Ouarzazate day trips
Ouarzazate sits at 1,160 m on the southern side of the High Atlas, where the roads to the Draa, the Dades and the Sahara meet — Morocco’s film capital and the gateway to the desert.
Day trips leave early and return in the evening, with a private vehicle and driver for your group alone. Most depart from Marrakech; ask us for pickups elsewhere.
Ouarzazate at a glance
Its dry light and kasbah landscapes made Ouarzazate Morocco’s film capital, with studios that have stood in for Tibet, Egypt and Rome. The town itself is modest; what draws travellers is around it.
What to see around Ouarzazate
- Taourirt Kasbah, a former Glaoui stronghold in the centre of town.
- The Atlas Film Studios.
- The Fint oasis, south of the town.
- Aït Ben Haddou, the UNESCO-listed ksar about half an hour away — see our Aït Ben Haddou day trips page.
Getting there and how long to stay
Ouarzazate is about four hours from Marrakech over the Tizi n’Tichka pass. The pass is slow and winding, so allow more time than the distance suggests and avoid driving it after dark. A return day trip from Marrakech is therefore very long; most travellers spend one night on a desert route, or two if they want to see Aït Ben Haddou at both ends of the day. The best seasons are March to May and September to November; winter nights are cold at altitude and summer afternoons very hot.
Tours through Ouarzazate
Our 3-day Marrakech to Merzouga tour and our Sahara desert tours from Marrakech pass through Ouarzazate. Private day trips can be arranged on request through our tailor-made tours page. Read more in our Ouarzazate travel guide.
Ouarzazate: quick answers
How far is Ouarzazate from Marrakech?
About four hours by road over the Tizi n’Tichka pass.
Is Ouarzazate worth a day trip?
It is possible but long. Seeing Ouarzazate and Aït Ben Haddou on the way to the desert, with a night on the route, is a better use of time.
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