Distance 249 km (155.6 miles) | |
Price range US$17-US$195 | |
Ride Duration Range 3h 30m-7h 50m | |
Earliest Departure 23:00 | |
Latest Departure 23:00 | |
Most Popular Operator |
Find up-to-date information on departure times, schedules, and prices so you can easily compare and book your tickets.
Fastest bus: 3h 30m
Cheapest bus: US$17
Breaking away from Marrakesh is a struggle because falling in love there is easy. However, the desert adventures of Zagora will welcome you with open arms.
Travelers seeking the best option to cover the 217.5-mile (350.1-kilometer) distance between these two cities have three options: a bus, a minivan, or a car.
Whichever option you select, Zagora's charm will soon make the ache of the epic five to seven-hour journey disappear.
The perfect pitstop on the way to explore the vast Saharan Desert, Zagora, is the last big town you'll see on the way to Erg Chigaga, one of Morocco's largest dune fields.
The town is absolutely worth it due to the incredible desert adventures here. Take a camel or a four-wheel drive to dive into the eerie expanse surrounding the small beacon of civilization.
Encased by beautiful kasbahs and nestled on the slopes of a hill, Zagora enmeshes African and Arabian cultures and enthralls visitors with its vast reddish mountains, sand dunes, and oases.
Zagora is also surrounded by palm groves in the Draa Valley, offering one of the most surreal desert landscapes in the world. Don't miss out on visiting this treasure trove of a destination filled with art-deco cinema and architecture.
Zagora is a small but mighty tourist destination with epic adventures for everyone's tastes.
Keep these top attractions in mind when planning your trip:
Take in the views from the Jebel Zagora. This hill has panoramic views that make it the ideal spot to watch the sunrise over the town.
Wander the Zagora Souk. The town's twice-weekly market, held on Wednesdays and Sundays, unites vendors from all over the region. You'll find everything from crafts to livestock here.
Get a classic picture at the Timbuktu sign. On the town's western edge is the famous sign bearing the words "Tombouctou 52 Jours," which means that from this point, it would take a camel caravan 52 days to reach Timbuktu.
Visit the palm groves. Around Zagora, family-owned gardens sprawl in every direction. Pick a spot and spend an hour or two enjoying the shady oasis offered by these gigantic trees.
Find Amezrou. A small village at the foot of an ancient Jewish kasbah, the area is known for its 12th-century fortress nestled in a palm grove. Relax in the picturesque gardens before exploring the maze-like alleyways that lead to the mosque and its beautiful minaret.
Marvel at the street art: The town recruited local young people to paint street corners all over Zagora, which makes walking through it akin to meandering through a never-ending art gallery.
The best way to travel from Marrakesh to Zagora is to take a minivan, bus, or car.
With plenty of operators ferrying tourists between the two destinations, travelers will easily find a departure that suits their travel plans.
Thanks to its superior seating options, traveling between Marrakesh and Zagora in an air-conditioned minivan is the comfiest option.
You can pick between a private transfer or opt for a shared minivan.
Hiring for a private transfer starts at $170 for a five-passenger minivan.
Seats in a shared minivan typically require a minimum of two or three passengers to reserve your seats. Ticket prices start at $79 per passenger.
The journey time will be approximately five hours but may extend with lengthy rest stops and traffic.
Pick-up and drop-off points depend on the operator. Always double-check your ticket before departure to avoid any disruptions to your journey. Arrive at least 30 minutes early.
Every company offers different amenities, so take note when you are booking. Some but not all minivans on this journey offer WiFi, reclining seats, USB charger ports, and English-speaking staff. There is usually a large luggage allowance.
Travelers looking for the cheapest way to get from Marrakesh to Zagora will love the air-conditioned bus option. Tickets start at $17.
It takes approximately seven hours to reach the desert paradise by bus.
You'll leave from a bus station in Marrakesh and arrive at the bus station in Zagora. However, pick-up and drop-off points may vary, and some companies use their own stations, so always confirm your booking details before departure.
You can expect rest stops and a luggage allowance of one handbag for this trip.
To bring additional luggage, you'll need to pay 5 MAD (¢0.50) for each piece. Arrive early to guarantee plenty of space for your travel essentials.
To transfer between these destinations in privacy, opt for a private car transfer.
Prices start at $175 for the entire car, so you can split that between your travel partners. Vehicles can accommodate three or four passengers.
You can expect rest stops, English-speaking staff, a luggage allowance of one bag per passenger, and water will be provided.
Immersing yourself in the magic of the Moroccan desert is the best part of the journey between Marrakesh and Zagora. You'll feel like a desert explorer as you wave goodbye to the chaotic streets of Marrakesh and wind your way into the desert.
Gradually edging away from civilization and into the depths of Morocco's natural beauty, you'll marvel at Morocco's stunning scenery between naps.
Due to its 2296 feet (700-meter) altitude, Zagora enjoys a milder climate than its neighbors, making it a year-round destination. Throughout the year, days typically remain clear, with very little rainfall interrupting your sightseeing adventures.
Visit in the spring and autumn for cooler temperatures and fewer fellow tourists. Temperatures sit at around 75°F to 98°F (23°C to 36°C) in spring and 80°F to 91°F (26°C to 32°C) in autumn.
Like much of Morocco, it's still arid, so expect temperatures of 95°F-107°F (35°C-42°C) in the summer. In winter, temperatures can drop to 14°F (-10°C) at night. However, daytime winter temperatures sit around 68°F (20°C).
Zagora also has two epic festivals every year that are worth checking out.
Visit in June for the famous Trans-Saharan Film Festival, which promotes local cinematographic productions.
Or, head there in March or April for the Festival of Nomads. This world-famous festival celebrates the nomadic culture of the Draa Valley Berbers with three days of festivities centered around music, dance, crafts, storytelling, and camel races.
You only need one to three days to see everything Zagora offers.
The town is small, so it's possible to tick off all the top attractions within a day or two.
When the allure of Zagora wears off, start the next phase of your Moroccan adventure by visiting Ouarzazate. The city is known as the gateway to the Sahara Desert. It is home to a vast 19th-century palace with views overlooking the desert and Atlas Studios, one of the largest film studios in the world.
Alternatively, head back west to discover the oceanside city of Agadir, which sits at the foothills of the Anti-Atlas Mountains.
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