Whether you’re looking for an excursion in Ouarzazate or a trip to the desert for a fun activity, chances are you’re asking yourself what’s best and if it’s worth it. The answer to your question is “Yes, an excursion to/from Ouarzazate is worth it”. Our excursion will take you to the most beautiful part of the region. In this short post, we will talk about the best excursions to take in Ouarzazate and point out some interesting spots that you can visit for an enjoyable experience.
Are you looking for short excursions in Ouarzazate? You have come to the right place, our team will be happy to organize an excellent excursion in Ouarzazate for you. Perhaps a day trip to the desert dunes of Tinfou, Dade’s canyon, or the oasis of Ait Benhaddou and Fint is a good idea for those who want to do some fun activities.
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Brief introduction of Ouarzazate
It is located in a strategic location between the desert and the High Atlas Mountains. Ouarzazate is rapidly developing into a provincial and commercial city with comfortable accommodations and well-stocked nice supermarkets. With a large number of agencies offering mountain bike and desert excursions, this is an ideal starting point for adventurous people who like to experience mountains and deserts. Filmmaking was a huge success in Ouarzazate and film studios were established, giving the city international fame. With beautiful snow-capped peaks as the backdrop for films reportedly set in Tibet, the region has become a tourist paradise.
A visit to Ait Ben Haddou and Fint oasis is one of the activities we organize continuously and daily in Ouarzazate. Our excursions in Ouarzazate are accompanied by professional guides who know the region very well.
Ouarzazate is a city in southern Morocco and is the capital of the province of the same name in the Draa-Tafilalet region. Ouarzazate is also called the gateway to the desert. It is located southeast of the well-known tourist city of Marrakech, between the High Atlas and the middle of the Atlas Mountains. It is popular as a starting point for desert excursions, the city is also home to the largest movie studio in the world called Atlas Studios. A series of famous films have been filmed in these studios and in these beautiful surroundings. Therefore the locals call it the “Hollywood of Africa”.
The Best Time to Visit Ouarzazate
As a desert-like region, it is no wonder that temperatures are so high during the summer. For outdoor activities, this shouldn’t be a problem at all. In general, the best time to visit Ouarzazate is early spring or fall when the weather is nice. If you are planning to spend the night in Ouarzazate, make sure your accommodation has air conditioning/heating. It also gets very cold when snow falls in the nearby High Atlas Mountains.
Excursions to Ouarzazate
What to see in the city of Ouarzazate during an excursion? Well, if you choose to venture to Ouarzazate, you should plan to visit its nearby attractions that offer more interesting things to see, such as Dades and the Draa Valley. Also, consider managing your timing well and adapting your itinerary to the weather. In this way, you can witness the sunset in beautiful places.
Being a movie lover and staying in Marrakesh, you have an extraordinary opportunity to see some remarkable places that you may have already seen in some of your favorite movies. Not only is the Ouarzazate area famous for its film industry, but it is also known as a region with rich traditions. Traveling there gives you a chance to discover its pretty architecture that you won’t find anywhere else. Discover these beautiful sights in this otherworldly part of Morocco.
Kasbah of Taourirt
The Kasbah of Taourirt is one of the main tourist attractions in Ouarzazate. Built in traditional Berber architecture during the 17th century according to oral tradition. Today it is the most important historical site in the city. It has about 300 rooms and 20 traditional Berber houses, located on the road that leads to the Dades Valley. It is open to the public from Monday to Saturday and can be visited by guides. Although partially destroyed by rain, many areas have recovered since the 1990s with the help of UNESCO. Some areas are still inhabited, but the owners are happy to show you around for a small fee.
Cinema Museum
Another must-see on a trip to Ouarzazate is the Cinema Museum. Originally built in 1981 as a cinema studio by an Italian film production company and later converted into a museum in 2017, it is located opposite the Kasbah of Taourirt and is easy to find.
The museum is a great place to learn about the region’s rich film history. It is also full of interesting things related to film production and displays a collection of old film sets and film equipment.
Excursions in Ouarzazate and in Fint Oasis
Our popular excursions in Ouarzazate to Fint oasis and the kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou start at 9 am. Our first visit is to the cinema studios, which takes about 40 minutes. You will receive a brief introduction to the films shot in the studio and the region. Later, we head to the oldest fortified kasbah in Morocco, which offers a wonderful southern architectural touch, nicely detailed. Ait Ben Haddou, where you have one hour to visit this ancient village. Our expert guide will explain the architecture of the village and southeastern Morocco. At the top of the hill, you can enjoy beautiful views of the Atlas Mountains and Ounila valley.
After a lunch break at the panoramic view, you will visit Oasis Fint and take a short walk. We also plan to visit the Kasbah of Taliouine. Its early construction started in 1860 and later expanded. The Kasbah is located at the exit of the small village of Taliouine in the direction of Ouarzazate. It forms a beautiful backdrop, in contrast to the last ridges of the Atlas Mountains. It was once the primary residence of the Thami El Glaoui family in the region. Thami El Glaoui was an important political figure and ranked Pacha of Marrakech from 1912 to 1956.
As usual, we stop at a Berber family home for a cup of tea. In the afternoon you will return to Ouarzazate.
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