Ouarzazate (ورزازات) is a city in Morocco and the largest town in the Saharan Morocco.
Ouarzazate is relatively small (60 000 inhabitants) and for Morocco quiet town, which can be very refreshing coming from a city like Fez, Meknes or Marrakech. You will barely be hassled here and can walk freely and enjoy the streets. It is thus no wonder that its name comes from a Berber phrase meaning "without noise" or "without confusion".
At an elevation of 1,135 m, built mostly along main street - Avenue Muhammed V. Once in its history, Ouarzazate had been crossing point for African traders seeking to reach northern cities in Morocco and Europe. During the French period, Ouarzazate expanded considerably as a garrison town and administrative centre.
- Kasbah Taourirt. A well preserved kasbah inside of the city with a constant exhibition of various artists inside. It is like a little labyrinth, exploring all the rooms and hallways. Sometimes you can sneak in with another group of tourists. 20 dirham.
- Musée du Cinéma. Not that exciting and many items are not marked or signed, but a good alternative if you do not want to head out of the city to the other museums/studios. 30 dirham.
- Aït-Benhaddou. One of the best preserved Kasbahs. It has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Very picturesque place, lots of movies were shot there (Gladiator). 10 dirham to visit kasbahs. You don't need a guide, but locals will follow you pretending to help and at the end will ask for money. See more information in the specific article. Be careful not to get too wet from the river when crossing it, since there's been reports of schistosomiasis contracted from the water.
- Oasis de Fint. Make a half-day trip to this beautiful and small paradise of vegetation in the midst of the dry hills surrounding Ouazarzate. Cross the river into Tabount, then take the road direction Agadir. After ~1 km there is a signpost, from here it is ~10 km by mostly unpaved roads. At the Oasis there is an auberge with restaurant.
- Solar Park. You might wonder what is that huge tower looming over the hills next to the city, which can be seen from dozens of miles around Ouarzazate going along the highway. It is a solar park tower and it uses the reflections of numerous mirrors to generate electricity. Head out there if you have a bicycle or car and admire this wonder of technology, or just take an impressive picture if you have a good camera and an ND filter. This site compares well with the Planta Solar PS10 in Seville Spain.
- Atlas Studios. Films such as Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra, Lawrence of Arabia, The Man Who Would Be King, Cleopatra, Kundun, Gladiator, The Living Daylights and Alexander, Kingdom of Heaven and Babel were shot there. Most of movie decorations are a bit crumbled, but Egyptian decorations are still impressive but in very poor condition, left to rot. 50 dirham.
- CLA Studios. CLA Studios aka Dino de Laurentis Cinecitta Studios, is along the same road as Atlas Studios about a km closer to Marrakech. If you have to go to only one of the two studios, this is the one to go to. The Atlas Studios tour is mostly TV movies and The Mummy Returns remake. The sets are unconvincing in person. CLA, on the other hand, has the Jerusalem set from Kingdom of Heaven, which looks real in person, and a host of great props. 100 dirham.
Aït-Benhaddou. One of the best preserved Kasbahs. It has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Very picturesque place, lots of movies were shot there (Gladiator). 10 dirham to visit kasbahs. You don't need a guide, but locals will follow you pretending to help and at the end will ask for money. See more information in the [[Aït-Benhaddou|specific article]]. Be careful not to get too wet from the river when crossing it, since there's been reports of schistosomiasis contracted from the water.
Oasis de Fint. Make a half-day trip to this beautiful and small paradise of vegetation in the midst of the dry hills surrounding Ouazarzate. Cross the river into Tabount, then take the road direction Agadir. After ~1 km there is a signpost, from here it is ~10 km by mostly unpaved roads. At the Oasis there is an auberge with restaurant.
Solar Park. You might wonder what is that huge tower looming over the hills next to the city, which can be seen from dozens of miles around Ouarzazate going along the highway. It is a solar park tower and it uses the reflections of numerous mirrors to generate electricity. Head out there if you have a bicycle or car and admire this wonder of technology, or just take an impressive picture if you have a good camera and an ND filter. This site compares well with the Planta Solar PS10 in Seville Spain.
Atlas Studios. Films such as Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra, Lawrence of Arabia, The Man Who Would Be King, Cleopatra, Kundun, Gladiator, The Living Daylights and Alexander, Kingdom of Heaven and Babel were shot there. Most of movie decorations are a bit crumbled, but Egyptian decorations are still impressive but in very poor condition, left to rot. 50 dirham.
CLA Studios. CLA Studios aka Dino de Laurentis Cinecitta Studios, is along the same road as Atlas Studios about a km closer to Marrakech. If you have to go to only one of the two studios, this is the one to go to. The Atlas Studios tour is mostly TV movies and The Mummy Returns remake. The sets are unconvincing in person. CLA, on the other hand, has the Jerusalem set from Kingdom of Heaven, which looks real in person, and a host of great props. 100 dirham.
Kasbah Taourirt. A well preserved kasbah inside of the city with a constant exhibition of various artists inside. It is like a little labyrinth, exploring all the rooms and hallways. Sometimes you can sneak in with another group of tourists. 20 dirham.
Musée du Cinéma. Not that exciting and many items are not marked or signed, but a good alternative if you do not want to head out of the city to the other museums/studios. 30 dirham.
- Go for a swim, Public pool between Tammasint and Gar routier bus station on Mohamed V, 20 dirham. Nice break from a road trip. The river is usually full December-January where you can find locals swimming.
- Walk along the central square behind Muhammad V at night when everyone comes out. The kids go out to play football on the square, people go eat and socialize, and you'll get a feel for the community just walking around
Go for a swim, Public pool between Tammasint and Gar routier bus station on Mohamed V, 20 dirham. Nice break from a road trip. The river is usually full December-January where you can find locals swimming.
Walk along the central square behind Muhammad V at night when everyone comes out. The kids go out to play football on the square, people go eat and socialize, and you'll get a feel for the community just walking around
Whatever you buy, it is likely you won't find it cheaper in Marrakech or Fes. Realize everything is negotiable! In Ouarzazate, there is souk, some local stores. At the town's center, there two western like shops with fixed (but pretty high) prices, but at these you can by alcohol including Judeo-Berber vodka and local wine.
There is a large local market every Saturday in El Hay Mohamadi where locals including the nomads sell their crafts and animals -- a great place to buy carpets.
There is another market across the river in Tabounte on Sunday with the same goods on offer.
Plenty of cheap restaurants along Mohammad V street and around the central square near the market. Normal price for tagine should be about 30 dirham and there are complete meals with drinks for about 30-40 dirham available (May 2019).
There is a supermarket across the road from Place de Mouahidine (main square), including 5 l water bottled for 11.50 dirham.
There is a small liquor store. across the road from the main square, next to the supermarket.
There is a small liquor store. across the road from the main square, next to the supermarket.
Ouarzazate is very safe, but don't wander into weird corners at night. Crime throughout the Moroccan south is minimal, but it's best not to take (too many) chances.
- Drive further through Zagora to M'Hamid for trips in the desert by camels, 4x4 or quad bikes.
- Er Rachida – A mid-sized administrative town which can be a good launching pad for Merzouga and the desert. There is a bus line which runs from Ouarzazate. Touts will join the bus at stops along the way and try to lever you into going on a 'discounted' desert tour. They are persistent and will ask you about yourself. Claiming to be a 'veteran' of Saharan travel (perhaps more convincing if you can speak French) and already booked into a hotel at your destination may help convince them to let you be.
- Valley of Dadès – Local agencies offer trips to this place in the mountain. Be prepared to negotiate hard; otherwise, they will rip you off! Plan a full day tour by 4WD jeep. Make a shortcut off-road in order to avoid a part of the paved N10. The views are spectacular and you have a great chance to meet shepherds (often young girls) with their herd. In the area are many Kasbah's, some inhabited, some abandoned. Don't be surprised if you see a for-sale sign on an abandoned Kasbah.
Drive further through [[Zagora]] to [[M'Hamid]] for trips in the desert by camels, 4x4 or quad bikes.
Er Rachida – A mid-sized administrative town which can be a good launching pad for Merzouga and the desert. There is a bus line which runs from Ouarzazate. Touts will join the bus at stops along the way and try to lever you into going on a 'discounted' desert tour. They are persistent and will ask you about yourself. Claiming to be a 'veteran' of Saharan travel (perhaps more convincing if you can speak French) and already booked into a hotel at your destination may help convince them to let you be.
Valley of Dadès – Local agencies offer trips to this place in the mountain. Be prepared to negotiate hard; otherwise, they will rip you off! Plan a full day tour by 4WD jeep. Make a shortcut off-road in order to avoid a part of the paved N10. The views are spectacular and you have a great chance to meet shepherds (often young girls) with their herd. In the area are many Kasbah's, some inhabited, some abandoned. Don't be surprised if you see a for-sale sign on an abandoned Kasbah.