Unveiling Ouarzazate: Day Trip from Marrakech

(Self-Drive or Book a Tour for an Unforgettable Journey)

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A day trip from Marrakech to Ouarzazate is often overlooked, but this destination is truly worth the journey. Nestled in the rugged beauty of the Moroccan terrain, Ouarzazate is aptly dubbed the “Gateway to the Sahara.” Its charm lies in its labyrinthine streets, ancient kasbahs, and panoramic views of the Atlas Mountains. At the heart of it all is the majestic Kasbah Taourirt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Witness mesmerizing sunsets over ochre-hued buildings, breathe in the aroma of exotic spices wafting from local shops, and savor mint tea while immersing themselves in Morocco’s rich history and culture.

Marakech to Ouarzazate Day Trip Options

Now that we’ve brought those of you wondering if Ouarzazate is worth visiting up to speed, let’s address another crucial question: How far is Ouarzazate from Marrakech? Can it be done as a day trip, or is the drive too challenging?

Embarking on a day trip to Ouarzazate from Marrakech may be a challenge. Despite the seemingly short distance between the two cities, the journey traverses mountainous terrain with winding roads and hectic local traffic. Thus, the drive can take up to four hours one way, totaling roughly eight hours in the car for a round trip.

Considering the geographical constraints, here are two ways to optimize the journey:

• If you’re exploring the country by car, trade a day trip for a scenic Marrakech to Ouarzazate drive. Spend the morning behind the wheel, explore the town during the day, and unwind with mint tea and a hearty dinner in one of the local kasbahs in the evening. Wake up refreshed the next morning and continue your journey through Morocco.
• Alternatively, choose from the array of guided Ouarzazate tours from Marrakech. Enjoy a hassle-free adventure without worrying about timing, logistics, or driving. Simply sit back, relax, and immerse yourself in the wonders of Ouarzazate under the guidance of experienced professionals.

Before venturing to Ouarzazate, we soaked up all that Marrakech had to offer. Join us as we explore the wonders of this vibrant city!

Table of Contents

1. (Self-Drive or Book a Tour for an Unforgettable Journey)
2. Marakech to Ouarzazate Day Trip Options
3. Road Trip from Marrakech to Ouarzazate: The Essentials
4. Road Trip to Ouarzazate from Marrakech: Things to Know and Things to Expect
5. If You’re Considering a Guided Ouarzazate Day Trip from Marrakech…
6. Things to do in Ouarzazate, Morocco
   1. Capture the Moment: Enjoy Sunsets or Sunrises at Kasbah Ait Benhaddou
   2. Discover the Magic of the Atlas Film Studios
   3. Peek into Local Life: Explore Oasis Fint for an Authentic Experience
   4. Prepare to Be Vowed at Kasbah Telouet
   5. Stay In Any of the Berber Villages for an Authentic Moroccan Experience
7. Experience the Breathtaking Views of the Dades Valley & Gorges
8. Day trip to Ouarzazate from Marrakech: Frequently Asked Questions
   1. Written by Inessa Rezanova
   2. Images by Natalie Rezanova

Road Trip from Marrakech to Ouarzazate: The Essentials

If you’ve opted for a self-guided trip from Marrakech to Ouarzazate, here’s a checklist to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey:

1. Rent a car: Driving in Morocco can be challenging, but it’s manageable with some preparation. Familiarize yourself with the speed limits and be aware of police checkpoints with radars. Prepare for potential slow-moving trucks, and be ready for overtaking opportunities. With excellent internet coverage throughout the country, navigation is a breeze. Enjoy the scenic drive, especially through the serpentine roads of the Atlas Mountains. Car rentals are affordable, but it’s wise to book in advance. Click here to compare prices for all the available vehicles.

2. Book accommodation: While riads are popular in cities like Marrakech or Essaouira, consider booking a kasbah for an authentic experience in the Atlas Mountains. Picture yourself enjoying hearty Moroccan lentil soup on a kasbah terrace after a day of adventure on the road. Click here to explore all the accommodation options of the Ouarzazate region.

3. Secure tickets: Plan ahead and book Ouarzazate activities in advance. Consider walking tours to explore Ait Ben Haddou and other local gems, or indulge in masterclasses on Moroccan cuisine. Ensuring reservations beforehand will enhance your experience and prevent disappointment.

4. Arrange insurance: Don’t forget to take care of insurance coverage for your journey. It’s a crucial aspect to ensure peace of mind during your travels.

5. Find the best flight to Morocco: Research and compare flight options to Marrakech, ensuring you secure the most convenient and affordable itinerary for your journey. Consider booking in advance to snag the best deals and optimize your travel expenses.

Road Trip to Ouarzazate from Marrakech: Things to Know and Things to Expect

It is amazing how a relatively short road trip from Marrakech to Ouarzazate in Morocco can be so saturated with things to see and do! We’ve already talked a lot about the destination but now is also the time to mention that the road itself is an amazing experience. It is scenic, and the scenery on the route from Marrakech to Ouarzazate changes dramatically several times along the way.

At first, you’re driving through the loud and busy Marrakech. Then come the small and authentic villages, followed by the rocky, breathtaking Atlas Mountains. And then, all of a sudden, the road runs along lush palm groves! You never know what to expect behind every twist and turn of the road, which makes the journey so much more exciting.

Add Essaouira to your road trip adventure. This is a Moroccan gem not to be missed!

As you plan your Marrakech road trip, here are a few essential tips:

– In Marrakech, the traffic is hectic. It is a big and busy city where the drivers seem to rely more on their intuition than on rules and signs. Experience shows that if you move at a safe speed and use the horn from time to time, you’ll be fine. Once out of the city, the traffic is less stressful.

– The distance between Marrakech and Ouarzazate is 193 km, but it will take almost 4 hours to drive from point A to point B because the road mostly has two lanes — one per each direction, with trucks and other slow vehicles, occasional road constructions, and a mountain pass with a serpentine road.

– There are also many villages on the route, and where there is a village, there will always be a village market with many pedestrians on the road. So, be mindful of that and be prepared to drive at a speed of 15 km/hour or less. – There are many police patrols on the road, usually in hiding with radars. The drivers typically warn each other about the potential speed ambush by gesturing with a sign resembling a gun. It’s a local way to let you know there is a radar ahead. If caught driving over the speed limit (which happened to us once), having local cash on hand will be useful. Negotiations may also work.

– There is no shortage of gas stations or places to eat along the way. The internet coverage is superb.

Looking for a place to stay in Ouarzazate, Morocco? Here are some areas to consider:

1. City Center: You’ll find loads of hotels here, plus it’s super convenient for exploring the city’s sights, grabbing a bite to eat, or doing some shopping.

2. Near the Ouarzazate Cinema Studios: Ever dreamed of staying close to a movie set? Well, in Ouarzazate, you can! There are hotels near the famous film studios where you might even get a behind-the-scenes tour.

3. Kasbah District: Want to soak up some history and charm? The Kasbah district is your spot. With its traditional Moroccan vibes and quieter atmosphere, it’s perfect for a laid-back stay.

4. Outskirts: If you’re all about peace and quiet, head to the outskirts of Ouarzazate. Here, you’ll find hotels with stunning views of the desert and mountains.

5. Nearby Villages: For a taste of local life, why not stay in one of the nearby villages like Skoura or Ait Benhaddou? You’ll get to experience authentic Moroccan culture and still be within easy reach of Ouarzazate’s attractions. Compare locations and prices and book your perfect stay!

If You’re Considering a Guided Ouarzazate Day Trip from Marrakech…

Countless travel agencies offer guided Ouarzazate tours and activities. When choosing the best trip to Ouarzazate, your options may include packages with food and tickets to museums, as well as a pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation. Different tours from Marrakech to Ouarzazate may cover various landmarks and activities, so it’s essential to check what’s included or excluded. You’ll also have the choice of the language for the guided tour. Moreover, you’re not limited to just a day trip; there are numerous Ouarzazate multi-day tours available. Depending on your budget, you might even consider a private day trip to Ait Benhaddou Kasbah & Ouarzazate from Marrakech.

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to picking the best day trip to the Atlas Mountains. Explore all your options and book the adventure that suits you best!

Things to do in Ouarzazate, Morocco

If we’re talking about a day trip to Ouarzazate from Marrakech, you’ll likely need to prioritize. The list of things to do in Ouarzazate, Morocco, and the surrounding area certainly exceeds the number of hours in a day. That being said, here are the stops to include in your Ouarzazate travel itinerary. 

Capture the Moment: Enjoy Sunsets or Sunrises at Kasbah Ait Benhaddou

There’s plenty of online feedback about driving to Ouarzazate to visit Kasbah Ait Benhaddou. Adding our two cents, this location alone is totally worth the trip. Once a thriving village on the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech, this site exudes peace and a touch of magic.

Leave your car in the nearest parking lot and stroll across the dried watercourse to the main gates. If you arrive late, most of the commerce and souvenir shops along the way will likely be closed. However, even in the few that remain open, you’ll find charming displays featuring movies filmed at Ait Benhaddou, including the latest hit, Game of Thrones.

For those not devoted to GOT, there’s still plenty to do. Explore the old Berber houses, visit an old school, and ascend to the village’s highest point. From there, admire the colorful mountains with shades of red and yellow. Ait Benhaddou is proudly listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

From personal experience, we can attest that sunsets at Kasbah Ait Benhaddou are absolutely lovely. Navigating through this old fortified village and climbing its terraces to the top is easier in the evening when the sun is much gentler.

Check out amazing day trips to Ait Benhaddou from Marrakech

Discover the Magic of the Atlas Film Studios

Oddly enough, while many refer to it as Hollywood in miniature, the Atlas Film Studios are, in fact, among the largest in the world. Unfortunately, their size does not equate to commercial success, but some blockbusters have been filmed here, including Gladiator, Babel, and Cleopatra. Every few hours, the studio offers guided tours for visitors. It may be worth your while if you’re familiar with and enjoy some of the films shot here.

Peek into Local Life: Explore Oasis Fint for an Authentic Experience

What we enjoyed about our visit to Oasis Fint is that despite being a somewhat popular destination on the Ouarzazate list of things to do, it remains authentically local. Here, you’ll witness everyday life: locals going about their routines, mingling, and living amidst the oasis. Explore the tours and don’t miss out on the rhythm of life in the oasis and stunning panoramas from the nearby kasbah.

Prepare to Be Vowed at Kasbah Telouet

A bit of a detour, Kasbah Telouet conceals beautiful interiors behind its unassuming walls. Wander through the corridors and admire the restored rooms adorned with exquisite tile work and massive carved wooden doors. The journey to find the entrance and navigate dusty corridors before reaching the rooms will add a touch of adventure to your visit to this kasbah. Many agencies will offer tours of the Kasbah, so be sure to explore the options.

Stay In Any of the Berber Villages for an Authentic Moroccan Experience

Accommodations in Morocco are an integral part of the travel experience—a riad is a must-try, as are tents in the desert—and the Ouarzazate area adds to this adventure. Various sites offer stays in clay houses, Berber-style. We discovered our hidden gem just a half-hour drive from the Ait Benhaddou village.

Experience the Breathtaking Views of the Dades Valley & Gorges

Located 177 km west of Ouarzazate, Dades Gorge might be a stretch for a day trip. However, if you’re on a road trip around Morocco, exploring Dades is a must! The valley offers an authentic blend of Berber villages and palm groves, while the road winds its way between the rocky mountains of the gorges. Driving between these tall red cliffs is truly unforgettable.

The mountain pass, with its challenging hairpin turns, leads to a lovely viewpoint. Though you’ll need to take the same road back down, the views make the drive worthwhile.

Day trip to Ouarzazate from Marrakech: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the distance from Marrakech to Ouarzazate, and how long does it take to get from the city to the mountains?

From Marrakech to Ouarzazate, the distance is 194 km (120 miles). This seems like a short ride, but in Morocco, the road trip experience will probably differ from the experiences you had in Europe or any other part of the world. The urban speed limits are 60 km (37 miles) per hour. Towns and villages happen quite frequently. For the rural areas, the speed limit is 100 km (62 miles) per hour. 

Plus, the route to Ouarzazate from Marrakech will run through mountain passes with serpentines, which will slow you down, too. Definitely, plan at least 4 hours one way.

What are the peculiarities of driving in Morocco?

The roads are of good quality, most of them are new, but run a single line in each direction. The Moroccan police guard the speed limits like a hawk and there will be lots of patrols with the radars along the way. The local drivers will frequently warn by blinking the headlights twice.

While both the urban and rural speed limits are quite high, in fact, the average speed in towns will be around 40 km (24 miles) per hour due to lots of markets on the way. Where there are markets, there are crowds, trucks parking in and out, and locals walking slowly in the middle of the road and chatting with each other. Plus, add roundabouts. Moroccans love their roundabouts!

On rural roads, there will be a lot of signs limiting the speed to 80 km (49 miles) or even 60 km (37 miles).

What is the best season to visit Ouarzazate?

In general, it is better to visit Morocco in the fall. We went in October and found the weather to be great for road trips. There was plenty of sun, but not exhausting heat. Picking the right weather in Morocco is the key to most of the activities, from wandering the cities to trekking the High Atlas mountains.

Is it a good idea to plan a day trip from Essaouira to Ouarzazate?

While an Ouarzazate day trip from Marrakech is possible, we would not recommend a day trip from Essaouira (we have a great itinerary for 3 days in this beautiful coastal town) to Ouarzazate. It may be a drive-through, for sure, if you are headed towards the desert. The distance is 385 km (239 miles), and given all the information above, this will turn into a seven-hour drive. Maybe, just enough to see the Dades Gorges and the sunset at Ait Benhaddou before you have to stop for the night in any of the nearby villages.