With two days to spend in Morocco’s answer to Hollywood, you’ll have plenty of time to catch the highlights, experience a bit of cinematic history, and explore the desert and High Atlas scenery that makes Morocco so stunning. Read on for tips on how to make the most of your two days in Ouarzazate.
Start your trip getting oriented in Ouarzazate on a guided sightseeing tour. Highlights around town include the labyrinthine Taourirt Kasbah, Atlas Film Studio (home to numerous decaying film sets), and the Cinema Museum. If time permits, take a stroll through the central square behind Muhammad V.
No tour of Ouarzazate would be complete without a visit to Ait Ben Haddou, the famous kasbah several miles outside of town. Most guided tours include a visit to explore the spectacular earthen dwellings of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, also a popular filming location.
Refuel after a day spent exploring with a meal of traditional Moroccan cuisine at a local restaurant. You’ll find many clustered in areas such as Moulay Rachid and Avenue Mohammed V. After dinner, take an evening walk down pedestrian-friendly rue du Marché, an excellent spot for people watching.
Get an early start for a day outside of Ouarzazate soaking up some of Morocco’s diverse scenery. Travel through the Draa Valley to the lunarlike Zagora Desert for a walk in the dunes, or take a day trip to the beautiful Dades Gorge via the Rose Valley.
Plan to spend the afternoon continuing your journey through the Moroccan countryside. Most day-trip itineraries include lunch at a local restaurant and free time to explore the valleys, deserts, and rock formations of the region.
While a long day of sightseeing might have you ready for a quiet dinner in your hotel, those with energy to spare might consider an evening cooking class in a private riad, where you’ll learn to make typical Moroccan salads and tagine before feasting on your creations.