Ouarzazate sits on a high plateau south of the High Atlas, about 200 km from Marrakech over the Tizi n’Tichka pass. Most travellers know it as the town where the desert road begins: from here routes run east to the Dades Valley and Merzouga, and south down the Draa Valley to Zagora. It is also Morocco’s film town, with studios on the edge of town and kasbahs that have stood in for Jerusalem, Egypt and Rome.
Where is Ouarzazate and how do you get there?
The usual way in is by road from Marrakech. The drive takes about four hours without stops and crosses the Tichka pass at around 2,260 metres, so allow more time in winter, when snow can close the road for a few hours. Ouarzazate also has a small airport with domestic flights, and buses run from Marrakech several times a day. With a private driver you can stop at Telouet or Ait Benhaddou on the way instead of driving straight through.
What to see in OuarzazateContents
- Kasbah Taourirt: the old Glaoui family kasbah in the centre of town, a maze of rooms and courtyards built of rammed earth. Part of it is open to visitors.
- The film studios: working studios on the road to Marrakech where you can walk through sets from films and series shot in the region.
- The Museum of Cinema: a small museum opposite Kasbah Taourirt with old cameras, props and sets.
- The Fint oasis: a quiet palm oasis a short drive from town, with a river and a village of earth houses.
- The El Mansour Eddahbi reservoir: a large lake east of town, good at sunset.
Day trips from OuarzazateContents
Ouarzazate works well as a base for two or three nights. These are the trips we run most often:
- Ait Benhaddou and Telouet: the fortified village of Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987, and the Glaoui kasbah at Telouet in the mountains.
- Zagora and the Draa Valley: south through the longest palm grove in Morocco to the edge of the Sahara.
- The Roses Valley and the Dades Valley: villages, kasbahs and rose fields east of town, with the Skoura palm grove on the way.
With more time, go on to the dunes: our two-day trip to Erg Chebbi or the two-day trip to Erg Chegaga both start in Ouarzazate. If you plan to stop overnight further east, read our guide on where to stay in the Dades Valley.
When is the best time to visit Ouarzazate?Contents
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most comfortable seasons, with warm days and cool nights. Summer is hot, often above 40°C in July and August, so plan visits for the morning. Winter days are bright and mild, but nights drop close to freezing, and the Tichka pass can be closed by snow for a few hours at a time.
How long should you stay?Contents
One night is enough to see Kasbah Taourirt and Ait Benhaddou on the way to the desert. Two or three nights let you add a day trip to Zagora or the Roses Valley without rushing. Ouarzazate is also a natural stop on multi-day routes such as our 3-day Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour.
Practical tipsContents
- Bring a warm layer at any time of year: evenings on the plateau are cool even after a hot day.
- Many kasbahs and museums close for lunch; visit in the morning or late afternoon.
- Ait Benhaddou is about 30 km from town; go early to have the village almost to yourself.
- There are banks and cash machines in Ouarzazate, but fewer on the road east, so take cash before you leave.