Getting Here and Around

The center of Ouarzazate is easily explored on foot. Avenue Mohammed V, the main street, runs from east to west with shops, cafés, banks, pharmacies, and tour agencies all along its length. Most hotels are near the Kasbah Taourirt; however, a cluster of boutique guesthouses dot the outlying palm groves, across the bridge in the direction of Zagora. If you’re staying at the latter—or visiting the film studios—you’ll need to rent a car or rely on cabs.

Air Travel

There are daily flights to Ouarzazate's Taourirt International Airport from Casablanca and twice-weekly ones from Paris. The airport is 3 km (2 miles) from the town center and can be reached by petits taxis.

Bus Travel

Ouarzazate is well served by buses from Marrakesh (4 hours), Agadir (8½ hours), Casablanca (8½ hours), Taliouine (3½ hours), Taroudant (5 hours), Tinerhir (5 hours), Er-Rachidia (6 hours), Erfoud (7 hours), Zagora (4½ hours), and M'hamid (7 hours). CTM buses run from the eastern end of Avenue Mohammed V. Supratours buses run from the western end of Avenue Mohammed V. Other public buses run from the gare routière (bus station) about 2 km (1 mile) from the town center, just off the N9 route to Marrakesh. Shared grands taxis (long-distance taxis) will also bring you here from Marrakesh, Er-Rachidia, Agadir, and Zagora; these can be hired for private day excursions, too.

Bus Contacts

CTM Ouarzazate. Buses are clean and punctual and tickets are good value. Av. Mohammed V, next to main post office at east end, Ouarzazate, Souss-Massa-Drâa, 45000. 0524/88–24–27; www.ctm.ma.

Supratours. Supratours are one of the main long-distance bus companies in Morocco. The buses are clean and comfortable, and service is punctual. Tickets are good value. It is not always easy to get hold of them by phone so it may be easier to go to the local office to buy your tickets a day before you want to travel. Av. Mohammed V, Ouarzazate, Souss-Massa-Drâa, 45000. 0524/89--07--96; www.oncf.ma.