Hassan’s guidebook

Hassan
Hassan’s guidebook

City/town information

A small Berber village located at the footsteps of the famous Erg Chebbi dunes. A starting point for camel trekking and desert tours for many tourists. The village is picturesque and populated with Berber nomad people living in their authentic traditional houses. You will find riads, shops of all kinds, restaurants, hotels, a gas station, city garden, well system. A definite recommendation to make a short stop or overnight for a day.
7 locals recommend
Hassilabied
7 locals recommend
A small Berber village located at the footsteps of the famous Erg Chebbi dunes. A starting point for camel trekking and desert tours for many tourists. The village is picturesque and populated with Berber nomad people living in their authentic traditional houses. You will find riads, shops of all kinds, restaurants, hotels, a gas station, city garden, well system. A definite recommendation to make a short stop or overnight for a day.
A bigger village 5km down the road from Hassilabied offering many more riads, shops, restaurants, post office and a beautiful plaza where village and its people come to life. During summer months, there are weekly open market events where you can find many stands selling all possible essentials and foods.
66 locals recommend
Merzouga
66 locals recommend
A bigger village 5km down the road from Hassilabied offering many more riads, shops, restaurants, post office and a beautiful plaza where village and its people come to life. During summer months, there are weekly open market events where you can find many stands selling all possible essentials and foods.
A good sized town further north, about 30min drive where you have access to pharmacies, medical doctors, local markets, banks, post offices, gas stations, schools and other places. Clean and nice city where you can find all things you need.
6 locals recommend
Erfoud
6 locals recommend
A good sized town further north, about 30min drive where you have access to pharmacies, medical doctors, local markets, banks, post offices, gas stations, schools and other places. Clean and nice city where you can find all things you need.

Food scene

In the center of Hassilabied village, this restaurant is excellent choice for a quick traditional bite either for lunch or dinner alongside with sipping some delicious Berber black tea.
Snack Mustapha
In the center of Hassilabied village, this restaurant is excellent choice for a quick traditional bite either for lunch or dinner alongside with sipping some delicious Berber black tea.
Another great place offering all traditional meals from hariras (soups) to sandwiches. Located in the central plaza with outdoor terrace this is a smart choice for grabbing a quick bite.
Cafe snack itran
Another great place offering all traditional meals from hariras (soups) to sandwiches. Located in the central plaza with outdoor terrace this is a smart choice for grabbing a quick bite.
This cafe is located on the main road. It is convenient, spacious and offers large variety of beverages and snacks. Beautiful outside porch where you can sit and relax while enjoying your drinks.
Café & Restaurant World Of Colors
R702
This cafe is located on the main road. It is convenient, spacious and offers large variety of beverages and snacks. Beautiful outside porch where you can sit and relax while enjoying your drinks.
Small grocery store located in the center of the village, great place and offers everything you need from food and drinks to toiletries and other essentials.
Kemkem Store
HASSILABEID
Small grocery store located in the center of the village, great place and offers everything you need from food and drinks to toiletries and other essentials.
Another small grocery store with cheap prices where you will mostly find canned food and snacks, but also offers other essentials such as shampoo or creams.
Alimentation Hamid
Another small grocery store with cheap prices where you will mostly find canned food and snacks, but also offers other essentials such as shampoo or creams.
Gas station in close proximity to the village where you can have a nice rest in the coffee shop with outdoor terrace, grab a snack to eat and buy some food in the small shop.
Station Afriquia
Station Afriquia
Gas station in close proximity to the village where you can have a nice rest in the coffee shop with outdoor terrace, grab a snack to eat and buy some food in the small shop.
Beautiful authentic restaurant in the village of Hassilabied. There is indoor and outdoor sitting area, both excellent choices to sit down, enjoy traditional Berber food, drink and music.
Restaurant Fatima
Beautiful authentic restaurant in the village of Hassilabied. There is indoor and outdoor sitting area, both excellent choices to sit down, enjoy traditional Berber food, drink and music.

Sightseeing

Magical spacious endless sand dunes of Erg Chebbi, a must visit when traveling to Moroccan Sahara. Many activities are offered with local guides, from camel trekking to ATV quad rides.
9 locals recommend
Erg Chebbi
9 locals recommend
Magical spacious endless sand dunes of Erg Chebbi, a must visit when traveling to Moroccan Sahara. Many activities are offered with local guides, from camel trekking to ATV quad rides.
City garden and well system, this place is a must visit considering its location in the middle of the desert. Unique and beautiful, the garden contains land plots belonging to local families with irrigation channel running through the middle of the garden. Just outside of the garden, there is a well system where locals get their water if necessary.
charije
City garden and well system, this place is a must visit considering its location in the middle of the desert. Unique and beautiful, the garden contains land plots belonging to local families with irrigation channel running through the middle of the garden. Just outside of the garden, there is a well system where locals get their water if necessary.
A natural water lake just between villages of Hassilabied and Merzouga, often dry during the summer months and very important for local population. People from the villages often come here when lake has water to harvest some as well as to freshen up a bit during the heat waves.
Lac Dayet Srij
A natural water lake just between villages of Hassilabied and Merzouga, often dry during the summer months and very important for local population. People from the villages often come here when lake has water to harvest some as well as to freshen up a bit during the heat waves.

City advice

Getting around

Best and fastest way to get around is by car.

Parking is not an issue as many riads offer free parking on premises and later take care of transportation to the camps and back.
Getting around

Bus station is located in the center of the village.

Taking a bus is also a good option and cheap, although lengthy and time consuming. Connections are good from all bigger towns and Hassilabied village is small, so upon arrival it is easy to walk up to your riad.
Don't miss

Camel trekking in the Erg Chebbi dunes.

Do not miss on booking a camel trek tour while in the desert with magical sunrise and direct arrival to the camp.
Don't miss

ATV Quad bike rides in the Erg Chebbi dunes.

Couple of places in the village where rental is possible for a reasonable price, it is a must for adventure lovers. Your accommodation can also arrange it for you.
Don't miss

Visiting Charije and Igrane garden just outside the village.

Entrance is free, strolling through the garden and natural well system is a must see attraction.
Customs and culture

Friday is holy day for rest and prayer.

Many shops and activities might be paused or closed.
Customs and culture

Berber meals are eaten in groups such as family and friends.

Traditional meals (tajine, couscous, stews) are typically eaten in groups, such as a large family sitting down together to share a meal from one large dish. Also couscous is traditionally eaten on Fridays.
Don't miss

Sunset and sunrise in the sand dunes.

Make sure you wake up early enough to catch a glimpse of beautiful sunrise in the morning. Equally breathtaking is the evening sunrise, especially if you are camel trekking in the dunes.
Customs and culture

It is recommended to cover most of your body with clothes.

Even during summer months, it is respectful to reveal your skin as least as possible.
Customs and culture

Unmarried couples cannot share a hotel or riad room.

But this does not apply to foreigners only Moroccans.
Don't miss

Eat a delicious tajine and drink Berber Whiskey (black tea).

Most famous and traditional food and drink in Morocco, it is a must try. Delicious and satisfying.
Don't miss

Lunch (Berber pizza) in the oasis in the heart of the dunes.

Camel ride into the middle of the dunes, you take lunch break in the oasis where your guide makes traditional Berber pizza in the sand. Absolutely astonishing. Your accommodation can arrange this for you.
Customs and culture

Welcome mint tea and Moroccan cookies.

Sharing tea and cookies is a sign of hospitality in Morocco, it is a way your host welcomes you into their home and culture.
Ways to save

Charije and Igrane garden have free entrance.

Beautiful village garden and well irrigation system right by it are free to enter and explore.
Ways to save

Book your tours with your accommodation or host.

It is the best to book excursions or tours with your host, he is reliable and can arrange it for you for the best price.
Book before you go

Daily desert tours and activities.

It is the best to book your daily activities, such as ATV Quad rides, camel trekking and 4x4 jeep safari in advance with your accommodation or host. Or just let them know upon arrival your wishes to make sure you get the availability and best price, they will make sure you have a great time.
What to pack

Light clothing, sunscreen and water, comfortable shoes.

Desert is a very dry, sandy and hot place. Make sure you have comfortable shoes and sandals, enough water, sunblock and some kind of head protection as heat waves can be strong.
What to pack

Bring warm jacket and clothing for cold winter nights.

During winter, especially at night, temperatures drop dramatically in the desert so make sure you have warm clothes and layers.
Useful phrases

Hi - salam, no - la, thanks - shokran, labas - how are you

And many more, no thank you - la shokran, yalla - come on, habibi - darling, inshallah - hopefully
Travelling with kids

Kids can ride camels with a parent.

Kids are allowed on a camel if they are riding with their parent. Camel can easily hold two people.