Ouarzazate Morocco is the gateway to the south. This city sits on the road between Marrakech and the Sahara, and it is known as the country’s film capital. It has a kasbah, a cinema museum, film studios and the famous ksar of Aït Ben Haddou nearby. This guide explains what to see, how to get there, the best time to go and how it fits a trip to the dunes.
Ouarzazate Morocco: The Short Answer
Ouarzazate is a stop, not the main event. It is a good base for the film studios, the Taourirt Kasbah and day trips to Aït Ben Haddou and the oases. It is not a dune destination, so for the Sahara itself read our Merzouga vs Zagora guide. On our tours the road passes through Ouarzazate on the way south, as described in our guide to the drive from Marrakech to the Sahara.
Where Is Ouarzazate Morocco and How to Get There
Ouarzazate is at about 1,160 m above sea level, south of the High Atlas, and is the capital of Ouarzazate Province, according to Sud Est Maroc. The same source gives about 196 km from Marrakech via the N9 and the Tizi n’Tichka pass, roughly 3.5 to 4 hours. Tinghir is about 163 km away by the N10, and Zagora about 160 km by the N9. The city also has an airport, and coaches and shared grand taxis serve the region, so check timetables before you travel.
The distances inside the area are spread out, so Revigorate recommends renting a car or booking a guided tour. For ways to travel, read our train vs bus vs rental car in Morocco guide.
Things to Do in Ouarzazate Morocco
Atlas Studios in Ouarzazate Morocco
Atlas Studios opened in 1983 and cover about 20 hectares of sets, per Sud Est Maroc. It is a few kilometers outside the city. MarocMama named films shot locally, including Gladiator, Game of Thrones, Mission Impossible, Alexander and Prince of Persia. Sources quote different entry prices, from 50 dirhams in an older article to 80 dirhams, so check the current price on arrival.
The Cinema Museum and CLA Studios
The Cinema Museum sits across from the Taourirt Kasbah, in a former film studio converted to a museum in 2007. It displays film props and costumes. CLA Studios is a second major site in the city, and access depends on filming activity. Hours and prices change, so ask locally before you go.
Taourirt Kasbah in Ouarzazate Morocco
The Taourirt Kasbah was built by the Glaoui family. Its oldest sections are thought to date from the 17th century, with major remodeling in the 19th century, and Si Hammadi el Glaoui settled there around 1882. Revigorate says about a third of its roughly 300 rooms is open to the public, and a local guide can take you through the restored areas. Sud Est Maroc says the caïd’s residence is currently closed for restoration, so check what is open.
Markets and Practical Stops
The city’s souk is a modest outdoor market, and Revigorate notes that it is cash-only. The Sunday souk opens from 6 am to 1 pm. Bring small notes, and read our guide to cash in Morocco before you go.
Day Trips From Ouarzazate Morocco
Aït Ben Haddou is about 30 km away on the road to Marrakech. The old ksar became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, and a handful of families still live inside. Read the story in our guide to the Ait Ben Haddou film set. Entry is about 10 dirhams per person per MarocMama, with a tip expected if you use a guide.
Other day trips include the Fint Oasis, about 40 minutes by car, and the palm grove of Skoura, about an hour away and known for its kasbahs. Telouet Kasbah is about 45 minutes away, but Revigorate says it was damaged in the 2023 earthquake and listed as closed, so check its status before you plan a visit.
Ouarzazate Morocco on the Road to the Sahara
Continue east to the Dades Valley, where our 3-day Marrakech to Merzouga tour spends its first night. You can compare the 3-day and 4-day options in our 3 or 4 day desert tour from Marrakech guide, and see prices in how much a Morocco desert tour costs. If you prefer a shorter trip, our 2-day Zagora tour also crosses the Tizi n’Tichka pass, passes Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate, and then follows the Draa River south.
Best Time to Visit Ouarzazate Morocco
Spring, from March to May, and autumn, from September to November, are the best seasons according to Revigorate. Summers are very hot, and winters can be windy. Sud Est Maroc adds that winters are bright with often cold nights. Compare months in our best time to visit Morocco guide, and see Morocco in summer for the heat.
Ouarzazate Morocco: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ouarzazate worth visiting?
Yes, for the film studios, the kasbah and as a base for Aït Ben Haddou. It is a stop on the way south, not a dune destination.
How far is Ouarzazate Morocco from Marrakech?
About 196 km, roughly 3.5 to 4 hours by road via the Tizi n’Tichka pass.
Is Ouarzazate in the Sahara?
No. It lies south of the High Atlas, but the big dunes are farther east at Merzouga (Erg Chebbi) and farther south beyond Zagora (Erg Chigaga).
How many days do you need in Ouarzazate?
A few hours covers the city sights. Add time if you plan day trips to Aït Ben Haddou, Skoura or the Fint Oasis.
Want Ouarzazate and Aït Ben Haddou on your way to the Sahara? Message us your dates and we will plan your route with you.
Message us on WhatsAppNavigate Morocco is a team from the Sahara desert who work as a family. We will be glad to help you plan your Ouarzazate Morocco stop and the rest of your trip south.
More Navigate Morocco guides: Morocco natural wonders, A night in a Sahara desert camp, Morocco in winter, 7 days in Morocco.
Curious about the greener desert? Read our guide to Zagora Morocco.
