Agdz Oasis, Morocco, Africa
With endless palm grove and beautiful earthen clay architecture, it’s no wonder that Agdz is one of the most visited destinations in Morocco. Whether you’re coming to camp in the Sahara Desert, explore the Lush belts of date-palm oases scattered with the fabulous mud architecture of kasbahs and fortified ksour villages, Agdz will blow your mind.
Agdz, a green bridge between Marrakech and Timbuktu.
Agdz, which means "resting place", is a palm grove that marks the entrance to the Draa Valley. It is located along the old caravan route connecting Marrakech to Timbuktu. This Morocco's mid-southeastern town has long been the scene of major crossings of caravans of merchants traveling to Timbuktu and therfore played an important role in the exchange of goods across the Sahara.
Dominated by the jbel Kissane, the small town of Agdz nestles at the entrance to the famous Draa Valley, 70 km south-east of Ouarzazate. Paving the way to the south and Zagora, the last city before the desert, it is an important step to discover the back of the country and Morocco's sand dunes.
Agdz has been for a Long time the capital of the Mzgita region, marking out the old caravan trail connecting Marrakech to Timbuktu, Agdz is today a peaceful and picturesque town, articulated around its main square where terraces, stalls and date market help create a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Travel Itinerary including most of the places mentioned in this article
Agdz is the gateway to the Draa Valley, famous for its market of dates and charming palmeraie. The road leading to Agdz from Ouarzazate offers a succession sight of mountains (anti-Atlas), plateau and mineral deserts of shimmering colours. Agdz is at 70 km from Ouarzazate. If you go by car make sure to have enough fuel.
Travellers who zoom from Merzouga Desert to Agdz can visit the pretty adobe village of Nekob and the Kasbah of Tamnougalt before spending time discovering the Draa Valley, an immense ribbon of greenery that winds for 250 kilometers in the desert, home to Draa river Morocco's longest river, at 1,100 kilometres.
Agdz is one of the most beautiful regions of southern Moroccow
From Agdz travelers can journey on a seven-kilometer pise in the Draa Valley to discover old Kasbahs where the Berbers have been living for centuries... A unique experience to encounter things from a native's perspective and meet the local population which is chiefly Berber (or "Amazigh"). The 10,000 inhabitants of Agdz perpetuate Berber's ancestral traditions of welcome and hospitality.
The Drâa river gave birth to a vast date palm oasis 200km-long at anti-Atlas bottom making home to the town of Agdz. The most predominant feature of Agdz is Jebel Kissane which is in the middle of the Draa Valley to the east of Agdz, the red bricks, the green of the palm trees and the acacias that contrast with the ocher of the mountains. Here is a list of unique things to do in Agdz.
Weekly souk at Agdz Oasis
One of the most important Souks in the region, it takes place on Thursday morning (at the exit of the village in the direction of Zagora).
Palm grove at Agdz Oasis
Recognized as a UNESCO heritage, its colorful and fragrant gardens, surrounded by adobe walls, in the shade of palm trees are an oasis of freshness during the hot summer days. The crops are carefully maintained thanks to a clever network of small irrigation canals called "seguias". The centuries-old activity and the smile of its occupants offer travelers and walkers the wonderful feeling of a garden of Eden.
Jbel Kissane, Morocco, Africa
Recognizable by its tagine dish shape, its summit (1535 m) remarkably overlooks Agdz and flares up at sunset. Its long rocky ridge borders Oued Drâa for around forty kilometers.
Kasbah Tamnougalt, Morocco, Africa
On the left bank of the Drâa, 5 km south of Agdz on a rocky promontory, stand the ruins of an impressive kasbah with an exceptional panorama. Beneath the kasbah there's the fortified village of Tamnougalt, dating from the 16th century and one of the oldest ksours (palaces) in the valley.
Tizgui waterfalls, Morocco, Africa
10 km of track through a lunar landscape and 10 minutes of walking are enough to reach the freshness of the waterfall and its natural swimming pool. It is possible to bathe there and drink a mint tea.
Morocco's climate can be divided into seven sub-zones, it is determined by the different influences which the country undergoes: oceanic, mediterranean, mountainous, continental and desert influences, there is really no “right” time to visit.
This may sound confusing when planning a trip. That’s why we're here to help.
Even though there’s no right or wrong time to visit Agdz, there is depending on what you’re looking to do and how much you’re looking to spend. Regardless, it’s going to be the place where time stops!
Agdz is very hot in summer and quite cool in winter. A stay in Agdz will be particularly pleasant during the off-season and. Under a constant sun, the animation of the souk allows to meet and exchange with the locals.
