The Draa palm groves
Hundreds of thousands of date palms along the river, with kasbahs and villages hidden inside.
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Destination guide · Gateway to the Sahara
Zagora
زاكورة، بوابة الصحراء
Kasbahs of mud brick, a ribbon of palm trees along the Draa and the famous sign that says Timbuktu is 52 days away by camel: Zagora is where the road from Marrakech meets the desert.
Nearest host city
Marrakech, about 7 hours by road
Airport
Zagora (OZG), domestic flights
Summer weather
Very hot, often above 40°C
By coach
From Marrakech and Ouarzazate
Don't miss
The Timbuktu sign
"Tombouctou 52 jours": the painted sign from the caravan days, and the town's favourite photo.
Jbel Zagora
The mountain above town: climb at dawn for the view over the valley and the old fort ruins.
Amezrou
The old kasbah village across the river, known for its silversmiths.
Tamegroute
Twenty minutes south: an old Koranic library and the green-glazed pottery of the village kilns.
Tinfou dunes
The nearest golden dunes, for a sunset walk or your first camel ride.
Eat like a local
بصحتك
Dates from the palm groves and bread baked in the sand. Five things to taste in the Draa valley.
- MedfounaBread stuffed with meat, onions and spices, baked until crisp
- Draa datesFresh from the palm groves, with milk or mint tea
- Berber omeletteEggs cooked in a tagine with tomato, onion and cumin
- Bread from the sandFlatbread baked under hot sand and embers at the desert camps
- Vegetable couscousThe Friday dish, steamed over a slow-cooked stew
Where to stay
The town centre
Hotels along the main avenue, near the coach station and cafés.
The palm grove
Kasbah guesthouses with pools in the shade of the palms.
A desert camp
Tents in the dunes, dinner under the stars, sunrise from the sand.
Run a riad or hotel in Zagora?
Get listed for free in this guide and reach fans planning their trip.
Day trips from Zagora
Overnight
M'Hamid & Erg Chigaga
The end of the road, then the big wild dunes by 4x4. Best as an overnight trip.
Half day
Agdz & Tamnougalt
A crumbling kasbah village and palm groves on the way back north.
Full day
Ouarzazate
Film studios and the Taourirt kasbah, on the road to Marrakech.
Travel day
Back to Marrakech
Leave early: the Tizi n'Tichka pass is slow and beautiful.
Local tips
Live by the sun: go out at dawn and after five, and rest through the midday heat like everyone else.
Agree what's included before booking a desert trip: transport, dinner, breakfast and the camel ride.
Carry more water than you think: a litre per hour outside in summer is not too much.