Erfoud

Understand

Erfoud is known as the "Gate of the Sahara" as it is near Erg Chebbi Dunes, and you can actually take direct off-road tracks to the dunes. Many films were shot in the area, some of the most famous are: Prince of Persia - 2010 - Director Dick Richards; The Mummy - 1999 - Director Stephen Sommers; March or Die - 1977 - Director Dick Richards. While many Ksars (fortified villages) have existed for centuries, Erfoud was built new by the French around 1920s. Arabs are the majority but as the tourist industry developed, many Berbers started coming to the city around 1990s. Erfoud is a good place to stay and explore local destinations. Also Erfoud offers quite a good range of businesses, supermarkets, restaurants, mechanics - great for those traveling overland with their own 4x4 or cars, and wish to fill up with goods. It is fairly rural and does not rely on tourism in the way cities like Marrakech do. Thus, Erfoud is exceptionally relaxed, hassle-free, and hospitable.

Getting there

Erfoud is the port of entry to the Saharan dunes of Erg Chebbi, driving 13 km asphalt and 26 km desert tracks directly out of town passing the river or via Rissani and Merzouga.

By grand taxi 1 Grand Taxi Station. For Rissani and Merzouga. A grand taxi from Merzouga is 25 dirham, from Rissani around 10 dirham. (updated Apr 2019) Grand Taxi to Errachidia, Place des FAR (Just in front of Erfoud market you'll notice the big taxis. Ask around for Errachidia taxi, will depart when 7 places are full.). 06:00-22:00. 6-7 people sharing the taxi. 20 dirham 1 place.

By bus Between Erfoud and Errachidia, Tinghir, Boumalne Dades, Ouarzazate or Marrakesh there is one daily Bus from Supratours company that pass all these destinations in one trip. Buses run to Erfoud from the west (via Marrakesh, Ouarzazate, Boumalne, and Tinghir) and north (via Er Rachidia, Meknes, and Fez). There is a 22:45 CTM bus from Meknes (and even Fez 21:30), arriving around 07:30, 140 dirham. From Marrakesh there is one daily Bus from Supratours company. Departures from Supratours main station at 08:30 and arrives to Erfoud around 20:00. Ticket costs 175 dirham. This is the same bus that goes on to Rissani and Merzouga in (Erg Chebbi) Dunes.

Supratous Ticket Office (Supratours Bus in Erfoud), Mohamed 5 Boulevard (Mohamed 5 Boulevard just between the City Hall and the non-traffic Rue Allal ben Abdellah Street). 09:00-20:00. Departures from Supratours main station near Erfoud's Kissaria at 21:00 and arrives to Ouarzazate (13:00) and to Marrakesh (20:00). Ticket from/to Marrakech costs 175 dirham. This is the same bus that goes by Merzouga and Rissani. CTM Ticket Office (CTM Bus in Erfoud), Mohamed 5 Boulevard (Mohamed 5 Boulevard just between the City Hall and the non-traffic Rue Allal ben Abdellah Street). 09:00-20:00. CTM Ticket Office BUS Ticket Office (Private Buses in Erfoud), Place des FAR (In front of the local souq where all the taxis are, just on the corner with Avenue Moulay el Hassa

Getting around

On foot Erfoud is quite small so you walking around town is quite OK. There are 4 taxis working day and night. Hitch-hiking one passing scooter or donkey cart will be fairly easy.

By rental car Fox Cars (Rent-a-Car Erfoud), Nº1041 Kissariat al Ahbass / Avenue Mohammed 6 - Ouarzazate (Cars can be delivered in Erfoud), ☏ +212 678-010-570, [email protected]. 09:00-20:00. Car and 4X4 rental. On a 1-week rental basis costs 400 dirham for a Dacia Logan, or 1,400 dirham for a Toyota Land Cruiser 100. Brayouramecar (Rent-a-Car Erfoud), Avenue Mohamed 5, 52200 Erfoud (On the street connecting the Post Office to the FAR Square (the market square)), ☏ +212 535-578-957, fax: +212 535-578-957, [email protected]. 09:00-20:00. Different types of cars. 400 dirham for a small Fiat Panda, or 1,200 dirham for a Volkswagen Touareg 4X4.

See

Royal Palace (Erfoud Royal Palace). Erfoud holds Morocco's only Royal Palace in Sahara Desert. Although you can't go inside, a quick visit to its outside illuminated gate after Sunset makes somehow worth it. Erfoud's Souq (Erfoud Market) (After FAR Square). Saturday 08:00 is best. This is an authentic Moroccan market (with a twist of Afghanistan look and ambiance). If you're into markets and shipping, indulge yourself into this magnificent Moroccan souq. 1 Maadid Ancient Ksar (Maadid Ancient Ksar), Maadid, Route d'Errachidia (Out of Erfoud, Errachidia direction). Maadid is supposedly the biggest ksar in south Morocco. A ksar is an ancient fortified village. You can visit Maadid's tiny streets and nearby oases. Carrières de fossiles (Fossils in Sahara Desert) (Road from Erfoud to Merzouga, passing the river and after the cemetery). Erfoud is known for its precious and unique fossils. 500 million years ago, the Sahara Desert was under water. On the outskirts of Erfoud you can visit impressive fossil filled marble workshops and other type of fossil varieties such as trilobites and ammonites. Borj-Est (Borj Est Erfoud) (After the river, left of cemetery). This is the hill that overlooks Erfoud. The top is occupied by military a strategic building. This is the perfect place to enjoy Sunset over Erfoud, watching the river, the town, and surrounded mountains / dunes. Jewish Cemetery (Jewish Cemetery Erfoud), Route de Rissani (Out of Erfoud Rissani direction, just before petrol station before Hotel el Ati). Interesting mix of cultures makes this part of the desert quite interesting. You can visit this ancient Jewish cemetery's graveyard and inside mausoleum.

Do

Annual Palm Date Festival (Erfoud Date Festival) (Market area and the Place des FAR square). Once a year (October/November) Erfoud celebrates the pick-up of the fresh new palm dates with a 3-day festival with music, local activities and tons of palm dates. Chill out with local men in street cafes (Street cafes Erfoud, Meet local people) (Between Avenue Mohamed 5 and Al Madariss Street right after Town Hall (Municipalité)). Try to get to know local men and share a cup of tea and few talks. Try Restaurant Oasis or Chez Rachid just on the corner before the butcher. These street cafes are full of people from police officers to 4X4 drivers to English teachers. Find them out. Erg Chebbi Dunes (Sahara Dunes) (35km South East of Erfoud). Just do not miss out these impressive dunes. Erg Chebbi Dunes have several villages on the edge of the sand: Merzouga, Hassilabied, Takoujt and Khamlia. Desert 4x4 Tour (4WD Sahara Exploration). Many companies in Erfoud offer different tours and packages around the region. You can visit Erg Chebbi Dunes and surrounding villages, Rissani's ancient ksars trails, nomads camps, palm groves, etc.

Buy

Palm Dates (Palm Dates Erfoud Morocco). Erfoud holds the annual palm dates festival. This is supposedly to be Morocco's palm dates capital. Erfoud main market has a few vending stands with tons of tasty and sweet dates. Try Mejoul type, more pricey but wonderful taste and nutritional facts. Fossils from Sahara (Fossils Erfoud). Er