Morocco is an enchanting destination for UK travelers seeking colorful souks, ancient medinas, and breathtaking dunes. Whether you're navigating the souks or venturing into the expansive Sahara Desert, renting a car in Morocco offers an immersive experience that guided tours cannot replicate. The contrast between Morocco's vibrant cities and serene desert landscapes will make for an unforgettable road trip.
The Souks to Sahara road trip encapsulates Morocco’s cultural and natural contrasts.
From haggling over spices and textiles in the buzzing souks of Marrakech to navigating winding roads through the Atlas Mountains and reaching the stillness of the Sahara dunes, this route offers an immersive experience when driving in Morocco.
UK travelers can cover more ground, meet locals along the way, and enjoy landscapes that trains and buses don’t have access to. Choose the routes and destinations that interest you the most. Experience Morocco's regional diversity from the cool, green landscapes of the north to the arid, golden stretches of the south at your own pace.
The journey through Morocco begins in its captivating souks. UK travelers in Morocco can visit maze-like alleys packed with colorful stalls selling everything from handwoven rugs, leather goods, brass lamps, and spices, to argan oil and ceramics. The souks are more than just marketplaces; they are the heart and soul of Moroccan culture.
In Moroccan culture, haggling is expected and embraced. Walking through the narrow streets, you'll encounter vendors selling intricate jewelry, colorful textiles, and hand-painted pottery. Start by offering about half of the seller's first price. Keep a friendly attitude, smile, and chat politely for better deals. Before you go, check out fixed-price shops like Ensemble Artisanal to know fair prices.
Another popular activity is visiting local artisans and witnessing traditional Moroccan craftsmanship. In Fes, for example, you can explore the Chouara Tannery, where leather is dyed using techniques passed down for generations. Similarly, Marrakech offers opportunities to visit carpet-weaving workshops where artisans create intricate designs that are part of Morocco’s cultural heritage.
The souks are a fantastic place to indulge in Moroccan street food. Local vendors offer a range of delicious dishes such as kebabs, tagine, couscous, and freshly squeezed fruit juices. For those with a sweet tooth, you can also try chebakia (fried dough coated in honey) or msemen (flaky flatbread). Street food stalls are plentiful, especially in Jemaa el-Fnaa, and offer an authentic taste of Moroccan cuisine.
Jemaa el-Fnaa Square in Marrakech is known for its street performances. Visitors can encounter snake charmers, henna artists, and various entertainers throughout the day. However, the square comes alive from 8 PM to midnight. During these hours, the area teems with storytellers, musicians, and dancers. The open food stalls fill the air with enticing aromas and offer various traditional Moroccan dishes.
The narrow alleyways, often shaded by wooden canopies, are lined with shops housed in buildings that showcase traditional Moroccan design elements. Key features include arched doorways and windows, frequently shaped in the traditional Islamic keyhole design, and adorned with intricate carvings and mosaic tiles.
The walls and floors are often decorated with vibrant zellij tilework, displaying geometric patterns in bold colors such as fuchsia, royal blue, deep purple, and vibrant red, complemented by neutral desert tones like sand and beige. These elements enhance the aesthetic appeal and reflect the historical influences of Moorish architecture introduced by Al-Andalus.
After exploring the souks, the next chapter of the journey leads to the Sahara Desert. Here, travelers can engage in a variety of thrilling activities that offer a completely different atmosphere. The journey to the Sahara offers UK travelers in Morocco the chance to disconnect from the hustle and bustle and experience the tranquility of one of the world’s most iconic landscapes.
Camel trekking in Morocco's Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga is a great way to experience the Sahara's vast landscapes. These treks typically commence in the early morning or late afternoon, allowing travelers to witness the mesmerizing sunset over the golden dunes.
The journey involves a gentle ride on camels, leading to desert camps nestled amidst the towering dunes. Upon arrival, visitors can enjoy traditional Berber music around a campfire and partake in sandboarding activities.
After your camel trek, many tour operators include packages with night stays in a desert camp. These camps provide a traditional, yet comfortable experience, where you can sleep under the stars and enjoy a meal of Berber cuisine. Spending the night in the desert is an unforgettable experience, as the night sky in the Sahara is one of the clearest and most breathtaking in the world.
Sandboarding in Morocco's Erg Chebbi offers an exhilarating way to enjoy the Sahara’s landscapes. The dunes near Merzouga, some rising up to 150 meters, create the perfect terrain for gliding down golden slopes on a sandboard. Whether you're visiting solo or with family, this activity adds a fun and active element to your desert trip. Sandboards are often included in local rentals, and many accommodations or guides in the area can assist with arranging the experience.
Another highlight of the Sahara is stargazing. With its remote location and clear skies, the Sahara offers some of the best stargazing in the world. The absence of city lights lets you see thousands of stars, planets, and even the Milky Way. The best place for stargazing is near Erg Chebbi, close to the village of Merzouga. This area is far from major towns and benefits from desert air, creating perfect visibility.
Many desert camps in Erg Chebbi offer stargazing experiences after sunset, where you can relax on dunes and watch the sky come alive. For an even more immersive view, some camps provide telescopes and guided sessions led by local astronomers.
If you want to explore the Sahara in more depth, a 4x4 desert tour is an excellent way to see parts of the desert that are otherwise inaccessible. These tours take you on a thrilling ride across the dunes, visiting remote oases, nomadic villages, and ancient kasbahs. 4x4 tours are an exciting way to explore the must-visit places in Morocco by car, especially for those who want to see more of the rugged terrain and learn about the region's history.
Though the Sahara may seem barren, it’s home to a surprising range of fascinating wildlife. Many travelers enjoy wildlife spotting, especially near oases, rocky plateaus, and during early morning or evening hours when animals are more active. You may see fennec foxes with oversized ears, wild camels (dromedaries), scarab beetles, and Barbary sheep. Bird enthusiasts can look out for desert sparrows, larks, and birds of prey like eagles and falcons.
Wildlife tours are available in Erg Chebbi near Merzouga and Erg Chigaga near M’Hamid. Experienced guides help spot animals while sharing insights into the fragile desert ecosystem.
The distance between the souks of Marrakech and the Sahara Desert, specifically the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga, is approximately 560 km. This drive takes around 9 to 10 hours by car. Rather than rushing the journey in one go, many travelers prefer to stretch it over 2 to 3 days. Along the way, you’ll pass through scenic towns and cultural landmarks that make the road trip as memorable as the destination.
Here are some of the most captivating stops worth adding to your itinerary.
Roughly 3.5 hours from Marrakech, Aït Benhaddou is a fortified village made entirely of clay and straw, offering a surreal, time-frozen atmosphere. Wandering through its narrow alleys and climbing to the top for panoramic views makes the visit incredibly rewarding. The kasbah’s unique architecture and peaceful setting feel worlds away from city life. UK tourists will appreciate its preserved history and calm desert surroundings.
About 4 hours from Marrakech, Ouarzazate is a charming city where the desert meets Moroccan culture. You can visit impressive kasbahs, local markets, and viewpoints that overlook vast stretches of rocky plains. It’s also known for its handicrafts and slower pace, perfect for a relaxing stop. British travelers will enjoy its authentic feel and the shift in landscape as they edge closer to the Sahara.
Located around 5 hours from Marrakech and 3.5 hours from Merzouga, Dades Gorge stuns visitors with its twisted roads, deep red cliffs, and lush valleys. The contrast between the canyon walls and the green oasis below makes it visually unforgettable. It offers visitors a peaceful and picturesque break on the drive south.
Before setting off on your desert road trip, there are a few important things UK travelers should keep in mind:
UK travelers need their full UK driving license and an International Driving Permit (IDP 1968). Rental companies also ask for your passport and a credit card. Without these, most agencies won’t hand over the keys. Double-check the license’s expiration date and know that some companies charge extra for drivers under 25.
Driving from Marrakech to the Sahara takes you through varied terrain from the scenic Atlas Mountains to remote desert paths. Main highways like the N9 are paved but winding. After Ouarzazate, roads get bumpier and narrower. A standard car works for Erg Chebbi, but for Erg Chigaga, go for a 4x4.
Petrol stations thin out after major towns like Ouarzazate and Erfoud. Always top up before heading deeper into the desert. Online maps are decent, but offline apps are more reliable. Don’t drive at night. Many signs are in Arabic only, and visibility drops fast once you're outside city limits.
A road trip from the Souks to the Sahara offers UK travelers a memorable journey through Morocco’s cities, stunning landscapes, and serene desert. Renting a car with Finalrentals allows you to fully embrace the contrasts of Morocco, from the energetic souks to the peaceful desert dunes. Plan your trip today and experience the best of Morocco by car.
