Plizio Visual Lab
Errachidia
ℹ️Practical info — Errachidia
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Errachidia is the gateway to the Sahara; stock up on water and supplies here before heading to Merzouga.
- Temperatures can be extreme in summer, plan your outdoor activities for early morning.
- The nearby Ziz Valley gives incredible views of dense palm groves.
- Visit the central market for the best selection of dates.
🍽 Food
The Tafilalet region produces the best dates; buy them at the central market.
Sometimes available at specialized butchers; ask locals for a recommendation.
A stuffed bread specialty from the region, available in traditional bakeries.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
A well-suited edible souvenir, especially fresh right after the autumn harvest.
Fossils from the nearby desert are sold in various local shops.
A memorable turquoise lake surrounded by red mountains just north of the city.
Take a short drive to find shade and tranquility among thousands of palm trees.
Water temperature…
Errachidia is located in southeastern Morocco in the Ziz Valley and is the capital of the Drâa-Tafilalet region. Originally known as Ksar es-Souk, the city was renamed in 1975 in honor of Moulay Rachid. It serves as an important military and administrative center for the vast desert regions bordering Algeria. The geography is characterized by the spectacular Ziz Gorges and the extensive palm oases stretching along the river. Errachidia is a gateway to the Sahara and a key starting point for expeditions into the sand dunes of Merzouga. The economy is based on oasis agriculture, craftsmanship, and increasingly on tourism. The surrounding area contains significant fossil deposits, making Errachidia a hub for paleontologists and collectors. The city also hosts a university known for its research on arid lands and solar energy.
- Location: Morocco
- Nearby: Midelt (88 km)
- Population: ~100.870 (2024)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Sep, Oct.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 7 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 25 | 30 | 29 | 23 | 18 | 11 | 8 |
| Rain mm | 20 | 23 | 30 | 27 | 25 | 11 | 8 | 20 | 37 | 31 | 29 | 17 |
Geography
Facts
- Errachidia was called Ksar es-Souk until 1975 and was a major garrison town.
- The city is located on the Ziz River, which irrigates the vast Tafilalet palm oasis.
- Moulay Ali Cherif International Airport connects the desert city with Casablanca.
- Some of the world's best-preserved trilobite fossils have been found in the region.
- Errachidia is a strategic point for the Moroccan Noor solar project.
- The nearby 'Source Bleue de Meski' is a well-known natural oasis spring.
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Notable places around
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Sights in the town Errachidia (1)
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