Ouarzazate has two nicknames, and both are deserved. It is the "Hollywood of Africa", thanks to the film studios that have made the surrounding landscapes famous on screens around the world. And it is the "door of the desert", the last real town before the road splits towards the Dades gorges, the Draa valley and the dunes. Most travellers pass through; those who stay a night or two discover a calm, friendly town with plenty of things to do in Ouarzazate and around.

Here is our selection.

The top things to do in Ouarzazate

1. The Taourirt Kasbah

The most famous building in town is a maze of earthen towers, courtyards and reception rooms that once belonged to the powerful Glaoui family, who controlled the Atlas passes in the early 20th century. Part of the kasbah has been restored, and a few rooms still show painted ceilings and carved stucco. Go in the late afternoon, when the walls glow.

2. The film studios

Ouarzazate's studios have hosted productions for decades, from biblical epics to action films and television series. A guided tour takes you through outdoor sets — temples, palaces, streets and fortresses — and props left behind by past shoots. Even if you are not a film buff, it is a fun and surprising visit, especially with children.

3. The Cinema Museum

Opposite the Taourirt Kasbah, a small museum displays sets, cameras and costumes from films shot in the region. It is a good complement to the studios, and a pleasant half hour in the shade.

4. The Fint oasis

A short drive from town, partly on a track, the Fint oasis is a ribbon of palm trees, gardens and earthen villages along a river, surrounded by black stony hills. It feels a world away from the town, and it is especially beautiful in the soft light of the morning or late afternoon.

5. Aït Benhaddou

The famous ksar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is about 30 km away and is the essential visit of the region. Our Aït Benhaddou guide explains how to visit it and when the light is best.

6. The lake and the solar complex

East of town, the reservoir behind the El Mansour Eddahbi dam attracts birds in the middle of the stony desert. On the way, you can see from the road the vast Noor solar complex, one of the largest concentrated solar power plants in the world — a striking contrast with the ancient kasbahs.

Day trips and onward journeys

Ouarzazate is the natural base for exploring the south:

  • Skoura, less than an hour east, is a lush palm oasis dotted with kasbahs, some of them now guesthouses.
  • The Dades and Todra gorges, a few hours further along the "road of a thousand kasbahs", are spectacular canyons carved into the mountains.
  • The Draa valley leads south towards Zagora through one of the longest palm groves in the country.
  • The Sahara dunes of Merzouga are a long day's drive away; our guide to a desert trip from Marrakech compares the options honestly.

Eating in Ouarzazate

The cooking of the south is simple and generous. Try the Berber omelette cooked and served in a tagine, a kefta tagine with eggs, or a slow-cooked lamb tagine with prunes, and finish with the dates of the Draa valley. Kasbah guesthouses often serve dinner on the terrace, under a sky full of stars.

How long to stay in Ouarzazate

  • One night is enough to see Aït Benhaddou at sunset, the Taourirt Kasbah and the studios.
  • Two nights let you add the Fint oasis or Skoura at a relaxed pace.
  • Longer, if you use Ouarzazate as a base for the gorges and the Draa valley.

When to go

Ouarzazate sits at over 1,000 metres on the edge of the desert. Spring and autumn are the best seasons, with warm days and mild evenings. Summer is very hot in the afternoon, so plan visits for the morning and late afternoon. Winter brings clear, sunny days but cold nights, and snow sometimes affects the Tizi n'Tichka pass on the way from Marrakech.

Where to stay

The town has hotels for every budget, many with pools, and a few beautifully restored kasbah guesthouses. For a quieter setting, consider a guesthouse near Aït Benhaddou or in the Skoura oasis, and visit the town during the day.

Getting to Ouarzazate from Marrakech

The drive over the High Atlas is part of the adventure: about 200 km on the N9 across the Tizi n'Tichka pass, at 2,260 metres. Our Marrakech to Ouarzazate guide describes the road hour by hour, and our Marrakech to Ouarzazate transfer includes scenic stops on request, from €150 per vehicle for up to four passengers at the time of writing.

Along the way, the detour through Telouet and the Ounila valley is one of the most beautiful drives in the Atlas. Tell us your dates, and we will help you fit the best things to do in Ouarzazate into your trip south.