Ouarzazate and Aït Ben Haddou, the gateway to the desert
On the other side of the Atlas, a town of kasbahs and film studios and, thirty kilometres away, the ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, listed by UNESCO.
- You get there by the Tizi n'Tichka pass road, from Marrakech.
- Aït Ben Haddou is visited on foot, preferably early in the morning.
- It is the natural stop on the way to the valleys and the Sahara.
What to see
The ksar of Aït Ben Haddou is a fortified earthen village clinging to a hill above a wadi. It has been the set for many films.
In Ouarzazate, the Taourirt kasbah is visited for its decorated rooms. The film studios on the edge of town open their sets to visitors.
To the east begin the Dades valley and the Todra gorges, on the road to Merzouga.
Getting there from Tangier
From Marrakech, allow about four hours by road via the Tizi n'Tichka. From Tangier, first get to Marrakech, or take a flight.
When to go
In spring and autumn. Summer is very hot, winter cold at night.
How long to plan
One night on the road to the desert, two to take your time.
Limits of this page
Journey times are approximate and train, flight and site timetables change: check them before you leave. We give no price until it has been verified.