Practical information checked on 29 October 2026. Rates, availability and conditions change: check them for your dates.
Where to stay in Ouarzazate? Town, Aït Ben Haddou or Skoura: how to choose
Ouarzazate is the gateway to southern Morocco. Between the High Atlas and the pre-Saharan valleys, the town gathers its hotels, film studios and a large reservoir lake around the Taourirt kasbah. Nearby, the ksar of Aït Ben Haddou and the Skoura palm grove offer quiet nights in earthen kasbahs.
Choosing where to stay in Ouarzazate means choosing between the convenience of the town, the atmosphere of a listed ksar and the silence of a palm grove.
This guide helps you choose the right area before comparing places to stay.
Our advice: for a one-night stop on the way to the desert, stay in town. For two nights or more, spend one in Aït Ben Haddou or Skoura.
Which area should you choose around Ouarzazate?
Ask yourself these five questions before looking at hotels:
- Is this just a stopover? The city centre and Tamassinte are the most practical, with restaurants and services.
- Do you want to see Aït Ben Haddou at sunrise? Stay at the foot of the ksar, or even inside it.
- Are you looking for peace and nature? The Skoura palm grove and the lake area offer space and gardens.
- Are you arriving by plane? The central hotels are on the airport side of town.
- Are you travelling without a car? Stay in town: Aït Ben Haddou, Skoura and the surroundings are reached by car or transfer.
The areas to stay in Ouarzazate
🏰 The city centre and Taourirt
Ideal for: a stopover, travellers without a car, those who want everything close at hand.
During the French period, Ouarzazate grew as a garrison town, administrative centre and customs post. Its historic heart is still the Taourirt kasbah, expanded by the Glaoui family in the late 19th and 20th centuries. Close by, earthen lanes lead to the old synagogue.
The centre has large hotels with pools and spas, a few boutique hotels and guest houses in the kasbah quarter.
Why choose the city centre?
- The Taourirt kasbah and shops within easy reach
- Large hotels with a pool, spa and restaurant
- The airport close by
- Restaurants and cafés in the evening
Good to know
Around the kasbah the lanes are narrow: ask your guest house where to meet on arrival.
🎬 Tamassinte and the Marrakech road
Ideal for: film lovers, travellers with a car, stays with a pool.
West of town, on the Marrakech road, the Tamassinte district runs alongside the Atlas Studios, founded in 1983, where many films have been shot. Here you will find film-themed hotels, modern kasbahs and guest houses with views of the Atlas.
Why choose Tamassinte?
- The Atlas Studios nearby
- Hotels with a pool and garden
- An easy start towards Aït Ben Haddou and Marrakech
- Open views of the mountains
Good to know
Plan on a taxi to reach the centre and the Taourirt kasbah.
🏞️ The surroundings: the lake, Fint and Tikirt
Ideal for: quiet stays, hikers, travellers with a car.
East of town lies the lake of the El Mansour Eddahbi dam. Around the town you will also find the Tifoultoute kasbah and the Fint oasis. Fint, like the village of Tikirt, hides its palm grove in a stony valley. Accommodation here means ecolodges and guest houses surrounded by gardens.
Find our tips for discovering the Fint oasis.
Good to know
A car or a transfer is essential to reach the town.
🧱 Aït Ben Haddou
Ideal for: heritage and photography lovers, couples, a night out of time.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, the ksar of Aït Ben Haddou climbs a hill by the Ounila river, on the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech. Its houses are built of rammed earth, mud bricks and wood. Most inhabitants now live in the modern village on the other side of the river.
A few guest houses occupy old houses inside the ksar itself. Others, with pools, are in the modern village or in the hamlets of the Ounila valley.
Discover the history of the ksar of Aït Ben Haddou.
Why choose Aït Ben Haddou?
- The ksar in the morning and evening light, without the daytime crowds
- Terraces facing the earthen houses
- Guest houses with Berber decor
- The Ounila valley for walking
Good to know
For the ksar, cars stop at the car park and the rest of the way is on foot, through lanes and passages: travel light. Some houses there offer simple comfort, with limited electricity.
🌴 The Skoura palm grove
Ideal for: peace and quiet, couples, families, garden lovers.
East of Ouarzazate, on the road to the Dadès valley, the Skoura palm grove shelters old earthen kasbahs among palm trees, olive trees and orchards. Lodges and restored kasbahs welcome travellers, often with a pool and a large garden.
Why choose Skoura?
- The silence of the palm grove
- Large gardens and pools
- Produce from the farm and orchards on the table
- A stop on the road to the Dadès gorges
Good to know
The properties are scattered across the palm grove, along dirt tracks: a car or a transfer is essential.
Areas compared
| Area | Atmosphere | Sights | Car access | Main type of accommodation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City centre and Taourirt | Urban, practical | Taourirt kasbah on foot | Easy | Large hotels, guest houses |
| Tamassinte | Residential, film | Atlas Studios | Easy | Hotels, modern kasbahs |
| Lake, Fint and Tikirt | Nature, quiet | Fint oasis | Essential | Ecolodges, guest houses |
| Aït Ben Haddou | Heritage, village | Listed ksar | Up to the car park | Guest houses, kasbahs |
| Skoura palm grove | Oasis, gardens | Palm grove kasbahs | Essential | Lodges, restored kasbahs |
Kasbah, guest house or hotel: which to choose?
Kasbahs and guest houses offer the charm of raw earth: thick walls, wooden ceilings, terraces and Berber lounges. They rarely have a lift.
The large hotels in town are all about comfort: a pool, spa, several restaurants and parking.
The lodges of Skoura and the surroundings focus on nature: gardens, a pool, farm produce and outdoor activities. Read their descriptions carefully: services vary from one place to another.
The climate
Ouarzazate has a pre-Saharan climate: summers are very hot and winter nights are cold. Check the air conditioning in summer, the heating or fireplace in winter, and when the pool is open.
Where to stay in Ouarzazate for your profile
For a stop on the way to the desert: the city centre or Tamassinte.
As a couple: a guest house inside the ksar of Aït Ben Haddou or a lodge in Skoura.
As a family: a hotel with a pool in town or an ecolodge with a garden.
On a tight budget: the guest houses of Aït Ben Haddou and the kasbah quarter.
For a luxury stay: the large hotels in the centre or the palm grove lodges.
For film lovers: Tamassinte, near the Atlas Studios.
Before you book: the details that make a difference
- Access on arrival. In the ksar and the palm grove, ask where to park and how to reach the property.
- Transport. Outside town, check whether the property offers a transfer.
- The season. Check the air conditioning, heating and when the pool is open.
- Meals. Outside town you will often dine on site: check whether dinner must be booked in advance.
- Rates. They vary with the season and dates: compare when you book.
Making the most of Ouarzazate
Once settled in, plan your visits with our practical guide to Ouarzazate, our article on Ouarzazate, the Hollywood of Africa, our ideas for exploring the oases of southern Morocco and our itinerary from Ouarzazate to Zagora. All our ideas for visits are gathered on the Ouarzazate page.
Frequently asked questions
Should I stay in Ouarzazate or in Aït Ben Haddou?
For a practical stopover, stay in town. To see the ksar without the crowds, at sunrise or sunset, stay in Aït Ben Haddou.
Can you stay inside the ksar of Aït Ben Haddou?
Yes, a few guest houses occupy old houses inside the ksar. Access is on foot from the car park, and comfort there is often simple.
Where can I stay near Ouarzazate in peace and quiet?
In the Skoura palm grove, near the lake or in the Fint oasis, in a lodge or a guest house with a garden.
Do I need a car to stay outside Ouarzazate?
Yes, or a transfer arranged by the property: Aït Ben Haddou, Skoura and the oases are not easy to reach otherwise.
