In short: the Sahara is not a day trip from Agadir. The nearest desert landscapes, around Zagora, are about seven to eight hours away by road, and the large Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga are roughly 700 km away. Plan two days for Zagora and at least four days for Merzouga.
Option 1: two days to Zagora
A two-day trip crosses the Souss valley and the Anti-Atlas via Taliouine, known for saffron, then follows the Draa Valley and its palm groves south to Zagora. You spend a night in a desert camp and return the next day. The dunes around Zagora are smaller than those of Merzouga, but the trip gives a real taste of the desert in a short time. See our private 2-day Zagora trip.
Option 2: four days to Merzouga
For the high dunes of Erg Chebbi, plan a loop of at least four days: Ouarzazate, the Dades valley and Todra gorge on the way, a night in a desert camp at Merzouga, and a return through the Draa Valley. See our private 4-day Merzouga tour.
Short on time? Try the coastal dunes
North of Agadir, beyond Tamri, there are coastal sand dunes where you can try sandboarding in half a day. They are not the Sahara, but they are close and photogenic. See the private dunes and sandboarding trip.
Best time to go
Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) are the most comfortable seasons. Winter days are pleasant but nights in the desert are cold. Summer temperatures inland are very high.
What to pack
- Warm layers for the evening, especially from November to March
- Sunglasses, hat and sun protection
- A scarf to protect from wind and sand
- Comfortable shoes