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Morocco Plans
The ksar of Aït Ben Haddou

Ouarzazate

Earthen kasbahs, film studios and the gateway to the desert

© Unsplash

South of the Tizi n'Tichka pass, Ouarzazate is the crossroads of southern Morocco: the road splits here toward the Draa Valley and Zagora on one side, and the Dades and Merzouga on the other. The ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, about thirty kilometres away, is UNESCO-listed and has served as a set for many international films. One or two nights are enough, usually as part of a trip to the desert.

Ideal stay
1 to 2 nights
Best season
Mar – May, Oct – Nov
Budget per day
from 350 MAD
Region
The south and pre-Saharan valleys
Travel style
Culture, Desert, Road trip, Adventure
Best for
Road trips to the Sahara, film and earthen architecture lovers

Why go

  • Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO-listed ksar
  • Crossing the High Atlas over the Tichka pass
  • The starting point for the Draa, the Dades and the Sahara

Culture & heritage

  • Aït Ben Haddou

    A fortified earthen ksar, best explored early or at sunset.

  • Taourirt Kasbah

    The former Glaoui residence in the town centre.

  • Film studios

    Sets from international productions, open to visitors.

On the map

Food

Berber tagines, bread from clay ovens, dates from the Draa Valley.

Where to stay

  • Aït Ben Haddou

    Guesthouses facing the ksar, lovely at sunrise.

  • Ouarzazate centre

    Practical hotels for an overnight stop.

Day trips

  • Dades Gorges

    Day or stopover

    A winding road to the east.

  • Draa Valley

    Day or stopover

    Palm groves and ksour down to Zagora.

Getting around

N9 road from Marrakech over the Tichka pass (about four hours with stops). An airport with domestic flights. A car or private tour is recommended.

Budget

Budget
350 MAD≈ 30 €
Mid-range
850 MAD≈ 80 €
Premium
2,200 MAD≈ 200 €

Per person per day, excluding flights. Includes accommodation, food, local transport and visits.

When to go

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar ✓
  4. Apr ✓
  5. May ✓
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct ✓
  11. Nov ✓
  12. Dec

Spring and autumn; winter is sunny but nights are cold.

May

Kelaat M'Gouna Rose Festival

The Damask rose harvest celebrated in the Dades Valley.

Festivals
The Koutoubia minaret against the snow-capped Atlas

Marrakech

Medina, riads and food, an hour from the High Atlas

A camel in the desert near Zagora

Zagora

The Draa Valley and the road to the southern dunes

A dune crest in Erg Chebbi

Merzouga

The great dunes of Erg Chebbi and Sahara nights

Plans that stop here

Camel caravan in the dunes at sunset
7Mid-range · Moderate

Morocco in 7 Days

Marrakech, the road of kasbahs, a night in the Sahara and the Fes medina: the great classic.

  1. Marrakech
  2. Aït Ben Haddou
  3. Merzouga
  4. Erg Chebbi
  5. Fes

from 7,000 MAD
per person

View plan
Aerial view of the Dades Gorges
5Mid-range · Moderate

Morocco Desert Adventure

Five days round trip from Marrakech: kasbahs, gorges and two Sahara nights.

  1. Aït Ben Haddou
  2. Merzouga
  3. Erg Chebbi
  4. Dades Gorges
  5. Marrakech

from 4,500 MAD
per person

View plan
Desert sunrise near Zagora
5Mid-range · Moderate

Kasbahs and the Draa Valley

Five days round trip from Marrakech: Aït Ben Haddou, the Draa palm groves and the dunes near Zagora.

  1. Aït Ben Haddou
  2. Zagora
  3. Ouarzazate
  4. Marrakech

from 4,000 MAD
per person

View plan

Tips

  • Leave Marrakech early to enjoy the pass in good light.
  • The Tichka pass can close briefly after snowfall.

Transport · 6 min read

Morocco road trip guide

Car rental, distances, mountain roads and recommended routes.

Destinations · 6 min read

Sahara travel guide

Merzouga or Zagora, simple or luxury camp, how many nights: choosing your desert experience.

Where next?

Build my tripDiscover plans

Updated October 5, 2026