How to Plan a Morocco Desert Tour from Spain

Spain is one of the best places to start a trip to the Moroccan Sahara. Morocco is very close, there are flights from Spain to several Moroccan cities, and with the right plan a desert trip fits into just a few days.

This step-by-step guide will help you organise a private tour to the dunes of Merzouga from Spain.

Step 1: Choose Your Arrival Airport

The airport you land at decides how long you will spend on the road:

• Errachidia: the closest airport to Merzouga, about 130 km and two hours away. Royal Air Maroc lists a connection from Barcelona, and Errachidia also has flights from Casablanca.
• Fes: about 470 km from the desert, 7 to 8 hours by road.
• Marrakech: about 560 km away, 9 to 10 hours on a beautiful road that is best split over two days.

Not sure which one to choose? Read Marrakech or Errachidia: which airport is better for visiting the Sahara?

Step 2: Decide How Many Days You Need

• 2 days: from Errachidia, with a camel ride and a night in a camp among the dunes.
• 3 days: from Fes or Marrakech, or from Errachidia with more time in the Sahara.
• 4 days or more: add the Todra and Dades gorges, the road of the kasbahs and Ait Ben Haddou, and finish your trip in Marrakech.

Step 3: Pick the Best Time of Year

From October to April, temperatures in the desert are pleasant during the day, although winter nights are cold. In summer it is best to avoid the middle of the day and enjoy the dunes at sunrise and sunset.

If you travel during the Spanish holidays, book in advance: we also prepare special trips for Easter in Morocco and New Year's Eve in the desert.

Step 4: Choose a Private Tour

On a private tour you travel only with your partner, family or friends, never in a group with strangers. You have your own driver and vehicle, and the itinerary, the timetable and the accommodation are adapted to your dates and your pace. It is the most comfortable way to discover the desert, especially if you travel with children. Learn more about our private car with driver.

Step 5: Documents and Money

• Passport: Spanish citizens need a valid passport, and no visa is required for tourist stays of up to 90 days. Check the official requirements before you travel, as they can change.
• Money: the local currency is the Moroccan dirham. Bring some cash, because card payments are not accepted everywhere in the desert.
• Travel insurance: it is always a good idea to travel with medical insurance.

Step 6: What to Pack for the Desert

• Warm layers for the night, especially from October to April.
• A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• A scarf to protect yourself from the sun and the wind.
• Comfortable shoes or sandals for walking on the sand.
• A small bag with what you need for the night: on a camel it is more practical than a suitcase.
• A power bank and your camera: the sunsets and the starry sky are unforgettable.

Step 7: Book Your Trip

Send us your dates, the number of travellers, your arrival and departure airports and what you would like to see. We will reply with a tailor-made itinerary and a detailed quote, and you can read how to confirm your booking.

Contact our local team and start planning your trip from Spain to the Sahara.