Where balloons actually launch from
Commercial balloon flights don't take off from the city centre — pilots need open, obstacle-free land, so launch sites rotate between a handful of spots on Marrakech's outskirts: the Palmeraie palm grove to the northeast, the stony Agafay desert to the southwest, and open fields along the road toward the Ourika Valley. The exact site each morning depends on wind direction, decided by the pilot at dawn.
Best vantage points if you're not flying
If you're staying in a riad with a rooftop terrace, an open eastern view around sunrise (roughly 6:30–7:30am depending on season) is your best chance of spotting balloons drifting over the city outskirts. The area around the Menara Gardens and the road out toward the Palmeraie also offer wide-open sky views during the October–April flying season.
Sightings aren't guaranteed
Because launch location depends on the morning's wind, there's no single fixed spot where balloons are visible every day — and on very still or very windy mornings, flights may be cancelled altogether.
Or skip the guesswork — be in the basket
The surest way to see a Marrakech sunrise from a balloon is to book your own flight. Reserve your spot here and let your pilot find the best launch site for that morning.