Ouarzazate

Gateway to the Sahara & Cinema

Ouarazazate stands as a key stop in Morocco’s south. It sits near the edge of the Sahara, acting as a gateway to desert adventures and historic sites. The city features traditional architecture alongside modern facilities for travelers. Its location makes it easy to explore nearby kasbahs and film studios that have hosted international movies. Ouarazazate also serves as a base for those heading into the dunes or visiting nearby villages where local culture remains strong. The climate is dry, with clear skies throughout much of the year, supporting both agriculture and tourism in this region.

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City in Morocco

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.2

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	4
Accessibility:	3
Tap water:	3

Read details

3/5

English is spoken in most hotels, by guides, and in tourist shops, but less so in local markets or with older residents. French is widely used, so a few basic phrases help.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 28 Oct 2026

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Ouarzazate Summary

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Famous for desert landscapes and film studios. Visit kasbahs, tour movie sets, explore nearby valleys and start Sahara desert trips.

Place score

7.0

Best at:

Architecture

Historic sites

Guided tours

Stargazing

Motorcycling

Personal score

Suited for

👶 6

Families

🧓 5

Seniors

🕌 10

Halal

❤️ 7

Couples

Morocco – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	220 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type E Type C: Type E: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Moroccan Dirham (MAD) £1 ≈ MAD 13.11
Cashless info:	Rating 3/5 Cashless payments are increasingly accepted in Morocco, especially in urban areas and tourist destinations. However, cash is still widely used, particularly in rural areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary in Morocco, with a standard of 10-15% in restaurants. Taxi drivers expect small tips, and hotel staff appreciate a few dirhams for their service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is prohibited in Morocco, and it is advisable to consume alcohol in licensed venues such as bars and hotels.
Public smoking:	Smoking is allowed in many public areas, including outdoor cafes and restaurants, but may be restricted in some indoor public places.

Eid al-Fitr (dates vary)	A religious celebration marking the end of Ramadan
Throne Day (30 July)	Celebrating the King’s ascension to the throne

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 19 (Police), 177 (Gendarmerie), 15 (Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Lyft, Careem
Other:	Morocco offers an exciting mix of cultural experiences, historic sites, and natural beauty. Visitors should prepare for heat and the possibility of basic infrastructure outside major cities.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Ouarzazate, Morocco

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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Jul

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	Feb. - April, Oct. - Dec.
Shoulder season:	Jan., May, Sep.
Crowdedness:	6 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Desert nights are cold from November to February, often near freezing in the Draa Valley and dunes

Heavy rain is rare but can cause flash floods in wadis and close desert tracks, mostly September to November

Ramadan: daytime food options limited, many restaurants closed until sunset

Don't miss

🏰 Visit the iconic Kasbah Taourirt and explore ancient Berber architecture
🎬 Tour the Atlas Studios where famous movies like Gladiator were filmed
🕍 Discover the old Jewish synagogue and local heritage museum
🏯 Explore the ancient Aït Ben Haddou ksar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
🚘 Drive along the scenic Tizi n Tichka Pass with breathtaking mountain views
🐪 Experience the desert landscapes with a camel trek in the Sahara

You've been here?

Why travel to Ouarzazate?

Ouarzazate is the perfect launchpad for exploring Morocco’s south, whether you’re drawn by the UNESCO-listed Ait Benhaddou, the labyrinthine Kasbah Taourirt or the surreal landscapes of the Dades Valley. Movie buffs will love touring the city’s film studios and Cinema Museum, where props and sets from epic productions are on display. The town’s lively markets and artisan workshops offer a taste of local life and the desert sunsets are simply unforgettable. Just be prepared: the climate is harsh in summer, with intense sun and heat and the city is conservative – modest dress is recommended. Tap water isn’t safe to drink and you should keep an eye on your belongings in crowded areas.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Taourirt Kasbah
2 CLA Studios
3 Aït Benhaddou
4 The old Synagogue
5 Ouarzazate Solar Power Station
6 Musée de Cinéma

🎡Places for activities

1 Atlas Studios
2 Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou
3 Piste pour l'oasis de Fint

🎈Events

Ouarzazate International Film Festival
Local Artisan Fairs
Cultural Heritage Days
Traditional Music Evenings
Ramadan Celebrations
Market Festivals
Desert Marathon
Berber New Year
Photography Exhibitions
Spring Souk Festival

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Bring layers; desert days are warm, nights cold.
Use Ouarzazate as a base for Aït Ben Haddou and nearby kasbah routes.
Visit Taourirt Kasbah with a guide; its rooms and passages feel maze-like.
Film fans should tour Atlas Studios and the Cinema Museum for “Morocco’s Hollywood” context.

How to travel to Ouarzazate

Ouarzazate has a small airport with flights from Casablanca and other Moroccan cities. Buses and shared taxis run from Marrakech (about 4 hours via the scenic Tizi n’Tichka pass). Private transfers and organized tours are popular for reaching the city and nearby sites.

Access summary

From Ouarzazate Airport (OZZ): Short taxi ride, usually around 10–15 minutes.
From Marrakech: Long-distance bus or shared taxi via Tizi n’Tichka, 4–6 hours.
From Agadir: Intercity bus or private transfer through Atlas foothills, roughly 5–7 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Ouarzazate

Ouarzazate offers a range of accommodation, from traditional riads and kasbah hotels to modern guesthouses and budget hostels. Many places have rooftop terraces or courtyards. Book ahead in high season and during festivals. Desert camps are available for excursions.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Ibis Ouarzazate Centre

7.9

Kenzi Azghor Hotel

7.4

Le Petit Riad Maison d'hotes

Oscar Hotel by Atlas Studios

8.3

Hotel La Perle du Sud

ibis Ouarzazate centre

10.0

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Ouarzazate

The city is compact and easily explored on foot, especially the downtown and kasbah areas. For longer trips or excursions, use licensed taxis (‘petits taxis’) or arrange tours. Buses and shared taxis connect Ouarzazate with nearby towns and attractions. Always agree on taxi fares in advance.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-47 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 47% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to MAD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Marrakesh, Morocco - 129 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£32	£77	£224
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£15	£38	£90
🍝 Food per day	£15	£36	£124
🚕 Transportation per day	£2	£4	£10

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£12
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£3.10
🍟 Fast food combo	£5
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£4.70
☕ Cappuccino	£1.90
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£4.40

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.33
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£6.50
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.15

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£5
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£20
🤧 Cold medication	£2.70
💇 Basic haircut	£6

Safety information overview

General safety

Ouarzazate is generally safe, but pickpocketing can occur in markets. Avoid walking alone at night in deserted areas. Use only licensed taxis and be cautious with street food.

Health & Medical

Basic medical care is available, but bring any essential medications. Drink only bottled water, avoid ice and be cautious with street food. The sun and heat can be intense — stay hydrated and use sunscreen.

Accessibility

Many main attractions are accessible, but kasbahs and old alleys often have uneven ground and stairs. Some hotels and new buildings are adapted for mobility needs, but check ahead.

Tap water

Tap water is not safe to drink — use bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth. Public fountains are rare, so carry water with you at all times.