- Travel Enthusiast
- Nov 22, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Dec 14, 2025
OUARZAZATE: YOUR ULTIMATE ITINERARY
Set between the High Atlas and the Sahara, Ouarzazate is a gateway to some of Morocco’s most impressive landscapes. With historic kasbahs, film studios, and dramatic desert scenery, it’s a destination that offers far more than many visitors expect.
This guide covers the highlights, itinerary, where to stay, and tips to help you make the most of Ouarzazate.
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OUARZAZATE HIGHLIGHTS
There’s a lot to explore in and around Ouarzazate. These are the places you shouldn’t miss:
Kasbah Taourirt – A historic kasbah in the heart of the city, with intricate earthen architecture and maze-like rooms that reflect Ouarzazate’s past.
Atlas Film Studios – One of the world’s largest film studios, where you can walk through movie sets from productions filmed in the region.
Aït Benhaddou – A UNESCO-listed ksar just outside the city, known for its earthen architecture, panoramic views, and film appearances in productions such as Game of Thrones, Gladiator, and Kingdom of Heaven.
Gas Haven (The Hills Have Eyes Filming Location) – An abandoned gas-station set built for the 2006 remake, set along the N9 near Amerzgane and known for its eerie desert backdrop.
GETTING TO AND AROUND OUARZAZATE
Getting around Ouarzazate:
Ouarzazate is easy to get around, with many of its main sights – Kasbah Taourirt, the Cinema Museum, and parts of the city center – reachable on foot. For places a little further out, like the Atlas Film Studios or Aït Benhaddou, taxis are the most convenient option.
If you’re planning to explore the valleys and oases beyond the city, renting a car gives you the most flexibility.
Getting to Ouarzazate:
By flight – Ouarzazate has a small airport (OZZ) with limited but growing connections. Direct flights are available from cities like Casablanca, offering a quick and convenient option if you want to avoid long drives over the mountains. Seasonal flights may operate from other destinations as well.
By car – A flexible way to reach Ouarzazate, especially if you plan to explore the surrounding valleys and oases. From Marrakech, the drive takes about 4–4.5 hours via the scenic Tizi n’Tichka Pass. From Agadir, the route takes roughly 5–6 hours through open desert landscapes.
By bus – A simple choice if you don’t want to drive. CTM and Supratours operate regular services from Marrakech to Ouarzazate, with journeys taking around 4–5 hours.
By guided tour – A convenient option if you’re short on time or prefer not to handle logistics. Many day trips from Marrakech cross the High Atlas and continue to Ouarzazate and Aït Benhaddou, making it an easy way to experience the highlights in a single day.
OUARZAZATE ITINERARY
Ouarzazate is often viewed as a gateway to the desert, and you can see a lot in one day, yet the city offers much more. A little extra time lets you discover the landscapes around it.
DAY 1
Morning: Visit Kasbah Taourirt, the city’s iconic earthen fortress and one of the best places to feel Ouarzazate’s heritage up close. Its maze of dimly lit rooms, carved doorways, and decorative details gives a real sense of how life once unfolded within its walls.
Right across the street, stop by the Cinema Museum to learn how Ouarzazate became a major filming hub through its sets, props, and behind-the-scenes displays.
Continue to the Atlas Film Studios, where productions like Gladiator came to life. The open-air sets are easy to explore and show the scale of the productions.
Lunch: Make your way to La Kasbah des Sables, an elegant spot known for beautifully crafted Moroccan dishes from different regions of the country. The setting is just as impressive as the menu – handmade decor, soft lighting, and a calm atmosphere.
Afternoon: Head to the iconic Ait Benhaddou, a stunning kasbah and UNESCO World Heritage Site about 30 minutes from Ouarzazate. Wander through its ancient alleyways and climb to the top for breathtaking views of the surrounding desert landscape. This picturesque site has been featured in numerous productions, including Game of Thrones, where it doubled as the city of Yunkai.
Evening: If time allows, stop by the Ouarzazate Souk, where you can shop for traditional crafts, spices, and souvenirs.
DAY 2
If you have more time in Ouarzazate, here are some unforgettable stops to experience the region’s landscapes and history:
Gas Haven (The Hills Have Eyes Filming Location) – About 20–25 minutes southwest of the city, this abandoned gas station was built for the 2006 remake of The Hills Have Eyes. Its eerie, wide-open surroundings, reminiscent of the American Southwest, make it an intriguing stop along the way.
Fint Oasis – Head 20 minutes southwest of Ouarzazate to this peaceful palm-fringed oasis. Mudbrick villages, quiet riverbeds, and soft green terraces offer a beautiful contrast to the surrounding rocky landscape and a glimpse into traditional Berber life.
2-Day Excursion to Zagora Desert – A shorter desert getaway that offers a gentle introduction to Morocco’s southern landscapes. Enjoy a camel ride, share a traditional dinner, and spend the night in a Berber-style tent beneath clear desert skies.
3-Day Desert Adventure to Merzouga – A deeper Sahara experience that leads you toward Merzouga and the sweeping dunes of Erg Chebbi. Enjoy a sunset camel trek, stay overnight in a desert camp, and enjoy the dramatic scenery that unfolds along the way.
WHERE TO STAY IN OUARZAZATE
Staying overnight? Here are some unique places to stay in Ouarzazate:
Hôtel Riad Dar Daïf – A beautifully crafted kasbah with lantern-lit courtyards and traditional earthen architecture, perfect for experiencing the charm of southern Morocco.
Ecolodge L’Île de Ouarzazate – A secluded ecolodge set on a rocky desert “island”, offering wide open views and a stay that feels completely removed from the city.
Riad Chay & Boutique – A calm, contemporary riad on the edge of Ouarzazate, with airy rooms and open views of the surrounding mountains.
Kasbah El Hajja (Aït Benhaddou) – A guesthouse with rooftop views overlooking Aït Benhaddou, ideal for staying close to the ksar in a warm, local setting.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Is Ouarzazate worth visiting?
Yes. Ouarzazate is absolutely worth a visit, especially if you’re interested in Morocco’s desert landscapes and cinematic history. The city has a calm, spacious feel and serves as a gateway to places like Aït Benhaddou, the Dades Valley, and the Todra Gorge. It’s a great base for discovering the landscapes and culture of southern Morocco.
Is Ouarzazate safe for tourists?
Yes. Ouarzazate is widely regarded as one of the safest and most relaxed cities in Morocco. It’s easy to navigate, welcoming to visitors, and known for its calm atmosphere. Standard travel awareness is always helpful, but most travelers feel comfortable throughout their time here.
Why is Ouarzazate famous?
Ouarzazate is known for its role as Morocco’s film capital and for its dramatic desert scenery. Landmarks like Aït Benhaddou and Kasbah Taourirt, along with the nearby film studios, have made it a hub for international productions. It’s also a starting point for many desert adventures toward Zagora or Merzouga.
What is filmed in Ouarzazate?
A wide range of films and series have been shot in and around Ouarzazate. Productions such as Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, The Mummy, and parts of Game of Thrones used its landscapes and historic sites as backdrops. The region’s kasbahs, deserts, and valleys continue to attract filmmakers from around the world.
BEYOND OUARZAZATE
Got extra time? Here are a few amazing places just outside Ouarzazate that are worth checking out.
Dades Valley – A dramatic stretch of winding gorges and green pockets of life, where every bend reveals another striking viewpoint.
Todra Gorge – One of Morocco’s most impressive natural landmarks, with sheer limestone walls soaring up to 400 meters (1,312 feet) and a river-carved canyon that draws both climbers and travelers in search of dramatic scenery.
Merzouga – Home to the towering Erg Chebbi dunes, this is the classic Sahara setting most travelers picture, with golden sand, endless horizons, and some of the most unforgettable sunsets in Morocco. Want to visit? Check out this guided tour.
Zagora – Often called the “Gate to the Sahara”, this tranquil desert town offers palm-filled oases, centuries-old kasbahs, and soft sand landscapes ideal for a camel trek at sunset. Thinking of visiting? Here’s a guided tour that takes you there.
Skoura Oasis – A palm-filled region known for its historic kasbahs, including Kasbah Amridil, and for the contrast between its greenery and the surrounding desert.
Lake El Mansour Eddahbi – A wide, blue reservoir just outside Ouarzazate, surrounded by desert hills and known for its open views and calm atmosphere.
