Famed as Morocco’s “Capital of Dates”, Erfoud is a Saharan oasis town that served as a film setting for iconic movies like "The Mummy" and "Prince of Persia,". It lies at the base of the High Atlas mountains along the famed "Route of 1000 Kasbahs" and has gained recognition in the realm of space research due to its Mars-like landscapes.
Belonging to the Ait Atta tribe, Erfoud was settled by the French during the colonial years in an attempt to monitor the Amazigh people of the Tafilalet Valley. Over time, it has blossomed into a thriving commercial centre, its economy fuelled by the lucrative trade of local marble and the celebrated date palm groves that blanket the surrounding countryside. Erfoud is also a geological wonderland, where ancient seabeds have yielded a treasure trove of remarkably well-preserved marine fossils dating back over 360 million years.
Among travellers, Erfoud serves as the starting point for adventures into the surrounding desert wilderness. The town's strategic location between the Ziz and Rheris Valleys provides easy access to four-wheel-drive excursions and multi-day camel treks, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the undulating dunes. Within the town itself, you can wander the dusty streets and bustling markets, sampling the sweet, sticky dates that have made this desert oasis famous.
In this Ultimate Travel Guide to Erfoud, discover the top things to see and do in the area, as well as inspiring places to stay and the best time to visit.
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Things to do in Erfoud
Visit the marble quarries
No visit to Erfoud is complete without a visit to the nearby marble quarries, which are renowned throughout the region for their specialised extraction and polishing of fossilised rock. Located 15 kilometres southeast of Erfoud's centre are the quarries of Goniatite, the remnants of ancient sea creatures. For anyone with even a passing interest in palaeontology or the natural world, a visit to Erfoud's quarries is an absolute must. In the town itself, artisans can be seen polishing the fossilised finds into beautiful objects such as pendants and bowls.
Soak up the views from Borj East
From this imposing boulder, you’ll be treated to breathtaking panoramas across Erfoud and the surrounding date palm oases. As far as the eye can see, the Tizimi palm grove sprawls along the Ziz and Rheris rivers, while in the distance, glimpses of the Saharan dunes come into view. Borj East is around five minutes' drive east of central Erfoud or can be reached in around 45 minutes on foot.
Ultimate Travel Guide to Erfoud
Shop at the Rissani market
Located directly south of Erfoud, Rissani has long been the capital of the Tafilalet region, serving as the final outpost of civilisation for caravans travelling into the Sahara Desert. For centuries, this bustling oasis town was a crucial hub where caravans would resupply and prepare for the arduous journey ahead. In 1640, the Alawite royal family, descendants of the first sultan and dynasty founder Moulay Ali-Cherif, established their seat of power in Rissani's historic old quarter.
Today, Rissani remains an important commercial hub and hosts a market three times a week, making it a great destination for experiencing an authentic slice of Moroccan life. Just outside the market area stands the historic mausoleum of Moulay Ali-Cherif, a revered site that serves as a reminder of Rissani's royal legacy. Nearby, the scattered ruins of ancient Sijilmassa and Ksar Abbar provide further glimpses into the town's storied past.
Drive through the spectacular Todra Gorge
Featuring towering limestone cliffs in various shades of ochre, the dramatic Todra Gorge can be accessed via the gateway town of Tinghir. As you follow the winding road that hugs the banks of the Todra River, the landscape transforms with lush palm groves and verdant greenery around a scattering of earthy-hued buildings. The road culminates in a high mountain pass that serves as the perfect jumping-off point for hiking and exploring the Todra's untamed beauty up close.
Ultimate Travel Guide to Erfoud
Attend the annual Erfoud Date Festival
The Erfoud Date Festival takes place each October, commemorating the region’s cherished date palm crop. Held in the heart of Morocco's leading date-producing town, this three-day celebration pays tribute to the date harvest through a diverse array of cultural events and activities. In addition to musical and dance performances, local vendors offer an assortment of date-based delicacies, such as delicious date pastries and date-infused tagines.
Overnight in the Erg Chebbi Dunes
Erfoud serves as a gateway to the Erg Chebbi dunes, the most visited of Morocco’s two Saharan dune systems. Stretching for over 20 kilometres, these towering sands rise up to 150 metres in height, creating a breathtaking panorama that stretches endlessly into the horizon. Dotting the landscape are Amazigh-style camps and bivouacs, ranging from basic yet comfortable accommodations to more luxurious glamping retreats. Here, you can spend the night under the star-studded Saharan sky after embarking on a sunset camel trek or 4x4 dune adventure.
Best Sahara desert camps in Erg Chebbi
This romantic camp in Erg Chebbi is the epitome of desert luxury, with each of its sleeping tents exquisitely adorned with Moroccan decor.
This top-rated Sahara Desert camp near Merzouga offers affordable luxury, as well as yoga classes and multi-course Moroccan meals.
Comprising just six black tents, this family-run Sahara Desert camp reflects the deep-rooted connection to the land of brothers Omar, Hamid and Aziz.
Ultimate Travel Guide to Erfoud
How to get to Erfoud
By car
Erfoud is located just over 500 kilometres drive from Marrakech and can be reached in around eight hours. Most opt to break up the journey partway in Ouarzazate or the oasis town of Skoura, both of which offer an inspiring choice of kasbah-inspired accommodation. It’s also possible to spend a night in one of the traditional auberges of the Dades or Todra Gorges before continuing to Erfoud the following day.
From Fes, the journey to Erfoud is 440 kilometres, with a drive time of 6.5 hours. If you want to break up the journey, Ifrane, Midelt and Errachidia all have accommodation available.
The closest airport to Erfoud is Errachidia Moulay Ali Cherif Airport, which receives regular flights from Marrakech, Casablanca and Rabat. It’s an hour’s drive from Erfoud and private transfers are available.
To learn more about driving in Morocco, check out my detailed article here. If you're renting a car in Morocco, I recommend you check out Discover Cars, which offers free cancellation and 24/7 support. They have everything from compact automatics to manual vans, ensuring there’s something for all travel groups and driving styles.
By bus
Supratours and CTM buses also connect Marrakech and Erfoud, with the journey taking just under 12 hours. From Fes, the bus trip to Erfoud is around 10 hours.
Ultimate Travel Guide to Erfoud
Best places to stay in Erfoud
Best Erfoud hotel for families with a pool
With its sparkling swimming pool and beautiful gardens, this welcoming Erfoud hotel is an ideal spot to stay overnight. It offers doubles, twins and family-friendly bungalows, as well as an onsite restaurant serving authentic Moroccan cuisine. Camel rides and 4x4 desert tours can be arranged onsite.
Best kasbah-style Erfoud hotel for couples
Featuring beautifully appointed modern rooms and suites, this kasbah-inspired hotel in Erfoud is popular with couples and solo travellers. Its inviting swimming pool is framed by towering date palms that provide shade during the heat of the day and there’s a fireside dining area where you can warm up during the winter months.
Best Erfoud hotel for a cultural experience
With rave reviews from previous guests, this affordable Erfoud hotel features a sweeping terrace overlooking the surrounding date palm grove. Its traditionally styled rooms include doubles, twins and a family studio that can accommodate parents with up to four children. Dar Marco Polo is a great place to stay if you want to learn about the cultural traditions of the local people, thanks to the welcome from Atman and his family.
Ultimate Travel Guide to Erfoud
Best time to visit Erfoud
The best times to visit Erfoud are during the spring and autumn months when the temperatures are perfect for exploring the area's desert landscapes and cultural attractions. From March through May, as well as September through November, the weather hits a sweet spot - not too hot, not too cold. Ideally, coincide your visit to Erfoud with October when one of Morocco’s best cultural festivals takes place.
During the scorching summer months, temperatures in Erfoud regularly soar into the high 30s Celsius (100° Fahrenheit), making even the most basic outdoor activities a sweat-inducing endeavour. Conversely, the winter months bring chilly nights, with temperatures dipping down to around 3°C (37°F). That being said, the daytime highs in the mid-teens are still quite pleasant and allow for comfortable exploration.
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