Things to Do in Ouarzazate: the Gateway to the Desert
Ouarzazate, on the far side of the High Atlas, is the stopover town on every desert tour. People often pass through too quickly, yet it gathers kasbahs, film studios, oases and Western-movie landscapes. Here is what to do in town and nearby.
In Ouarzazate, the must-sees are the ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 and a backdrop for many films, about thirty minutes' drive away; the Atlas Film Studios, where you tour movie sets; the Taourirt kasbah in the town centre; the green, peaceful Fint oasis; and the Skoura palm grove with its earthen kasbahs. Further afield, the Valley of Roses, the Dades and Todra gorges and the Draa Valley towards Zagora extend the journey. Ouarzazate is about 4 hours' drive from Marrakech over the Tizi n'Tichka pass. Most travellers discover it on a 3-day tour to Merzouga; staying a night lets you enjoy Aït Ben Haddou at sunset.
10 Visits in and Around Ouarzazate
| # | Visit | Distance from Ouarzazate | Suggested time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou | About 30 km | 2 h |
| 2 | Atlas Film Studios | On the edge of town | 1 h |
| 3 | Taourirt kasbah | Town centre | 45 min |
| 4 | Cinema Museum | Town centre | 30 min |
| 5 | Fint oasis | About 15 km | 2 h |
| 6 | El Mansour Eddahbi dam lake | East of town | 1 h |
| 7 | Skoura palm grove and kasbahs | About 40 km | Half day |
| 8 | Valley of Roses (Kelaat M'Gouna) | About 90 km | Half day |
| 9 | Dades and Todra gorges | 2 to 3 h drive | Full day |
| 10 | Draa Valley and Zagora | About 3 h drive | Day or overnight |
Aït Ben Haddou, the Essential Visit
This earthen ksar clinging to a hillside is one of the most photographed sites in Morocco. You cross the riverbed on foot, then climb to the fortified granary for the view. Come early in the morning or late in the day for the light. Full details in Aït Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate.
Cinema: Atlas Studios and the Museum
Ouarzazate is nicknamed the "Hollywood of Africa". The Atlas Studios offer a guided tour of sets (temples, villages, palaces). See the Atlas Studios.
Kasbahs, Oases and Palm Groves
The Taourirt kasbah, a former residence of the Pasha of Marrakech, can be visited in the town centre. For calm, the Fint oasis offers palms, gardens and a small earthen village. In Skoura, the palm-grove kasbahs are among the finest in the south. See Skoura, oasis and kasbahs.
Further Afield: Roses, Gorges and Desert
The Road of a Thousand Kasbahs leads to the Valley of Roses, then to the Todra and Dades gorges. To the south, the Draa Valley runs down to Zagora and Tamegroute.
Guided Tour or Rental Car?
Most 3-day tours from Marrakech to Merzouga go through Aït Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate. A rental car gives more freedom to stop at Fint, Skoura or the Valley of Roses. See the 3-day desert tour from Marrakech.
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Where to Stay in Ouarzazate
Staying in a kasbah hotel or riad near Aït Ben Haddou lets you see the ksar at sunset and sunrise. In town, hotels with pools are welcome in summer.
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FAQ — Things to Do in Ouarzazate
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In Short
- Must-see → Aït Ben Haddou, UNESCO-listed since 1987.
- In town → Atlas Studios, Taourirt kasbah, Fint oasis.
- Around → Skoura, the Valley of Roses, the Dades, the Todra, Zagora.
