Best Things to Do to Do in the Desert of Marrakech: 11 best activities

Named the ninth best destination in the world by tourists and visitors alike, Marrakech has everything to offer: history, traditions, scenery, delicious food, great weather, luxury living and adventure to suit all tastes and budgets. Although Marrakech is not located in the desert, a trip to the Sahara from there is sure to top your bucket list.

But what exactly can you do once you get there? Here's the lowdown on the most fun and exciting activities to ensure you have a great time.

This is one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences that words can hardly do justice to. Only those who have had the opportunity to experience the dunes in the cold of the night and under a million stars can understand the avalanche of emotions that can be experienced.

Departing from Marrakech you will find various desert excursion alternatives that aim to take tourists to any of the three main Moroccan deserts: Merzouga desert, Zagora desert and Agafay desert.

When you arrive in the desert you will spend the night in special tented camps in the middle of nowhere where you will have certain comforts such as: a comfortable place to sleep, toilet area, seating, warm campfires and much more.

Funny name, isn't it? Sandboarding is a fun pastime that tourists and locals alike enjoy on their trips to the desert. Here you don't need to have waves to surf as you take long surfboards to glide over the dunes.

If you visit either of the two main sand deserts of the Sahara, such as on a trip to the Zagora desert from Marrakech, you'll have the opportunity to try your hand at surfing by renting equipment near the campsites.

If you're travelling to the desert with friends or family, you can have a great time climbing to the top of a sand mountain to reach the ground standing (or sitting) on the board. To repeat, you'll have to climb back up to the top. If you travel to the desert and Marrakech in winter, the temperature is so pleasant that you can sandboard at any time you like.

In the middle of the Agafay desert lies the artificial reservoir of Lake Takerkoust. If you're visiting Marrakech in the summer and want to escape the heat for a few hours, this is the perfect place to do it, as it's so close to the city and so easy to get to.

In its calm waters there are all kinds of activities ideal for enjoying with family or friends. Among the most popular are: jet skiing, windsurfing, rowing activities and also quiet rides in a pedal boat. If any of these activities catch your eye, you can hire the equipment directly on site at establishments such as:

• Jet Atlas Marrakech
• Quad & Co Maroc

If you don't have the opportunity to spend the night in the desert due to time constraints, it is important to know that another activity you can do in the camps is to enjoy lunch or dinner in a typical Berber tent. This is a very nice experience that is doubly enjoyable if you visit the desert with your partner or close family.

You will have the opportunity to enjoy a traditional meal including tajine, couscous, salads and cakes.

And all under the magical blanket of night if you choose to do this activity after sunset.

The tranquillity and endless beauty of the golden dunes of the desert is unlike any other natural spectacle on earth and is something you can experience when you book a desert tour from Marrakech.

The fun thing about this activity is that it can be very easily combined with many of the other activities we have listed, thus enriching your experience or trip to the magical Moroccan desert from Marrakech.

For example, if you decide to camp in a Moroccan desert overnight, you can manage to take a camel ride or quad bike ride at sunrise or sunset to enjoy the natural spectacle of the overwhelming desert landscape.

If you're up for the adventure of spending the night in the desert, for example on a trip to the Zagora desert, you can't miss the opportunity to take pictures of the night sky. Whether you are a professional photographer or just an amateur who enjoys magical destinations,

The Moroccan desert is the perfect backdrop for creating stunningly composed shots. As the nearest towns are a considerable distance away, light pollution is virtually non-existent, making it easier to capture the beauty of the stars that cover the sky.

While the best time to visit Marrakech, and from there the desert, will depend on many other factors, the best time to take photos of the desert and the stars is in summer when clouds are virtually non-existent. When you travel to the desert, take extra care of your camera equipment in the sand by carrying lenses and cameras in special cases that keep dust and particles out of the interior.

I'm one of those who consider a camel ride in the desert an adventure not to be missed on a trip to Marrakech.

As one of the most popular activities for travellers, you'll find hundreds of options available both in the Moroccan deserts, as well as in other tourist attractions such as the Palm Grove outside Marrakech.

If you are going to the desert as part of a guided tour, my recommendation is to check the itinerary of activities to see if this experience is included. If it is not, contact the organisers to see if there is a way to do it. As an additional tip, camels are really gentle creatures that have adapted wonderfully to contact and life with humans.

The inhabitants of the desert claim that the sand dunes of the Sahara have healing and even miraculous properties. For some time now, they have been teaching this secret to travellers who come to Morocco from all over the world.

The Merzouga desert is the favourite desert in Morocco for this activity because its dunes are the highest, reaching heights of up to 150 metres. As the sun peeks over the horizon you'll see native Moroccans digging holes in the dunes to bury visitors in what could be considered an unconventional spa treatment.

For the magic of the dunes to work its magic you must be buried for at least 30 minutes and water will be provided on request. Definitely a different way to appreciate the Sahara.

This is a fun activity that you can do in any of the Moroccan deserts. During the tour you will be able to breathe pure and calm air, as well as enjoy the wild and impressive nature of the desert at its best. For many it is a very relaxing ride, especially after spending two days in Marrakech or three days in Marrakech.

After your arrival in the desert you can either rent the quads on your own or take advantage of one of the many group tours. This type of tour is usually organised in small groups, which allows the guide to maintain a personalised service and take care of all the participants.

It is ideal for covering large areas in a short time and appreciating the beauty of the surroundings, making it a perfect alternative for those who for personal or ethical reasons do not enjoy a camel trek.

The Sahara Desert in Morocco covers a vast expanse of land. Getting to the desert from Marrakechis notcomplicated by the many excursions that leave the city, but depending on the destination you have chosen for your desert adventure, you can explore the possibility of setting off on an adventure to see a beautiful natural oasis.

This type of experience usually lasts about two to three hours, so you can easily fit it into your day' s desert itinerary. In the Erg Chebbi desert, the M'Hamid Oasis stands out, which for centuries has served as a rest stop for camel caravans crossing the desert.

Berbers is the name given to the indigenous ethnic group that dominates the northern area of Africa and which you will naturally encounter on your trip to Morocco. In the vicinity of the most important Moroccan deserts it is easy to find small traditional settlements where you can appreciate their lifestyle, cuisine and art.

While the men and boys look after the livestock, the women of the Berber tribes prepare the food and make handicrafts that are later sold in the traditional souks, such as the one in the Medina of Marrakech. On an excursion to the villages you can learn how the designs of the tapestries reflect their ancient customs and traditions.

Another peculiarity is that, in the lowlands, the Berbers of the desert are mostly nomadic. Composed of tribes of families, they move around the desert following the seasonal cycles of their ancestors.

• A backpack or shoulder bag should be enough to carry everything you need.
• The clothes you wear in the desert need to be functional. Use breathable materials, linen and cotton clothing, and long sleeves to keep your skin protected from the sun as much as possible.
• Sunglasses, caps and hats are also necessary to protect you from the sun.
• If you're spending the night in the desert, bring socks, as nights in the desert can be cold even in the summer. And if you go in winter, take warm clothes.
• The right footwear is always trainers or hiking boots. Forget sandals if you're walking on sand and camel rides.
• Extra equipment such as a small first aid kit and a portable charger for your mobile phone.