Top places to visit in Merzouga

• Erg Chebbi Dunes

  sand dunes · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  A sweeping sea of wind-sculpted Saharan dunes rising up to ~150m, glowing orange-gold at sunrise and sunset — the iconic Moroccan desert reached from Merzouga.

• Merzouga Village

  village · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  The small frontier village at the western foot of Erg Chebbi — a scatter of auberges, cafes and shops that is the launch point for camel treks and desert camps.

• Khamlia (Gnawa Village)

  village · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  A village of the Gnawa people (descendants of sub-Saharan Africans) south of the dunes, where you can hear hypnotic spiritual music over mint tea in a local house.

• Lake Dayet Srji

  seasonal lake · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  A shallow seasonal salt lake northwest of Merzouga that, after winter rains, draws flocks of pink flamingos and migrating birds against the dunes.

• Rissani Souk

  souk · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The historic market town ~40km from Merzouga (birthplace of the Alaouite dynasty), with a lively donkey-and-produce souk on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and famous medfouna "Berber pizza".

Things to do

• Sunset Camel Trek into Erg Chebbi Adventure · 3 h · from MAD 350 per person
• Overnight Desert Camp with Camel Trek Adventure · 15 h · from MAD 800 per person
• 4x4 Dune Circuit — Khamlia, Lake & Mines Excursion · 4 h · from MAD 600 per person
• Sandboarding on Erg Chebbi Adventure · 2 h · from MAD 200 per person
• Quad Biking around Erg Chebbi Adventure · 2 h · from MAD 500 per person
• Gnawa Music Evening at Khamlia Cultural · 1.5 h · from MAD 100 per person

Day trips and tours

• Erg Chebbi Overnight Desert Experience 18 h · from MAD 800
• Merzouga 4x4 Desert Discovery 4 h · from MAD 600

Where to stay in Merzouga

• Merzouga Village & Erg Chebbi about MAD 700 per night

  Auberges and kasbah-style guesthouses right at the foot of the dunes — walk straight onto the sand.

• Hassilabied about MAD 550 per night

  A quieter oasis hamlet just north of Merzouga with family-run auberges backing onto the erg.

Hotels

• Erg Chebbi Luxury Desert Camp MAD 2,000 to MAD 3,500 per night
• Riad Madu 4-star · MAD 800 to MAD 1,400 per night
• Ali & Sara's Desert Palace 3-star · MAD 500 to MAD 900 per night
• Nomad Palace 2-star · MAD 350 to MAD 600 per night
• Kasbah Mohayut 3-star · MAD 700 to MAD 1,200 per night

Where to eat

• Cafe Restaurant Nora Moroccan, Berber · about MAD 90 per person
• Restaurant Bab Erg Chebbi Moroccan, Berber · about MAD 100 per person
• Cafe Khamlia Moroccan, Berber · about MAD 60 per person

Getting to Merzouga

Nearest airport: Fez (FEZ), about 326 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.

How visitors arrive in Merzouga

• Supratours coach from Marrakech or Fes to Merzouga village By road from Marrakech · common · unconfirmed

  Supratours coaches from Marrakech and from Fes end in Merzouga village; this is the direct public option. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• CTM coach to Erfoud or Rissani, then grand taxi By road from Erfoud · common · unconfirmed

  CTM stops at Erfoud and Rissani; continue by shared grand taxi to Merzouga. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Fly to Errachidia, then road south By air from Errachidia · possible · unconfirmed

  Errachidia airport sits north of Merzouga; onward is by road. Fez and Marrakech are the bigger gateways. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the bus terminal to the centre

• Grand taxi from Rissani or Erfoud unconfirmed

  Shared grand taxis and vans run from Rissani and Erfoud to Merzouga. Agree the fare first and beware guides who divert you to their own lodgings. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Animal Ride

  Camel treks lead from the village into the dunes, usually to an overnight camp at the base of the large dunes.

• Offroad Vehicle

  Local companies run 4x4 excursions that include a drive across the dunes, a village visit and a lake stop.

• Shared Taxi

  Shared vans, known as grand taxis, run to Merzouga from nearby Rissani and Erfoud.

• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Camel-trek & camp overcharging

  Merzouga auberges

  Very cheap treks or camps are advertised, then extra charges for "sunset", blankets, water or the return trip appear.

  How to avoid it: Book through a reputable auberge, confirm exactly what is included in writing, and beware deals that seem too cheap.

Best time to visit Merzouga

• Jan 17°C
• Feb 19°C
• Mar 24°C
• Apr 28°C
• May 33°C
• Jun 38°C
• Jul 42°C
• Aug 40°C
• Sep 35°C
• Oct 29°C
• Nov 22°C
• Dec 18°C

More in Morocco

• Marrakech
• Fez
• Chefchaouen
• Casablanca
• Essaouira
• Tangier

Frequently asked questions about Merzouga

What are the main places to visit in Merzouga?

Places covered in our Merzouga guide include Erg Chebbi Dunes, Merzouga Village, Khamlia (Gnawa Village), Lake Dayet Srji, Rissani Souk.

Where should I stay in Merzouga?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Merzouga: Merzouga Village & Erg Chebbi, Hassilabied.

How do I get around Merzouga?

Ways to get around Merzouga covered in our guide: Animal ride, Off-road vehicle, Shared taxi, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Merzouga?

Scams reported to us for Merzouga include Camel-trek & camp overcharging. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Merzouga?

Average daytime highs in Merzouga run from 17°C in Jan to 42°C in Jul.