Ouarzazate town centre

Ouarzazate, Morocco

Morocco's cinematic capital and the administrative center of the Draa-Tafilalet region, primary gateway to the Sahara.

Places in Ouarzazate town centre

Douriya A rooftop, candle light terrace with Moroccan favorites like tajines and couscous.
La Kasbah des Sables Provides a mix of Moroccan and French dishes.

Best time to visit: March to May and September to November offer the most comfortable temperatures for exploring the kasbahs and desert-gateway landscape.
Getting around: Ouarzazate town serves as the base, with Ait Ben Haddou about 30 kilometers away reachable by taxi or organized tour, and the town itself acting as the primary gateway for further travel into the Sahara.
Currency: Moroccan Dirham (DH)
Language: Arabic and Amazigh; French is widespread, English in tourism.
Timezone: UTC+1
Current trends: Ouarzazate's dual identity as 'The Moroccan Hollywood' and Sahara gateway continues to draw visitors primarily for day trips to the UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou, with family-run riads near the kasbah like Riad Dar Rita and Riad Caravane offering home-cooked hospitality as an alternative to the city's limited fine-dining scene.

Ait Ben Haddou — About 30 kilometers from Ouarzazate, a UNESCO World Heritage ksar of packed-earth houses on a hillside above the Ounila River.
Kasbah district restaurants and riads — Family-run places near Ait Ben Haddou offering incredible hospitality, home-cooked meals, and rooftop terraces.