A Desert Crossroads: Essential Travel Guide to Errachidia

Looking for the best things to do in Errachidia or highly recommended places to stay? Discover the ideal time to visit Errachidia, tips for getting there and the best Sahara Desert tours in this essential travel guide to Errachidia.

Formerly known as Ksar es-Souk, Errachidia is an often overlooked Moroccan city named after the second son of Hassan II, Moulay Rachid. It is strategically situated in the south of the Kingdom at the crossroads where the roads from Marrakech and Fes meet.

Errachidia is not only a gateway to the stunning Drâa-Tafilalet region (of which it is the capital) but also a popular overnight stop en route to Merzouga and the Sahara Desert. 

While most tourists simply rest for the night before continuing on their journey to Erg Chebbi, Errachidia has a handful of attractions that make it worth lingering a little longer. In addition to some well-preserved ksars (fortified villages), it lies on the edge of the life-giving Oued Ziz and its palm-studded gorge.

Over the years, Errachidia’s dramatic landscapes have made it a sought-after destination for international filmmakers, as well as adventurous travellers looking to get off the beaten track. 

In this Essential Travel Guide to Errachidia, discover inspiring places to stay in and around the city, as well as the ideal time to visit. I’ll also highlight some of the best things to do in Errachidia and the surrounding area. 

If you’re overnighting in Errachidia en route to the Sahara, my Essential Travel Guide to Merzouga details amazing things to do and inspiring places to stay in the Erg Chebbi dunes. 

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Best things to do in Errachidia

Visit the Ksar Goulmima

Around 45 minutes’ drive west of Errachidia (on the route from Marrakech) is the oasis town of Goulmima, which is fed by the waters of the Wadi Gheris. Like many settlements in the Tafilalet area, it was originally constructed as a fortified ksar. These earthen villages provided their inhabitants a secure refuge from the harsh desert environment.

Today, Ksar Goulmima is undergoing an extensive restoration while providing a home for several hundred people. It’s like a living museum and exploring its centuries-old mosque and mellah quarter is definitely one of the best things to do in Errachidia.

You can join a guided tour (ask around for Omar) to discover the unique way of life for the Amazigh people who live here. Most tours include a visit the adjacent palmeraie and tea with a local family. 

Hike through the Ziz Valley

Snaking its way past Errachidia is the Oued Ziz, which begins just south of the Middle Atlas near the town of Er-Rich. It winds its way through a dramatic gorge before widening into a vast plain that’s home to one of Morocco’s largest palm groves.

The hiking here is well and truly off-the-beaten-track and one of the best things to do in Errachidia. That being said, it’s worth grabbing a guide before you set out to ensure you don’t get lost. The rewards are gorgeous scenery and atmospheric villages where few other tourists venture. 

Relax on the shores of Lake Al-Hassan Addakhil

Situated along the Oued Ziz is this artifical dam, which was constructed over a three-year period from 1968 to 1971. It was built with the purpose of regulating the river’s flow in order to facilitate agricultural development and flood control in the surrounding valley.

Lake Al-Hassan Addakhil is a picturesque spot to stretch your legs. Alternatively, you can enjoy a picnic hereas you approach Errachidia (it’s located just to the north). There’s a short walking trail leading down from the N15 to the lake’s edge. From here, there are distant views of the Atlas Mountains.

Best tours to and from Errachidia

Errachidia isn’t a super popular base for travellers visiting the Sahara Desert. But it can be used as a launching point for Erg Chebbi tours. Several operators run day trips and overnight adventures to the Sahara from Errachidia, which is only two hours’ drive from Merzouga.

Errachidia is also a popular stop on the drive between Fes and Merzouga, with a huge choice of tours travelling this route. If you want to spend a few hours in the area or visit Ksar Goulmina, I’d suggest booking a private Sahara Desert tour that can be customised to your interests.

Both Viator and GetYourGuide have lots of Sahara Desert tours to choose from. Some of these include stops in Errachidia. They serve as a great starting point as you can read reviews from other travellers and decide if the experience is right for you.

Below are some of the most highly-rated tours that either depart from Errachidia or include a stop in the city en route from Fes to Merzouga.

Spend a night in Erg Chebbi from Errachidia

This overnight tour begins and ends in Errachidia and includes a luxurious glamping experience in the Sahara Desert. Aside from transport to and from your Errachidia hotel, it includes a camel trek, sandboarding and delicious Moroccan meals (dinner and breakfast), as well as a night spent under the stars.

Day trip from Errachidia to Merzouga

If you don’t want to spend a night in the Sahara, this full-day tour to Erg Chebbi from Errachidia is ideal. It includes round-trip transport, a tour of Khamlia to learn about its links to Gnaoua music and an exploration of Merzouga. Camel treks and lunch can be arranged for an additional charge.

3-day Sahara tour from Fes to Marrakech

This small-group Sahara Desert tour provides a convenient way of getting from Fes to Marrakech (or visa versa) while covering a lot of ground along the way. It includes a night in Merzouga at a desert camp and another in Dades Gorge, as well as exploring the Swiss-inspired town of Ifrane, Errachidia and the Ziz Valley. 

4-day Sahara desert tour from Fes

Beginning and ending in Fes, this four-day private Sahara Desert tour passes through Errachidia en route to Merzouga. It includes stops in Ifrane and Azrou to see the Barbary macaques before overnighting in Midelt. The following two nights are spent in Merzouga, giving you plenty of time to experience the Sahara Desert.

How to get to Errachidia

Moulay Ali Cherif Airport is the aviation gateway to Errachidia and receives regular flights from Casablanca, Rabat and Marrakech. The closest international aviation gateway is Fes-Saïss Airport. It’s around five hours’ drive from Errachidia and receives flights from destinations across Europe. 

If you’re hiring a car in Fes, it’s an easy drive down the N13 to Errachidia. Many people opt to overnight here before continuing on to Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes.

 

By bus

If you’re travelling on a budget, buses connect from major cities across Morocco to Errachidia. Some of these services continue on to Merzouga. Several bus companies, such as CTM, operate daily departures between Fes and Errachidia, with the journey taking around 9 hours.

If you’re coming from Marrakech, CTM buses to Errachidia travel via Ouarzazate (you’ll need to change buses here). The total journey time is around 11.5 hours. It’s also possible to travel by train from Marrakech to Meknes, then continue with a Supratours bus to Errachidia.

Bus tickets to Errachidia can be purchased online directly with the companies. Alternatively, you can compare options (and purchase tickets) at 12Go.

By guided tour

The most convenient way to reach Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes is on an organised tour. There are options departing from both Marrakech and Fes. Tours beginning or ending in Fes usually include a brief stop in Errachidia. Opt for a private tour if you want to allocate more time here or visit Ksar Goulmima.

Both Viator and GetYourGuide have lots of Sahara Desert tours to choose from, including stops in Errachidia. They serve as a great starting point as you can read reviews from other travellers and get a taste of what the camps look like.

Best places to stay in Errachidia

Kenzi Rissani

Located just across the Oued Ziz from downtown Errachidia is this highly-rated modern hotel. It features contemporary rooms and suites that tick all the right boxes for an overnight stay. There’s a sparkling swimming pool where you can refresh with a swim, as well as two restaurants.

“Excellent, clean and beautiful hotel on the way to Merzouga.” Scott (read more reviews here)

Kasbah Hotel Camping Jurassique

Backed by the majestic walls of the Ziz Gorge, this budget hotel near Errachidia is inspired by kasbah architecture. It’s conveniently located directly on the route between Fes and Merzouga. It offers affordable twin, double, triple and quadruple rooms, plus a swimming pool and a restaurant serving breakfast and dinner.

“Great little stopover.” – Sarah (read more reviews here)

Dar Yan

Located between Errachidia Airport and the town centre, this friendly dar features four comfortable rooms that are ideal for couples. Aside from air-conditioning and complimentary Wi-Fi, there’s a kitchen that guests are welcome to use. The free airport transfers are a bonus!

“Beautiful place to stay before you go to desert.” – Numair (read more reviews here)

Hotel Kasbah Fenguig

Located around 30 kilometres south of Errachidia on the road to Merzouga, this highly-rated kasbah hotel is set within palm-studded grounds. It boasts tidy twin and double rooms, as well as a two-bedroom suite that’s ideal for families. The sparkling swimming pool (backed by the ochre-hued walls of the Ziz Gorge) makes this a fantastic place to stay in the summer months.

“The attention and welcome were very good. We lacked nothing during our stay. The surroundings are stunning.” – Maitane (read more reviews here)

Best time to visit Errachidia 

Generally speaking, the spring and autumn seasons are the best times to visit Errachidia. During these periods, the temperatures are not too hot and not too chilly. The daytime highs are perfect (mid-to-high 20s Celsius), allowing you to comfortably explore the region’s rugged landscapes. 

In contrast, the summer months in Errachidia can be brutally hot. Daytime temperatures can climb well above 40 degrees Celsius. At the opposite end of the spectrum, the winter months of December and January bring chilly nighttime temperatures.

About Me

I’m Malika, a global traveller who first visited Morocco in 2014 before marrying a local and settling down in a little village on the Atlantic coast. Over the years, I’ve developed an intense love for Morocco, its incredible landscapes, storied cities and the exceptionally generous hospitality of its people.

Malika in Morocco is a place to share my years of experience exploring the country, from north to south and from the Atlantic Ocean to the Sahara Desert. As a resource for travellers visiting Morocco, I want to encourage others to experience this captivating destination the way they desire, whether that’s independently or under the expert guidance of local tour operators.

I believe strongly in supporting responsible and sustainable tourism initiatives while inspiring travel experiences that are life-impacting and mutually beneficial for both travellers and locals.