Sunset in Morocco: 10 of the Most Beautiful Places to Watch It
Few things in Morocco are as magical as the end of the day. The light turns gold, the walls of the medinas glow red, the call to prayer echoes over the rooftops and, in the Sahara, the dunes change colour minute by minute. If you love sunsets, Morocco is one of the best countries in the world to chase them.
As a local family from Merzouga, we watch the sun go down over the Sahara almost every evening, and it never gets old. Here are our favourite places to see the sunset in Morocco, starting, of course, with the desert.
The Best Sunset Spots in Morocco at a Glance
| Place | Type of sunset | Why it is special |
|---|---|---|
| Erg Chebbi, Merzouga | Desert dunes | Golden dunes turning orange, pink and red |
| Erg Chigaga | Remote desert | Total silence and solitude |
| Marrakech rooftops | City | Koutoubia minaret and the buzz of Jemaa el-Fna |
| Essaouira | Ocean | Sun dropping into the Atlantic behind the ramparts |
| Chefchaouen | Mountain town | Blue town glowing from the Spanish Mosque viewpoint |
| Ait Benhaddou | Kasbah | Earthen ksar lit up in warm light |
| Fes | Medina | Panoramic view from the Merenid Tombs |
| Agafay | Stony desert | Easy sunset an hour from Marrakech, with Atlas views |
| Atlantic coast beaches | Ocean cliffs | Red cliffs and wide beaches in the south |
| High Atlas | Mountains | Snowy peaks in winter, warm valleys in summer |
1. Sunset on the Sahara Dunes of Merzouga
We may be biased, but this is the most spectacular sunset in Morocco. The dunes of Erg Chebbi rise up to around 150 metres from the flat desert plain, and as the sun sinks, they change from gold to bright orange, then pink, red and finally violet. The shadows of the ridges become sharp lines, and the silence is total.
How to enjoy it:
- By camel: the classic way. Our sunset camel ride takes you to a high dune just in time, and the sunset camel ride and dinner adds a meal in the desert.
- By 4×4: our Merzouga sunset jeep tour explores the desert in the afternoon and ends on the dunes.
- By quad or buggy: a late-afternoon 2 hour quad or buggy tour lets you race to a viewpoint for golden hour.
- From a desert camp: stay the night, and you get the sunset, a sky full of stars and the sunrise. Try our camel ride and night in a desert camp.
2. Erg Chigaga
At the end of the Draa Valley, beyond M’Hamid, Erg Chigaga is reached only by 4×4. The reward is a sunset with almost nobody else around. It requires more time and a longer drive, so it suits travellers with several days.
3. Marrakech Rooftops
Head up to a rooftop café around Jemaa el-Fna as the sun sets. You will see the Koutoubia minaret against an orange sky, smoke rising from the food stalls and the square filling up with musicians and storytellers. On clear winter evenings, the snowy Atlas glows pink on the horizon.
4. Essaouira
On the Atlantic coast, the sun sets straight into the ocean. Walk along the old ramparts with their bronze cannons, or sit on the beach as fishing boats come home and seagulls circle overhead.
5. Chefchaouen
Climb about half an hour to the Spanish Mosque above the blue town. At sunset, the whole medina glows below you, framed by the Rif mountains.
6. Ait Benhaddou
The famous earthen ksar on the road between Marrakech and the Sahara looks unreal in the late-afternoon light. Climb to the old granary at the top for a wide view over the valley. Many desert road trips stop here on the way to Merzouga.
7. Fes From the Merenid Tombs
Above the medina of Fes, the ruins of the Merenid Tombs offer a panoramic view over thousands of rooftops and minarets. At sunset, you hear the calls to prayer rise from every corner of the old city.
8. Agafay Desert
About an hour from Marrakech, the stony hills of Agafay are a popular spot for a sunset dinner with views of the Atlas. It is lovely and convenient, but keep in mind it has no sand dunes. For the real Sahara, head to Merzouga. Our guide Deserts in Morocco explains the difference.
9. The Southern Atlantic Coast
South of Agadir, wide beaches and red cliffs make for dramatic ocean sunsets, especially around Legzira and Sidi Ifni.
10. The High Atlas Mountains
From a Berber village in the mountains, watch the last light climb up the peaks. In winter, the snow turns pink and orange before fading to blue.
What Time Is Sunset in Morocco?
Sunset times change through the year and vary slightly from one city to another. As a rough guide for the Sahara and Marrakech:
| Season | Approximate sunset |
|---|---|
| Winter (December, January) | Around 6 pm |
| Spring and autumn | Around 7 pm |
| Summer (June, July) | Around 8:30 pm |
Check a sunset app for your exact dates. Morocco’s time zone can also shift during Ramadan. In the desert, aim to be in position at least 30 minutes before sunset: the best colours often appear just before and just after the sun disappears.
Sunset or Sunrise in the Sahara?
Why choose? Sunset in the desert is warmer and more social; sunrise is calmer, cooler and often has softer, clearer colours. If you stay a night in the dunes, you get both. If you are short on time, join our sunrise camel tour or the sunrise jeep tour.
Tips for Photographing a Moroccan Sunset
- Arrive early and choose your spot before golden hour.
- In the dunes, shoot along the ridgelines to capture light and shadow.
- Add a person or a camel for scale and a silhouette.
- Protect your camera and phone from the sand.
- Stay after the sun sets: the “blue hour” is often the most beautiful moment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best sunset in Morocco?
For most travellers, on the Sahara dunes of Erg Chebbi in Merzouga, where the sand changes colour as the sun goes down.
Can I see the desert sunset without staying overnight?
Yes. A sunset camel ride, quad, buggy or jeep tour brings you back to the village after dark. But staying the night lets you add the stars and the sunrise.
What should I bring for a desert sunset?
A scarf, sunglasses, a warm layer for after sunset, water and your camera.
Watch the Sahara Sunset With Us
We are a local Berber family from Merzouga. Every evening we take guests to the best dunes for sunset, whether by camel, 4×4, quad or buggy. Discover more things to do in the Moroccan desert or contact us to plan your evening in the Sahara.