Kelaat M’Gouna is a majestic town located less than 50 km from Skoura, with a population of about 15,000. Situated at 1500 meters above sea level, it is a fortified city famous for its rosewater distillation. Specifically, it is situated in the Valley of Roses, nestled at the foot of the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco, where the Dades Valley meets. It is highly recommended as one of the top destinations for trips in Morocco.”
Kelaat M’Gouna
The Valley of the Roses, with its intoxicating aromas, is made up of hectares of rose bushes whose aromas appreciate throughout May. Here you can immerse yourself in a dazzling and enchanting landscape. The cultivation of roses, the distillation of essences, and the production of perfumes are the most critical industries. Flowering runs from mid-April to mid-May. Kelaa M’gouna is inhabited mainly by a Chleuh Amazighpopulation. This bustling city is an economical, commercial and social center for the people of this region. It is well known for its Rose Festival, which takes place every May.
The damask rose was brought to Kelaa M’gouna in 1938 by the French. The first rosewater distillery in the area establishes around this time. The inaugural Rose Festival was held soon after and has since become an annual event.
Why Visit Kelaat M’Gouna?
The Festival of Roses celebrates the first weekend of May each year. It lasts two days; it marks the arrival of these flowers in the Dades and M’goun valleys. During this moussem or Festival, Kalaat M’gouna doubles its population. It is a place much visited by Moroccans living in other cities of the kingdom, known for its perfumes and cosmetics made from rose water and the hospitality and warmth of its people. The Festival is also an opportunity for visitors to Kelaa M’gouna to discover its small artisan and agricultural products from the region. More than 4,000 tons are produced during the Festival, which takes about a ton to extract one liter.
As with other festivals that you can discover with our trips to Morocco, at the Rose Festival, a delicious meal is prepared together with the local Amazightribes singing, dancing, showing their swords, and playing traditional musical instruments; in addition, there is a parade of floats with the nominees for Miss Valley of the Roses.
Top Attractions in Kelaat M’Gouna
The Beautiful Valley of Roses
When the pink Damask roses bloom in the Valley of Roses every spring, they fill the air with a sweet smell. The town has a fun event every May called the Rose Festival. There is music, dance, and a parade. People use these flower smells to make rose water, perfume, and other beauty items. Tourists can see how they are made in shops and groups in the area.
Discovering Berber Culture and Kasbahs
Berber houses and old kasbahs used by families for many years can be found around the town. The people are friendly and willing to help as you walk through the small streets and mud-brick houses. You can learn much about Morocco’s history and old ways of life at Kasbah Ait Khyar and Kasbah Amerhidil.
Adventures in Nature
Kelaat M’Gouna is a great place to hike and explore if you like being outside. The trails through green valleys, rocky hills, and hidden towns offer beautiful views of the High Atlas Mountains.
Things to Do in Kelaat M’Gouna
Things that tourists do
People can visit the beautiful Valley of Roses and walk through fields of bright roses. They can also visit local unions to learn how traditional rose-based products are made. People interested in history can visit old kasbahs and traditional Berber villages to see the unique buildings and way of life. In the Atlas Mountains, people who like to take risks can hike and climb to see beautiful views and get close to nature.
Activities in the arts and music
They have been performing arts and making music for a long time. People play and dance to Berber music on holidays and at cultural events all the time. To see the area’s long history of art, people can go to one of the handmade markets. These are places where skilled artists sell their jewelry, pottery, crafts, and other things.
The Rose Festival
There is a big and wonderful event in town every May called the Rose Festival. It’s to enjoy the rose harvest. At the event, there are parades, traditional music and dance shows, and the much-anticipated beauty pageant to find the “Queen of Roses.” The lively market stalls selling rose water, perfumes, and cosmetics made in the area make it an unforgettable cultural experience.
Where to Stay in Kelaat M’Gouna
Kelaat M’Gouna has a range of rooms that are both comfortable and welcoming in the traditional Berber way. Real guesthouses and cabins in the style of a kasbah are available for visitors to stay in. These places are cozy and have beautiful views of the Valley of Roses. Eco-lodges and boutique hotels offer modern comforts while keeping a link to nature and the area’s culture for a more complete experience. Many places to stay in this charming town have rooftop patios, gardens, and traditional Moroccan food, so you can relax and learn while there.
Best Time to Visit Kelaat M’Gouna
From April to June, when the Valley of Roses is in full bloom and filling the air with a lovely flower scent, is the best time to visit Kelaat M’Gouna. In May, the Rose Festival is the season’s most exciting event. It is a lively party with traditional music, dance, and cultural activities. It’s also a nice time to go from September to November in the fall. The cooler weather makes exploring the Atlas Mountains and the nearby kasbahs easy. It can get really hot in the summer and cooler at night in the winter.
How to Get to Kelaat M’Gouna
You can drive to Kelaat M’Gouna from most of Morocco’s big towns. Ouarzazate Airport (OZZ), about 90 km away, is the closest airport. From there, tourists can take a cab or rent a car and drive through the Dades Valley. From Marrakech, 300 km away, you can take buses or shared cars to get to Tinghir and Boumalne Dades. These services stop in Kelaat M’Gouna. People from Fes or Merzouga can take a long-distance bus to Tinghir and then a car in the city. If you want to see the beautiful scenery along the way, renting a car is a great choice.
