How do you get to Ouarzazate? Where should you stay? What budget should you plan for? What is there to see, and which experiences can you book?
Located south of the High Atlas, Ouarzazate is one of the main gateways to southern Morocco. The city is an ideal starting point for discovering earthen kasbahs, oases, pre-Saharan valleys and the landscapes that stretch all the way to Zagora.
But Ouarzazate can also be a destination in its own right.
Between the Taourirt Kasbah, the Atlas Studios, the Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, the Fint oasis and the many excursions available from the city, you need several days to discover the region without treating it as a mere stopover between Marrakech and the desert.
This guide brings together the key practical information to prepare your stay: transport, flights, getting around, accommodation, budget, monuments, activities and itineraries.
How do you get to Ouarzazate?
Several options let you reach Ouarzazate from Morocco's main cities: bus, car, private transfer or plane.
For travellers coming from Europe, Marrakech and Casablanca are also practical entry points before continuing south.
Getting to Ouarzazate from Marrakech
Marrakech is one of the main starting points for Ouarzazate. The road crosses the High Atlas and the Tizi n'Tichka pass before gradually reaching the pre-Saharan landscapes. Before you leave, our guide on when to visit Marrakech helps you pick the right season.
By bus with CTM. CTM serves Ouarzazate from Marrakech. At a recent check, Marrakech–Ouarzazate trips were offered from 115 MAD, with journey times of about 4 h 30 to 4 h 45 depending on the service and the departure. Fares and schedules depend on the date you choose. It is a good option for independent travellers who want to reach Ouarzazate without renting a car.
With Supratours. Supratours, the road transport service linked to ONCF, is another way to reach southern destinations that the train does not serve directly. Its appeal is that it lets you combine Morocco's rail network with road links to the south.
By car. Driving turns the Marrakech–Ouarzazate trip into a journey in itself. The road crosses the High Atlas and lets you make several stops along the way. This option is especially appealing for travellers who want to continue on to Aït Ben Haddou, Skoura, the Valley of the Roses, the Dadès or Zagora.
With an organised excursion. For travellers short on time, an excursion from Marrakech can be a practical solution. MoroccoMuseum currently offers a day excursion to Ouarzazate, Aït Ben Haddou and the Atlas Film Studios, with transport from Marrakech, an air-conditioned vehicle and a guide at Aït Ben Haddou. The page currently shows a price from €21 per person, depending on the booking conditions.
→ Discover the Ouarzazate – Aït Ben Haddou – Atlas Film Studios excursion
Getting to Ouarzazate from Casablanca
Casablanca is also linked directly to Ouarzazate by coach. When we checked, CTM showed several Casablanca–Ouarzazate departures, with tickets from 225 MAD on some dates and journeys of about 7 h 30 to 8 h 45 depending on the departure.
Another option is to reach Marrakech by train and then continue to Ouarzazate by coach.
For travellers arriving directly from abroad in Casablanca, it is therefore worth comparing:
- a flight to Ouarzazate when a suitable one is available;
- the direct coach;
- the Casablanca–Marrakech train followed by Supratours;
- car rental.
Getting to Ouarzazate from Rabat
Rabat has no direct rail link to Ouarzazate. One solution is to travel to Casablanca or Marrakech, then continue to Ouarzazate.
The ONCF network takes you to the country's main cities before you continue south by road. For a multi-stop trip, it can also make sense to start in Rabat, continue to Casablanca and Marrakech, then reach Ouarzazate.
Can you get to Ouarzazate by train?
No, Ouarzazate has no railway station. There is therefore no direct train to the city.
Can you fly to Ouarzazate?
Yes. Ouarzazate airport has the code OZZ and lets you arrive directly in the region.
Royal Air Maroc includes Ouarzazate in its domestic network, but availability and fares vary widely depending on the period. In a recent search, the airline showed for example some Ouarzazate–Casablanca return offers from 838 MAD, but these fares were tied to specific dates and may no longer be available. It is therefore best to check flights before building your itinerary.
And from Europe?
For a traveller coming from France, Spain, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Italy or another European country, Marrakech and Casablanca are often the two entry points to compare.
Royal Air Maroc has a large European network and serves Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, London, Brussels, Milan, Rome, Lisbon and several other European cities.
A common strategy is therefore:
- Europe → Marrakech → Ouarzazate;
- or Europe → Casablanca → Marrakech or Ouarzazate.
When a suitable flight to Ouarzazate is available, flying can also simplify the journey.
How do you get around Ouarzazate and the region?
Once you have arrived, the choice of transport mostly depends on your plans.
- Taxi: for getting around Ouarzazate, taxis can be practical for city trips.
- Rental car: it gives you more freedom to explore the sites around the city, and it is especially useful for an itinerary with several stops.
- Private driver: for those who prefer not to drive, a private driver lets you build a tailor-made itinerary.
- Organised excursion: it can be simpler when you want to visit several sites in one day, and it spares you from handling the driving, parking and organisation of each stop.
Where should you stay in Ouarzazate?
Ouarzazate offers different types of accommodation: hotels, riads, guesthouses and places in the surrounding area. The choice mainly depends on your budget and the kind of stay you want.
Budget hotel. For a low-cost trip, you can find simple accommodation in a range of about 250 to 450 MAD per night, depending on the season and what is included.
Riad or guesthouse. For a more traditional experience, guesthouses and riads are a good option. For example, Riad Dar Daïf publishes 2025–2026 rates that vary by season, with some double rooms around €50–62 in low season and more in high season, breakfast included depending on the package.
Higher-end accommodation. Upmarket hotels and guesthouses can exceed 900 MAD per night, especially for suites, family rooms or periods of high demand.
Rates should therefore be seen as indicative ranges, not fixed prices.
What budget should you plan for a stay in Ouarzazate?
The budget depends on the type of trip. For a simple estimate, take into account:
- transport to Ouarzazate;
- accommodation;
- meals;
- visits;
- excursions;
- local transport.
Budget travel. An independent traveller can favour the bus, a simple room or guesthouse and local restaurants.
Comfort budget. A couple can choose a comfortable riad or guesthouse, rent a car or use organised excursions, and plan several visits.
Experience budget. For a fuller stay, add private excursions, guides, cultural experiences or a continuation of the trip towards the valleys and the desert.
The most important thing is to see Ouarzazate as a base for exploring a whole region, not just a town to spend a night in.
What is there to see in Ouarzazate?
Ouarzazate has several easily accessible sites.
Taourirt Kasbah
The Taourirt Kasbah is one of the city's emblematic monuments. It lets you discover traditional earthen architecture and the history of the region.
MoroccoMuseum offers a dedicated page for the Taourirt Kasbah with practical information and the option to prepare your visit. The Ouarzazate destination currently lists admission from €3.
→ Discover the Taourirt Kasbah
Atlas Studios
Ouarzazate is also known for its film history. The Atlas Studios keep several monumental sets used for international productions. MoroccoMuseum offers a dedicated page for the site, including information about its history and the productions associated with the region.
To go further, also read our article: Ouarzazate, the Hollywood of Africa: films, studios and Aït Ben Haddou.
Tifoultoute Kasbah
Located in the surroundings of Ouarzazate, the Tifoultoute Kasbah is a good complement to your discovery of the region's architectural heritage. It is also listed among the must-see sites of the Ouarzazate destination on MoroccoMuseum.
→ Discover the Tifoultoute Kasbah
Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou
About 30 km from Ouarzazate, the Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou is one of the most famous sites in southern Morocco. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is an essential stop for travellers visiting the region.
→ Prepare your visit to Aït Ben Haddou
We have also written a complete guide to its history and visit: Aït Ben Haddou, the history of southern Morocco's emblematic ksar.
Fint oasis
The Fint oasis reveals another side of the region. Rather than repeating all the information about the oasis here, read our guide to the Fint oasis, a green haven near Ouarzazate.
Skoura, Valley of the Roses, Dadès and the Drâa Valley
For stays of several days, Ouarzazate becomes the starting point for other regions of the south:
- Skoura and its palm grove;
- the Valley of the Roses;
- the Dadès Valley;
- Agdz;
- the Drâa Valley;
- Zagora.
We already cover these itineraries in our guides to the Ouarzazate oases, to Ouarzazate–Zagora and to nights under the stars.
To explore these valleys without organising each stage, two excursions are available from Ouarzazate: Dadès Gorges, Valley of the Roses and Skoura and the Drâa Valley and Tinfou dunes.
What is there to do in Ouarzazate?
Beyond the monuments, several experiences let you discover the region in a different way.
Visit the kasbahs and ksour. A guided visit can add context about earthen architecture, the old trade routes and life in the villages of the south.
Discover film history. A visit to the Atlas Studios lets you see the sets and the film history of Ouarzazate. For cinema lovers, this experience can be combined with Aït Ben Haddou and the surrounding landscapes.
Explore the oases. Fint and Skoura let you discover the relationship between water, agriculture and the communities of the pre-Saharan regions.
Head for Zagora. For a longer experience, the Ouarzazate–Agdz–Drâa Valley–Zagora itinerary lets you extend your trip further south.
→ Read our guide: From Ouarzazate to Zagora
Sleep under the stars. For those who want to extend the experience, a night in a bivouac can be built into an itinerary towards the desert.
→ Read our guide: Sleeping under the stars in Morocco
How many days should you plan in Ouarzazate?
The ideal length depends on your plans.
1 day
Taourirt Kasbah + Atlas Studios + city centre. If you leave very early from Marrakech on an excursion, it is also possible to include Aït Ben Haddou.2 days
Add Aït Ben Haddou + the Fint oasis: the pace becomes more comfortable.3 days
You can start exploring the surroundings more and include part of the road towards Agdz.4 to 5 days
A fuller itinerary: Ouarzazate → Skoura → Valley of the Roses → Dadès, or Ouarzazate → Agdz → Drâa Valley → Zagora.
For travellers who want to continue to the desert, several extra days can naturally be added. To place Ouarzazate in a wider trip, read our guide on what to visit in Morocco.
Which excursion should you choose from Marrakech?
For travellers with little time, a day excursion lets you discover Ouarzazate without organising transport separately.
On MoroccoMuseum, the Ouarzazate – Aït Ben Haddou – Atlas Film Studios excursion is currently offered from €21 per person, with transport from Marrakech, an air-conditioned vehicle, transport insurance and a guide at Aït Ben Haddou, depending on the package shown.
→ See the excursion on MoroccoMuseum
For a longer stay, it is better to build a multi-day itinerary so you can enjoy the oases, valleys and experiences of the south.
Ouarzazate in practice: what to check before you go
Before your trip, remember to check:
- CTM schedules for your date;
- Supratours schedules;
- any ONCF connections;
- available flights to Ouarzazate;
- traffic conditions on the mountain roads;
- accommodation availability;
- monument opening hours;
- weather conditions;
- excursion availability;
- the real duration of journeys between the different stops.
Transport schedules and fares can change, especially depending on the season.
Official websites to check schedules and fares : CTM, Supratours, ONCF, Royal Air Maroc.
Useful numbers and emergencies in Ouarzazate
It is better to know these numbers before you leave, especially if you travel by car on mountain roads or on an excursion in remote areas. These are Morocco's emergency numbers, valid throughout the country:
- Police emergency: 19 (in towns and cities);
- Royal Gendarmerie: 177 (roads, villages and rural areas outside the towns);
- Civil protection and fire brigade: 15;
- SAMU, medical emergencies: 141.
Duty pharmacy. Pharmacies take turns to provide night, weekend and public holiday cover. To find the one that is open in Ouarzazate, check the directory of duty pharmacies in Ouarzazate on med.ma, or look for the duty list displayed in the window of the nearest pharmacy. Your accommodation can also tell you which pharmacy is on duty today.
Ouarzazate: a gateway to southern Morocco
Ouarzazate is much more than a stop between Marrakech and the desert. The city lets you discover an exceptional architectural heritage, a culture deeply tied to the oases and the mountains, and a film history that has become famous worldwide.
With Taourirt, Tifoultoute, Aït Ben Haddou, the Atlas Studios and Fint, the first discoveries can easily fill two days. Then come the roads of the south: Skoura, the Valley of the Roses, Dadès, Agdz, the Drâa Valley and Zagora.
To prepare your trip, explore the MoroccoMuseum guides dedicated to the region and discover the monuments, guided visits, excursions and experiences available online.
The goal is not simply to pass through Ouarzazate. It is to take the time to discover southern Morocco, its landscapes, its heritage and the experiences that make this trip unique.
