Marrakech Day Trips: Ouarzazate - Ait Ben Haddou

During this Marrakech Day Trip, you will cross several mountains and splendid Berber villages before joining the pearl of southern Morocco. First, you will take the Tizi n’Tichka pass that connects Marrakech to Sahara regions. Ouarzazate is the crossroads.  

30km from Ouarzazate, you will discover one of the most beautiful villages of Morocco located in the High Atlas Mountains, Ait Ben Haddou, one of the most fascinating sites in Morocco. In this beautiful village you will be able to discover one of the most authentic old palaces in the country, The famous Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou.

What could you visit in Ouarzazate?

Certainly, the most known and attractive tourist site in Ouarzazate is The amazing Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou , recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Since 1987. Here you can meet the history and the culture of a unique historical palace. Many famous films have been shot in this ancient ksar like Lawrence of Arabia, Star Wars and the Gladiator.

Ouarzazate has also an ideal location close to the high Atlas Mountains and the Sahara desert. You will absolutely appreciate the beautiful landscapes in this region: mountains and arid plains, valleys and green oases, palm groves and Berber villages … A very charming and attractive natural site.

You will also enjoy your visit to Kasbah Taourirt which has been built around the eighteenth   century. Taourirt is absolutely one of the greatest Kasbas in Ouarzazate and regions. This national monument belonged to the famous Pacha El Glaoui.
The handicraft industry in this beautiful part of the kingdom is mainly specialized in traditional carpets, jewelry, ceramics and pottery.

In summer, an Excursion Marrakech Ouarzazate and its surroundings may be a difficult experience because the temperatures can exceed 45 ° C.  

What should you know more about Ouarzazate ?

The word Ouarzazate in Berber (Amazigh) means “noiseless”:  A quit city or a city without noise.

Named also the desert gate, Holly Ouarzazate or Hollywood of Morocco. This beautiful city of southern Morocco is located at about 200 km from the red city of Marrakech with more than 60 000 inhabitants.

Two rivers or wadis feed the El Mansour lake in Ouarzazate: Oued Ouarzazate which comes from the Tizi N’Tichka and Oued Dades. This famous lake is diverse in Drâa, one of the longest rivers in the kingdom.

This attractive city is located on the south side of the atlas with an altitude of 1200 meters. In 1900 Ouarzazate was a small palace or Ksar, and in the French colonial period, many local businesses, hotels and cafes begins to open.
At about 12 km from the city center, you will find a beautiful Ouasis bordered by two mountains, the Oasis of Fint, a small corner of paradise with palm trees, green spaces, a beautiful river and amazing view on the mountains.

Several Berber tribes live near the oasis with a lifestyle based mainly on traditional activities. In this region you will be able to feel the true authentic Morocco: Green valleys, Berber villages built traditionally and beautiful old Kasbahs from several years.

Ouarzazate has now become a leading destination for tourists from all over the world but also a destination for cinematography. Here several well-known films were shot:

Ali Baba and the forty thieves (1954)
The man who knew too much (1956)
Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Sodom and Gomorrah (1962)
One hundred thousand dollars in the sun (1962)
Patton (1970)
Oedipus Rex (1967)
The Man who wanted to be king (1975)
The flight of the sphinx (1984)
Harem (1985)
The Diamond of the Nile (1986)
Killing is not playing (1987)
The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
A tea in the Sahara (1990)
 Kundun (1997)
Legionnaire (1998)
The Mummy (1999)
Gladiator (2000)
The Boulet (2002)
Spy Game(2001)
Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra (2002)
What girls dream about (2003)
Alexandre (2004)
Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
Babel (2006)
The hill has eyes (2006)
The hill has eyes 2 (2007)
State Lies (2008)
Prince of Persia : The Sands of Time (2010)
The Paths of Freedom (2010)

Ouarzazate is also the main crossroads to go to the desert and the Saharian regions, all excursions and sightseeing tours to the Sahara pass through this majestic city.

 
What are the main Kasbahs of Ouarzazate ?

The Kasbahs of Ouarzazate are magnificent, majestic and welcoming architectural works, full of history and power, presidential residences of past times.

The Kasbah of Taourirt

A beautiful building located one kilometer from Ouarzazate, perfectly preserved: its courtyards, its stairs and its various rooms are really fascinating.

In 1937 the kasbah of Taourirt contained two seigniorial residences: the home of Khalifa Pasha of Marrakech ‘Caid Si Hammadi ’ and the home of his nephew.   Today the kasbah Taourirt is classified as a human heritage of UNESCO.

Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou

The Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou is located about 30 km from the city of Ouarzazate.
The Kasbahs in this region are built on the foothills of the mountains and located near to oases with a magnificent Berber architecture. In Morocco there are several kasbahs and ksars especially in the south.

The Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou is quite famous in Morocco, perfectly preserved throughout the ages. Aït Ben Haddou was built in the heart of a valley called Ounila, and has been always used as the main gateway for desert caravans. This beautiful historical palace has retained incredibly its originality and authenticity.

Today, this authentic palace is considered as a national monument and a cultural heritage of UNESCO.