Ouarzazate walking tour & city guide
The 'Door of the Desert' and Morocco's film capital.
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Ouarzazate, south of the High Atlas, is known as the 'Door of the Desert'. Its dramatic landscapes of mud-brick kasbahs, palm oases and rocky plains have made it Morocco's film capital, used for movies and series from Lawrence of Arabia to Gladiator and Game of Thrones.
Aït Benhaddou
About 30 kilometers from Ouarzazate, Aït Benhaddou is a fortified village, or ksar, of earthen buildings climbing a hill above a river. It was an important stop on the old caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech, and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Climb to the granary at the top for views over the desert and the mountains.
Its picture-perfect look has appeared in many films, and a few families still live inside its walls.
Kasbahs and film studios
In Ouarzazate itself, the Kasbah Taourirt was once the residence of the powerful Glaoui family, with decorated rooms and painted ceilings. The Atlas Film Studios, among the largest in the world, can be visited, with sets from famous productions in the desert.
The road from Marrakech crosses the High Atlas over the Tizi n'Tichka pass, one of the most spectacular drives in Morocco. From Ouarzazate, the Valley of Roses, the Dades and Todra gorges and the dunes of Merzouga are within reach.
Visiting tips
Nights can be very cold in winter, and summer days very hot. Ouarzazate has a small airport, but most visitors arrive by road from Marrakech, a four-hour drive. Many desert tours stop here on the way to the Sahara.
Top sights in Ouarzazate
- 1
Aït Benhaddou
A UNESCO-listed fortified mud-brick village.
- 2
Kasbah Taourirt
The former Glaoui residence.
- 3
Atlas Film Studios
Film sets in the desert.
- 4
Tizi n'Tichka pass
A spectacular mountain road.
- 5
Fint Oasis
A palm oasis near the city.
- 6
Dades Gorge
Red rock canyons further east.
Food markets & where to eat in Ouarzazate
Place Al Mouahidine
The main square with cafés.
Aït Benhaddou terraces
Restaurants facing the ksar.
Local market
Dates, spices and fresh bread.
Kasbah guesthouses
Traditional dinners in old kasbahs.
Food to try in Ouarzazate
Berber tagine
Slow-cooked meat and vegetables.
Medfouna
A 'Berber pizza' stuffed with meat and spices.
Dates
From the southern oases.
Mint tea
The symbol of Moroccan hospitality.
Opening hours and prices change often. Please check with each place before you visit.
Plan your trip to Ouarzazate
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- Hotels in OuarzazateCompare places to stay and prices.
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