Ouarzazate: Morocco’s Desert Gateway

Kasbah de Taourirt Ouarzazate Desert

Ouarzazate, known as the "Gateway to the Sahara," blends ancient kasbahs, cinematic history, and stunning desert landscapes. From the UNESCO-listed Aït Ben Haddou to the vibrant souks, it’s a hub of Berber culture and adventure.

Explore Ouarzazate’s historic sites and nearby desert oases with ease using CroisiereCar. Rent a car to navigate the city and its surroundings at your own pace.

Travel with CroisiereCar

CroisiereCar offers reliable car rentals to discover Ouarzazate’s kasbahs, valleys, and desert adventures, perfect for day trips to Zagora or the Dadès Valley.

Top Highlights in Ouarzazate

Kasbah de Taourirt Taourirt Interior

Kasbah de Taourirt

Explore this well-preserved fortress, once home to the Glaoui family, showcasing intricate Berber architecture.

Aït Ben Haddou Aït Ben Haddou Village

Aït Ben Haddou

Visit this UNESCO-listed kasbah, a mud-brick masterpiece featured in films like Gladiator, accessible via CroisiereCar.

Cultural and Desert Highlights

Patrimoine & Histoire

Wander through the Médina d’Ouarzazate and its souks, less touristy but rich in authentic Berber crafts and local life.

Médina d’Ouarzazate Medina Souks

Explore the Jewish Quarter (Mellah), a historic area with unique architecture and a shared cultural heritage.

Mellah Ouarzazate Jewish Quarter

Visit the Atlas Studios, one of the world’s largest film studios, with sets from iconic movies like Game of Thrones.

Atlas Studios Film Sets

Discover the Musée du Cinéma, showcasing film props, costumes, and the cinematic history of Ouarzazate.

Musée du Cinéma Cinema Exhibits

Artisanat & Métiers

Buy a Taznakht rug or Berber weaving, renowned for their intricate patterns and vibrant colors.

Taznakht Rug Berber Weaving

Visit artisans in Tifoultoute crafting leather, pottery, or metalwork, showcasing traditional Berber techniques.

Tifoultoute Crafts Pottery Workshop

Explore a safran cooperative in the surrounding areas to learn about saffron production and support local women, reachable with CroisiereCar.

Safran Cooperative Saffron Production

Détente & Nature

Take a CroisiereCar excursion to Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its stunning mud-brick architecture.

Aït Ben Haddou Mud-Brick Village

Explore the Vallée du Dadès or Vallée des Roses, with dramatic gorges, palm groves, and rose fields, perfect for a CroisiereCar day trip.

Vallée du Dadès Vallée des Roses

Hike in the Oasis de Fint, a hidden gem with palm trees and mountain views, ideal for a serene escape.

Oasis de Fint Fint Oasis

Ride a dromedary in the desert near Zagora, with an optional overnight bivouac, accessible via CroisiereCar.

Dromedary Ride Desert Bivouac

Culture & Gastronomie

Savor a lamb tajine with prunes or southern vegetables, a flavorful dish reflecting Ouarzazate’s Berber cuisine.

Lamb Tajine Vegetable Tajine

Enjoy a Berber tea in a desert-facing auberge, soaking in the vast, tranquil landscapes.

Berber Tea Desert Auberge

Experience a dinner-show with Amazigh music, featuring traditional Berber rhythms and local hospitality.

Amazigh Dinner Show Traditional Music

Try Berber bread baked in a traditional clay oven, a staple of southern Moroccan cuisine.

Berber Bread Clay Oven

Spiritualité & Expérience

Relax in a traditional hammam in the medina for an authentic Moroccan spa experience with steam and scrubs.

Traditional Hammam Hammam Interior

Join a cooking or weaving workshop to learn traditional Berber techniques for preparing dishes or crafting textiles.

Cooking Workshop Weaving Workshop

Stargaze in the desert, where the lack of light pollution offers a breathtaking view of the night sky, accessible via CroisiereCar.

Desert Stargazing Night Sky

Spend a night in a kasbah or nomad tent, immersing yourself in Berber hospitality and desert serenity.

Kasbah Stay Nomad Tent

Travel Tip

Book your CroisiereCar rental early to secure the best rates, especially during peak seasons (spring and autumn). Bring a jacket for cool desert nights and sturdy shoes for hiking.

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