Zagora

Overview of Zagora

This is the "major" city of the Draa Valley. Zagora has a vast palm grove but remains above all a simple stopover or the starting point for many types of treks in the region. It is indeed at the gates of the desert.

Landmarks

Type of place: small town.

Tourist interest: (worth a stop if you are in the area).

Location: in the heart of the Draa Valley, halfway between Agdz and M'Hamid.

Distances: Agdz (95 km to the northwest), M'Hamid (95 km to the south), Ouarzazate (165 km to the northwest).

Local time: Heure : Zagora.

Population:

Area: 724 m.

Altitude:

Website: https://www.guidedumaroc.fr/zagora/

History of Zagora

What to see and do in Zagora

The town

There is very little to see in town, as Zagora is primarily a stopover or a base for exploring the surrounding area on foot, by camel, 4x4, or quad bike.

Palm grove of Zagora: This vast palm grove is also a place for walks, allowing you to discover some ksour and kasbahs scattered around its edges.

"Timbuktu 52 days": This sign "Timbuktu 52 days" located at the roundabout of the roads to M'Hamid and the airport has become famous over time and is now somewhat of a symbol of Zagora. It is meant to represent the time it once took caravans to travel between the two cities.

Ksar Amezrou: Adjacent to the town, this fortified village is very well preserved, with its narrow streets and underground galleries surrounded by imposing ramparts.

Desert exploration

This is one of the main activities in the city and the reason tourists come to Zagora. Several local agencies offer various types of desert explorations in the surrounding areas, both near and far from the city.

In the surrounding area

Kasbah Ouled Otmane (50 km): One of the most impressive kasbahs in the Draa Valley.

Ksar Tissergate (5 km): The village houses the Museum of Arts and Traditions of the Draa in a pretty kasbah. It displays objects, clothing, and jewelry related to the lives of the region's inhabitants.

Tamegroute (15 km)
This town, about twenty kilometres south of Zagora, hides a 17th-century zaouïa (religious centre). It is also known for its small underground town and pottery workshops.

Tinfou (20 km): Just past Tamegroute, in Tinfou, you can see the first sand dunes as they are typically associated with the image of the Sahara.

Draa Valley
South of Ouarzazate, nearly 200 kilometres along the Draa River, which irrigates palm groves and crops before vanishing into the desert sands. The valley is also remarkable for its oases, ksour, and kasbahs scattered along the route.

Climate and weather in Zagora

Transport

Getting there

Buses and shared taxis

The shared taxi station and bus station are at the entrance of the city, on Boulevard Mohammed V. Zagora is fairly well connected, particularly with buses from the CTM that run several times a day to Ouarzazate (3 hours; 45 Dh/4 €) and even Marrakech (8 hours; 125 Dh/11 €). M'Hamid is also accessible by bus or shared taxi.

By air

The city has a small airport 8 km to the south, which receives a few thousand passengers per year, mainly from Casablanca and occasionally from Ouarzazate or Marrakech on RAM or Air Arabia flights.

Getting around

Since the city stretches over more than 5 kilometers, you can always use the services of small taxis if you are not driving. Expect to pay less than 2 € for a typical ride in town.

Accommodation

As Zagora serves as a "base" for exploring the surrounding area, it has various hotels and guesthouses in all categories.

Eating

Several cafés, restaurants, and shops are located along Boulevard Mohammed V, the city's main thoroughfare.