North Africa · Morocco

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 there,

I’m planning to leave Morocco for the summer but want to leave my 4x4 there to avoid exceeding the famous 6-month limit. I’d like to park it in one of the two Spanish enclaves (Ceuta or Melilla). Does anyone know of people or companies that handle long-term parking (preferably secure) in either place? Once the car is parked, what’s the best way to get back to France using public transport? Is the nearest airport Tanger from Ceuta?... How do I get there easily, etc. etc.

Thanks in advance! Dominique

Hi there, I’m spending a week in Morocco (Rabat - Meknes - Fes). I’ll be traveling solo—is it safe for a woman over 60? For transportation, I’m planning to take the train. I was thinking of buying my ticket last minute, but it’s around the end-of-year period…? I’ll be in Meknes on December 31st—any suggestions on how they celebrate New Year’s Eve there? Is anyone visiting these destinations? Maybe we could meet up…? Thanks in advance.

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

Hi there,

We’re a group of 14 (adults and kids), and we’re planning the following itinerary for next October:

- Day 0: Arrival and visit Fès - Day 1: Depart Fès for Midelt - Overnight in Midelt - Day 2: From Midelt to Merzouga - Overnight in Merzouga (camp in the dunes) - Day 3: From Merzouga to the Dadès Gorges - Overnight in the Dadès Gorges - Day 4: Excursion and hike in the Dadès Gorges - Overnight in the Dadès Gorges - Day 5: From Dadès to Marrakech (visiting Ouarzazate studios and Aït Ben Haddou) - Day 6: Explore Marrakech - Day 7: Return

Any tips or suggestions for this plan? Is quad biking or buggy riding in the dunes (for adults, obviously) worth it? Which spots are really worth stopping at—and which ones aren’t?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Hello everyone, We’re planning our next trip for this winter and need some advice to put it together. We’d love to avoid renting a car for the whole time. We visited southern Morocco back in 2011—our first trip as retirees! We loved the country so much, and now we’re heading back. Still focusing on the south, mainly for the weather. The plan is to travel down the coast from Essaouira to the Tighmert oasis at a relaxed pace. First question: is this doable without too much hassle using local transport? The idea of driving for the entire 6-week trip doesn’t really appeal to us. After that, we’d head to Ouarzazate, Skoura, the Todgha Gorge, Tinejdad, Erfoud, and then Marrakesh. I’d also like to visit the Fès region, which we can reach by train from Marrakesh. It’s a bit all over the place, and I’m realizing that as I write! Thanks in advance for your valuable input! We haven’t booked flights yet or even decided on a starting point. The trip is planned from mid-January to the end of February. We know the end of the trip will fall during Ramadan.

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.

The route ends up looking like this, except for the end where we head toward the ocean. https://www.les-covoyageurs.com/ressources/images-produits/photo-produit-29-carte.jpg?v=6

I’m hesitating about renting a car, and since I don’t know the road conditions, I’d like to know if a Dacia Sandero is enough for this kind of trip?

Another thing making me hesitate is the possibility of rain and roads being less passable.

I’m reaching out to more experienced travelers who can share their advice, of course.

Thanks in advance

I just got back from a trip to Morocco and I want to share my experience of the few days I spent in the Happy Valley (also called the Ait Bouguemez Valley—it’s the same place!)

I’d contacted my guide Youssef, whose details I found here on VoyageForum. Since I was coming from the south, I first needed to find the shared transport that would take me across the Atlas Mountains, from the Valley of Roses (near Boulmane Dadès) to the Happy Valley. I left from Kelaat M'Gouna, where I’d stayed the night before at the Hôtel du Grand Atlas, right next to the bus stop. Youssef kept me updated by phone, and after a bit of searching, I found Brahim’s little Mercedes bus, which leaves between 10 AM and 1 PM... depending on how many passengers there are and the season.

The journey was impressive. The road is still under construction, so the bus sometimes drives through the bottom of the gorges, even wading through water before climbing back up and tackling a winding dirt track that rises twice to 3,000 meters at the passes: Tizi n-Ait-Hamed and Tizi n-Ait-Imi. I arrived in Tabant as night was falling, and Youssef was waiting to take me to Gîte Timite, a traditional Amazigh house. It’s built from earth with flat rooftops. For two days, I was welcomed there, sharing meals with the family. The hospitality was truly warm.

We went on two beautiful hikes, sticking to the valley floor. The peaks were snow-covered, so it wasn’t the right season to climb Mount Mgoun, which rises to 4,000 meters.

On the first day, we hiked up the valley to see the dinosaur footprints (a protected site). The valley is lush and known for its apples and walnuts. We were there during apple-picking season—there were apples everywhere! We had lunch with a very friendly family in the village of Rbat, then after a steep climb, we descended into another part of the valley before heading back to Timite.

The second day, we went the other way, toward the west end of the valley. It was just as beautiful. We climbed a few hills overlooking the valley floor, discovering grain storage buildings, and had lunch with a family whose father makes charcoal.

In the evening, I was treated to couscous, which we shared with the whole family—men, women, and children (who are a bit like royalty) sitting on benches. We laughed a lot as I tried to say a few words in Tamazight, or when we made rhythmic music, clapping our hands and tapping on the table...

I really spent two days out of time, feeling very welcome, and slept well. The comfort isn’t amazing—I had a toilet but no shower. But that’s part of sharing the life of the people in the Happy Valley. Thanks to Youssef, Mina, and the kids! "Gite Timit Youssef" or

Hi everyone,

My wife and I are planning our very first 4x4 trip. We recently bought a used Toyota Land Cruiser 150, still completely stock but in great condition. This is a big first for us—until now, our travels have been more hiking-focused, but the idea of trying out a 4x4 has been itching at me for a few years.

We’re thinking of heading to Morocco for a few weeks, probably in the spring. The plan is to mix the Atlas Mountains, southern valleys, and some easy trails between Merzouga, Tata, Foum Zguid, or the Draa Valley. Nothing extreme—we’re total beginners.

I’m in the middle of outfitting the vehicle and could really use your input, especially from those who know the country or have prepped a 4x4 for this kind of itinerary.

For a trip like this, is a stock Land Cruiser 150 enough, or should we consider a few upgrades (AT tires, sand ladders, compressor) to feel more confident on the southern trails?

For a first off-road adventure: would you recommend bringing a kit of wear-and-tear parts (filters, belts, hoses), or is a good pre-trip inspection with just the bare essentials enough in Morocco?

Finally, I’m torn between three roof tent brands: James Baroud, Autohome, and Roof Space. For heavy use in Morocco (heat, wind, daily setup), which brand do you think is best in terms of ventilation and mechanism durability? Are there any key criteria to consider when choosing?

Thanks in advance for your advice! We’re finalizing the budget and gearing up the vehicle, so all real-world feedback is welcome.

Julien

Hi, I'm looking for a laundromat in Casablanca like a *Lavomatic* where I can wash my clothes regularly, since I don’t have a washing machine. I live in the Lyautey Sector and have tried several dry cleaners in the area, but they only wash by the piece, not by the kilo, which would be too expensive for me.

Does anyone know of a dry cleaner that washes by the kilo or a self-service laundromat (ideally in Bourgogne or Gauthier)? I heard there’s one in Maarif, but I couldn’t find the address online.

Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone, We’re a family of 5—2 adults and 3 kids aged 8, 10, and 16. We arrive on 20/04/2026 at noon at Ouarzazate Airport and return on 29/04/2026 at noon from Marrakech Airport. We plan to rent a car in Ouarzazate and drop it off in Marrakech.

What we’d love: discovering the landscapes of southern Morocco, meeting locals, and experiencing the desert. We’d prefer to stay in comfortable, clean places with nature views—not too noisy. We’re aiming for half-board (except in Marrakech). We don’t want to feel rushed, but I’m not sure what to skip.

This is our first time doing a somewhat itinerant trip, and it’s our first family trip abroad. We don’t want the kids to get tired of daily hotel changes, which is why I’m questioning the options in my draft itinerary. I’d be so grateful for your thoughts on it, and if you have any great recommendations—especially some with pools!

As for prices, I’m struggling to gauge what’s reasonable. For 5 people, we quickly need 2 rooms, and for nicer places with pools, I’m seeing rates around 160 € to 190 € per night. That seems expensive to me.

Hi everyone, could someone give me info on the track that starts from Tafraout toward M’harch Pass and then continues to Mcissi to join the national road heading west to Alnif? I’m planning to go in April 2025 by gravel bike/MTB. Is it doable? Is there a lot of soft sand??? How many km???? Thanks for any tips, and happy end of the year to all! Best, Rv.

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!

Preamble: . This isn’t about drumming up business for a new professional venture—just sharing, under pressure from eager Vf members hungry for juicy anecdotes, my 10-day trip to Marrakech with 10 friends. I’d mentioned during the planning discussion for this trip ((https://voyageforum.com/forum/questions-excursions-autour-marrakech-d10685703/)) that there wouldn’t be a travel journal... And since I’m a man of my word—but also stuck with a nasty calf muscle tear at the end of the trip that’s keeping me immobile for 15 days (more on that later)—I’ve got some time to dedicate to this. So, after this preamble, off we go to the Medina!

.

Day 1: Friday, May 2nd – The Day the Group Split

Before we dive in, let’s talk about the trip prep. Among my friends, I’ve got a rep as the go-to independent travel expert (thanks to a few trips, some with this same crew). So, naturally, the task of planning this one fell to me—and I took it on gladly (you’re never better served than by yourself, right?). The prep and itinerary were hashed out over multiple meet-ups (excuses?) during shared meals at one another’s places, guided by yours truly. Travel style, accommodation, sightseeing—all decisions were made together, trying to balance everyone’s wishes over a good bottle (generic term, not numerical!)

So, a group of five—including me and my girlfriend—set off for Geneva at 3 AM that Friday, while the rest would join us on Sunday due to family or work commitments. We’ll skip the EasyJet flight—it was nothing special, just a means to get us there safely (which, in itself, is already a win). We landed in Marrakech at 9 AM local time. There, a spotless Dacia Logan was waiting for us, chartered by MEDLOC, whose impeccable service I’ll praise here (thanks, friends, for the tip!). My first challenge, after loading the suitcases into the trunk: reaching the riad booked for our first two nights as the advance team. https://www.astradamusmarrakesh.top/fr/

I was a little nervous about driving here—Marrakech’s driving reputation precedes it. The hiccup? While setting up Google Maps for the route, I accidentally added a level-5 difficulty and enabled pedestrian mode... Imagine a rental car stubbornly trying for over half an hour to navigate the Medina (the riad was in the north), cursing all the pedestrians in streets too narrow for the car, and having to reverse multiple times because “it won’t fit,” ignoring the many Marrakechis waving to signal the street was impassable (but what are they trying to sell me now? 🤪)... Until my co-pilot, holding my phone, asked if it was “normal for the route to be dotted on Google Maps?” Yes, it’s normal—pedestrian mode was on.... We’ll still be laughing about this in the nursing home in 40 years, but at the time, I was genuinely surprised by what driving in Morocco had in store for me—and for good reason! After fixing the Google Maps settings, we arrived more calmly at the private parking lot (90 dirhams per night) and then at the riad, where we received a warm welcome while our rooms were being prepared.

After freshening up, we crossed the souks for the first time to have lunch at Jemaa el-Fna Square, at Zeitoun Café, where we enjoyed our first couscous or tagine on its terrace. We’d return to Jemaa el-Fna that evening after a restorative nap at the riad, another late afternoon in the souk, and an evening at this famous UNESCO World Heritage site. This time, it was the restaurant Lafarmacie (you can’t make this up!) that won us over, despite the lack of a rooftop. I recommend this place to everyone—the prices are great, the welcome is extraordinary, and the food is excellent...







Returning after 11 PM, we learned the hard way that the souk has its own entry points and hours, and the path to our beds was full of detours and closed doors. Fortunately, we were guided by friendly locals who showed us the right way (in exchange for a fiercely negotiated tip each time...)

Hi everyone, Last-minute trip to Marrakech for a week—what unusual discoveries can you recommend in the city? Thanks for your quick tips!

Hi there,

We’re leaving at the end of December (30th) until the beginning of January (6th) with my partner. I’ll be 6 months pregnant. We’d like to rent a car as soon as we arrive in Marrakesh but don’t want to stay there for New Year’s. We prefer the quiet of nature and remote villages. We’re planning to spend 2 days in Marrakesh before our return flight on the 6th.

What itinerary would you recommend to get off the beaten path, avoid overly touristy areas, and discover the palm groves, desert, and this region of Morocco—without overdoing it, given the advanced pregnancy? Thanks so much,

Hi there, I’ve traveled for work and taken several leisure trips with my late partner, and now friends are scarce at 74. I’d love to do more budget travel, either solo or with travel companions, but I don’t know where to start. Any help would be greatly appreciated! I’m from Quebec, Canada, and I speak French and a little English. Hervé

hi, My wife and I want to take our first trip to Marrakech around 12/27 for 7 nights. If you can help us find somewhere to stay that includes breakfast at a minimum. From what I understand, the most authentic option might be a RIAD. Our plan is to explore Marrakech. Thanks for your help

Hi everyone, I’d love to bike from Lyon to Marrakech or Agadir. I’m looking for someone around my age (23) to join me. I’m also after some tips on routes, things to know, etc. This road trip is planned for September 2026. Looking forward to your replies and advice!

We're heading to Agadir in early December. What outings do you recommend? Just so you know, I have trouble walking (foot paralysis).

Hi everyone...

Looking for travel companions to ride from France to Senegal by motorcycle.

I’m Paul, 37, and I’ve already done a bit of riding in Morocco.

For now, I’m solo, riding a 1998 SUZUKI DR 650 with some basic gear to keep things smooth. I’ll have a tent so we can do a few nights under the stars. We’ll need to coordinate departure dates—"ideally in November."

I’m currently checking out routes to take. Any tips would be welcome! :)

Have a great day, everyone!!!!!

Hi there, We’re planning a one-week trip to Morocco at the beginning of November and would like to book a quad bike or buggy excursion for three days in the desert with a local agency. Could you tell us which is the best desert to explore and recommend a reliable agency? Thanks.

We’d like to go to Morocco for the first time at the end of November or beginning of December in our camper van! 😊 Looking for someone to share the road and the crossing with, and head down to Agadir. We’re in no rush—we love seeing beautiful things. Retirement suits us just fine! Couple in our mid-60s. ;)

Hi,

I’m leaving for Morocco on 18/10 with my wife and daughter. I’ll be returning to France on 25/10. My daughter’s passport expires on 30/11, which is less than 90 days before we return to France.

Can I still travel to Morocco with my daughter?

Thanks

Hi everyone! Happy to join this forum. We’d like to visit Morocco for the first time, but preferably in October, November, and December: the Atlantic coast starting from Essaouira..... Thanks for sharing some tips with me!

Hi there,

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!

Hi there!

I’d like to plan a week of "sun-soaked" relaxation in March, and based on my budget, I was thinking of Morocco—specifically Essaouira. I’ve got a few questions, just in case I’m getting the wrong idea about my trip: Do you know what the average weather is like at that time of year? Without going as far as swimming, is it still possible to enjoy the sunshine on walks or lounging on a deck chair? Since I’ve never been to Essaouira, is it a nice place to stay for a week (mixing sightseeing and relaxation)? Are the beaches pretty? Would you happen to know any addresses (like guesthouses or lodges) offering half-board or full-board, in a quiet spot? (With a garden to relax in, ocean views, or even a pool—fingers crossed!) At reasonable prices? (I have no idea what the price ranges are in Morocco.)

Thanks in advance for your tips!

Hello, I’m looking for a retailer that carries the Morocco maps by Huber Kartographie, from the *marokko-erfahren* collection at 1/120,000 scale. I’ve found most of them at Le Vieux Campeur and La Compagnie des Cartes, but I’m missing the following sheets: J13 / N10 / 012, and neither of these retailers can supply them. Online, I only ever find the maps I already own, not these specific numbers. Could any of you point me in the right direction? Or maybe recommend another collection? Even with a GPS, I always prefer paper maps—they’re so much more "expressive." Thanks! Dominique

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

10/18 Cascades Ourika → Telouet Toufliht (km 99) – 163 km

10/19 Telouet → Aïd Benhaddou Walks in the stunning Ounila Valley – 47 km

10/20 Aïd Benhaddou → Gorges Dadès Skoura (Association des femmes) – 168 km

10/21 Gorges Dadès → Départ Saghro Tinghir, Todgha Gorges – 154 km

10/22 Départ Saghro → Départ Saghro Walk in the Saghro (24 km) – 0 km

10/23 Départ Saghro → Tagounite Dunes Tinfou – 192 km

10/24 Tagounite → Tamnougalt Zagora – 156 km

10/25 Tamnougalt → Tamnougalt Draa Valley – 0 km

10/26 Tamnougalt → Taliouine Tazenakht – 178 km

10/27 Taliouine → Imlil Tizi n Test – 202 km

10/28 Imlil → Marrakech – 63 km

Hi Have any of you booked tickets through rail.ninja?