Ouarzazate

Ouarzazate (ورزازات) is a city in Morocco and the largest town in the Saharan Morocco.

Understand
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 a 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.

By bus

 * From Agadir twice daily by CTM at 09:00 & 23:30, 6½ hours, 135-185 dirham. There are also other companies running this route, but no Supratours.


 * From Marrakesh there are six CTM buses a day, 4½ hours, along with three local buses. A place in a grand taxi is around 120 dirham per person.


 * From the desert towns. From Mhamid and Errachidia one per day each by CTM, 5 hours. From Merzouga there is a daily Supratours bus at 07:30, 8 hours.

Buses can be badly delayed en-route, besides the buses always take a long lunch break.

There are two bus stations: the "Gare Routière" where grand taxis and local buses leave from and the "CTM Gare Voyage" in the center of town.



By plane
As of 2023, there are domestic flights to Casablanca, Zagora (Royal Air Maroc) and Tangier (RyanAir); and international ones to Paris (Transavia), Marseille, Barcelona and London (Ryanair).

Get around
The area around Mohammad V is very walkable. The CTM station is there as well. Petits taxis for within the city (no more than 10 dirham from the airport to the hotel), grands taxis for between cities (no more than 150 dirham to Ait Benhaddou and back, though you can probably get it lower), including to Ait Benhaddou and surrounding kasbahs.

For those traveling by car, note kerb colors: red and white means no parking, green and white means OK to park.

Stay safe
Don't be surprised if during a local taxi ride the driver requests you to "transfer taxis" or has "a friend to pick up on the way." When this happens, a friendly English (or other language) speaking person will start pitching you outings, most of them to Erg Chebbi near Merzouga or Zagora. Avoid!

See






Do

 * 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. Children play football in the square, people eat and socialize, and you'll get a feel for the community just walking around.

Buy
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 shops. At the town's center, there two western like shops with fixed (but pretty high) prices, but at these you can buy 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.

Eat
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.

Drink
There is a across the road from the main square, next to the supermarket.

Sleep
There are plenty of hotels of all ranges around town. If you ask a cabby to bring you to one, you have to realize he will pocket commission for bringing you there.

Budget




Stay safe
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.

Go next

 * 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 Kasbahs, some inhabited, some abandoned. Don't be surprised if you see a for-sale sign on an abandoned Kasbah.