Back from Skoura (Morocco) (page 1 of 18)

A big thank you to the VoyageForum members who shared their experiences with us! We spent 3 wonderful days at "La Kasbah la Palmeraie" in Skoura. Coming from Marrakech (a stunning drive after the Tichka Pass via Telouet and Ait-Benhaddou), our stay at the Palmeraie was pure bliss: Mohammed and Ghizlane’s warm welcome, delicious breakfasts on the terrace overlooking the palm grove (wood-fired bread, honey pancakes made by Ghizlane), and equally delicious and hearty evening meals shared as a family around a cozy fire. We felt right at home and learned so much about the local way of life. The excursions offered were always interesting and off the beaten tourist track—from there, we explored the Dades Valley and Gorges, the Almond Blossom Valley (gorgeous!), and the palm grove. The region is home to magnificent kasbahs, including our hosts’. A different way to "visit" Morocco!

Thanks for this update! I’m leaving soon—did you encounter any snow? Any difficulties getting around? Also, congrats on the photos, they’re really stunning. Have a great evening.

No snow, except for the stunning views on the Atlas Mountains, just sunshine and warmth; it felt like the middle of summer! However, the nights are cool, but everywhere we stayed had big fires in the fireplaces in the evenings and extra heaters in the rooms. Have a great trip! It's a wonderful country!

For the roads, no problem at all. The main roads are very well maintained; if you take the backroads, make sure to check ahead—you’ll often need a 4x4.

Good evening Marie-Claude, I’m so glad I’m not the only one who’s fallen under the spell of Skoura’s palm grove. All the best.

Thanks for this really recent info.

We’ll be spending a few days in Skoura in April. What sights did you visit? What’s worth seeing over 3 days? Looking forward to your tips. Thanks.

Check out all the discussions about Skoura, and you’ll find precise and varied answers. It’s often talked about on the forum.

That’s so true, thanks!

From Skoura, there are plenty of lovely walks besides the Dades Valley and gorges, which already take a full day. We enjoyed strolling through the palm grove, visiting a large Kasbah in Skoura, heading to the almond tree valley (gorgeous this season and no tourists—head toward Toundount north of Skoura), and the village of Boutharar by taking the road starting from El-Kelaâ M'Gouna. A little tip: even if you have a GPS, a good Michelin map bought in France isn’t useless—the GPS doesn’t recognize small roads or tracks. Happy exploring! MC

Did you get a chance to visit the douars off the beaten path beyond the wadis and the first palm grove? We discovered them last fall and found these villages incredibly peaceful and serene.

no, what do you mean by douars?

For me, a douar is a village.

Yes, the douars are small villages, not municipalities—just villages. The ones I visited in the fall are part of the Skoura municipality but are located about ten kilometers from the center of Skoura. You have to cross the wadis and head toward other palm groves with magnificent kasbahs, gardens, and the mountains in the background.

Thanks for the explanation—I was mixing up *douar* with *dar*.

From Skoura, there are plenty of lovely walks besides the Dades Valley and gorges, which already take a full day. We enjoyed strolling through the palm grove, visiting a large Kasbah in Skoura, heading to the almond tree valley (gorgeous this season and no tourists, head toward Toundount north of Skoura), and the village of Boutharar by taking the road starting from El-Kelaâ M'Gouna. A little tip: even if you have a GPS, a good Michelin map bought in France isn’t useless—the GPS doesn’t recognize small roads or tracks. Happy trails! MC

FYI, there’s now a detailed map of the Skoura palm grove. Since ads aren’t allowed here, feel free to DM me...

You're right, having a plan is great, but you'll also get excellent tips at hostels, and they definitely have maps and great deals to help their visitors.

Yeah, I thought that’s what a douar was—a small village.

Good evening Marie Claude, I agree with you on all the positive points about the guesthouse La Palmeraie. Ghizlane is an amazing cook and Mohammed is a very interesting guide. We saw so many things thanks to him, with a big highlight being the nighttime irrigation of the palm grove in his company. On the last day, we found out there was a cobbler in Skoura who made custom babouches, but it was too late... what a shame... Returning to France was tough—a real wake-up call, just as François predicted... The snow wasn’t far off, and it was difficult. I hope everything went well for you. Elodie

Hey Elodie, It was really tough for us too, that cold Paris region weather... I'll send you the photo you asked for as soon as I can—I'm already swamped! The other photos are already up on the site; you can check them out. They bring back such great memories!