Ait Benhaddou with a local guide
A walk through the old village with a guide, followed by tea in a family house and views from the top of the hill.
About Ouarzazate
Ouarzazate at a glance.
Ouarzazate lies on the southern side of the High Atlas, at about 1,100 metres, where the road from Marrakech meets the routes to the Drâa Valley, the Dades Valley and the Sahara. The Taourirt Kasbah, once a residence of the Glaoui family, stands at the edge of the town centre.
The town is also known as Morocco's film capital. The desert light and the earthen architecture of the region have made it a location for many international productions, and the film studios on the edge of town can be visited. About 30 kilometres away, the fortified village of Ait Benhaddou is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the palm groves of Skoura and the Drâa Valley offer a different landscape within a short drive.
Ouarzazate is a natural stop on journeys between Marrakech and the desert. Our team arranges the drive, the accommodation in kasbah hotels and the local guides, and can plan a stay of any length.
- Best time
- March to May, September to November
- Climate
- Dry, with hot summers and cool winters, especially at night
- Getting there
- Four to five hours by road from Marrakech, over the Tizi n'Tichka pass
- Nearby
- Ait Benhaddou, Skoura, Drâa Valley, Dades Valley
Ait Benhaddou stands on the old caravan route that once connected the Sahara with Marrakech.
What to see
Main sights around Ouarzazate.
Taourirt Kasbah
A large earthen kasbah once used by the Glaoui family, with decorated reception rooms, painted ceilings and views over the town and the palm groves.
Ait Benhaddou
A fortified village of earthen buildings about 30 kilometres from the town, listed by UNESCO in 1987. It stands on the old caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech.
The film studios
Studios on the edge of town with sets from international productions. Visitors can walk through them and see how the scenes were built.
Skoura palm grove
An oasis of palm trees and old kasbahs about 40 kilometres east of Ouarzazate, with walking and cycling routes between the villages.
Drâa Valley
A long river valley of palm groves and kasbahs, running south from the town towards Zagora and the desert.
Tizi n'Tichka pass
The mountain road from Marrakech, at 2,260 metres one of the highest roads in the Atlas, with wide views of the range.
Experiences
Experiences we can arrange.
These are examples. Each programme is adapted to the group, the season and the budget.
Film studio visit
A guided visit of the studio sets, with the story of the productions that were filmed in the region.
Skoura palm grove
A walk or bicycle ride through the oasis, with a visit to a restored kasbah and a meal in a local home.
Amazigh music and dance
An evening of traditional music and dance by local performers, with a shared meal and mint tea in a village or kasbah setting.