Motorcycle Tour of the Ancient Spanish Sahara – An Epic Adventure Through the History of Spain

March 03, 2025

The Call of the Desert and Forgotten History

There are journeys that are more than just miles. They are a gateway to the past, a conversation with the wind, a history written with the roar of the engine and the dust of the road. Traveling through the former Spanish Sahara on a motorcycle isn't just a physical journey; it's a journey through time, a route where echoes of the past mingle with the immensity of the desert and the unending Atlantic.

From the white walls of Essaouira, passing through the Spanish footprints in Sidi Ifni, to the solitary expanse of Villa Cisneros (Dakhla), this journey traverses not only changing landscapes but also the memory of a territory that was once part of Spain. A place where the sewers still bear Spanish names and where the remains of an old Spanish cinema coexist with Arabic and French signs.

This trip isn't for everyone. It's for those who feel that the asphalt is just the prologue and that the real story begins when the road disappears beneath the sand. It's for those who seek more than tourism: they seek discovery. The sensation of riding a motorcycle with the ocean on one side and the desert on the other, the hot wind whipping against your helmet and the endless horizon stretching out like a challenge.

To travel south, to enter the heart of the Sahara, is to accept the solitude of the road and the immensity of the open space. But it is also to travel a route of historical memory, a connection with a past that few remember. It is to feel the absolute freedom of crossing the Tropic of Cancer, knowing that beyond it only dunes, cliffs, and the echoes of forgotten stories remain.

Before releasing the clutch

Traveling by motorcycle to the former Spanish Sahara isn't just a leisurely trip. It's a journey that will test your endurance, your equipment, and your ability to adapt. The distances are long, the landscapes changing, and the conditions extreme. Improvisation isn't a good idea here, because the desert is unforgiving. Before setting off, you need to prepare your motorcycle, your gear, and your mind.

🏍️ The Perfect Motorcycle for the Road
The choice of motorcycle will make the difference between enjoying every mile or suffering along the way. On this journey, the BMW F850 GS proved to be the ideal companion:

✅ Powerful and reliable to cover long distances effortlessly.
✅ Suspension prepared to tackle off-road sections in Playa Blanca and the desert.
✅ Sufficient load capacity to carry everything you need without compromising stability.
✅ Good fuel consumption, key on a route where gas stations are scarce.

If you don't have a BMW F850 GS, any trail or maxi-trail bike is a solid option: Yamaha Ténéré 700, KTM 890 Adventure, Honda Africa Twin, etc.

⛽️ Refueling and Range
In Morocco, there are plenty of gas stations along the coast, but things are different in the south. From El Aaiún to Dakhla, there are 500 km of practically nothing, so:

✔️ Fill the tank whenever you can.
✔️ If your motorcycle has less than 300 km of range, carry an extra gas tank.
✔️ Use high-quality gasoline in large cities. Avoid refueling at unsafe gas stations or cans.

🎒 Luggage and Cargo: Just the Right Stuff
Loading the bike properly is key. The secret is to balance carrying only the essentials and not overloading.

🔹 Bags and Suitcases
✅ 30L Overlander – Extra capacity without compromising maneuverability.
✅ 6L mini-bag on the front – For documents and quick-access items.
✅ Bottle pockets on the sides – To carry extra water at all times.
✅ Top case and saddlebags – Only if you really need them.

🔹 Essential Equipment
✔️ Basic tools and tire repair kit.
✔️ Portable compressor – Inflate your tires if you decide to lower their pressure off-road.
✔️ Replacement air filters – Desert dust clogs them quickly.
✔️ First Aid Kit – The basics can save you.
✔️ Water bottles and energy bars – You never know when you’ll need them.

📜 Documentation and Permits: Everything in Order
To cross Morocco and Western Sahara without problems, you need:

✔️ Passport with at least 6 months of validity.
✔️ Travel insurance and motorcycle insurance with coverage in Morocco.
✔️ Green insurance card (if your insurance doesn't cover Morocco, you can purchase it at the border).
✔️ Motorcycle registration and technical sheet.
✔️ International driving license (recommended).

⚠️ Police checkpoints : These are common in the south. They're fine if you're in order, but you need to be patient and respectful.

🗺️ Driving Tips in Morocco
✔️ In the city, prepare for chaos. Ignored traffic lights, pedestrians crossing without warning, and motorcycles swerving through every gap.
✔️ Outside the city, it's quieter, but watch out for trucks and buses, which often overtake without looking.
✔️ Loose animals on the road – Goats, camels, and donkeys can appear out of nowhere.
✔️ Speed ​​controls. There are speed cameras and police on major roads.

Motorcycle Route to the Former Spanish Sahara

🔥 Mindset: More than a Journey, a Challenge

This isn't a trip for everyone. It's a long route, tough in some sections, and full of contrasts. It's a trip for those seeking adventure, history, and the feeling of being completely free. If you're ready, start the engine and feel the beginning of the best experience of your life.

🌍 Day 1: From Tangier to Essaouira – Heading for the Atlantic

The first day is a mix of excitement, uncertainty, and the adrenaline rush of knowing you're about to embark on a journey that will change the way you see the road. Leaving Tangier is a leap between worlds: Europe is behind you and the African challenge begins. From the port, the bike roars eagerly, ready to devour the kilometers.

🚀 Starting the Adventure – Crossing Morocco

The Atlantic breeze hits the helmet as the BMW F850 GS moves through the Moroccan traffic. The exit from Tangier is controlled chaos: cars zigzagging, taxis braking without warning, people weaving between motorcycles and trucks. But soon the road opens up, and a feeling of freedom takes over the journey.

The first few kilometers are a warm-up. Morocco awakens before your eyes with a constantly changing palette of colors: green fields in the north, dusty villages in the center, and, as you head south, an increasingly arid landscape.

📍 First Stop: Casablanca – The Chaotic Beauty of Morocco

Casablanca is a clash between modern and traditional Morocco. A bustling city, full of life, but with corners that hold stories.

If traffic in Tangier seemed chaotic, in Casablanca it's a true video game. Dodging cars, avoiding motorcycles, braking for a donkey crossing the avenue... Welcome to the Moroccan urban jungle.

But it's worth a stop, at least to visit the Hassan II Mosque, with its 210-meter-high minaret overlooking the ocean. If you decide to take a break, there are sidewalk cafes where you can sip mint tea while observing the frenetic pace of the city.

📍 Heading to Essaouira – Where the Magic Begins

As we leave Casablanca behind, the road smooths out. The Atlantic coast unfolds to the right, with the ocean stretching as far as the eye can see. This is where the journey begins to feel like a true journey: long straight stretches, constant wind, and the sensation of rolling into the unknown.

As you approach Essaouira, the wind begins to blow harder. This coastal city is famous for precisely that: the wind never stops here. It's the price you pay for enjoying one of Morocco's most beautiful destinations.

🏰 Essaouira: The Windy City and the White Walls

It's impossible not to fall in love with Essaouira. As soon as you enter, you feel like you've arrived in a different place, with a special energy. Its white walls contrast with the deep blue of the Atlantic, the narrow streets are filled with artisans, and the port is a spectacle of blue boats, seagulls, and fishing nets.

🔹 What to See in Essaouira
✔️ The Medina – A maze of alleys lined with spice, carpet, and souvenir shops.
✔️ The Walls and the Bastion – From here, the views of the sea are breathtaking.
✔️ The Fishing Port – Perfect for photos, with the blue boats and the frenetic activity of the fishermen.
✔️ Essaouira Beach – Miles of sand where the wind never stops blowing.

🎶 Fun fact: Essaouira has been an inspiration for musicians and artists. Jimi Hendrix spent time here, and the song "Castles Made of Sand" is said to be inspired by the city.

🏕️ Where to Stay in Essaouira – Best Value Hotels

After a long day on the bike, it's best to find a good place to rest. Here are some budget-friendly options:

🏨 Budget Hotels (up to €30/night)

• Hotel Majestic – Simple, but with a good breakfast and close to the medina.
• Riad Sidi Magdoul – Authentic Moroccan riad with charm and cozy rooms.

🏨 Mid-range (€30 - €60/night)

• Riad Maison du Sud – Accommodation with a traditional courtyard and a relaxed atmosphere.
• Palais Des Remparts – Excellent location overlooking the ocean.

🏨 High-end (+100€/night)

• Heure Bleue Palais – One of the best riads in Morocco, luxury and total comfort.
• Sofitel Mogador Golf & Spa – For those seeking a premium experience with a spa and pool.

🔥 Anecdote: Why did I decide to stay an extra day?

The original plan was to sleep in Essaouira and leave early, but this city draws you in. The relaxed atmosphere, the delicious food (a fish tagine overlooking the port is unforgettable), and the feeling of being in a place where time flows differently made me change my plans.

Plus, after an intense first day of riding, Essaouira is the perfect place to recharge your batteries before continuing south.

With the bike ready, the luggage packed, and the route clear, it's time to continue the journey. Tomorrow will be another day of endless road travel, with more history and more challenges. Sidi Ifni awaits, with its colonial buildings, its immense beach, and the promise of an even more epic route.

🏜️ Day 2: From Essaouira to Sidi Ifni – Following in the Footsteps of Spain

The sun has barely begun to illuminate the white rooftops of Essaouira when the roar of engines breaks the early morning silence. The streets are still half-empty, with a few early fishermen unloading their nets and merchants opening their shops. It's the perfect time to set out: the city is still asleep, and the road awaits.

Today's route will take us even further south, where Morocco begins to change shape. The vibrant medinas and Western tourism will be left behind. The road to Sidi Ifni is a transition between the familiar and the remote, a line separating the Morocco of the present with the traces of its Spanish past.

🚀 First kilometers – Leaving Essaouira behind

The road is a promise of freedom. As the city disappears in the rearview mirrors, the coast expands into an endless horizon. The breeze continues to blow strongly, reminding me why Essaouira is the windy city.

The first few kilometers are a succession of small fishing villages, with improvised markets along the roadside. Women sell baskets of fruit, children run barefoot among donkeys and dilapidated pickup trucks. It's a more rural, more authentic Morocco.

Here, driving requires concentration. Trucks and buses appear out of nowhere, fearlessly overtaking on blind curves. But there are also moments of pure calm, stretches where the only company is the ocean crashing against the cliffs to the right.

📍 First stop: Agadir – The border between two worlds

After about two hours of travel, Agadir appears. Here the story changes: the city is modern, with wide avenues, luxury resorts, and a very different kind of tourism than that of Essaouira.

Agadir was completely destroyed by an earthquake in 1960, and what you see today is a reconstruction. There's no old medina or labyrinthine streets; instead, there's a seafront promenade lined with European-style bars and cafes. It's a good place for a quick coffee, but the real Morocco lies further ahead.

📍 Heading to Sidi Ifni – The Road to Oblivion

Leaving Agadir behind, the road stretches out into an increasingly dry landscape. This stretch is a warning of what's to come: less vegetation, more dust, more wind. It's as if the road is preparing us for the immensity of the desert.

The straights lengthen, the traffic thins, and the sense of adventure intensifies. This is where you really start to feel the journey, where the bike and you are the only things that matter.

As we approach Sidi Ifni, history begins to seep into the landscape. We're entering the former Spanish territory.

🏛️ Sidi Ifni: A forgotten piece of Spain in Morocco

Arriving in Sidi Ifni is like traveling back in time. Unlike other Moroccan cities, the buildings here still retain their Spanish architecture. It's a place with a nostalgic soul, where modernist facades slowly crumble under the African sun.

🔹 What to see in Sidi Ifni?

✔️ Spanish Treasury : A ruined building, but with a rich history. This is where money was managed during the Spanish occupation.
✔️ The Old Spanish Airport : Until recently, this airport was still Spanish. Today, it's a symbol of the transition between two eras.
✔️ Military Barracks: Remains of the Spanish presence, now covered by the dust of time.
✔️ Cine Avenida : A Spanish cinema in the middle of the desert, where Spanish-language films were once shown.

🔥 Playa Blanca – The Most Spectacular Off-Road of the Trip

If there's one place where you truly feel absolute freedom, it's Playa Blanca. Here, the asphalt disappears and the real adventure begins.

Riding a motorcycle along a deserted beach is something that would be impossible in Spain, but here it's a reality. The sound of the engine mingles with the waves, the sand sinks beneath the wheels, and the feeling of solitude is incredible.

🎥 Cinematic moment: Flying over Playa Blanca at sunset, with the sun reflecting off the Atlantic and the only company being the seagulls.

⚠️ Tip: Adjust your tire pressure before hitting the sand. Lower tire pressure improves grip and prevents the bike from sinking.

🏕️ Where to Stay in Sidi Ifni

🏨 Budget Hotels (up to €30/night)

• Hotel Belle Vue – Basic, but with good sea views.
• Auberge Sable D'Or – Cozy, with a family atmosphere.

🏨 Mid-range (€30 - €60/night)

• Hotel Suerte Loca – One of the best value hotels, with a terrace and good rooms.
• Casa Azul – A riad with traditional style and lots of charm.

🏨 High-end (+100€/night)

• Hotel Nomad Lodges – Premium experience in the middle of the desert.
• Riad Le Lieu – For those seeking a touch of luxury in Sidi Ifni.

A Night Under the Stars

Sidi Ifni is a place where nostalgia permeates the air. It's the kind of place that makes you think about the fleeting nature of time, how places change and stories get buried in the desert dust.

That evening, after dining on freshly caught Atlantic fish at a small local restaurant, I decided to take a walk around town. I met an older man, a Spaniard who had stayed here after the withdrawal in 1969. He told me about life in the Spanish Sahara, how the streets used to be filled with soldiers and merchants, and how the Avenida cinema showed films from the 1950s.

It was a conversation that made me see this journey differently. I wasn't just walking a path, but a story.

🏜️ Day 3: From Sidi Ifni to El Aaiún – The Gates of the Desert

The third day of the route marks a turning point in the journey. From here, Morocco begins to fade away and the Sahara takes over. The tourist cities and fishing villages are left behind, and a landscape begins that intimidates and fascinates in equal measure: miles of lonely roads, cliffs that fall into the Atlantic, constant wind, and the feeling of crossing a forgotten world.

Today's destination is El Aaiún, the capital of Western Sahara and one of the most important cities in the former Spanish province. But first, there's a 500-km road trip, crossing landscapes where the only company are dromedaries and the sound of the wind beating on their hooves.

🚀 Departure from Sidi Ifni – Farewell to Nostalgia

Waking up in Sidi Ifni has a melancholic feel. This city, with its Spanish architecture crumbling under the African sun, seems stuck in another era. But there's no time to linger: the desert awaits.

The engine roars as we leave the city. The road is good, with curvy stretches that follow the coastline, and the first few kilometers are easy. The weather is still mild, but the wind is starting to make itself felt.

📍 First Stop: Tantán – The Gateway to the Sahara

After a couple of hours of riding, we reached Tantán, a key point on the route. This is where the landscape changes radically:

✔️ The green disappears and the sand begins to take center stage.
✔️ The villages are more dispersed, with adobe houses and few signs of life.
✔️ Gas stations are starting to run low.

Tantán is the last bastion of "normal" Morocco before entering the authentic Sahara. Here, it's advisable to fill up your tank and take a break, because the next 300 km will be pure solitude.

📍 Heading to El Aaiún – The Infinite Route

From Tantán, the road becomes an endless straight line. For miles and miles, the feeling is one of absolute immensity.

The asphalt is impeccable because Morocco has invested in a modern highway connecting the country to Western Sahara. But despite the excellent infrastructure, the monotony is brutal.

📌 The wind becomes a constant enemy. It's not just an annoying breeze; it's a constant lateral push that forces you to hold the bike firmly.

📌 Camels appear without warning. Sometimes they stand on the side of the road, motionless like sand statues. Other times, they dart across, unconcerned about other vehicles. A collision with one would be fatal, so you must always be alert.

🎥 Cinematic moment: Driving alone, the road disappearing into the horizon, feeling the desert spread out on either side. The noise of the wind and the roar of the engine are all that exists.

📍 The Ship Graveyard – A Science Fiction Landscape

Halfway between Tantán and El Aaiún there is a strange and disturbing place: the ship graveyard.

Here, enormous rusty vessels lie stranded on the sand, like metal skeletons forgotten by time. It's a surreal image: giant ships, with no water in sight, rotting under the Saharan sun.

This site, visible from the road, is a testament to the decline of the fishing industry in the region. Some of these boats were abandoned here decades ago, and the wind and salt have turned them into ghostly specters.

📍 Arrival in El Aaiún – An Oasis in the Middle of the Desert

After hours of endless driving, El Aaiún appears, a surprising city.

Unlike the dusty villages we've passed through, El Aaiún is modern, with tall buildings, paved streets, and infrastructure that seems out of place in this arid environment.

📌 It is the largest city in Western Sahara, with more than 200,000 inhabitants.
📌 Main services are located here, including banks, supermarkets, and hospitals.
📌 The contrast is brutal: from the absolute solitude of the desert to a vibrant city.

🏕️ Where to Stay in El Aaiún

🏨 Budget Hotels (up to €30/night)

• Hotel Emilio More – Simple, but with everything you need for a comfortable night.
• Sahara Line Hotel – Basic but well located, ideal for motorcyclists.

🏨 Mid-range (€30 - €60/night)

• Hotel Parador El Aaiún – One of the best-known, with a good location and spacious rooms.
• Hotel Salwan – Comfortable, clean, and with good service.

🏨 High-end (+100€/night)

• Sahara Regency Hotel – For those seeking more luxury in the middle of the desert.
• Al Massira Hotel – One of the best in town, with all the amenities.

🔥 The Night in El Aaiún and the Forgotten History

That night, after leaving my motorcycle at the hotel, I went out to explore the streets of El Aaiún. I wanted to see what remained of the former Spanish presence in the city.

Walking through the center, I found a time-worn plaque with inscriptions in Spanish. It was one of the few visible vestiges of the time when this territory was a province of Spain.

Later, in a small café, an older man told me stories from those years. He told me about the Spanish schools, about what life was like in El Aaiún when the flags on the buildings were still red and yellow.

It was a conversation that made me understand that this trip wasn't just a geographical journey, but also a journey through memory. Roads may change, but history always leaves its mark.

🏁 Day 4: From Laayoune to Dakhla – Beyond the Tropic of Cancer

🔥 The Infinite Straight Line: Welcome to Nothing

Today is the day you truly become part of the desert. If until now we've felt the solitude of the road, this stretch takes it to the extreme. From El Aaiún to Dakhla, there are more than 500 km of straight, endless road, with almost no signs of civilization.

The landscape is simplified to its bare essentials: asphalt, sand, and ocean. No trees, no big cities, no distractions. Just you, the bike, and the vastness.

The bike vibrates on the hot asphalt, the sun reflects off the helmet, and the wind continues to blow mercilessly. At times, the horizon seems like a mirage, an optical illusion caused by the heat rising from the ground. It's hypnotic, but also dangerous: you have to be alert to avoid losing concentration.

🚨 Warning: This stretch is mentally exhausting. Fatigue is treacherous, and the monotony of the road can make you lose track of time. It's recommended to take short breaks every 100-150 km to stretch your legs, hydrate, and reset your mind.

📍 First Stop: The Tropic of Cancer
One of the most symbolic moments of the journey is crossing the Tropic of Cancer, an imaginary line that marks the transition to the tropical world.

📌 How can you recognize it? There's a road sign indicating the crossing of the Tropic of Cancer with exact coordinates. Here, the feeling of being on a historic journey becomes even stronger.

📸 Obligatory photo opportunity: Stopping next to the sign, with the bike in the background and the road stretching into the distance. It's not every day you cross such an iconic parallel on two wheels.

📍 The route continues: more camels, fewer people
As we approach Dakhla, camels begin to appear in larger herds. These animals, accustomed to the extreme heat, roam freely along the road, unconcerned about vehicles.

⚠️ Caution! Some come across without warning, posing a real danger to motorcyclists. Colliding with a camel is as dangerous as hitting a car. Always reduce your speed if you see animals nearby.

📍 Dajla arrives – Villa Cisneros, the last Spanish footprint

After a full day of hiking, Dakhla (formerly Villa Cisneros) finally appears. From a distance, the city seems to emerge from nowhere: a small urban oasis surrounded by the sea and the desert.

📌 Why is it so special?

It is the last major city before Mauritania.
It still preserves remains of the Spanish presence.
It is a paradise for adventure and nature lovers.
🏛️ What remains of Spain in Dakhla
Dakhla was one of Spain's strategic points during the colonization of Western Sahara. Although it now belongs to Morocco, there are still visible traces of its Spanish past:

✔️ The Church of Villa Cisneros – One of the few Spanish religious buildings still standing.
✔️ The manhole covers with the inscription "Villa Cisneros" – Small details that connect the past with the present.
✔️ The former Spanish military fort – Now almost in ruins, but with a fascinating history.

💭 Walking through Dakhla is like stepping into a lost chapter of Spanish history, a place where the memory of a forgotten era is still present in the smallest details.

🏝️ Dakhla Beach – A Hidden Paradise

While the journey here has been demanding, the rewards are spectacular. Dakhla is known for having one of the most stunning beaches in all of Morocco.

📌 The water is crystal clear and the sand is white, very different from the wilder beaches in the north.
📌 It is a famous spot for kitesurfing, with constant winds ideal for this sport.
📌 This is where the Atlantic Ocean and the desert merge, creating an otherworldly landscape.

💡 Tip: After days of dust and road, nothing beats a dip in the Atlantic to recharge your batteries.

🏕️ Where to Stay in Dakhla

🏨 Budget Hotels (up to €30/night)

• Dakhla Camp – Ideal for adventurers, with basic bungalows by the sea.
• Hotel Erraha – Simple, but functional and well located.

🏨 Mid-range (€30 - €60/night)

• Bab Al Bahar Hotel & Spa – Comfortable and with spectacular views of the bay.
• Buena Vista Hotel – A hotel with good service and excellent value.

🏨 High-end (+100€/night)

• West Point Dakhla – Perfect for those seeking luxury in the middle of the desert.
• Dakhla Attitude – A spectacular beachfront resort, ideal for relaxing after so many miles.

The Night Market and Life in Dakhla

After leaving the bike at the hotel and taking a refreshing shower, I decided to go out and explore the city at night. Dakhla is a place with a very different pace than the rest of the trip.

📌 The night market is bustling with life: fresh fish stalls, people chatting at outdoor cafes, lights reflecting off the sandy streets.
📌 Here, life follows a slow pace, very different from the frenzy of Marrakech or Casablanca.

🎭 An unexpected conversation: At one of the food stalls, I met an old man who had lived during the Spanish era. He told me stories of when Villa Cisneros was a town with Spanish-language schools, Spanish soldiers patrolling the streets, and families who came here looking for a new life.

It was a reminder that this route is not just a physical journey, but a connection to the past.

🚀 Next Stage: La Vuelta – Rediscovering Morocco

The journey may end here, but there's still the return trip. Instead of repeating the same route, we'll explore a different Morocco, passing through oases, fishing markets, and mythical imperial cities.

📌 Marsá, the unknown coastal village.
📌 Tarfaya, where the Moroccan fishing fleet is crowded.
📌 Guelmim, the gateway to the Moroccan Sahara.
📌 Marrakech and Fez, the cultural face of Morocco before returning to Spain.

🔄 Day 5: The Return – A Different Morocco

After the immensity of the desert and the excitement of reaching Dakhla, the return journey begins. But instead of repeating the same route, this stage will take us through a different Morocco, exploring lesser-known places where time seems to stand still.

If the outward journey was a journey into the Spanish past of the Sahara, the return journey will be a tour of the most authentic Morocco, with hidden oases, forgotten villages, and chaotic fishing markets.

🏜️ Leaving Dakhla – The Last Look at the Desert

Mornings in Dakhla are special. The air is fresh, the sea is calm, and the first light of day illuminates the dunes surrounding the city.

Riding a motorcycle in this setting is almost cinematic. The roar of the engine breaks the silence as we bid farewell to the southernmost city in Western Sahara.

📌 Tip : Before leaving, be sure to fill up your tank. There are fewer gas stations on this return leg, and some may be closed.

📍 First Stop: Marsa – The Unknown Oasis

On the way there, we had passed through El Aaiún, but this time we will make a slight detour to Marsa, a coastal town that few tourists visit.

📌 What makes Marsa special?

It is an authentic fishing village, where everything revolves around the sea.
There are no luxury hotels or tourists. This is Morocco in its purest form.
The harbor is a visual spectacle, with brightly painted wooden boats and fishermen untangling nets.

📌 Food recommendation: Here you can eat the freshest fish of the trip for less than 5 euros. A small, nameless restaurant, right across from the port, serves fish tagines and grilled sardines that taste heavenly.

After a strong coffee and a chat with the fishermen, it's time to move on. The road awaits us.

📍 Second Stop: Tarfaya – The Moroccan Fishing Capital

Continuing north, the next stop is Tarfaya, a unique city with one of the largest fishing fleets in Morocco.

📌 The port of Tarfaya is an organized chaos. Thousands of boats moored, fishermen shouting prices, seagulls circling the market in search of leftovers.

📌 If you like history, here's another forgotten corner of Spain:
✔️ The remains of the old Spanish fort of Santa Cruz de la Mar Pequeña.
✔️ The monument to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the author of The Little Prince, who worked in this area as an airmail pilot.

Park your motorcycle in front of the port of Tarfaya, sip mint tea while watching the madness of the fishing market, and feel like you're in a Morocco that few travelers ever get to experience.

📍 Guelmim – Deep Morocco

We leave the coast behind and head inland. Guelmim is a key stop because it represents the heart of Morocco, far from conventional tourism.

📌 What makes Guelmim special?

Here begins the true Saharan Morocco, with oases and dromedaries.
It is famous for its camel market, where Berber traders negotiate the price of these animals using techniques that have remained unchanged for centuries.
The surrounding mountains hide ancient ksars (Berber fortresses) and adobe villages.

📌 Recommendation: If you have time, it's worth taking a short detour to the Tighmert Oasis, a place where silence and nature reign supreme.

📸 Photographic moment: The dunes and palm groves of Guelmim at sunset, with the shadows of camels projected onto the sand.

📍 Marrakech – The Return to Civilization

After days of lonely roads, small towns, and desert landscapes, arriving in Marrakech is a shock of reality. The red city is vibrant, chaotic, and full of life.

📌 This is where you feel civilization again after the isolation of the desert.
📌 Traffic is complete chaos, with motorcycles, taxis, and donkeys sharing space with no apparent rules.
📌 But it's also an opportunity to enjoy Moroccan culture at its finest.

🎭 What to do in Marrakech?

✔️ Stroll through Jemaa el-Fna Square, the epicenter of the city, filled with snake charmers, musicians, and street vendors.
✔️ Visit the Medina, a labyrinth of narrow streets lined with thousands of shops and the aroma of spices.
✔️ Relax in a traditional riad, with its interior courtyard and refreshing fountain.

🍽️ Dinner recommendation: After days of tagines and roadside food, a good restaurant in Marrakech is Nomad, with one of the best terraces in the city and Moroccan food with a modern twist.

🚨 Tip: Parking your motorcycle in Marrakech can be tricky. It's best to look for a hotel with secure parking.

📍 Last Stop: Fez – The City of a Thousand Doors

The last major destination before returning to Tangier is Fez, Morocco's most authentic imperial city.

📌 Unlike Marrakech, Fez is less touristy and more traditional.
📌 Its medina is the largest in the world and feels like a journey back in time.
📌 It's a good place to buy souvenirs, such as handmade leather or Berber rugs.

Lose yourself in the streets of the medina, without a map or direction, and let the city surprise you.

🚢 Back to Spain – Final Reflection of the Trip

The last stretch takes us from Fez to Tangier, where the ferry is waiting for us to cross back to Europe.

📌 Here, when you board the boat, you can't help but look back and reflect on what you've experienced.
📌 The dunes, the endless stretches, the chaotic ports, the forgotten history... everything remains in your memory like a dream.

The Spanish Sahara no longer exists as a territory, but its traces live on in the sand, in the cities, and in the stories of those who still remember those days.

Riding the ferry, with the bike secured in the hold and the wind hitting your face, comes the last feeling of freedom before returning home.

🔥 This isn't just another trip. It's an adventure that leaves a mark, a story you'll carry with you forever.

DO YOU WANT TO DO THIS SUPER ROUTE WITH RM XPERIENCE?

---

Also in BLOG SCHOOL MOTORCYCLE TRAIL RM MOTOS