How about Algeria and a return to the Tassili n’Ajjer?
This part of the Sahara is arguably one of the most beautiful deserts on the planet for its diversity and is accessible to everyone.
The vastness of the black rock forests and ochre dunes is complemented by the intimacy of the Djanet oasis, the heart of the Tuareg country, and the mineral memory of the Erg Admer, which bears traces of prehistoric human activity. Camping under the Milky Way, suspended in a sky of forgotten purity, adds another dimension to this rare journey.
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!
We found a guide who offers the trip from M'hamid to a camp (departure at 3 PM, tea, meal, camel ride, overnight stay, breakfast, and return to M'Hamid by 11 AM the next day via the sacred oasis). He quoted us a price of 380 € for April.
What do you think of this rate?
This might sound like a silly question, but is it common to negotiate the price for this kind of thing (we're booking from France)? It’s still a big part of our travel budget.
Hi there, in mid-January my wife and I are leaving from Marrakech heading to the Atlas (Essaouira ==> Dades ==> Merzouga ==> Draa Valley) before finally making our way to Taghazout near Agadir for 2 or 3 days.
I’m planning a 3-week trip in November after having visited Morocco extensively 30 years ago.
I’m thinking of taking the bus to Ouarzazate, then heading to Boulmane and Tinghir, and returning. Is this doable by public transport?
Next, from Ouarzazate, I’d like to go to Tagounit or M’hamid. Same question—is public transport feasible?
If I rent a car, which agency is reliable in Ouarzazate, considering I only have a debit card? Are there any deposits required?
I’d also love recommendations for simple homestays.
Thanks a lot!
I'm looking for a driver/guide for a day trip from Marrakech/Col Tizni-n-Tichka to Ait Benhaddou and back via Telouet.
We're 3 adults, maybe 4.
Comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle.
Hi there,
I’m planning to cross the Atlas M’Goun-Toubkal range at the end of March and I’m looking for info on how to get to Ait Bou Oulli from Marrakech via Demnate.
Can anyone tell me if there’s a direct bus to Demnate and then a minibus (once it’s full) to Ait Bou Oulli? Is it doable in a day by bus or even a shared taxi?
Hi there,
Is the road connecting Imi n’Ifri (near Demnate) to Agouti (Aït Bougmez) paved and therefore in good enough condition for a rental car? Thanks!
Same question for the road descending the Tessaout Valley from Amezri.
Thanks!
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.
Hi there,
For a 3-week trip to Morocco, what would be your advice for using your phone locally (to book accommodation, chat with a host on the road, etc.)? Is it better to buy an eSIM before leaving, get a local SIM card once there, or are there other options?
Thanks for sharing your good and bad experiences!
Hi there,
I’m about to take my nephews to Morocco for a week to celebrate their 18th birthdays during the first week of September. I’ve already planned most of it, but I’d love any advice or tips on my itinerary! Thanks in advance to anyone who replies :)
Day 1: Agadir → Essaouira
Morning: Crocoparc/cable car/kasbah (I’d considered Paradise Valley, but it seems less great now? Dirty, drought, etc.?)
Depart for Essaouira, lunch in Taghazout around 1 PM.
Mid-afternoon to evening in Essaouira, overnight there.
Visit the medina, walk along the ramparts and fishing port.
Sunset from the Skala du Port or the beach.
Dinner at one of the seafood restaurants near the port.
Day 2: Essaouira → Marrakech → Agafay Desert
Morning:
🔹 Early departure from Essaouira to Marrakech (~2.5 hours).
Afternoon:
Explore Marrakech:
🔹 Jemaa el-Fna Square
🔹 Majorelle Garden
Late afternoon:
🔹 At 3 PM, depart for the Agafay Desert (~1 hour) for a camel ride + quad excursion.
Evening:
🔹 Dinner and overnight in the desert.
Day 3: Agafay → Marrakech → Ouzoud
Morning:
🔹 Return to Marrakech from Agafay at 11 AM.
Late morning & early afternoon: Last spots in Marrakech:
🔹 Bahia Palace
🔹 Ben Youssef Madrasa
Mid/late afternoon:
🔹 Depart for Ouzoud (~2.5 hours).
Evening:
🔹 Overnight in Ouzoud.
Day 4: Ouzoud → Marrakech
Morning:
🔹 Visit Ouzoud Waterfalls.
Early afternoon:
🔹 Return to Marrakech (~2.5 hours).
Late afternoon/evening:
🔹 Free time in Marrakech to wander the souks and experience Jemaa el-Fna Square at night with its evening atmosphere.
Evening:
🔹 Overnight in Marrakech.
Day 5: Marrakech → Aït Ben Haddou → Ouarzazate
Early morning:
🔹 Depart for Aït Ben Haddou via the Tizi n'Tichka Pass (~3 hours 45 minutes).
Midday:
🔹 Visit the Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou.
Afternoon:
🔹 Drive to Ouarzazate (~30 minutes), visit the Taourirt Kasbah.
Evening:
🔹 Overnight in Ouarzazate.
Day 6: Ouarzazate → Agadir
Very early departure in the morning.
Morning: Visit Agadir’s souk.
Afternoon:
🔹 Relax at the hotel pool, jet ski, and overnight stay.
Day 7: Agadir
Morning off.
🔹 Beach and pool time.
Return flight.
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
We’ll be in Marrakech for 10 days in February (couple + 12-year-old child).
We’d like to spend 3-4 days in Essaouira.
What’s the easiest and most budget-friendly way to make the Marrakech-Essaouira trip and then Essaouira-Marrakech (straight to the airport, I think) a few days later? Taxi? Bus? Or just rent a car? But then what do we do with the car while we’re in Essaouira? Could it be useful for exploring interesting sites outside the city while we’re there?
Here’s my itinerary for a one-week self-drive trip in Morocco in March with family. Which direction should I take, please?
- Start with Ouarzazate - Draa - M'Hamid - Tazarine - Merzouga, then return via the Dades road
- Or the opposite: begin with Dades toward Merzouga, then head to M'Hamid via the southern route, and finish with the Draa Valley
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, I’m traveling with my teenage daughter at the end of February with plans to do the Marrakech/Merzouga loop by car.
We arrive Friday evening (7:45 PM) in Marrakech, and I’d love to head south first thing Saturday morning.
Would you have any ideas for accommodation with breakfast included that could help me avoid the center of Marrakech and let me quickly get back on the road? I checked Booking but didn’t find many options...
Do you think it’s better to pick up the car right at the airport in the evening or have it delivered to the hotel the next day?
Thanks in advance for your replies! !
Hi everyone,
We’re planning a trip to Morocco in February 2026. We already know the country a bit, including the desert where we were lucky enough to take part in a rally.
This time, we’d like to explore the Merzouga dunes as a family. We’ll be renting a car in Marrakech and we’re looking for advice on the best stops to make the most of the drive.
We’re still undecided about the return route: should we go back through the Valley of the Roses (and maybe see the gorges if we don’t have time on the way there) or take the Draa Valley for a change?
Here’s our rough itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Marrakech in the evening – Overnight stay there
Day 2: Drive east – Overnight in Skoura? Boumalne? Further on?
Day 3: Drive with a stop at the Dadès or Todra Gorges – Overnight in Merzouga
Day 4: Desert day – Overnight in Merzouga
Day 5: Return drive (Draa Valley or back through the Valley of the Roses / Route of the 1000 Kasbahs?) – Overnight in Agdz? Ouarzazate?
Day 6: Drive back to Marrakech with a stop at Aït Ben Haddou / Fint Oasis – Overnight in Marrakech
Day 7–8: Marrakech then departure
If any of you have suggestions on timing, the most enjoyable stops, or feedback on these routes, I’d love to hear your tips.
Thanks in advance!
Hi everyone, I’ve given my 18-year-old daughter a week in Morocco in February. I’d like to mix a bit of Marrakech (or elsewhere) with a hotel and pool, plus a trip into the desert with some beautiful dunes.
How can I structure this without making the journeys too long? Is it possible to do Marrakech to the south in 2 days, stopping at lovely spots along the way? Just to clarify, I’d prefer not to rent a car, and my daughter isn’t very "adventurous."
Thanks in advance for your replies and tips!
Hi there,
We’re a small group planning a road trip loop with a rental car, starting and ending in Marrakech. Two weeks at the end of October.
We’d like a mix of nature discoveries, villages, ksars (ideally some photogenic and/or abandoned ones), a few hikes, and if possible, one or two nights sleeping on a rooftop/terrace in a village.
What do you think of this itinerary?
Thanks for your insights, and have a great evening, everyone!
Christophe
10/17 Marrakech airport → Cascades Ourika
Ourika Valley, Promenade des 7 Cascades – 65 km
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 😊
Hi there!
I’m heading to Casablanca for 15 days in October 2025—what do you recommend?
Rabat sounds interesting—what about Rabat? Fez?
I’m also really into nature—what are the closest gorges?
Is train travel easy?
I’ll be staying with a friend but I’d love to explore solo. I’m 61, blonde with blue eyes—is that an issue?
Thanks!
Laurence from Bayonne
We’re planning to visit southern Morocco from April 30th to May 11th (10 full days).
I’d love to hear your thoughts and advice on the itinerary I’ve planned.
We’ll be arriving in Ouarzazate and departing from Agadir.
We’re thinking of renting a Dacia for this little road trip.
Thanks in advance for your tips!
**Ouarzazate** – Arrival at 7:00 PM. Dinner in Ouarzazate, then drive to Ait Ben Haddou.
**Night in Ait Ben Haddou** – To visit in Ait Ben Haddou:
- The Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou
- The Kasbah of Tifoultoute (on the way down to Ouarzazate)
In Ouarzazate itself:
- Visit the Kasbah Taourirt (gorgeous)
30 minutes south of Ouarzazate:
- Fint Oasis
Leaving Ouarzazate (eastbound): Route of the 1,000 Kasbahs
- Kasbah Amridil (just before arriving in Skoura)
- Skoura Palm Grove (a must-see)
**Valley of the Roses** – Tamellalt / Boulmane Dadès – Night in Tamellalt? Boulmane Dadès?
**Dadès Gorges**: 2–3 hour hike/walk (in the Valley of the Monkey Fingers)
Then head toward the Todgha Gorges
Arrival at the Todgha Gorges/Tinghir in the late afternoon (3-hour drive)
**Visit Todgha Gorges**: no particular activity—it’s the road that’s stunning.
**Tinghir** – Night in Tinghir?
The next morning, head toward either:
- Zagora (3h20 – 208 km)
- Or M’Hamid (4h48 – 305 km)
**Night in Zagora? M’Hamid?**
**Drive to the Sahara Desert** – First night in the desert: camels, oasis, etc.
Second night in the desert
Return to Zagora or M’Hamid, then depending on arrival time, drive to Agdz? Taliouine, or Taroudant (a bit far)
**Night in Agdz? Taliouine? Taroudant?**
Then drive to Taghazout
**Night in Taghazout**
Drive to Essaouira
**Visit Essaouira the next day**
**Night in Essaouira**
Return to Taghazout the following morning
**Night in Taghazout**
One extra day (buffer)
**May 11th** – Drive to Agadir for morning flight departure
We’re heading to Ouarzazate and southern Morocco in 7 days.
Here’s our route (map). We’re a family of 2 adults and 3 kids (11, 9, and 5 years old).
Could you let me know if there are even more scenic roads to take, and any must-see spots, please? 😉
Day 1: Ouarzazate – Skoura – Dadès
Day 2: Dadès + Todra
Day 3: Tinegir – Djbel Saghro – N'Kob
Day 4: Tazzarine – M'Hamid (overnight in Erg Lihoudi)
Day 5: M'Hamid – Draa Valley – Agdz
Day 6: Agdz – Fint – Ben Haddou
Day 7: Telouet – Ouarzazate
As mentioned in a previous post, we're heading to Morocco in April for 9 days instead of the originally planned 7.
Here's the itinerary I've mapped out to ideally have a complete trip, but I think it might be too ambitious. What do you think?
Here's the itinerary (click)
For those who can't open the link:
Marrakech (the afternoon of our arrival + 1 day, we’ve already been there without the kids, the goal is not to stay too long) – night
Aït Ben Haddou
Ouarzazate
Skoura – night
Oasis de Fint
Dadès Gorges
Tinghir – night
Merzouga – night
Zagora – night
M’hamid – ideally a night in the desert
Agdz
Marrakech – night (itinerary via Telouet)
What do you think of this plan? Will it feel too rushed, or is it manageable?
Since we don’t know the places, it’s hard to tell if we’ll want to stop everywhere along the way or if there’s enough time to spend at each spot.
I’ve included some night-stop assumptions (1 or 2 nights).
We’d love to hear your thoughts!
We’re traveling with my wife, a 13-year-old teen, and a 10-year-old.
We’ll have our own rental car.
Hi there,
I'm currently planning our trip to Morocco for next May.
We're looking to explore a part of the country we haven't visited yet, and I'd love to get some opinions or tips for my itinerary.
We'll have a rental Duster to get around.
-1- Marrakech to the Paradise Valley, arriving in the late afternoon. 2 nights there so we can explore the next day.
-2- From Paradise Valley to Tafraout.
Along the way, we'd like to visit some agadirs (Ikounka, Imeghguiguilne, Ighir, Tizourgane). I'm wondering if we'll have time to see them all, if we should visit all of them or skip some? Or if there are other suggestions?
-3- I plan to stay 3 nights in Tafraout.
Night 1 we might arrive late.
The following days to visit the village of Tagdicht, the Blue Rocks, and the Ait Mansour Valley.
Doable? Road or track conditions? Too much or too little time? Anything else to see?
-4- I was thinking of taking the road to visit the underground village of Icht.
Then heading to Tata to visit the Tollé and/or Messalites caves.
Same questions as before (road conditions, time, anything else)?
-5- Road to Tissint for a walk.
Road to Taliouine to visit the Glaoui kasbah.
Spend the night around there.
Same questions?
-6- Road and visit to the Ifri granary.
Then head to a part of Morocco we already know :-)
Anyway, quite a few questions...
Since we've been to Morocco several times before, I know there won't be any issues once we're there.
It's just that I'm trying to plan ahead a bit so we don't miss what there is to see in the area, without rushing too much ;-)
Hello everyone,
I’m currently planning our next trip to Morocco. We really enjoy visiting one or two collective granaries on each of our trips. We’ve seen some already, like the one in Aït Kine, or the one in Tasguent, and of course those in Amtoudi, as well as the cliffside granary of Ifri. There are still many left to explore. I’d love to hear which ones you’d recommend—preferably ones that aren’t too hard to access. I’m counting on you! Thanks
Hello,
We’re retired and would like to head to Morocco next winter, from January to March 2026, with our car and caravan. If possible, we’d love some info on traveling to Morocco and tips for several campsites. Of course, our bikes are coming along too.
Thanks
Hi there,
We're interested in urbanism, architecture, Arab-Muslim culture, and the daily life of locals...
A rough idea: Fez and Meknes. A good plan? Maybe too touristy? We prefer off-the-beaten-path destinations (we’ve traveled to Iran, for example).
What else is there to see in the region?
We’re open to any suggestions.
Thanks for your tips!
Hello,
My husband and I (retired) are planning to spend a few days in Algeria around Christmas. I know a visa is required and that the application must be made in person (hotel reservation, travel insurance certificate, proof of sufficient funds), and the collection too.
A few questions:
-Is getting the visa easy or "problematic"?
-Any hotel, guide, or points of interest recommendations for Algiers, Oran, Constantine?
Thanks in advance for all your answers, and long live Voyage-Forum!
Laurence
Hello VF friends!
We’re planning to leave Marrakesh by rental car—this will be our second trip to Morocco. While we want to revisit some places, we also hope to explore new regions. Here’s the start of our itinerary, which could take 2 to 3 weeks. We don’t want to cover too many kilometers each day.
- Depart Marrakech for Essaouira, stopping to visit the Inzerki beehive. We’ll stay 3 nights in Essaouira to explore the city and the surrounding area.
- Head toward Tamanar or that region for another 3 nights, exploring on a star-shaped route. We’d like to see the Paradise Valley and the coast. Not really keen on stopping in Agadir.
We’ve been to Tafraoute before, but I’d love to see some *greniers* (granaries) again, so we’re considering 1 or 2 nights there.
- Tiznit for 2 nights, making our way to Plage Blanche.
- Guelmin and the Tighmert oasis for 2 nights.
- Tata for 2 nights, visiting Akka Iguane and other villages.
After that, we’ll head east.
We’d love to hear about your experiences, great tips, and recommendations!