Hi everyone!
I’m heading to Morocco for a full 8 days in early November—it’s my first time visiting. I’m traveling solo and arrive in Agadir on Sunday at 10 PM.
I plan to rent a car to get around.
I’m reaching out to get your advice so I can plan my trip as well as possible...
Here are my questions:
1 - Given my late arrival, is it better to stay overnight in Agadir for the first night? If so, do you have any hotel recommendations, and is transportation easy to arrange at that hour?
2 - Do you have any trusted rental car companies to recommend in Agadir?
3 - For 7 days, here’s the route I’ve planned: Agadir → Taroudant → Taliouine → Tafraoute → Tiznit → Agadir. Does this route seem good (not too short, not too long, any spots worth adding?), considering I enjoy driving?
4 - Should I book my accommodations in advance?
Thanks in advance for your recommendations! I hope these questions aren’t too repetitive compared to what’s already been asked on the forum.
Sébastien
Given the arrival time, is it better to stay and sleep in Agadir for the first night?
Yes, obviously.
If so, do you have any hotel ideas, and is the transfer easy at that time?
The transfer is easy—there are plenty of taxis at the airport for every flight arrival. Prices are low, and scams are rare (Agadir taxis use their meters, unlike those in Marrakech).
I don’t have a specific hotel address, but you can check Booking or other reservation sites.
Do you have any recommendations for renting a car in Agadir?
A local rental company will have better rates than a big chain.
For example, Medloc Maroc.
But I’d recommend running a simulation with a search engine like Skyscanner.
For 7 days, here’s the itinerary I’ve planned: Agadir/Taroudant/Taliouine/Tafraoute/Tiznit/Agadir. Does this route seem good (not too short, too long, any places to add)?
That’s about 600 km. It’s doable in terms of distance, but you won’t have much time to enjoy each place. If you like driving and don’t mind unpacking for just one night, it’s fine. I like your route and suggest spending 2 nights in Taroudant 🙂
Should I book my accommodations in advance?
In Morocco, there’s plenty of availability—you’ll always find something. But booking ahead saves time, just make sure you can cancel up to the day before if you change your mind.
I hope these questions aren’t too repetitive compared to others already asked on this forum.
Given your arrival time, it’s definitely best to spend the night in Agadir.
If you already have some experience in Morocco, you can pick up the rental car that same evening. Otherwise, it’s better to wait until the next day.
My last rental was with Medloc. No issues at all. I booked directly on their website.
A Dacia Logan isn’t much to look at, but it’s perfect for Morocco’s roads, which aren’t always in great shape...
For the itinerary and since you enjoy driving, you could do a route down to Lezgira, then Itch, Amtoudi, Tafraoute, Taroudant, and back.
This route is outlined starting from day 6 in this travel journal:
For accommodations, I prefer to book in advance. That way, you’re guaranteed a room where you want it, and you don’t waste time searching.
The exception is when I can’t find any way to book online or when prices are way too high and I think I can negotiate on the spot. That’s usually in really remote areas...
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hi
for accommodation, I recommend Villa du Souss near the airport—it’s a beautiful, quiet family home.
For car rental, we usually go with Rayhane Cars. You can ask them to deliver the vehicle to your accommodation the next morning.
We really like this route:
Tiznit, Aglou, Sidi Ifni, Guelmim, and staying at Maison de l’Homme Bleu in the Tighmert oasis.
The oasis itself isn’t anything special, but the vibe at this place is amazing.
Then, visiting Amtoudi is a must before heading to Tafraoute. Make sure to include the Afella-Ighir oasis and the Aït Mansour gorges, among other spots.
You could also return via Taroudant if you’d like.
Hi,
Thanks so much for all this info and for taking the time to reply!
About renting a car, I checked out the medloc Morocco website and they only offer vehicles at 50 €/day. That seems a bit steep, doesn’t it?
I checked the medloc Morocco website and they only offer vehicles at 50 euros/day. That seems a bit steep..?
Ugh... those are the new Moroccan prices! It's getting worse and worse...
You’ll have to dig around on search engines.
Back in 2023, in Marrakech, I found a local rental place, Yacout, who charged us 27 € per day. But I just checked, and they don’t have an office in Agadir 😕
Once you're there, don't hesitate to say that a friend of yours got a price of 23 € last year and that some Moroccan friends got the same kind of rate.
You say that’s what you’re doing—either hitchhiking or walking everywhere. Renting a car for a few days, especially if there isn’t much demand, should work out.
No one will rent it out if they’re not making a profit, so no need to worry.
Pretending to walk away or give up can work too. That’s how it is in countries where bargaining is the norm.
In Morocco, one day I got something for half price and was really pleased with myself—until I found out locals were paying half as much again!
Hi there!
I’ve just come back from Morocco!
I rented a vehicle from Rayan Car, which was delivered to me at the airport and picked up again after my trip!
For hotels, I stayed 2 nights in Agadir, not far from the beach, at the Kamal! But there are plenty of options!
Kamal isn’t very expensive and has a lovely pool!
No need to go through Booking or anything like that—it’s cheaper!
I called a day or two before!
Taroudant is a pretty town, but the ramparts are starting to fall into disrepair, maybe due to the 2023 earthquake!
Don’t forget to buy saffron in Taliouine!
4 € per gram at the cooperative!
If you want argan oil, avoid the cooperatives—it’s way overpriced!
I bought a liter in Tafraout for 45 €!
At a shop (Ahmed Moussa’s brother’s place, the babouche merchant)
Great oil!
Have a great trip!
francia
le mérite d'un homme réside dans sa connaissance et dans ses actes et non point dans la couleur de sa peau ou de sa religion!
Khalil Gibran
hi there!
45 DH, that’s 4.50 €!
No, it’s actually 45 €! That’s the cheapest I’ve found!
At the cooperatives, it’s 80 € per liter!
You can find it along the road between Agadir and Essaouira!
A lot of argan trees have died because of the drought!
Prices are skyrocketing!
have a great day
francia
le mérite d'un homme réside dans sa connaissance et dans ses actes et non point dans la couleur de sa peau ou de sa religion!
Khalil Gibran
Once it became known that the product has many benefits, the price went up. This isn’t recent. There’s a lot of work involved, much of it handmade.
It’s great for you, Kate—the argan has anti-aging properties ;P
I’ll try to answer as kindly as possible...... I’ll probably fail.
No, no, you didn’t fail. 🙂
Clarity, sadness, anger... disillusionment...
Facing the world as it is... sometimes? More and more often?
Roaming the planet is no longer an extraordinary adventure. While our eyes seek and embrace the change of scenery, our suitcases—perhaps unknowingly, perhaps because we’re too well-informed?—carry everything needed to keep our habits, our way of doing or being, from being disrupted by those of these foreign places we seem so eager to experience.
Hi,
I understand your "anger"—I was shocked myself when I saw how stingy some people can be!
I traveled with friends, and some just don’t get that 10 DH is one euro!
The issue for them is also not knowing the prices! In France, you have price tags, and usually, you don’t haggle!
But in Morocco, people call out to you, tell you it’s cheap, and you negotiate—it’s not in our habits!
When you say no and the seller insists, it can get annoying sometimes!
I remember once spending 2 hours with a rug seller—the patience he had, all the tea we drank, the chit-chat, the laughs... I didn’t buy anything and left with big smiles!
But that’s not the case everywhere! That’s why I don’t go to Marrakech anymore!
For car rentals, I paid 30 € per day, the same price as 8 years ago, so very reasonable!
Argan oil was 80 € in cooperatives (even where there are no argan trees), and I said no!
I found some for 45 € in Tafraout at a friend’s shop, but 60 € on the roadside is still expensive!
Even though the drought has destroyed many argan trees between Agadir and Essaouira!
After all, it’s a choice, like all luxury products!
In 2018, I paid 20 € per liter!
Plus, it’s no longer women cracking the nuts but machines!
Behind all this trade, there are people stuffing their pockets—often not even Moroccans!
I stayed in the south of the Atlas and found very decent accommodations at low prices!
I would never have helped myself to the fridge!
But I wasn’t in guesthouses!
Overall, it was a very positive trip for me—the rain had just fallen abundantly, nature was turning green, which was great for some but tragic for others who lost family (near Tata) or their homes (in Amtoudi), for example!
To make up for others’ stinginess, I had a nice fund to help people in villages above Taroudant who received no aid!
A lot of supplies meant to help got stuck in the lower valleys, taken by corrupt Moroccans!
Nothing is all bad or all good, unfortunately!
Have a great day!
francia
le mérite d'un homme réside dans sa connaissance et dans ses actes et non point dans la couleur de sa peau ou de sa religion!
Khalil Gibran
Since you’re asking me directly, I’ll answer you 🙂
I’ve been to Morocco about fifteen times, and you don’t know who I am or how I travel, so I don’t recognize myself in the portraits you paint—those of the "cheapskate" travelers you encounter.
I know what 10 MAD represents, and I’m aware of the hourly minimum wage in Morocco.
If a guesthouse in the middle of nowhere went from 15 € a night in 2020 to 25 € in 2024, I find that completely normal. But a coffee for 20 MAD in the Marrakech medina, a fish dish for 20 € in Essaouira, a car rental for 45 €, or houses being sold at "French" prices—those are practices that aren’t necessarily moving in the right direction.
I was simply pointing out a fact, often an abuse. But excessive price hikes due to overtourism end up penalizing Moroccans themselves.
By the way, the price of olive oil has skyrocketed!
Nearly 150 MAD per liter. I still know where to find it cheaper—I won’t share the address, though.
I see you’re also looking for "great tips." It’s only human 😕
After COVID, tourist prices skyrocketed pretty much everywhere in the world, especially for car rentals.
It’s not unique to Morocco.
Since then, prices have been slowly coming down.
What *is* unique to Morocco—but it’s kind of the same in other developing countries—is that the cost of renting a car there can actually be more expensive than in developed countries.
I guess vehicles cost a lot more to buy when there are fewer potential buyers.
For the rest, French travelers are used to everything being clearly priced.
If the kitchen is free-access with products, they assume it’s like in Airbnbs where oil, etc., are provided.
You have to tell them that’s not the case.
There are also some thoughtless people...
As for baggage porters, I hate that. Either it requires a lot of effort and it’s fair to give something (but how much??? That’s the question the person asks themselves. Without an answer, they’d rather sweat blood than give too much or too little.) Or it’s just going up a flight of stairs, and I can do that myself—I don’t need slaves...
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On the side of the road, people sometimes pretend to have a breakdown and wave you down. Don’t stop.
Personally, I’d really hope someone would stop if I was *actually* broken down.
If you do stop and it’s a "scam," what’s the worst that could happen?
Getting offered tea and makrouds?
That’s exactly what happened to me once—the "good Samaritan" offered me tea, I had seconds, and even asked for more makrouds!
My kitchen is separate. On my floor. I can't be any clearer.
So your guests are boorish, have no manners, and you have to lock the private part of your accommodation. (Or padlock the fridge...)
I would never go snooping around someone's place.
At my place, it’s not a staircase you have to climb. I’m a 5- to 10-minute walk away, with a path that’s not easy to find.
Yeah, that’s often the case in Morocco.
After that, if the place is properly listed on Google Maps or you provide GPS coordinates, people should be able to find it.
(And your guests, who seem rather young, should be able to carry their own stuff...)
If it’s really impossible to find, I don’t think the guest should have to suffer the consequences.
My guesthouse is full, pretty much every day—the only reason is the low price.
My neighbor, who rents apartments for 70 euros a night, is empty.
If your neighbor’s value for money was good, he’d have guests too.
There are clients for every budget. Not everyone is looking for the same thing.
But if his apartments don’t offer any added value compared to what you’re offering...
What? No hairdryer? Damn, I have to go buy one... What? No heating? I tell everyone about it. What? Can’t we get couscous at midnight? What? There’s no nightclub in Ourika? Well, no—look at the stars, spin around, sing, and there’s your nightclub!
I wonder if raising your prices might help you avoid the cheapskates and regain some peace of mind!
How much do you want to pay for your coffee?
Globalization can work against Morocco. Some people aren’t looking to visit a country but just to go on vacation as cheaply as possible.
Albania is competition, Portugal could be too (less than one euro for a coffee there...), and other Eastern European countries.
I’m not saying it’s a good thing. It’s just an observation.
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Hello,
Well no, it's not normal to wait until midnight! You should just warn your clients. I rented out my place on AIRBNB for 4 years, and I never accepted that.
Anyway, I wanted to stay with you during a future trip... so I'll go elsewhere since I've been on this forum since 2006.
You may be upset, but
It's up to you to set boundaries with your clients.
Just to clarify, I was married to a Moroccan man and lived in Morocco.
So I know it pretty well.
Have a good evening,
Francia
le mérite d'un homme réside dans sa connaissance et dans ses actes et non point dans la couleur de sa peau ou de sa religion!
Khalil Gibran
I think you should ask the managers of this site to remove your recent posts because they’re really giving you some bad publicity.
Even if it might have felt good to get everything off your chest.
Ponts du monde : concours de photos amical de juillet 2026
Rubrique Jeux Voyages
C'est le moment de poster vos meilleurs clichés !
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This autumn’s trip should be in Morocco—barring any geopolitical issues between now and then.
After many trips to the south of Fès, I’m giving the north a try.
My plan is roughly to do a road trip loop from Rabat back to Rabat, passing through Asilah, Tangier, Tétouan, Chefchaouen, Akchour, Fès, Meknès, and Volubilis.
That’s a lot of cities.
Probably a bit too many for our taste—we usually prefer more isolated spots...
So I’m looking for tips on little backroads, secluded beaches, half-day hikes, and offbeat places.
If you’ve also got recommendations for accommodation... (We’re open to splurging over 100 € if it’s a real favorite.)
Feel free to think outside the box—this is an open-ended plan! !😉
Hello,
I’m looking for testimonials from Pieds-Noirs who have recently returned to Algeria.
There can’t be many left after 65 years of the country’s independence.
I’m planning to go back myself soon to reconnect with my roots... before I pass away...
I’ve started making a few pre-bookings for hotels and apartments to rent in Algiers. At first, I received friendly and welcoming responses. Then, when I mentioned I wanted to stay for two or three weeks—maybe even a month—explaining that my trip wouldn’t be strictly touristy but more of a pilgrimage to the places of my childhood, and that it would likely be a very emotional journey, I expected a positive and warm reaction to my approach. Instead, I suddenly stopped getting replies from the three or four people I’d contacted. So now I’m wondering about the reception former Pieds-Noirs can expect...
Anyone here who can share their experience of returning? I specified “recently” because it seems that right now, diplomatic relations between the two governments are extremely tense, not to say hostile... even if Macron claims otherwise...
I’m heading to Morocco in September 2026, and part of my trip takes me through Merzouga. I’m looking for a 4x4 driver-guide to explore the area with my partner and me.
Even though I come to Morocco four times a year, it’s been a long time since I’ve made the trip by car. I need to refresh my knowledge! I’ll be traveling in early October. I have a car that’s about 20 years old. The plan is to cross via Algeciras/Ceuta.
A few questions:
1) Does this crossing still exist? If so, do I need to buy the ticket in advance or on the spot? From whom? Any advice is welcome!
2) What documents are required for the car?
3) If anyone is making the trip around the same time, it could be fun to drive together 😊
Hello,
I’m traveling to Algeria from October 27 to November 16, 2026.
I’d love to hear from anyone who’s been through the process about the accommodation attestation required for the visa application:
- Does it need to cover the entire duration of the trip?
- Is this document mandatory for a hotel to rent a room?
- Is it checked during inspections?
- Is a hotel booking (e.g., via Booking.com) sufficient for the visa?
- If so, does it need to be paid in advance?
I plan to visit several cities and do one or more treks with a guide or agency.
If you have any contacts you’d recommend, I’d be grateful!
Also, I’d love to share this trip with a companion who’s already done some traveling.
We’d organize the journey together, of course.
Thanks for your feedback!
Safe travels to all,
Dom, Dijon, 64 years old
Hi there,
I’m looking for some friendly recommendations for places to stay in Marrakech for 3 nights in June 2026.
In the meantime, have a great day, everyone! Thanks so much in advance.
I’m reaching out to gather your thoughts on an itinerary (10 days... or more?) I’d like to do at the beginning of June 🙂.
Just so you know, I’m planning to do this trip solo (25 years old), using only public transport and just a backpack. I’ve already been to Marrakech and climbed Mount Toubkal two years ago...
I’ll be arriving in Tangier.
Day 1-2: Explore the city center, hike around Cap Spartel...
Day 3: Stop in Tetouan
Day 4-5-6: Chefchaouen and a day hike in the Rif Mountains
Day 6-7: Discover the city of Fes (I’ve heard so many great things!!)
Day 8: Stop in Meknes and possibly visit the historic site of Volubilis
Day 9-10: Rabat (I’ve heard mixed things... some good, some bad)
After that, I have the choice of heading back to Tangier for my return flight... or going down to Agadir (also a possible return flight) and extending my trip by 5 days :)
From what I can tell, everything is well connected by bus (CTM) or train (ONCF).
Another question: Is the vibe in Moroccan youth hostels for meeting people the same as what you’d find in Western Europe?
Thanks in advance for your replies and your kindness! 😊
Tickets for entry to Majorelle Garden are only issued online via an official site
(though there are fraudulent sites out there). On the official site, they ask for legitimate info
(name, nationality, etc.). What made me go "hmm" was the request for both an email address
AND a password (with confirmation). Is this normal?
Thanks for your replies.
Hi there, a group of girlfriends and I are heading to Tunisia. We’d love to know how much cash we should bring for 6 days, considering everything’s already paid for at the hotel. Thanks for your tips!
I’m finalizing the loop I’d like to do in May over 13 days, starting and ending in Essaouira.
We’re planning to rent a vehicle and are pretty active—we’re not really into crowds (that’s why I’ve decided to skip Marrakech).
Here’s my proposed itinerary:
Trip Proposal Summary:
From May 13 (morning arrival) to May 26 (morning departure)
Arrival and departure: Essaouira
Day 1 (May 13): Arrival in Essaouira – Settling in / Exploring / Rest
Day 2 (May 14): Essaouira – Water activities
Day 3 (May 15): Essaouira to Tafraoute (~5h30) – route via Agadir – arrival and first exploration; Question: Is a detour to Taroudant worth considering?
Day 4 (May 16): Tafraoute – Hike in the granite rocks – wild bivouac
Day 5 (May 17): Tafraoute – Aït Mansour gorges – oasis – night in a hostel
Day 6 (May 18): Tafraoute → Foum Zguid (~5h) – transition route – simple overnight or bivouac
Day 7 (May 19): Foum Zguid → Zagora (~3h) – Draa Valley – desert prep
Day 8 (May 20): Zagora → M'Hamid El Ghizlane → Erg Chigaga – departure with 4x4 guide – entering the dunes – bivouac
Day 9 (May 21): Erg Chigaga – full desert day – walking, exploring – bivouac
Day 10 (May 22): Desert → Ouarzazate (~5–6h) – leaving the desert – rest
Day 11 (May 23): Aït Benhaddou – early visit – short hike – overnight stay
Day 12 (May 24): Aït Benhaddou → Telouet – route toward the Atlas – start of trek – bivouac
Day 13 (May 25): Atlas → Essaouira (~5–6h) – end of trek – return to Essaouira (overnight)
Day 14 (May 26): Essaouira – free time + return flight
What do you think?
I aimed for an excursion to the Chigaga desert from M’Hamid because it seems less touristy and allows for a more compact loop. Is that a good idea? Is the drive to M’Hamid maybe too tedious?
Open to your great tips if there’s room for optimization!
A lot of people find it important to stick to their budget when traveling—not to skimp, but to visit as many places as possible since traveling is their hobby.
In this post, I want to share some tips for those coming to Morocco who want their trip to be budget-friendly.
1. Prebook everything: hotels or riads, car rentals, or tours. If you book these in advance, it’ll make your life easier. You won’t have to deal with hagglers or people trying to overcharge you for services that are available online for free. Use platforms like Booking, Expedia, carsrental.ma, Airbnb, and other booking services to get this done properly.
2. Exchange your money to Moroccan dirhams as soon as you land. 1 € is always a little over 10 dirhams, but many people get charged as if it were exactly 10 dirhams per euro.
3. When visiting an old site or the old medina, avoid talking to vendors and shop owners—they’re really good at getting your attention and making you overpay for things.
4. Ask your tour guide to buy things for you. Yes, they do get a commission, but you’ll probably pay way more if you buy something yourself that they can get cheaply.
5. Walk everywhere. You don’t need a taxi for every little trip. Pick a good location and walk—most Moroccan cities are safe during normal hours.
6. Buy your food, drinks, etc., from supermarkets at normal prices. They can’t overcharge you since they scan every product.
Hi everyone! 😊
We’re traveling as a family to Marrakech from April 19 to 24, and there’ll be 15 of us (all ages), staying in the Targa neighborhood (El Idrissi Street).
I’d love your advice on a few things! 🙏
🚗 Vehicle rental
We’re thinking of renting 3 cars. We’ve seen really low prices online, but often without insurance.
👉 Do you have any reliable contacts or personal experiences to share?
👉 Would you recommend getting specific “tourist” insurance?
🏛️ Visits – Bahia Palace & Saadian Tombs
We’d like to visit the Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs, but:
We can’t find single tickets online
We only see guided tours with fixed times (like 9:30 AM / 4-hour tours)
👉 Do you know if it’s possible to book without a guide?
👉 Or do we have to buy tickets on-site? (We’re a little worried about crowds and lines, especially with older folks in the group.)
🍽️ Restaurants / meals
We’ve spotted the Grand Bazaar Marrakech for a meal.
👉 Any thoughts?
👉 Could you recommend other restaurants in the same budget? (We’re a big group, so it needs to stay reasonable.)
For lunch/snacks, we’ve seen:
Snack Toubkal
Goûter Saveur
👉 If anyone’s been, I’d love your feedback! 😊
🛒 Practical info – Targa neighborhood
We’ll be in Targa (El Idrissi Street).
👉 Are there shops nearby for quick groceries (breakfast, water, etc.)?
If you’ve got any great tips, contacts, or little tricks, I’d love to hear them! 😍
Thanks so much for your help! 💖
We’re heading to Morocco as a family from April 22 to May 8. It’s a bit short to explore such a beautiful and vast country, but school and work commitments, you know how it is...
My partner is a musician and absolutely loves Gnawa music.
Unfortunately, we won’t have time to visit Essaouira, as we’re heading south toward the Valley of the Roses...
Do you know of any places around Marrakech, Ouarzazate, or Kelaat M’Gouna where we might have the chance to meet Gnawa musicians?
We’ll also be staying a few days in Aït Benhaddou and Skoura during our trip toward the Dadès Valley.
If you have any good spots to buy a guembri along the way, I’d love to hear about them too! :)
Mid-May: arriving alone (so, a "petit taxi"?) at Marrakech airport around 4:30 PM,
is it advisable to take a taxi at the airport (cost?) or is it wiser to book one through the hotel before departure (which would cost me 20 €)?
I think I’ve seen lower fares elsewhere (12 €?).
Destination: Riad Sijane near Djemaa El Fna square. Thanks!
I’m leaving for Tunisia in five weeks for a full 15-day trip. I’ll be arriving in Monastir and departing from there as well.
I’d like to do a route that’s a bit different from my first stay, which was more focused on cities and culture (Tunis, Sousse, Kairouan, El Jem).
I’ll be getting around by public transport.
I’d like to head south toward Tozeur, and I saw that you can take a *louage* from Monastir to Sbeitla (2h30). I imagine it’s not too complicated to get to Tozeur from there afterward? The issue is the return trip to Monastir and safety in Sbeitla.
If this route seems too complicated, I might opt for Djerba instead, which looks simpler.
I’m planning my next trip outside Europe for next year, but unfortunately, I don’t have a choice with the dates—it’s late June to early July. Last year, I went to Japan for three weeks, and it was constantly 36-37°C with over 90% humidity. It wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t impossible either.
For Egypt, I know it’s a period to avoid if possible, but I’m thinking that by the sea, it might be manageable. Otherwise, I’ll consider another destination.
Day 1: Arrival in Hurghada in the evening
Day 2, 3, 4: Hurghada
Day 5: Hurghada, then drive to Luxor in the early afternoon
Day 6: Luxor
Day 7: Luxor, then drive back to Hurghada in the late afternoon
Day 8, 9, 10, 11: Hurghada
Day 12: Return flight
For the Hurghada trip, either rent a car or—easier—a private car/van.
Is it worth adding an extra day in Luxor?
During the stay, we’re planning activities like camel rides, quad biking, jeep tours, snorkeling, and jet skiing.
Hi there,
We’re planning a trip to Morocco in September-October in our Fiat camper van, which isn’t a 4x4 but has already handled quite a bit of rough travel. While reading up on southern Morocco, we’ve been drawn to the Aguinane oasis but I’m having trouble locating it on the map. Is it possible to get there without a 4x4?
Thanks for your help
Hi there,
Can anyone tell me if it's possible to travel from the Dades Gorges (Msemrir) to the Todra Gorges (Tamtatouche) on a paved road? Thanks in advance for any answers.
Hello,
We’d like to hire a French-speaking guide (agency, professional, or volunteer) to show us around Cairo over three days.
Trip planned for November 22, 23, and 24, 2026—four veteran French travelers.
We’re open to any leads, contact info, or suggestions.
Best regards,
Jacques
Hi there,
I have a layover in Algeria.
I won’t be leaving the airport.
The two tickets aren’t with the same airline.
Do I need a transit visa?
Thanks for any details and your help!
Hi there,
I live in Casablanca and my parents, who are 80, will be joining me in Marrakech at the beginning of May for a few days.
We’ll be renting a car to get around.
Do you have any suggestions for things to see or visit within a 2-3 hour drive max from Marrakech that aren’t too touristy?
My parents can walk a bit, but at 80, no climbing Mount Toubkal!
Thanks so much in advance for your ideas!
Hi everyone, just back from the 8-day Marrakech-Merzouga loop by car, and I’d love to share my feedback in case it helps some of you. Big thanks to all the forum members who kindly answered my questions!
Trip from Friday the 20th to Saturday the 28th, flying out of Marseille with Ryanair
- Landed late around 8 PM local time, exchanged some currency, and the rental agency (Magdaz Car, which I highly recommend) delivered the car straight to the airport with some great route tips (don’t blindly trust Maps.me). The night drive was a bit intense—lots of people out and about due to Ramadan. Stayed at Riad Midhou (really nice) on the outskirts of the city, which made it easy to hit the road the next morning.
- Day 1: Marrakech to Skoura. The drive was smooth, roads are great, but watch out for roundabout priority—it’s different from France. Beautiful route. Quick stop in Ouarzazate for lunch, Ait Benhaddou for the view (stunning), and the Fint Oasis (meh...). Spent the night at Taloute Ecolodge in Skoura, overlooking the palm grove (super cozy).
- Day 2: Skoura to Todgha Gorges via the Valley of Roses and Dades Gorges.
Adventure-packed day! We crossed the Valley of Roses (pretty, but not as amazing as I’d hoped) and took a "shortcut" recommended by the *Routard* guide to reach the Dades Gorges without backtracking. After asking locals, they said, "It’s doable." Turns out it was a narrow, rocky cliffside track—no way to turn around! A stressful moment, with a nice scratch on the bumper and a good sweat. Fine in an SUV or 4x4, but not in a Logan... Then the Dades Gorges (nice) and a detour through the north to reach Todgha from above. Gorgeous mountain road and a quick stop on some snow patches—touching African snow! Spent the night at *Les Gorges de Todgha*—great place, except for the bathroom. The Todgha Gorges themselves are stunning!
Day 3: Todgha to Merzouga. Beautiful drive, and the view of the erg (sand dunes) on arrival is breathtaking! Totally worth the trip. Explored the desert and stayed at *Café du Sud* hotel just outside Merzouga—absolutely gorgeous.
Day 4: Merzouga. Desert exploration and chilling by the hotel pool (with a bonus sunburn). Lunch in Merzouga—I recommend *Dakar*—their lemon tajine was amazing. Spent the night in the hotel’s luxury camp, including a camel ride. The camp was beautiful, but I was disappointed we weren’t deeper in the desert given the price (100 € per person, including dinner, breakfast, and camel ride).
Day 5: Merzouga to Tamnougalt. Gorgeous route. First fine (a supposed stop sign...) but the officer was super nice—only 150 MAD. Stayed at *Kasbah Maktob*, right in the middle of ruins—really unique and beautiful!
Day 6: Tamnougalt to Marrakech. Another beautiful drive, and a second fine (minor speeding), same amount. Crossed a windy mountain pass during a big storm—traffic was blocked in the opposite direction (not sure why), causing massive jams for those coming from Marrakech. A few downed cables, but nothing serious. Arriving in Marrakech was tricky—hard to find the rental agency, and the traffic was intense (watch out for GPS trying to send you through the medina). Ask the rental company to meet you somewhere quiet. They didn’t even notice the damaged bumper... Stayed at *Riad Zifamo* in the heart of the medina. Big change of pace—so many people and so much hustle!
Day 7: Marrakech. Lots of wandering through the souk and a quick trip to Gueliz (not essential). A few tips for the medina: watch out for scooters weaving too fast, always negotiate prices (aim for at least 1/3 off what they ask, unless it’s a small amount), don’t buy spices—more expensive than in France! Head to the *Carrefour Market* in Gueliz for better prices. In the end, not many truly unique items—you’ll find more or less the same things everywhere.
Day 8: Early morning flight. We’d booked a car to the airport from the riad, but a taxi would’ve been fine—plenty available even at 7 AM. Security wasn’t an issue (we had lighters and liquids over 100 ml).
A few extra notes: Pleasantly surprised by the road quality—just a few potholes here and there, but overall very drivable. Watch out for the police—they’re everywhere! The car cost me 30 € per day (with the *Routard* discount) and about 90 € in gas. No safety concerns, no harassment, and no stomach issues, despite the ice in Marrakech. Breakfasts at the hotels were usually hearty—take advantage! The timing (end of February) was perfect—pleasant daytime temps and cool nights. Since it was Ramadan, nothing unusual to report, except it was hard to find food outside Marrakech at lunchtime.
If I did it again, Merzouga is a must, but I’d spend a night in a real desert bivouac, deeper in the dunes. My stops (no more than 300 km a day) were well-paced, and with so few cars on the road, it wasn’t tiring—even though I’m not usually a fan of driving...
Happy to answer any questions!
Hi there,
I’m traveling solo to Egypt. Could you give me a rough idea of the budget for:
meals
hotels
taxis including tips
visits...
Just an estimate, of course.
For 15 days, what would the price range be, considering there’s an overnight train and a Nile cruise?
I’d like to compare with a travel agency. Is it more worthwhile to go through an agency despite the downsides of group travel?
Otherwise, if a travel buddy is interested in this country, why not?
Thanks a lot!
