Driving from Agadir to the Sahara dunes at Merzouga is the ultimate Moroccan road trip — around 900 km each way across three mountain ranges and the dramatic Draa Valley.

Recommended route (2–3 days): Agadir → Taroudant → Ouarzazate → Boumalne Dades → Tinghir → Erfoud → Merzouga.

Day 1: Agadir to Ouarzazate (5 hrs). Cross the High Atlas on the N10 via the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 m). Stop at the UNESCO-listed Ksar Aït Benhaddou, a backdrop for Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and Lawrence of Arabia.

Day 2: Ouarzazate through the Draa and Dadès valleys. The Draa Valley is lined with 200 km of palm groves and kasbahs. The Dadès Gorge and Todra Gorge (300 m sheer walls) are among Africa’s most spectacular landscapes. Sleep in Tinghir or Erfoud.

Day 3: Erfoud to Merzouga (1 hr). A camel ride at sunset over the golden dunes is unmissable. Sleep in a desert camp under millions of stars.

What to bring: Sun cream, 2–3 litres of water per person, warm clothing for cool desert nights, and a full tank — stations are sparse. Generation Cars offers 4×4 SUV rental from €45/day with unlimited km. No deposit required.