When you think of Morocco, perhaps images of vibrant souks, breathtaking desert landscapes, and aromatic spices fill your mind. But there is another hidden gem that embodies the essence of Moroccan culture and the spirit of its people—the “Criée Berbère,” or Berber auction. This age-old tradition is not only a marketplace but also a celebration of community, culture, and connection, offering travelers a rare and authentic glimpse into the heart of Berber life. Imagine a lively village square, nestled between the rugged peaks of the Atlas Mountains or in a quiet valley. The air is filled with the hum of voices, laughter, and the occasional bleat of sheep or bray of donkeys. Local Berber men and women gather, dressed in colorful traditional clothing, creating a scene as vibrant and diverse as the goods on offer. This is La Criée Berbère, where the community comes together to buy and sell in an atmosphere charged with excitement and anticipation. The auction begins with a respected village elder or auctioneer stepping into the center of the crowd. With a booming voice, he announces each item—livestock, fresh produce, handwoven carpets, intricate pottery, and sometimes even the occasional antique. Bidders respond, voices rising with each offer, while the auctioneer hypes up the crowd, keeping the rhythm of the bids lively and energetic. In this market, the exchange is as much about camaraderie as it is about commerce. One of the most captivating aspects of la Criée Berbère is its ability to bring people together, turning every transaction into a moment of social interaction. Here, bargaining is not a battle but a friendly dance. Shoppers chat with sellers, sharing stories and laughter, negotiating prices with respect and humor. You’ll often hear laughter over a shared joke or see a firm handshake sealing a sale, as much
When you think of Morocco, perhaps images of vibrant souks, breathtaking desert landscapes, and aromatic spices fill your mind. But there is another hidden gem that embodies the essence of Moroccan culture and the spirit of its people—the “Criée Berbère,” or Berber auction. This age-old tradition is not only a marketplace but also a celebration of community, culture, and connection, offering travelers a rare and authentic glimpse into the heart of Berber life.
Morocco, a land of vibrant colors, rich history, and enchanting landscapes, offers travelers a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the spirit of Ramadan. As the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, Ramadan holds significant cultural and religious importance for Muslims worldwide. For travelers, visiting Morocco during Ramadan unveils a tapestry of traditions, rituals, and culinary delights, albeit with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Advantages of travelling to Morocco during Ramadan: Cultural Immersion: Ramadan in Morocco provides a profound insight into the country's Islamic heritage and traditions. From witnessing the mesmerizing call to prayer echoing through the labyrinthine streets of ancient cities to participating in communal Iftar (breaking of the fast) gatherings, travelers have the chance to engage with locals on a deeper level. Spiritual Atmosphere: The palpable sense of spirituality permeates the air during Ramadan. From the bustling medinas to the tranquil riads, travelers can partake in spiritual practices such as visiting mosques, observing Taraweeh prayers, and reflecting on the significance of fasting in Islam. Festive Ambiance: Despite the daytime fasting, evenings come alive with vibrant energy as families and communities come together to share hearty meals and celebrate the breaking of the fast. Streets adorned with colorful lights, bustling night markets, and the aroma of traditional delicacies create an enchanting atmosphere for travelers to experience. Culinary Delights: Ramadan is synonymous with an array of mouthwatering Moroccan dishes. From savory tagines and fluffy couscous to sweet pastries such as chebakia and sellou, travelers have the opportunity to indulge in a gastronomic adventure like no other. Disadvantages of travelling to Morocco during Ramadan: Limited Availability of Services: During Ramadan, operating hours for shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions may be significantly reduced. Travelers should plan their itineraries accordingly to accommodate for potential closures and limited services, especially during
Morocco, a land of vibrant colors, rich history, and enchanting landscapes, offers travelers a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the spirit of Ramadan. As the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, Ramadan holds significant cultural and religious importance for Muslims worldwide. For travelers, visiting Morocco during Ramadan unveils a tapestry of traditions, rituals, and culinary delights, albeit with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
Have you ever dreamt of traversing the vast expanse of the desert under the star-studded sky, surrounded by the whispers of sand dunes? Look no further than the mesmerizing Merzouga Desert in Morocco, where an unforgettable adventure awaits on the back of a camel. A Nighttime Oasis in the Sahara Merzouga, home to the iconic Erg Chebbi dunes, beckons adventurers with its mystical allure. As the sun sets beyond the horizon, casting hues of gold and crimson across the desert landscape, it's time to embark on a journey unlike any other. Picture yourself atop a gentle camel, swaying rhythmically with each step as you venture deeper into the heart of the Sahara. Sandboarding Thrills and Desert Delights For thrill-seekers and desert enthusiasts alike, Merzouga offers the opportunity to partake in exhilarating sandboarding sessions. Feel the adrenaline rush as you glide down the sandy slopes, carving your way through the dunes with the wind at your back. As night falls, immerse yourself in the rich cultural tapestry of Morocco. Gather around a crackling campfire to the hypnotic beats of traditional Berber drums, a vibrant celebration of local music and dance. Indulge your taste buds in the flavors of Morocco with a sumptuous feast of savory tajines, fragrant couscous, and sweet mint tea, lovingly prepared by local hosts. Under the Glittering Canopy of Stars As darkness descends upon the desert, prepare for a truly magical experience. Settle into your cozy Berber tent, adorned with intricate carpets and plush cushions, and gaze up at the canopy of twinkling stars overhead. Away from the hustle and bustle of city life, immerse yourself in the serene stillness of the desert night, where time seems to stand still and worries melt away. A Journey of Discovery and Wonder Beyond its breathtaking natural beauty, a camel ride
Have you ever dreamt of traversing the vast expanse of the desert under the star-studded sky, surrounded by the whispers of sand dunes? Look no further than the mesmerizing Merzouga Desert in Morocco, where an unforgettable adventure awaits on the back of a camel.
With its moon-like waves of mountains akin to the dunes of the Sahara, the Agafay desert is a nugget on the outskirts of Marrakech. Very close and yet very exotic, these wide-open desertic spaces lend themselves to glamping in the style of the great expeditions of yesteryear, and to Zen or sporting activities. A 100% oxygen getaway. In Marrakech, there's no need to drive for hours to play the remake of Tea in the Sahara! Just 45 minutes away, the Agafay desert rolls its waves of lunar mountains over 400 km² at the foot of the Atlas Mountains. Not a pinch of sand, but a reg sheared by a canyon worthy of southern oases, whose gentle golden undulations form a striking contrast with the barrier of snow-capped mountains in winter. Enjoy a glamping weekend of sports, wellness, and even cultural activities. Gentle hikes, horseback riding, mountain biking or camel trekking, buggy or sidecar rides, astronomy sessions and even electro or trail parties under the moon: to each his own desert! Meharee and picnic chic If he wears an orange chèche and an indigo suit, it's not folklore: like the whole Inara Camp team, Brahim hails from the Zagora region in the south and grew up in nomad tents in the Sahara. When he's not tending to the camels in the in-house stable, he accompanies the Meharees with his supple stride, accustomed to treading the erg. There's no sand to get in the way, just the gentle rhythm of the caravan, before we pull up on one of the desert ships to watch the ribbons of light-toned mamelons, a small green field and a pink canyon where a white-topped table rises for an unusual picnic. Vintage sidecar escapes You can crisscross the Agafay desert on a quad or buggy, Paris-Dakar style.
With its moon-like waves of mountains akin to the dunes of the Sahara, the Agafay desert is a nugget on the outskirts of Marrakech. Very close and yet very exotic, these wide-open desertic spaces lend themselves to glamping in the style of the great expeditions of yesteryear, and to Zen or sporting activities. A 100% oxygen getaway.
Hundreds of kilometers of the Moroccan coast are still totally wild. No tourist infrastructure, nothing. Just vast expanses of unspoiled beaches that can still be appropriated before they are transformed into seaside resorts. I love discovering the wild beaches of Morocco knowing that they are increasingly rare given the tourist development that the country is experiencing. Some are famous, others don't even have a name. Here is my selection of the 10 most wild beaches in Morocco on the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. 1.Dragon Island Beach in Dakhla It stands like a mirage in the middle of the lagoon of Dakhla where the Sahara Desert meets the Atlantic Ocean in the great south of Morocco. Dragon Island, which takes its name from its shape reminiscent of a prone dragon, is bordered by white sand beaches and turquoise water. It almost feels like parachuting onto a tropical island in the Caribbean. From the top of the rocky promontory, one can admire the beauty of the 360 panorama over the bay of Rio de Oro on one side and the waves of the Atlantic Ocean on the other. The white sandbanks of the lagoon form a kind of oil painting in different shades of blue. It’s spectacular! For me, it is certainly on the top of the most wild beaches in Morocco. 2. Porto Rico Beach in Dakhla By driving on the only path that runs along the coast south of Dakhla towards Mauritania, traces of civilization are gradually disappearing. It feels a bit like a “no man’s land”, with villages that seem abandoned. And then around a bend, you find yourself on a superb stretch of white sand, a wild beach called Puerto Rico. There is no one there that day, yet it was the middle of August. This
Hundreds of kilometers of the Moroccan coast are still totally wild. No tourist infrastructure, nothing. Just vast expanses of unspoiled beaches that can still be appropriated before they are transformed into seaside resorts. I love discovering the wild beaches of Morocco knowing that they are increasingly rare given the tourist development that the country is experiencing. Some are famous, others don’t even have a name. Here is my selection of the 10 most wild beaches in Morocco on the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
Merzouga is best known for its golden sand dunes along the majestic Erg Chebbi And it’s very unfortunate that most visitors don’t dwell on their exploration of this region, which is full of hidden treasures, Here is a list of Top 10 Activities to do in Merzouga: Camel treks and night under a nomadic tent in the desert Firstly,Immerse yourself in postcard decors as you cross the Erg Chebbi on the back of a camel. Spend the night in the company of nomads under the stars or in Berber bivouacs in the middle of an ocean of dunes. That's why it's number one on our list of Top 10 Activities to do in Merzouga. Take an Arenotherapy Cure (Sand Bath) You suffer from sore muscles or rheumatism? Let yourself be buried in the hot sand of the Merzouga desert renowned for its therapeutic properties. Claustrophobic refrain! Discover The Culture and Music of the Gnaoua The Khamlia village, located 7km from Merzouga and nicknamed "Black Town", reflects the indelible traces of trans-Saharan trade. Today the group "Pigeons des Sables" still play and sing the trance tunes of Saharan music, Gnaoua music. Walk through the Beautiful Oases of Merzouga The fertile oases of Merzouga appear like mirages in the desert. Sip a good mint tea in the company of oasian people who have managed to preserve their ancestral culture. Excursion to Tafilalet Palmeraie (Palm grove of Tafilalet) It is the largest palm grove in the world with its sublime plantation of date palms, but also its acacia forest where Oued Ziz and Oued Gheris meet. A moment of serenity not to be missed! Visit the Seasonal Lake of Dayet Srji In Spring only, some seasonal lakes reappear in these arid lands northwest of Merzouga. Especially,The Dayet Srji site which is a favorite
Merzouga is best known for its golden sand dunes along the majestic Erg Chebbi And it’s very unfortunate that most visitors don’t dwell on their exploration of this region, which is full of hidden treasures, Here is a list of Top 10 Activities to do in Merzouga:
When you think of Morocco, you immediately imagine camel caravans crossing the dunes of the Sahara at sunset. So what if you spend your night in Merzouga at the gates of the only Saharan Erg Chebbi. Our road trip through southern Morocco from Marrakech to Merzouga is coming to an end. The trip turned out to be a compendium of landscapes and enriching encounters, certainly one of the most beautiful road trips to do in Morocco. We are now in Merzouga, a small, windswept village at the gateway to the Sahara. The travelers who come here all hope to see these Regs flooded with light, these Wadis invaded by sand, and of course these majestic ocher dunes that make us dream so much. I have this special connection with the desert. Maybe I was a Bedouin in another life, which would certainly explain my choice of being a travelholic today. After visiting the Thar Desert in India, the Atacama Desert in Chile, the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, the Ocucaje Desert in Peru, and the Simpson Desert in Australia, the time has finally come to discover a tiny little part of the largest hot desert in the world: The Sahara. Click here to book your tour in Merzouga. Discovering Erg Chebbi in Merzouga Erg Chebbi in the Tafilalet valley on the outskirts of Merzouga is, along with Chigaga, the only Saharan erg in Morocco with immense sand dunes (150 meters high on average). For centuries the region of Merzouga has been a real crossroads between the civilizations of the African desert. From the terrace of our Kasbah hotel, we can already see the first sand dunes with voluptuous shapes stretching out towards what seems to be infinity. The desert calls us. Mama Africa is calling us. As soon as the
When you think of Morocco, you immediately imagine camel caravans crossing the dunes of the Sahara at sunset. So what if you spend your night in Merzouga at the gates of the only Saharan Erg Chebbi.
Morocco is one of those countries that simply intrigues and excites, it’s the sort of country that’s totally various, with a heap of the exceptional places in Morocco. You’ll definitely enjoy every choice of all the nice locations here. Here are our top 10 must visit places in Morocco: Marrakech, the Red City: Among culture and modernity, Marrakech is the promise of unequalled sensations. Strolling the Jemaa El-Fna square and the souks with their shimmering colorations as well as its arabian, berber and african smells, the purple city gives you a whole trade of scenery. In addition of Horse-drawn carriage rides, sunny terraces, visiting artists and other day and night activities will give a Tates of wishful comeback. You will be capable of admire all the architectural richness of the Medina, upon travelling considered one of its many riads, small eastern palaces overlooking a beautiful patio. Furthermore, You can relax and recharge at the Menara, which is a big garden with an emblematic basin. Marrakech bathe its traffic by using its splendor and its variety, you just must go away the ramparts to be immersed in modern-day Life. The districts of Gueliz and Hivernage offer the most current infrastructures, luxury boutiques and global ready-to-put on stores, airy avenues; which all make contributions to Marrakech's particular offering. Click here to book our Marrakech full day Tour and get the opportunity to discover more about this millenium city. Merzouga, the Desert: Merzouga called the Pearl of the waste land in Morocco is one of our selected 10 must visit places in Morocco. Generally, It is a place for adventure tourism and has an extensive range of satisfactory lodges, hostels and riads, within the style of the Kasbahs, built from adobe, with the insides embellished in Saharan Moroccan style and ready with air
Morocco is one of those countries that simply intrigues and excites, it’s the sort of country that’s totally various, with a heap of the exceptional places in Morocco. You’ll definitely enjoy every choice of all the nice locations here. Here are our top 10 must visit places in Morocco:
