9 Best things to do in Ouarzazate, Morocco, in 3 days

Introduction

After exploring Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains, we continued our road trip toward Ouarzazate, often called the gateway to the Sahara. On the way, we stopped at Aït Ben Haddou, the famous fortified ksar, before spending time discovering Ouarzazate itself. It was our eighth stop in Morocco, and arriving there gave us the feeling of stepping into a different side of the country.

Set in the High Atlas, Ouarzazate is both a modern city and a place surrounded by incredible history. It’s home to the Atlas Cinema Studios, where countless films and series have been shot, and it’s close to kasbahs, valleys, and dramatic landscapes like the Todra Gorge.

We only spent a day here and wished we had given it more time—Ouarzazate is full of surprises.

In this article, you’ll find the best things to do in Ouarzazate and why this stop deserves a spot on your Morocco itinerary.

Read: Our complete 2-week Morocco Road Trip Itinerary

Getting there

Getting to Ouarzazate is quite straightforward. The city has a small airport with domestic flights, but most travelers arrive by road.

From Marrakech, the drive takes about 4 to 5 hours across the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass. It’s a winding but scenic route, with plenty of stops along the way, including viewpoints, small villages, and of course, the famous Aït Ben Haddou, which lies just before Ouarzazate.

If you don’t have a car, you can:

• Join a day tour from Marrakech, which usually includes stops at Aït Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate before heading back in the evening.
• Take a shared grand taxi or bus, though the journey can be long and less flexible compared to having your own car.

For us, we arrived in Ouarzazate as part of our road trip from Imlil via Aït Ben Haddou, which made it easy to start exploring the city right away.

We recommend to rent a car through Discover Cars with free cancellation. Book your rental car here.

Moving Around

Ouarzazate is a modern city compared to many other stops in Morocco, and getting around is simple. If you’re staying in the city center, most places can be reached on foot, including the kasbahs, markets, and restaurants.

For sites a little further out—like the Atlas Cinema Studios or nearby villages—it’s easiest to go by car. If you’re road tripping, you’ll have total freedom to explore at your own pace. Otherwise, you can hire a local taxi for short trips, which are affordable and easy to arrange.

Many visitors also use Ouarzazate as a base for day trips to Aït Ben Haddou, the Draa Valley, or even to start their Sahara adventure, so tours are another good option if you don’t have your own vehicle.

Tip: Get this Day Trip to Ouarzazate and Ait Benhaddou to enjoy one of our favorite places in Morocco. Or one of those if you do not road trip Morocco: 2-Day Sahara Tour to Zagora & Ait Ben Haddou / 3-Day Merzouga and Sahara Desert Tour

When to Visit

Located on the edge of the desert at over 1,100 meters above sea level, Ouarzazate has a dry climate with hot summers, mild winters, and sunny days almost year-round. The season you choose will shape your experience.

• Spring (March – May): Spring is one of the best times to visit Ouarzazate. Daytime temperatures range from 18°C to 28°C (64°F to 82°F), with cool evenings. It’s perfect for sightseeing, hiking in nearby valleys, and exploring kasbahs without the intense heat.
• Summer (June – August): Summer can be extremely hot, with highs often reaching 35°C to 40°C (95°F to 104°F). The dry air makes it more bearable than the coast, but exploring in the middle of the day can be tough. If you visit in summer, plan activities in the early morning and late afternoon.
• Autumn (September – November): Another great season to visit, with pleasant daytime temperatures around 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F). The skies are clear, the landscapes striking, and the weather makes it ideal for road trips and photography.
• Winter (December – February): Winters are mild during the day, averaging 10°C to 18°C (50°F to 64°F), but nights get cold and can drop close to 2°C (36°F). It’s still a good time to visit, just pack layers for chilly evenings.

Tip: Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons to enjoy Ouarzazate, while summer is only for those who can handle the desert heat.

Check our Google Map of Morocco

Where to Stay

We only passed through Ouarzazate as part of our road trip and didn’t spend the night, but looking back, we wish we had allowed at least a full day here. The city has more to offer than you might think, and staying overnight makes it easier to enjoy its kasbahs, studios, and surrounding landscapes.

• (€): Hôtel Riad Dar Daïf: A charming and affordable riad with a traditional atmosphere and views over the desert landscape.
• (€€): Dar Amoudou: A mid-range guesthouse with comfortable rooms, a warm welcome, and a rooftop terrace perfect for sunsets.
• (€€€): Riad Chay & Boutique: A boutique stay offering elegant design, a pool, and a peaceful setting just outside the city.

Here are all your accommodation options in Ouarzazate

What to Eat

In Ouarzazate, most travelers choose to have breakfast and dinner directly at their accommodations, which is often the easiest option—especially in autumn and winter when nights fall early. That’s what we did during our road trip, and it made everything simple and relaxed.

Check our Google Map of Morocco

If you want to eat out, a great option we recommend is Jardin des Arômes. It’s a bit on the fancy side compared to local eateries, but the food is delicious and the portions are huge, which makes the higher price more than fair. It’s the kind of place where you can treat yourself after a long day of exploring kasbahs and studios.

Best things to do in Ouarzazate

Atlas Studios

One of the best things to do in Ouarzazate is visit the Atlas Studios, about a 30-minute drive from the city center. (The CLA Studios are currently closed.) Tickets cost around 110 dh if you combine the studios with the Kingdom of Heaven set.

The visit lasts about an hour and can only be done with a guide, since the studios are still active and regularly used for filming. As you walk through, you’ll recognize sets from movies like Gladiator, Kundun, Black Hawk Down, and even Asterix and Obelix. It’s a fascinating peek behind the scenes of Morocco’s “Hollywood of the Desert.”

When we visited, we tipped the guide 10 dh and left a few dirhams for the parking attendant—something worth keeping in mind as it’s common practice here.

Here are all your accommodation options in Ouarzazate

Kingdom of Heaven movie set

After visiting Atlas Studios, you can also head to the nearby Kingdom of Heaven movie set, which is included in the combined ticket. The set is massive and makes for an interesting stop if you enjoy film history.

When we visited, we were the only ones there, with just the guardian who walked us around. He didn’t speak much, but he was kind, showed us the different parts of the set, and even offered to take photos. We left him a 20 dh tip before heading back. I even got the chance to try lifting a trebuchet—it was ridiculously heavy!

Palais des Congrès & Cour d’appel

Once you head into the city center of Ouarzazate, you’ll notice some striking modern architecture. Two buildings worth a quick look are the Palais des Congrès and the Cour d’Appel, both standing out with their impressive design along the main road.

Parking in Ouarzazate is free, which makes it easy to stop for a quick stroll or photo before continuing your visit. We passed by them while running errands in town and were surprised at how much they added to the city’s character—definitely worth a moment if you’re nearby.

Tip: We use the DJI Action 4 to film our vlogs — compact, durable, and perfect for capturing every adventure.

Kasbah Amridil

A short drive outside of Ouarzazate brings you to the Kasbah Amridil, one of the most famous kasbahs in Morocco. Entry costs 40 dh per person, with the option of hiring a guide on-site for around 50 dh.

The kasbah itself is impressive, though one detail to know is that it’s divided into two parts due to inheritance, so if you want to see both sides you’ll need to pay two entrance fees. Even so, wandering through its corridors gives you a great sense of traditional kasbah architecture and daily life in the past.

From here, you can also explore the surrounding palm grove, either on foot or by bike. We were offered the chance but skipped it, since we had plans to drive through the palm groves later and visit another one in Tinghir. Still, if you have time, it’s a peaceful way to experience the oasis landscape.

Here are all your accommodation options in Ouarzazate

Dadès Gorges

From Ouarzazate, you can also make a detour to the Dadès Gorges, about a 25-minute drive off the main road. It’s a bit out of the way, but absolutely worth it.

The rock formations here are striking and unlike anything else you’ll see in Morocco—twisting shapes and dramatic cliffs carved by the Dadès River over time. The drive through the gorge itself is scenic, and there are plenty of viewpoints where you can stop, take photos, and soak in the landscapes.

It’s the kind of place that doesn’t take long to visit but leaves a lasting impression, especially if you love natural wonders.

We recommend to rent a car through Discover Cars with free cancellation. Book your rental car here.

Tinghir

Tinghir is a great stop on any Morocco road trip. The town sits within a lush palm grove and is perfectly located near the famous Todra Gorge, making it an ideal base to explore the region.

Tip: if you’re driving, make sure to refuel in Tinghir before heading up toward the palm grove and Todra Gorge, as stations become scarce in the mountains.

Here are a few nice places to stay in Tinghir:

• (€): Retour Au Calme: A budget-friendly option with a welcoming atmosphere.
• (€€): Auberge Camping Atlas: Mid-range, with both rooms and camping spots surrounded by nature.
• (€€€): Auberge Le Festival Todra Gorge: A unique stay right by the gorge, offering comfort and stunning views.

Here are all your accommodation options in Tinghir

Tifoultoute Kasbah

Just outside Ouarzazate, the Tifoultoute Kasbah stands as another example of Morocco’s incredible earthen architecture. Built in the 18th century, it once belonged to the Glaoui family, powerful rulers of the High Atlas region. Today it’s partly restored and offers panoramic views over the surrounding valley and desert.

It’s less visited than the more famous kasbahs, which makes it a quieter stop to wander around and imagine what life was like inside these fortified walls.

Taourirt Kasbah

Right in the heart of Ouarzazate, the Taourirt Kasbah is one of the city’s most important landmarks. This former residence of the Glaoui family is a maze of rooms, courtyards, and passageways, giving you a real sense of traditional kasbah life.

Some parts have been restored, while others remain in their original state, which adds to the charm. The kasbah also offers great views over the town and the surrounding landscapes. It’s an easy stop if you’re exploring Ouarzazate itself and one you shouldn’t miss.

Check our Google Map of Morocco

Telouet

On the old caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech, you’ll find the Telouet Kasbah, once the seat of power for the influential El Glaoui family. Sometimes called the Palace of Glaoui, it was originally built in 1860 and expanded over the years into a grand fortress.

Today, the kasbah still stands but is slowly deteriorating, with parts of it collapsing despite ongoing restoration efforts. Walking through its halls gives you a glimpse of its former grandeur, with intricate tilework and traces of its once-lavish decoration still visible.

Telouet isn’t as visited as Aït Ben Haddou or the kasbahs in Ouarzazate, which makes it a fascinating stop if you want to explore something more off the beaten path.

Ait Ben Haddou

One of the most iconic sites near Ouarzazate is the fortified ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Perched in the Ounila Valley, it once sat along a key trans-Saharan trade route, making it a strategic stop for caravans traveling between the desert and Marrakech.

The site has been fortified since the 11th century, during the Almoravid period, though none of the current structures are older than the 17th century. Still, they were built using the same traditional methods and designs that had been used for centuries—mudbrick walls, narrow alleys, and imposing towers that rise beautifully against the desert backdrop.

Walking through Aït Ben Haddou feels like stepping back in time, and it’s no surprise that it’s been used as a backdrop for countless films and series, from Game of Thrones to Gladiator. It’s one of those places in Morocco that you simply can’t miss.

Tip: Explore Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate and Telouet in an unforgettable 1-day road trip

3-day Ouarzazate Itinerary

Day 1:

• Leave Marrakech
• Visit Anima Garden (if you didn’t already or skip it to have more time in Ait Ben Haddou)
• Visit Telouet
• Visit Ait Ben Haddou

Day 2

• Visit the Atlas Studios
• Explore the Kingdom of Heaven movie set
• Drive by Palais des Congrès & Cour d’appel
• Stop at Kasbah Amridil
• Road trip to the Dadès Gorges
• End in Tinghir

Day 3

• Walk in the Tinghir palm groove
• Stop at the Todra Gorge
• Drove to Merzouga

Read: Our complete 2-week Morocco Road Trip Itinerary