Top 5 Must-Visit Spots in Your Sahara Desert Morocco Trip

If you're planning a trip to Morocco and seeking an unparalleled exploration, a serenade by the bewitching expanses of the Sahara desert is an absolute must. It offers an entrancing feast to the eyes and an enriching experience to the soul, with its golden dunes, ancient Kasbahs, Berber culture, and an ethereal backdrop of a star-lit sky.

According to statistics, each year, Morocco receives about 12 million tourists, with a significant portion of these intending to visit the Sahara Desert (source: World Bank). Still, the desert retains its majestic solitude and untouched beauty, and offers a plethora of spots to enrich your Moroccan adventure.

1. Erg Chebbi Dunes

The Erg Chebbi Dunes, one of the two largest seas of dunes formed by wind-blown sands in the Moroccan Sahara, tops the list. Reaching up to 150 metres high and spanning about 50 kilometers, the dunes offer mesmerising landscapes, particularly during sunrise and sunset when the sands appear to shift and change colour with the light. Camel trekking and overnight camping beneath the star-filled sky, create unforgettable memories.

2. Merzouga

A small Moroccan town in the Sahara Desert, Merzouga, is your gateway to the Erg Chebbi Dunes. It gives you first-hand experience of Berber hospitality, evident in the mud-brick homes offering lodgings and traditional Moroccan meals. It’s also the perfect place to engage into some bird-watching, especially during spring when migratory birds, including flamingos, are abundant in the nearby Dayet Srji salt lake.

3. Ait Ben Haddou

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Ait Ben Haddou is an ancient fortified city (kasbah) west of the Sahara Desert. Its pre-Saharan traditional architecture and earthen clay structures make it an impressive sight. The city has been a filming location for many Hollywood blockbusters like Gladiator and Game of Thrones, making it a must-visit spot.

4. Rissani

Once a significant stop on the ancient Saharan caravan routes, Rissani offers an emotive throwback to the past. It hosts the largest traditional Souk (market) in the Tafilalet region, where locals come to sell a myriad of goods from dates and spices to crafts and jewelry. Experience the local culture in its rawest form, right here in Rissani.

5. Ziz Valley

Another stop that requires you to visit is the fertile Ziz Valley, boasting millions of date palm trees and a scenic Canyon that looks down onto the valley. The panoramic views are magnificent, and the irrigation system used to water these swathes of palms stands testimony to the ingenious practices of the local people.

While each traveler brings a unique perspective to their adventure in the Sahara Desert, the above-listed spots are generally universally appreciated. Everyone from solo backpackers, luxury travelers or family trippers, invariably find the Sahara's enchanting beauty and the rich Berber culture irresistible. Each spot offers an authentic Moroccan desert experience, myriad landscapes, histories, cultures, and wildlife wrapped up in the golden stretches of the Sahara.

As you embark on your journey, remember that the Sahara Desert in Morocco, while breathtakingly beautiful, is also a delicate ecosystem. Tourists should respect local customs, protect the wildlife and help maintain the timeless beauty of this majestic desert.