City in Draa-Tafilalet, Morocco
Ouarzazate
Desert gateway city known for film studios, Kasbah Taourirt and nearby Ait Benhaddou, a stop on Sahara and Draa Valley routes. Quiet and cheap; few evenings, heat in summer and little to do beyond day trips.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$759–1,110Comfortable, one person · DH7,500–11,000Details
- Value for money88/100Better value than 87% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMar–May, Oct–NovWarmest: Jul, 39°CDetails
- Internet57 MbpsFixed broadband, Morocco medianDetails
- Tap waterFilter or boilTap water is treated and chlorinated; drink bottled or filtered water, especially during hot-season trips.Details
- LGBTQ+2/5HostileDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$15–30Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundCTM / Supratours busWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMostly cashCash for taxis, cafés and shops; cards in some hotels and larger restaurants.Details
Where to stay in Ouarzazate
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Center (Avenue Mohammed V) | Hotels, restaurants and bus stations; walkable |
| Kasbah Taourirt area | Historic kasbah, guesthouses and crafts |
| Tabounte | Quiet outskirts with riads and gardens |
Apps that work in Ouarzazate
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- ONCF: Train times and e-tickets
- CTM: Intercity bus tickets
- Taxis: No ride apps. Taxis are cheap; agree fares for longer trips to Ait Benhaddou first.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Morocco.
- Mostly cash Cash for taxis, cafés and shops; cards in some hotels and larger restaurants. ATMs are on Avenue Mohammed V.
- Currency: Dirham (MAD). US$1 ≈ DH9.88 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Plentiful in cities, scarce in desert and mountain villages; dirhams can't be bought abroad, so withdraw on arrival.
- Tipping: Expected: about 10% in restaurants, 10–20 DH for porters and small help, more for guides and drivers.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work at contactless terminals in cities; local wallets need a Moroccan account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Visa-required nationalities can often apply online through the official eVisa portal (acces-maroc.ma); avoid paid look-alike sites.
- Passport must be valid at least 3 months on arrival and undamaged; damaged passports have been refused entry.
- Make sure your passport gets an entry stamp; travellers without one have had trouble leaving.
Emergency numbers
Police 190 · Ambulance 150 · Fire 150
Plugs
Type C, E · 220 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Maroc Telecom, Orange and inwi kiosks at airport arrivals and shops everywhere; data top-ups are cheap. Passport needed to register. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Morocco
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.