plan Your Morocco Fitness Retreat
Here are a few tips to help you plan your fitness trip to Morocco…
When to go
Morocco enjoys a warm climate year-round, with Marrakesh typically hotter than coastal areas. This makes the country a great fitness retreat destination at any time.
Spring and autumn are ideal with temperatures averaging around 25 degrees. But even in winter, Marrakesh only dips to 18 degrees at its coolest.
July and August are the hottest months with highs of 37 degrees in Marrakesh, which may be a bit much for exercising in. But your retreat organiser will usually plan workouts for the cooler parts of the day. Taghazout hovers around the 26 degree mark in the height of summer which can make fitness retreats there are more comfortable option.
Ramadan can be a particularly busy (and expensive) time to travel so you may want to avoid this time of year. The exact dates change each year but it typically falls in March or April.
Getting there and away
Marrakesh has its own international airport with links to Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. For Taghazout you’ll want to fly into Agadir airport which is also well-connected. The fact Morocco is just a 3-hour flight from Europe is one of the many things that make it a great retreat destination.
What to bring
We’ve put together a dedicated guide on what to bring on a Morocco trip or you can check out our fitness retreat packing list here. Remember that as it’s a Muslim country, you should bring conservative clothing and women should pack a headscarf.
