Plizio Visual Lab
Khenifra
ℹ️Practical info — Khenifra
▾
🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Hiring a car or a local driver is the best way to explore the surrounding nature, including the Oum Er-Rbia springs.
- As a traditional Middle Atlas town, it is respectful to dress modestly.
- The higher elevation provides a cool escape during the hot summer months.
🍽 Food
A thick, local flatbread first-rate for dipping.
Often slow-cooked over a wood fire in the surrounding rural areas.
A locally sourced sweetener with a robust flavor.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Bustling, high-quality carpets known for their red hues.
Locally produced olive oil directly from the source.
The dramatic river sources early in the morning before crowds arrive.
The serene shores of this cedar-fringed green lake.
Water temperature…
Khenifra is a historically prominent city in the Middle Atlas Mountains, recognized as the capital of the formidable Zayane Berber tribes. Situated along the upper reaches of the Oum Er-Rbia River, one of Morocco's primary waterways, the city is surrounded by dense cedar forests and the rugged peaks of the Atlas range. It gained widespread fame for the heroic resistance led by Mouha ou Hammou Zayani against French colonial forces in the early 20th century, most notably during the Battle of El Herri in 1914. The reddish hue of the surrounding soil and local buildings gives the city a distinct appearance, earning it the nickname 'The Red City of the Atlas'. Economically, the region serves as a center for forestry and livestock, while nearby natural sites like Lake Aguelmame Azigza attract outdoor enthusiasts. Khenifra remains a stronghold of Amazigh culture, where traditional weaving and music are deeply integrated into daily life.
- Location: Morocco
- Top sights: Khénifra Province · Amalou Ighriben
- Nearby: Aguelmane Sidi Ali (65 km)
- Population: ~128.318 (2024)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Jul, Sep.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 6 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 17 | 22 | 27 | 27 | 22 | 17 | 10 | 7 |
| Rain mm | 80 | 75 | 87 | 65 | 43 | 12 | 8 | 17 | 31 | 62 | 104 | 81 |
Geography
Facts
- Khenifra is the ancestral capital of the Zayane, a powerful Berber tribal confederation.
- The Oum Er-Rbia River, one of the most vital water sources in Morocco, passes through the city.
- The 1914 Battle of El Herri near Khenifra was one of the French army's greatest colonial defeats.
- The surrounding area is home to vast protected forests of Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica).
- The city is nicknamed 'The Red City' due to the distinctive ochre color of its buildings.
- The famous 'Forty Springs' of the Oum Er-Rbia are located a short distance from the town.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Khenifra (2)
Frequently asked questions
Where is Khenifra located?
Is the surrounding attractive?
Is it good for hiking?
What is the climate?
Is the city touristy?
Khenifra: where is it located?
Khenifra: what is there to see?
Khenifra: when is the best time to visit?
Khenifra: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
Nature
More places
