Morocco
the Great Desert
From North to Desert Paradise
For our three-week Moroccan road trip, we ventured far beyond the typical tourist route, taking our campervan deep into wild landscapes, secluded camp spots, and rugged mountain passes. Kevin crossed over solo by ferry from Spain with the van, while Liset and Lovi joined him by plane.
From the stunning High Atlas Mountains with their breathtaking views and charming, traditional villages, to the endless, golden dunes of the Sahara, we uncovered hidden gems and unforgettable wild camping spots that gave us a whole new perspective on Morocco.
Now, we know the idea of off-grid camping might sound daunting, but trust us—it’s easier (and more rewarding) than you might think. We found peaceful, safe spots where we could truly immerse ourselves in nature. And the best part? It’s totally doable with kids! We can’t wait to share how you can experience Morocco’s secret corners and stunning landscapes, too.
Take a look some of our highlights below and get inspired to find your own hidden gems in Morocco!
About this initirary
Voeg hier je tooltip-tekst toe
Voeg hier je tooltip-tekst toe
Voeg hier je tooltip-tekst toe
Voeg hier je tooltip-tekst toe
Voeg hier je tooltip-tekst toe
Voeg hier je tooltip-tekst toe
Voeg hier je tooltip-tekst toe
Voeg hier je tooltip-tekst toe
Travel duration: 2 or 3 weeks
How to travel: By camper/car
Stay: (wild)camping, riads & gîtes
Best travel period: March till May or September till November
Currency: Dirham
The Blue City - Chefchaouen
We started our Moroccan adventure in Chefchaouen, nestled in the Rif Mountains, and what a place to begin! Known as the Blue City, it’s hands down one of the most photogenic towns in Africa.
Although the entire medina is photogenic, there is a route that is extra decorated with colorful flower pots, carpets and beautiful corners. This route through narrow streets is 800 meters and is actually THE street you should visit. We found some incredible spots for photos here, but be warned—during the day, it gets busy with everyone trying to capture the perfect shot. To beat the crowds, make sure to visit early!
If you’re up for a bit of hiking, you can take a short 15 minutes trail up to the Spanish Mosque for a panoramic view of the blue city against the green of the Rif Mountains.
A Quiet Lakeside Paradise
As we kept driving, we discovered a lakeside spot that felt like our own little hidden oasis, completely away from the crowds. It was one of those rare places that made us stop and say, “This is what it’s all about.” A quiet beautiful spot, surrounded by nature, with a few friendly dogs who quickly adopted us as their new best friends. We spent the evening enjoying a homemade meal by the lake. If you’re looking for a peaceful, off-the-beaten-path spot to truly escape, this is it. It’s one of those places you’ll wish you could stay forever.
Through the Atlas Mountains
Our first 4×4 adventure took us deep into the Atlas Mountains, and it honestly felt like stepping back in time. The mountain villages we passed through seemed frozen in history—small clay-brick homes that blended with the earth, locals riding donkeys, and winding, muddy paths carved through rocky hillsides. Life here felt incredibly simple, with farmers working the land by hand and children waving as we drove through their towns. What stood out most was how the landscape seemed to change every 10 minutes—one moment we were surrounded by red clay mountains, the next, snow-capped peaks. It’s a rare experience to see such diverse beauty in such a short span. Where else could you find that?
For the night, we headed to a gîte, and the journey there was an adventure in itself. We drove down a narrow road, winding through stunning views that seemed to go on forever. When we finally arrived, we were warmly welcomed by the owner, who made us feel right at home. After a day of driving, they treated us to a homemade tagine—our first one—and it didn’t disappoint! Sitting around the table, with our tagine and (of course) sweet mint tea, we shared stories with the locals.
The next day, the owner gave us a tour of the village, showing us how families live in the traditional clay houses. It was such a unique experience—it felt like stepping back in time. The whole family pitches in to make meals, with chickens roaming and donkeys nearby. Lovi was especially taken with the donkeys, watching them curiously as they went about their day. It was a simple yet beautiful way of life, and it was incredible to witness firsthand.
The High Pass Tizi n'Tichka
As we made our way out of the High Atlas, we took the winding Tizi n’Tichka pass, one of the most iconic routes in Morocco. This high mountain pass connects Marrakech to the southern oases and winds its way through dramatic rocky landscapes, lush valleys, and scattered Berber villages clinging to the hillsides.
As we climbed higher, the landscape started to change. It got cooler, and the colors around us seemed to pop more with every turn. Along the way, we passed red clay villages where people were busy working and building their homes. At the highest point, 2260 meters, we stopped at a small spot to enjoy the view. The shops here sold whatever they could find in the mountains.
If you’re heading toward the High Atlas, this road is a must—it’s more than just a way to get from A to B; it’s part of the adventure.
Halfway through our journey, we discovered a hidden valley between the mountain hills, offering panoramic views of the red clay villages below. The valley was peaceful, with just the right mix of openness and seclusion. We could see the rugged mountains surrounding us, and the sight of the villages, with their simple clay homes, was like a scene out of another time. It felt untouched, remote, and just right for a quiet night. We couldn’t resist—this was the perfect spot to park up and settle in for the evening.
Handpicked Hidden-Gem spot
"Paradise Vally"
- Details: 4G 🤙, Galaxy ✨, Sunset 🌅 Dromedary's in the area 🐪
- Our score: 🤩 (5/5)
Ait Ben Haddou: A Movie Set in the Heart of the Desert
The next day, we continued our way to Ait Ben Haddou, a historic village made of red clay. This place is famous for good reason—an impressive, sandcastle-like structure rising out of the desert, with walls that seem to change color as the sun sets. Ait Ben Haddou has been a backdrop for countless films, from Gladiator to Game of Thrones, so wandering through its narrow alleys and ancient buildings felt like stepping onto a movie set. The whole place has a timeless, otherworldly vibe, and it was easy to imagine scenes from the films playing out right in front of us.
Ready set.. Gas!
After visiting Ait Ben Haddou we headed down south. While driving through Morocco’s remote desert, we stopped at the ‘Hills Have Eyes’ Gas Station; a station that felt like it was straight out of a movie. It was old, quiet, and surrounded by nothing but empty roads and sand. The pumps looked worn, and the little shop had just the basics. It might not seem like much, but places like this are essential when you’re far from everything—and they add to the adventure of exploring Morocco.
Not far from the gas station we found a remote and peaceful paradise to set up camp for the night. Surrounded by rugged desert hills, it felt like a fitting extension of the eerie yet beautiful vibe of the area.
Handpicked Hidden-Gem spot
"These paradise Hills have eyes"
- Details: 4G 🤙, Galaxy ✨, Sunset 🌅 Dromedary's in the area 🐪
- Our score: 🤩 (5/5)
The Sahara: offroad from West to East
The next morning we made our way to Foam Zguid, where we prepared ourselves for the challenging route across the Sahara. However, there’s also a desert highway to Merzouga, we decided to travel across the Sahara from Foam Zguid, to Mhamid and then on to Merzouga. We drove along rocky paths and sand dunes, finding our way through one of the quietest, most desolate places we’d ever seen. The Sahara surprised us, with huge sand dunes but also mountains, rock-strewn fields, and endless stretches of emptiness. Crossing over the dry lake Irique made this desert road even more special.
A Hidden Oasis in the Desert
As we drove through the vast desert, surrounded by nothing but sand and red mountains, we came across a hidden oasis between the hills. It seemed almost too perfect to be real, but we couldn’t pass it up. We set up camp and enjoyed a good lunch by the incredible view of the valley below.
Handpicked Hidden-Gem spot
"Sand Pyramide Paradise"
- Details: 4G 🤙, Galaxy ✨, Sunset 🌅 Dromedary's in the area 🐪
- Our score: 🤩 (5/5)
Tree of Sunset and Sunrise
As the sun began to dip, we found a small road that led us to a lone tree standing in the middle of what felt like nowhere. It was one of those quiet, unexpected moments where everything just clicked—a perfect little paradise to watch the sunset. Of course, we couldn’t resist capturing the moment, and it turned out to be one of those unforgettable photos you’ll see here.
Handpicked Hidden-Gem spot
"Sand Pyramide Paradise"
- Details: 4G 🤙, Galaxy ✨, Sunset 🌅 Dromedary's in the area 🐪
- Our score: 🤩 (5/5)
Donkeys in the Desert
As we ventured deeper into the Sahara, we came across a family of donkeys making their way through the desert. Since Lovi’s always excited to see animals, we couldn’t resist stopping. We shared a little water with them and enjoying the moment as they drank and wandered around us.
Turns out, we weren’t done with donkeys yet! At our next camp spot, another friendly donkey wandered over to say hello. Of course, we had to capture the moment with a few photos. It was one of those spontaneous moments that made our adventure even more memorable.
Handpicked Hidden-Gem spot
"Sand Pyramide Paradise"
- Details: 4G 🤙, Galaxy ✨, Sunset 🌅 Dromedary's in the area 🐪
- Our score: 🤩 (5/5)
Rock Formation Views
The next morning, we were back on the road and, not long after, we found the perfect spot for a quick pit stop. There we were, parked in front of a giant rock formation, with a lone tree offering some much-needed shade—thankfully, it was around 34 degrees! We took a moment to enjoy the view and then hit the road again, ready to dive deeper into the Sahara.
Handpicked Hidden-Gem spot
"Sand Pyramide Paradise"
- Details: 4G 🤙, Galaxy ✨, Sunset 🌅 Dromedary's in the area 🐪
- Our score: 🤩 (5/5)
As we got deeper into the desert, the flat lake beds slowly gave way to more scenic hills, with a bit more life around us. Then, we came across a group of dromedaries. Naturally, we had to stop for Lovi, but it was a special sight for all of us. It was exactly how we imagined the Sahara—iconic dromedaries crossing the vast desert landscape.
Finding Our Sand Dune Paradise
When we reached the higher dunes, we set out to find a spot between them to camp for the night. But with dunes stretching endlessly in every direction, finding a place where we could drive in, park, and still be out of sight from the “road” wasn’t easy. After some searching, we finally stumbled upon our perfect desert dune paradise.
As the sun sets, the colors of the dunes shifted and changed with every passing minute. The best time and place to make some great pictures.
While you’re free to camp anywhere, our coordinates will lead you to a plateau surrounded solely by dunes—easily accessible by any 4WD vehicle, with just a few minor, manageable dunes to cross.
Handpicked Hidden-Gem spot
"Sand Pyramide Paradise"
- Details: 4G 🤙, Galaxy ✨, Sunset 🌅 Dromedary's in the area 🐪
- Our score: 🤩 (5/5)
A Hidden Oasis in the Heart of the Desert
Before reaching M’hamid, we stopped at L’Oasis Sacrée. True to its name, it’s a serene oasis in the desert, dotted with palm trees and small streams. There’s a simple terrace where you can grab a drink and relax, making it a perfect place to take a break from the dusty trails.
Handpicked Hidden-Gem spot
"Sand Pyramide Paradise"
- Details: 4G 🤙, Galaxy ✨, Sunset 🌅 Dromedary's in the area 🐪
- Our score: 🤩 (5/5)
A Riad by the Dunes: The Perfect Desert Campsite
Once we arrived in M’hamid, we took some time to restock our supplies and found a great campsite nestled right next to the dunes, a nice spot to prepare ourselves for the next desert trip.
Handpicked Hidden-Gem spot
"Sand Pyramide Paradise"
- Details: 4G 🤙, Galaxy ✨, Sunset 🌅 Dromedary's in the area 🐪
- Our score: 🤩 (5/5)
Dromedaries in the Desert
Leaving M’hamid behind, we came across a lovely picnic spot right in the desert, with a small group of dromedaries hanging around nearby. Lovi couldn’t take her eyes off them, but we still managed to enjoy a nice lunch before heading further toward Merzouga.
After leaving the dromedaries behind, we found a new camp spot on a rocky patch of land, with a lone tree standing tall nearby. It was the perfect spot to set up our hammock and relax for the night.
Handpicked Hidden-Gem spot
"Sand Pyramide Paradise"
- Details: 4G 🤙, Galaxy ✨, Sunset 🌅 Dromedary's in the area 🐪
- Our score: 🤩 (5/5)
The Red Rock Mountain Spot
Driving through the Sahara kept surprising us at every turn, especially the incredible places we found to stay. This spot, tucked away in the red mountains, was completely different from anywhere we’d stayed before. We stumbled upon it by taking a tiny “road”—if you could even call it that—off the main route. But it led us to this perfect, secluded spot. Quiet, just like the Sahara, but with a peaceful serenity between the red hills that made it feel like we’d discovered our own desert hideaway.
Handpicked Hidden-Gem spot
"Sand Pyramide Paradise"
- Details: 4G 🤙, Galaxy ✨, Sunset 🌅 Dromedary's in the area 🐪
- Our score: 🤩 (5/5)
Camel-filled Roads to Merzouga
The next day, we hit the road again, heading toward Merzouga. As we got closer, the desert started to feel livelier, with more tented camps and traditional kasbahs popping up along the way. Everywhere we looked, groups of dromedaries were hanging out, making the scene feel straight out of a desert dream. For Lovi, it was pure excitement—she couldn’t stop grinning every time we passed one of the camels!
Desert Power
As we came closer to Merzouga, the towering dunes gave way to vast plains and desert mountains. Looking back, it was amazing to see the landscapes we had just crossed.
This was our last stop in the quiet remoteness of the desert before returning to busier areas. The road to get there was rocky and challenging, but we eventually found an incredible spot in the middle of this wide-open area. It was hard to find this a place, but totally worth it for the breathtaking view that stretched out before us. Just look at how beautiful it is!
Also curious how to get there? Check out our location details so you don’t have to find it yourself.
Handpicked Hidden-Gem spot
"Sand Pyramide Paradise"
- Details: 4G 🤙, Galaxy ✨, Sunset 🌅 Dromedary's in the area 🐪
- Our score: 🤩 (5/5)
Endless Flat Plains and Colorful Mountains
The final stretch to Merzouga turned out to be another unforgettable part of our journey. We drove across flat plains, flanked by towering mountains in a stunning array of colors. The usual track had been swept away by the winds, so we had to make our own way. Using Google Maps, we navigated the new route and eventually found our path, guiding us to the end of the desert road.
Sleeping in the Dunes of Merzouga
After nearly a week and a half, we finally reached Merzouga, but leaving the rugged desert behind felt bittersweet. The journey had been nothing short of magical, and it’s one we’ll never forget.
You know you’re in Merzouga when the towering sand dunes start to take over the landscape. The place is famous for its tented camps and beautiful riads nestled right in the dunes. It’s a popular spot for travelers looking to sleep under the stars in the desert. But since we already had our own “tented camp” (and let’s be honest, we couldn’t get enough of those dunes), we set out to find our own little piece of paradise. Finding a hidden spot in such a touristy area wasn’t easy, but we managed to discover a place where we could park our car, yet still be completely surrounded by those massive dunes.
It turned out to be the perfect spot, especially at sunset and sunrise. We couldn’t resist taking our time to take some photos in the golden light.
Handpicked Hidden-Gem spot
"Sand Pyramide Paradise"
- Details: 4G 🤙, Galaxy ✨, Sunset 🌅 Dromedary's in the area 🐪
- Our score: 🤩 (5/5)
A Poolside Paradise
Alright, we’ll admit it—we couldn’t pass up the chance to experience a little luxury. A beautiful riad with a pool right next to the sand dunes? Yes, please! It was the perfect spot to unwind after days of remote desert exploration. Soft beds, hot showers, a refreshing pool, and mouthwatering local meals—after all our time camping under the stars, it felt like the ultimate treat. It was the perfect way to wrap up our epic journey through the stunning, ever-changing Sahara landscapes.
hier moet nog tekst
Handpicked Hidden-Gem spot
"Sand Pyramide Paradise"
- Details: 4G 🤙, Galaxy ✨, Sunset 🌅 Dromedary's in the area 🐪
- Our score: 🤩 (5/5)
Rissani's Local Animal Market
On our way north, we stopped in Rissani and grabbed lunch at Restaurant La Baraka. We tried their famous Berber pizza, and it was just as good as everyone said! After lunch, we wandered over to the local animal market, where they were selling sheep, donkeys, chickens, and more. It was a great experience, and Lovi really enjoyed it. A local guy gave us a tour of the market and shared some interesting facts about what they sell and the traditional foods. We ended up at the donkey parking lot, where all the donkeys were hanging out together. If you’re passing through, make sure to visit the market on Tuesday or Thursday—it’s definitely worth a stop!
Gara Medouar: Sleeping in a Crater
After visiting Rissani we drove further to our next impressive camp spot. If you ever want to camp in a kind of crater, you have to visit Gara Medouar. It’s a huge ring of rock in the middle of nowhere that honestly looks like something out of a sci-fi movie. It’s often mistaken for a volcano, but it’s actually a natural rock formation shaped like a crater. When you’re standing there, you can see why it’s popular in movies (like The Mummy). The place has this wild, almost spooky vibe to it, like you’ve stumbled across a hidden fortress in the desert.
While most people camped inside the crater, we found a more secluded spot just outside, offering the best view of Gara Medouar. Camping there felt unreal, a magical experience.
As the sun set, the colors on the rock shifted, and the place fell completely silent. For one night, it was like our own secret corner of the desert.
Handpicked Hidden-Gem spot
"Sand Pyramide Paradise"
- Details: 4G 🤙, Galaxy ✨, Sunset 🌅 Dromedary's in the area 🐪
- Our score: 🤩 (5/5)
Lakeside Paradise at the Port
After a long drive from South to North, we found our last spot before boarding the ferry to Barcelona. It was a genuine lakeside paradise—peaceful, with a calm view stretching over the water.
We settled in, enjoying the calm view of the lake and the relaxed atmosphere—, a perfect stop before heading back home.
Handpicked Hidden-Gem spot
"Sand Pyramide Paradise"
- Details: 4G 🤙, Galaxy ✨, Sunset 🌅 Dromedary's in the area 🐪
- Our score: 🤩 (5/5)
Other places which you can visit
If you’re planning a trip to Morocco and looking to expand your itinerary, consider exploring places like Ouarzazate, the ‘Hollywood of Morocco,’ or the lesser-visited Tafraoute in the Anti-Atlas Mountains, known for its striking pink granite formations. Next time, we will definitely visit these places, so more of those areas are coming soon!
Our favorite (wild camp) spots
Camping in Morocco offers a unique way to experience its diverse landscapes, but finding the perfect spots can be a challenge. That’s why we’ve created a map with all our favorite wild camping locations, taking the stress out of planning.
For those exploring on their own, pick quiet, off-road areas and always leave nature as you found it. Morocco is generally safe, but staying aware is key. Apps like iOverlander or Park4Night can help, but our map gives you hidden gems you won’t find elsewhere. From mountains to desert dunes, camping in Morocco is a simple, unforgettable way to see the country.
In this journey
Hi, 👋
This is Itsy Bitsy Paradise
Hi! We’re Liset and Kevin, and a few years ago, our little adventurers, Lovi and Quinn, joined the journey. Travel is our greatest passion, and sharing it with our kids has made it even more magical. Together, we explore and create our own “Itsy Bitsy Paradise”—finding those hidden spots of beauty, adventure, and calm wherever we go.
“Itsy Bitsy Paradise”
Morocco Spots
Handpicked hidden gems we’ve explored, these off-the-beaten-path spots are the result of our own effort and trial—so you can save time, avoid missteps, and be sure every paradise delivers beauty and adventure.
Get all Morocco locations in an offline PDF. Contact us for the file and payment details.
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