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Dusty streets, terracotta buildings, huge skies. Zagora, in the south-east of Morocco, is a place that is inextricably linked with the Sahara Desert. Named after the nearby mountain, Zagora was once a stronghold of the Almoravid people, and their legacy can still be seen in the surrounding hills. Outside the town is the amazing Draa Valley, which follows the twists and turns of the river – an unforgettable place where thick groves of palm trees line the twists and turns of the river, while the Jbel Saghro mountain range rises in the background.
The culture you’ll find in Zagora is very different to that of the northern towns and cities. While you’re here make time for the Musee des Arts and Traditions de la Vallee de Draa. This wonderful building is dedicated to the Amazigh way of life in the Draa Valley. With plenty of exhibits including jewellery, weapons, and even wedding outfits, this is a fascinating insight into the lives of the desert people.
And don’t miss the Festival of the Nomad in the nearby village of M’hamid where tribes from all over Morocco congregate to celebrate their unique culture.
The area around Zagora is ideal for enjoyable winter and spring riding. The weather at this time of the year is warm, but not overpoweringly hot, and riding in the desert under the Moroccan sun is an amazing experience.
The roads in the area are mainly good quality and work is ongoing to ensure that all roads are maintained. Once outside the town the road climbs gently up the Draa Valley, a lush valley lined with palm trees and greenery. As you approach the high points, make sure you take time to enjoy the stunning views of the area.
If you’re more of an off-roader then you’ll find all the challenge that you could ever want, whether it’s dried up lakebeds, steep valley sides, or the sand of the Sahara itself.
The southern town of Zagora rests in the sands of the Sahara, making it an ideal base from which to take a desert trek. But it’s not all endless sands as far as the eye can see. You can explore along the banks of the Oued Draa River, which bustles with wildlife, or travel by foot, 4×4, or camel through fields of date palms and into the stunning Draa valley. The area retains its age-old charm with signs proclaiming that, if you were so inclined, it would take 52 days to reach Timbuktu by camel, (although we’d recommend getting the bus). Hire a local guide or join an organised excursion, but make sure a desert trek is at the top of your ‘to do’ list.
If you want a family holiday that is a world away from the usual beaches and theme parks, then a trip to Zagora is ideal. It’s a place where children can enjoy exploring the natural side of the world, in an environment that will captivate them.
Try a trek to the Draa Valley where your children can go fossil hunting or look for animals. The river that runs through it is perfect for a boating trip, and you’ll see traditional Amazigh villages and exotic wildlife. A trip into the desert is a must, and what child could resist the chance to ride on a camel?
When it’s time to eat in Zagora you’ll have plenty of options for your dining pleasure. There are many restaurants in town, most towards the centre, and they serve a wide selection of traditional Moroccan dishes – fill your plates with couscous, tagines, or perhaps Madfouna – the ‘Berber Pizza’. These delicious dishes have the dough on the outside, and are filled with all sorts of different foods such as lamb, steak, eggs, beef and vegetables. It’s also worth visiting the souk and selecting your own wonderfully fresh food from the friendly stall holders.
After a long hot day in Zagora, why not refresh yourself with a trip to a traditional hammam? There are several of these Moroccan bath houses in the town, usually family owned and run, and are an ideal way to cleanse yourself after a trip to the desert. They’re also a great way to meet local Moroccans, who use their trips to the hammam as a social occasion as well as somewhere to get clean.
As well as the hammams in town, many hotels offer the same service. These are usually more similar to western style spas and more expensive than the traditional offerings, so the choice is yours!
If you’re taking a motorbike tour of Morocco, then at some point in your trip you must make it to the desert, and where better than Zagora?
It’s in this part of the world that you can bike into the Draa Valley, one of the most scenic parts of the country. The landscape is breathtaking and the fast sweeping bends are an absolute joy to ride. There are also plenty of opportunities for you to take your bike off road, how can you possibly resist the opportunity to say you’ve ridden in the Sahara?
The people of Zagora have been shaped by their environment for many years. Centuries living on the edge of the desert have forged a strong sense of independence into these Moroccans, but at the same time they are friendly and welcoming to visitors to their town. A mix of Arab and Amazigh, they have a proud past, and much of their ancestry can be traced back to the Almoravid dynasty who had a strong presence in this area during the eleventh century.
If you’re looking for somewhere to go to get away from it all, rest, relax, and reconnect with yourself and nature then Zagora is the place to do just that. The vast desert on its doorstep means that this is an extremely popular place to take a retreat, and there are many companies who will organise trips on which you can practise yoga, meditate, practise chakra flow and even desert flow in the quietude of the dunes.
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Paradise awaits you at Dar Hnini, lush green oasis in the heart of the abundant Draa Valley. Indulge yourself in the unparalleled natural beauty of green date palm trees set against the backdrop of volcanic mountain rangers creating spellbinding sanctuary.
Location : Google Map
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The Riad Jasmine Sud is a magnificent building nestled in the heart of the town of Zagora in the south of Morocco. Once it was an oasis, today it is a beautiful city in the heart of the desert. Zagora is a paradise of sand and palm trees . The perfect setting for a successful holiday.
By staying in our Riad Zagora , you can enjoy a comfortable and typically Moroccan stay. The streets surrounding our property are full of history and heritage. From Djebel Zagora to its huge palm grove and Kasbahs, there are many places for hiking and walking. We advise you to take the time to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of our beautiful country.
Our Riad Zagora is designed and designed to make you live a wonderful stay during which you will immerse yourself in the customs of the country. We have restaurants and 7 rooms with magnificent suites. The entire staff offers you its kindness and friendliness. You will feel right at home and we will be delighted to tell you more about our history. In fact, the riad is the fruit of an exciting love between two inhabitants of the city.
Location : Google Map
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Riad dar Sofian enjoys an exceptional location in the Palm grove of Zagora. To the East mountains, to the West palm grove and the pleasure of being in the middle of this now protected territory.
Riad Dar Sofian consists of ten rooms and a suite. Some have terraces; others overlook the mountain, garden or swimming pool.
Our traditional menu is personalised. You will be able to take your meals around the swimming pool, on the terraces, in the living rooms, around the cactus garden or under the large Berber tent.
For your comfort the riad is air-conditioned and Wifi via satellite is available everywhere. Besides Arabic, the staff speaks French and English.
Location : Google Map
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With an outdoor swimming pool and 2 restaurants, Le Riad Salam Zagora offers air-conditioned rooms in the center of Zagora. Free parking is provided on site and Zagora Airport is a 15-minute drive from the hotel.
Offering a view of the pool or gardens, guest rooms are simply decorated and feature a seating area with satellite TV. Each room at Le Riad Salam Zagora has an private bathroom equipped with a shower and free toiletries.
Breakfast is available each morning and can be enjoyed in the comfort of guests’ rooms upon request. For other meals, traditional Moroccan and international dishes are available in the restaurants.
Guests can relax in the bar or lounge where free Wi-Fi access is provided. Staff are available on site 24 hours a day and can help guests organize excursions in the surrounding area.
Location : Google Map
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AGADIR, MOROCCO
Morocco is one of those types of destinations that can be visited year-round. You have to understand the geography of the country in order to choose the best time to visit Morocco. Taking into account that you have vast desert regions, probably those should not be visited during the peak summer months such as July and August.
Also, knowing that Morocco has most part of its territory with mountains above 10.000 feet and up to 14.000, you will surely encounter snow in highlands above 4200 feet. So, expect snow during the months of November until February. Overall we can say that Morocco is amazing and can be visited from January until December, but the ultimate best times to visit Morocco are during April, May, September, October, and November.
Tourists have been visiting Morocco for years and Moroccans have well-earned reputation for warmth and kindness toward visitors. Moroccan cities are generally very safe, especially in area where tourists frequent. Morocco is very well secured, Police in every location, there is so many checking points, this is what makes Morocco safe and 100% secured to make sure everybody are safe and comfortable in Morocco. Morocco generally has a very low crime rate. Travelers will be safe in Morocco if they take sensible precautions that would apply to any tourist destination around the world.
Travel insurance should be obtained before leaving your country of origin. It is not compulsory to purchase it. Local hospitals have limited diagnostic capability. Private clinics can be expensive, evacuation can cost a lot, luggage can disappear, so insurance is a good idea.
You can relax and wear whatever is familiar, comfortable, and best suited for you during your holidays. Morocco is very tolerant and welcoming to visitors, and you’re not expected to act or look like a Moroccan. Longer shorts and shirts are fine for men. Concerning women, it’s a good idea to bring a scarf to cover bare shoulders and arms in rural areas.
It’s not easy to get Moroccan Dirham outside the country as it is a closed currency. Those who succeeded have paid heavy commissions for banks.
There are ATMs everywhere in the country, exchange points, banks, and many businesses/shops/restaurants nowadays accept cards mostly with a 5% transaction fee. The best place to exchange money with high rate is the touristic areas.
The Moroccan Dirham (MAD) is the currency of Morocco. Made up of 100 centimes per unit, the currency is issued by the Bank Al-Maghrib (Morocco’s central bank). Historically, the Moroccan Dirham originates from the Byzantine Empire’s Drachm, and was used in Arabia and the Levant in pre-Islamic times. The name “Dirham” stems from the Roman word “denarius” .
Credit cards are widely used in Morocco in hotels, many shops, restaurants, and cafes. Most stores in markets accept credit cards. The most common types of credit cards used in Morocco are Visa, Master Card, and American Express.
Visitors to Morocco must have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the scheduled return date to enter Morocco and you can obtain a visa from Morocco Consulate before departure. Also, entry visa is available upon arrival Morocco airports against USD 27 per passport for specific nationalities and need to check before.
Some nationalities don’t need a visa to visit Morocco for the purpose of tourism for up to 3 months such as United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Denmark, Netherlands, New Zealand, and Switzerland. For more info and details on entry visa to Morocco please check with the Moroccan consulate or embassy at your country
It is always recommended for travelers who wish to have their own supply of cigarettes and alcohol with them in Morocco to purchase them upon arrival.
There are duty free shops in the airports in Casablanca, Marrakech, Agadir, Fez, Tangier and Rabat. Tourists are allowed to purchase up to 3 liters of alcohol and up to 200 cigarettes on arrival.
English and French are studied in school all over Morocco. This is why most Moroccans, who live in the cities, speak or understand at least some English words or phrases, and most of Moroccans are speaking French well. Fewer Moroccans can speak Italian, Spanish, and German; however, professionals in the tourism sector are accustomed to visitors who cannot speak Arabic. They speak enough English and many other languages to fulfill the needs of most travelers. Many travelers enjoy their stay in Morocco without learning a single word of Arabic; however, it is always good to learn a few Arabic words to expressing greetings or thanks. If you are planning to visit some places other than popular tourist destinations, it is advisable to learn some Arabic phrases. Generally, Moroccans are friendly and are happy to help anyone, especially foreigners and tourists, even if there is a language barrier.
Many people in the tourism sector depend on tips, as a major part of their income. Therefore, tipping is considered customary in Morocco. It is a customary attitude for expressing ones satisfaction of good services rendered to him by staff on duty with him. We advise if you are willing to offer it, this would be great and if not, you are not obliged to do it.
– The same as many hotels all around the globe, the check-in time in most hotels in Morocco is around midday, 1 or 2 PM. If you arrive in the hotel late at night or in the early morning, you may have to pay for an extra night to get to your room immediately without having to wait until the normal check-in time.
Accommodations for travellers in Morocco fall across a broad range—everything from world class luxury to simple hostel accommodations are available. The nicest hotels compare well with luxury hotels anywhere, coming from international hotel chains like Movenpick, Hilton, Four Seasons, and Sofitel. A step down from these is a variety of local hotels that ranges from luxurious to simple. Moroccan hotels have their own rating system that loosely classifies them on a 5-star scale; however, this scale is different from international standards used elsewhere.
Moroccans are well known all over the world for their tolerance and hospitality; however, it is always polite to ask permission before taking a photograph of people, especially women, and stores or products. Photography is non-permitted around army bases, airports, dams and bridges. In most places where photography is prohibited there will be signs to notify you.
Non-Muslims are generally welcome to visit and access Hassan 2 mosques in Casablanca except when they are being used for prayer, on Friday and during the five prayers of the day. Tourists are not allowed to enter any other mosque at any time. Only outside visit is possible.
Most of the monuments, historical sites, and museums in Morocco open from 9 AM until 6 PM. During Ramadan, the holy month of the Islamic calendar, be aware that these hours will change significantly.
Most of the shops in Morocco open from around 9 AM and stay open until 10 PM; however, many shops, cafes, and restaurants especially in main cities like Marrakech, Casablanca, Fez, Agadir, and Rabat stay open much later and some facilities and shops are open 24 hours a day in touristic areas. During Ramadan, the holy month of the Islamic calendar, opening hours may change significantly with shops closed during the middle of the day and staying open much later. Medina Souk in Fez closes Friday Morning.
There is a public transit system in Morocco that uses a rail to link the main towns and buses for inner-city trips. Small private and group tours will typically use large vans and sedans. Medium to large motor coaches is used for larger group holidays.
