Things to Do in Merzouga
7 places, each on the map with the hour it is at its best. Pick yours and we plan the day.
Get a written quoteSee the 7 placesSahara & Merzouga city guide
Places to visit in Merzouga
Erg Chebbiعرق الشبي
Merzougaمرزوكة
Private day in Merzouga with a driver and guide
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About each place in Merzouga
3 of 7 places have a photo of the place itself so far. The others show none rather than a stand-in.
- Erg Chebbi
Desert, 3 h, best sunset or early
A sea of wind-blown dunes on the far western edge of the Sahara, among the tallest in the desert. Camel rides and camps start from the villages along its edge, Merzouga the largest of them.
Summer days are very hot; most people ride out in the late afternoon and come back after sunrise.
On our trip 2-Day Desert Tour from Fes to Merzouga. On our trip 3-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga. Erg Chebbi on Wikipedia Back to Merzouga list
- Merzouga
Village, 1 h, any time
The village at the foot of Erg Chebbi, about 35 km south-east of Rissani and 50 km from the Algerian border.
On our trip 2-Day Desert Tour from Fes to Merzouga. On our trip 3-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga. Merzouga on Wikipedia Back to Merzouga list
- Khamlia
Village, 1 h, best afternoon
A small village on the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes, 7 km from Merzouga, sometimes called the southern gateway to the Sahara. Our desert tour from Fes stops here for Gnawa music and tea.
On our trip 3-Day Desert Tour from Fes to Merzouga and Back. Khamlia on Wikipedia Back to Merzouga list
- Dayet Srji
Lake, 45 min, best early or late afternoon
A shallow lake a few kilometres west of Merzouga, out on the stony plain away from the dunes.
- Rissani
Town, 2 h, best morning
The nearest sizeable town to Erg Chebbi. The mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif, ancestor of Morocco's Alaouite dynasty, stands on its southern edge, and its market serves the surrounding oasis.
On our trip 3-Day Desert Tour from Fes to Merzouga and Back. On our trip 3-Day Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga. Rissani on Wikipedia Back to Merzouga list
- Sijilmasa
Roman site, 45 min, best morning or late afternoon
Ruins of the medieval caravan city at the northern edge of the Sahara, spread for some 8 km along the Ziz river in the Tafilalt oasis beside Rissani.
- Erfoud
Town, 1 h, any time
An oasis town on the way to Merzouga, with hotels and restaurants that grew up to serve the dunes. Film crews use the desert around it: The Mummy and Spectre both shot here.
On our trip 3-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga. On our trip 3-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga. Erfoud on Wikipedia Back to Merzouga list
Questions about visiting Merzouga
- How many days do you need in Merzouga?
- One night and two days is enough for a camel trek and an overnight camp in Erg Chebbi. Two or three days lets you add day trips to Khamlia, Rissani, Erfoud and the desert tracks around the dunes.
- When is the best time to visit Merzouga?
- Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) offer the most comfortable temperatures. Summer days are extremely hot, while winter brings warm days but cold desert nights, so pack layers for camping.
- How do you get to Merzouga?
- Merzouga is most often reached by road from Fes, Marrakech or Ouarzazate, with the drive from Fes or Marrakech typically taking two days. The nearest airport is at Errachidia, around two hours away by car.
More on Sahara & Merzouga: the Sahara & Merzouga city guide.
More things to do in Morocco: Things to Do in Marrakech, Things to Do in Fes, Things to Do in Essaouira, Things to Do in Chefchaouen, Things to Do in Ouarzazate, Things to Do in Tangier, Things to Do in Rabat, Things to Do in Meknes. All cities.