Where the High Atlas gives way to the desert, Ouarzazate is Morocco’s great threshold to the south. Famous for its golden kasbahs and the film studios that earned it the nickname “Morocco’s Hollywood”, it’s the gateway to the spectacular ksar of Aït Benhaddou and the road to the Sahara.
Ouarzazate is the gateway between the Atlas and the Sahara, reached by the scenic Tizi n'Tichka road from Marrakech (~4h). See the UNESCO ksar of Aït Benhaddou, the Taourirt Kasbah and the famous film studios, then continue to the Draa Valley and the desert.
Getting there & around
Ouarzazate is the hub of Morocco’s south:
- From Marrakech — the spectacular Tizi n’Tichka road climbs over the High Atlas in around 4 hours; a journey worth taking slowly
- Air & bus — a small airport serves the town, and long-distance buses connect it with Marrakech and the south
- As a base — it’s the natural starting point for desert tours toward Zagora and Merzouga
What to do
- Aït Benhaddou — about 30 minutes away, this UNESCO-listed earthen ksar of towers and lanes is one of Morocco’s most magnificent sights, and a famous film location.
- Taourirt Kasbah — a labyrinthine former governor’s kasbah right in town, with beautifully decorated rooms.
- The film studios — Atlas and CLA studios have hosted countless epics; tours reveal the sets behind the movies.
- Fint Oasis & Skoura — green palm oases near town, including the lovely Kasbah Amridil in the Skoura grove.
- Gateway to the Draa Valley — head south through endless palm groves and kasbahs toward the dunes.
When to go
Spring and autumn are ideal — warm, clear days perfect for the kasbahs and the desert road. Summers are hot at the edge of the Sahara, and winters bring sunny days with cold, crisp nights.
