Ouarzazate Morocco Travel Guide
Morning (Arrival): Arrive at Ouarzazate International Airport (OZZ). Take a taxi to your hotel, check in, and leave luggage. Begin with a visit to the historic Taourirt Kasbah, within the city. Explore its restored sections and the surrounding old village.
Lunch: Savor a customary Moroccan lunch at a local restaurant near the Kasbah or in the city center.
Tailor your Ouarzazate itinerary to your specific passions, guaranteeing a trip aligned with your interests.
Concentrate on Ouarzazate's kasbahs (Taourirt, Ksar Tifoultoute) and the UNESCO World Heritage Ksar of Ait Benhaddou. Extend your exploration to the "Road of 1000 Kasbahs" in Skoura and Draa Valley regions.
Focus on discovering local eateries, trying street food specialties, and perhaps arranging a cooking demonstration at a guesthouse. Savor authentic Moroccan flavors.
Prioritize desert treks (camel or 4x4), atv riding tours around the desert plains, and potential day hiking in the Atlas foothills. Consider multi-day excursions to the larger dunes for a full desert immersion.
Include visits to the film studios, usually popular with children. Arrange short camel rides for a fun experience. Stay at accommodations with pools, which offer a great way to cool off and relax. Ait Benhaddou also has engagement for most ages.
Tailor your visit to explore the distinctive mud-brick architecture of kasbahs, explore local artistry, or seek tranquil moments for reflection.
Focus on the intricate details and defensive designs of the mud-brick kasbahs and ksour. Visit the Cinema Museum to view artistry of filmmaking.
Explore local artisan shops for traditional crafts, from pottery to textiles. Experience traditional methods of creation.
Discover tranquil oases like Fint for peaceful natural settings. Seek guesthouses that offer yoga or meditation spaces, and embrace the calming pace of desert life. Consider a traditional hammam.
Ouarzazate accommodates various budgets. Plan your expenses to match your travel style.
Stay in hostels or basic guesthouses. Eat street food or at local eateries for inexpensive and authentic meals. Utilize shared grand taxis for inter-city travel and CTM/Supratours buses for longer distances.
Stay in comfortable mid-range riads or hotels, often including breakfast. Enjoy a mix of local and mid-range restaurants. Use a combination of petit taxis because they are convenient, shared grand taxis for cost-effectiveness, and some organized tours for ease of exploration.
Stay at high-end kasbah hotels or resorts. Book private transport and tailored tours with dedicated guides and off-road vehicles for desert excursions. Indulge in fine dining at hotel restaurants and enjoy personalized services.
Travel during the shoulder or low season to benefit from lower accommodation and tour prices. Book accommodations that include breakfast. Bargain respectfully for souvenirs in souks. Consider cooking some of your own meals if your accommodation is in a rental with kitchen facilities.
Day 1: Ouarzazate City: Arrive and check into your accommodation. Spend the afternoon exploring Taourirt Kasbah and its old town. Visit the Cinema Museum to learn about the city’s film history. Enjoy dinner in the city center.
Ouarzazate functions as a base for desert/mountain exploration. Follow the 2-3 day itinerary for Days 1-2, thoroughly exploring the city, Ait Benhaddou, and Fint Oasis.
Different seasons bring different experiences to Ouarzazate. Plan your visit to align with seasonal highlights or to strategically avoid less suitable conditions.
Summer offers lower crowds and significantly reduced prices. Focus on indoor activities (film studios, museums) and enjoy hotel pools during the hottest part of the day. Early morning and late afternoon explorations are pleasant.
Winter marks an ideal time for comfortable sightseeing and desert-like trips. Days remain generally temperate and enjoyable. However, pack warm layers for cold nights, especially for overnight desert trips.
Adapt your activities to the prevailing climate conditions for an enjoyable experience.
A two-week trip displays more vast and in-depth exploration. You could combine different desert areas (e.g., Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga), undertake longer treks in the Atlas Mountains, and visit specific artisan communities or lesser-known oases from Ouarzazate.
This timeframe connects Ouarzazate comfortably with the Atlantic coast (Essaouira, Agadir) or other imperial cities (Fes, Meknes, Rabat) for a comprehensive Moroccan experience.
Stay hydrated and protect yourself from the sun. Plan demanding activities for early morning or late evening. Seek air-conditioned environments during midday.
Pack warm clothing, including layers, hats, and gloves, notably if your itinerary includes desert camping. Nights turn bitterly cold.
