Less than an hour from the medina, the city disappears. The road climbs onto a high, empty plateau of pale stone and rolling hills, and on a clear day the snow-capped Atlas Mountains fill the horizon. This is the Agafay desert, and it is where we take most couples, travellers and brands who want “the desert” without a two-day drive.
It is also a place people often misunderstand. Here is what to expect, when to go, and how to plan a photoshoot there.
What the Agafay desert really is
Agafay is a stone desert, not a sand desert. Instead of orange dunes you get a landscape of beige and golden rock, gravel plains, dry riverbeds and soft, rounded hills, with small villages and desert camps scattered across it.
That is exactly why it works so well for photos:
- The colours are neutral, so outfits and skin tones stand out.
- The Atlas Mountains sit behind almost every frame, snow-capped from roughly December to March.
- The hills create layers and give you privacy, even with other camps nearby.
- The light at sunset turns the whole plateau gold, then pink.
If you have your heart set on tall Sahara dunes, those are in Merzouga (Erg Chebbi), around 550 km away: a trip of at least two days. Agafay is the choice when you have one afternoon.
How far is Agafay from Marrakech?
The Agafay area starts about 30 to 40 km south-west of Marrakech. From the medina or Gueliz, allow 45 minutes to an hour by car, depending on the camp; from the Palmeraie, a little longer. The last stretch to most camps is on rough tracks, so drive slowly or book the camp’s transfer.
There is no entrance gate or ticket for “the desert”. You visit through a camp (for lunch, dinner, a day pass or a night) or through an organised excursion. On the way, the Lalla Takerkoust lake sits on the edge of the plateau and makes a lovely second location if you have time.
When to go
| Season | Typical day / night | For photos |
|---|---|---|
| March to May | about 24–31 °C / 10–16 °C | Excellent: a touch of green after the winter rains, comfortable light |
| June to August | about 34–39 °C / 18–22 °C | Only at sunrise or sunset; haze can hide the Atlas |
| September to November | about 23–33 °C / 11–19 °C | Excellent: warm evenings, clear skies by November |
| December to February | about 19–21 °C / 6–8 °C | Snow on the Atlas, the clearest views, cold after sunset |
These are averages for the Marrakech area, not a forecast. The open plateau feels colder than the city once the sun goes down, especially in winter.
The best time of day
The last two hours before sunset are our favourite. The sun is low, the hills throw long shadows and the light is warm on faces. After sunset you get 20 to 30 minutes of soft blue hour, perfect with the lanterns of a camp behind you.
Sunrise is quieter and just as beautiful, but it is cold and needs a very early start. If you are already up for a hot-air balloon flight, which also leaves at dawn, keep the desert for the evening instead.
Sunset in Marrakech is around 18:30 to 19:00 in winter, around 20:00 in April and around 20:30 to 20:45 in June and July. Check the exact time for your date: Morocco also moves its clocks back one hour during Ramadan.
What to do in Agafay
Most camps offer the same core activities, and several make great photo moments:
- Camel rides, usually across the plains and low hills rather than dunes.
- Quad biking and buggies, fun but dusty: do them after your photos, not before.
- Horse riding, beautiful at golden hour if the camp has calm, well-kept horses.
- Lunch or dinner at a camp, with mint tea, tagines and often music and a fire show after dark.
- A night in a luxury tent, if you want sunset and sunrise in the same trip.
If you plan to include animals in your photos, choose a camp that treats them well and ask the handler before you set up.
How to plan an Agafay photoshoot
- Choose the camp first. It decides your view, your backup if the wind picks up, and where you change outfits. Many camps welcome photoshoots when you have lunch or dinner with them; others ask for a fee. Ask in advance.
- Plan two looks, not five. One outfit for golden hour, one for sunset and blue hour is plenty. Changing takes time you would rather spend in the light.
- Prepare for wind and dust. Bring hair ties, a lint roller and a bag to keep your outfit clean. Flowing fabrics look stunning in the wind.
- Respect the villages. Agafay is lived in. Do not photograph residents, their homes or their animals without asking.
- Leave the drone at home. Flying a drone in Morocco needs prior authorisation, and visitors’ drones are confiscated at customs. Read our guide to drone rules in Morocco.
A sample autumn afternoon
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 15:45 | Pickup from your riad or hotel |
| 16:45 | Arrival at the camp, mint tea, first outfit |
| 17:15 | First look in the hills, with the Atlas behind you |
| 18:15 | Outfit change, golden hour portraits |
| 19:00 | Sunset |
| 19:20 | Blue hour with the camp lanterns |
| 20:00 | Dinner, music and the stars |
Based on mid-October, when the sun sets around 19:00. We shift everything with the season.
What to wear
- Colours that stand out against beige rock: white, cream, cobalt blue, emerald, terracotta, saffron or a deep red. Avoid beige and khaki, which disappear into the landscape.
- Movement: long dresses, wide trousers, open shirts and scarves catch the wind beautifully.
- Layers in winter: from November to March, bring a warm coat for after sunset that you can take off between shots.
- Trainers for walking, plus the shoes you want in the photos. The ground is stony and uneven.
For more ideas by season, see our guide on what to wear in Marrakech.
Frequently asked questions
Is Agafay a real desert? Yes, a stone desert: a dry, rocky plateau with very little vegetation. It simply has no sand dunes.
Do we need a 4×4 to get there? No. Ordinary cars reach most camps, but the last stretch is on unpaved tracks. Most camps also offer transfers from Marrakech.
How long should an Agafay photoshoot last? Two hours around sunset is ideal. Add dinner at the camp and you have a perfect half-day.
Can we combine Agafay with another location? Yes. Lalla Takerkoust lake is on the way, or you can start the day in a riad or the medina. See our Marrakech photoshoot locations guide.
Dreaming of photos in the Agafay desert? We choose the camp, time the light and handle the logistics, so you only have to enjoy the evening. Discover our travel and couple photoshoots or ask us for a free quote.
