Wondering what to do in Errachidia? The city is the gateway to the Ziz Valley, and within two hours by car you can reach a turquoise lake, a canyon, a spring-fed pool, palm groves, fossil workshops and the Sahara dunes of Merzouga. Here are the best places to visit in and around Errachidia, with driving distances from the city centre.
- Best for: road trips, day trips and stopovers on the way to the Sahara
- Best way to get around: a rental car from Errachidia, since most sights are outside the city
- Roads: the main routes (N13 north to Midelt, south to Erfoud and Merzouga) are paved
1. Errachidia city centre
Errachidia was known as Ksar es-Souk until it was renamed after Prince Moulay Rachid. Today it is the regional capital of Drâa-Tafilalet: a calm, practical city to stock up, eat and walk along the Oued Ziz before heading into the desert. It is also where most trips start, because Errachidia Airport (ERH) is only a few minutes from the centre. See our Errachidia city pick-up and airport car rental pages.
2. Hassan Addakhil Dam and lake
About 10 km north of the city, the Hassan Addakhil Dam holds back the Ziz River in a large lake, built between 1968 and 1971. The blue water against the red, rocky hills makes it one of the easiest and most photogenic stops near Errachidia, especially in the late afternoon.
3. Ziz Gorges and the Legionnaire’s Tunnel
Continue north on the N13 towards Midelt and, about 30 km from Errachidia, the road enters the Ziz Gorges, where the river cuts through the High Atlas between tall cliffs and palm groves. On the way you drive through the short Tunnel du Légionnaire, dug by the French Foreign Legion in the late 1920s to open the road south. There are several pull-outs for photos. If you keep going, the road reaches Midelt (about 138 km, around 2 hours).
4. Source Bleue de Meski (Blue Spring)
About 20 minutes south of Errachidia by car, the Source Bleue de Meski is a natural spring that feeds a swimming pool in the shade of palm trees, with the ruins of the old Ksar Meski above it. It is popular with local families at weekends, so go early on a weekday if you want it quiet. The spring is signposted from the main road south.
5. The Ziz Valley palm groves
South of Errachidia, the road to Erfoud follows the Ziz Valley, a long ribbon of date palms and mud-brick ksour between desert cliffs. Stop at the viewpoints above the valley for one of the best panoramas in south-east Morocco. Driving slowly through this stretch is a highlight in itself.
6. Erfoud: fossils and dates
Erfoud is about 74 km (around 50 minutes) from Errachidia. The town is known for its fossil workshops, where you can see ancient marine fossils being cut and polished, and for its dates, celebrated each autumn at the local date festival.
7. Rissani: souk and history
About 95 km from Errachidia (around 1 hour 10 minutes), Rissani is the historic heart of the Tafilalt. Its traditional souk is busiest on market days, and the mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif, ancestor of the Alaouite dynasty, is nearby. It is the last town before the dunes.
8. Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes
Merzouga is about 127 km from Errachidia (around 1 hour 50 minutes), on paved roads all the way. Here the Erg Chebbi dunes rise from the desert: watch the sunset, ride a camel or spend a night in a desert camp. Read our full Errachidia to Merzouga driving guide.
Suggested itineraries from Errachidia
- Half day: Hassan Addakhil lake and the Ziz Gorges, back via the city
- One day: Source Bleue de Meski, the Ziz Valley viewpoints and Erfoud
- Two days: Erfoud, Rissani and a night in the dunes at Merzouga
- More ideas: see our 6 best road trips from Errachidia
Renting a car to explore Errachidia
Public transport does not reach most of these places, so a car gives you the freedom to stop where you like. Our 2025 cars start from $30 per day (Dacia Sandero and Dacia Logan); the Hyundai Accent is our automatic option, and the Dacia Duster SUV is the most comfortable for long drives. You can pick up in the city or at Errachidia Airport, or return the car in Marrakech with our one-way rental. Compare prices on our rental cars page.
Things to do in Errachidia: FAQ
Is Errachidia worth visiting?
Yes, especially as a base for the Ziz Valley, the Ziz Gorges and the road to Merzouga. Most visitors spend one or two nights and explore by car.
How far is Merzouga from Errachidia?
About 127 km, or around 1 hour 50 minutes by car on paved roads via Erfoud and Rissani.
Do I need a 4×4 to visit these places?
No. All the places in this guide are reachable on paved roads with a normal car. A 4×4 is only needed to drive on the dunes, which is not allowed with our cars.
