Agafay Desert

Agafay is stone and scrub stretching to the High Atlas — a lunar landscape of ochre earth and dramatic emptiness. Forty minutes from Marrakech, it offers the desert experience for guests short on time. The appeal is accessibility. Day trips leave Marrakech in the afternoon and return after dinner under the stars. Overnight stays at luxury camps offer white tents, lantern-lit paths, swimming pools overlooking the emptiness — some rival the best hotels in Marrakech. The landscape photographs beautifully at golden hour when the Atlas peaks catch the last light. Quad biking and camel rides are available for those who want activity; others come simply to sit in silence and watch the mountains change color. The camps range from rustic to extremely luxurious. This is desert as retreat — space, quiet, stars. Best time: Late afternoon for sunset, or overnight Allow: Half day or overnight Combine with: Day trip from Marrakech, or en route to Essaouira