Ouarzazate & Ait Benhaddou Day Trip: An Honest 2025 Review

So, you are probably thinking about getting out of Marrakech for a day, right? Anyway, that big trip to Ouarzazate and the super famous Ait Benhaddou kasbah is, like, on almost everyone’s list. It’s basically a very long day that promises you huge mountains, ancient-looking mud cities, and a little peek into what Morocco’s like away from the busy city streets. To be honest, I went on this trip and have some thoughts you might want to hear before you book it for 2025. This really isn’t your average “it was amazing” review; instead, I’m going to give you the real story, you know, the stuff that helps you decide if it’s genuinely the right kind of day out for your holiday. We’re actually going to talk about the crazy drive, the famous places you will see, and pretty much figure out if spending a whole day in a van is truly worth it for you.

The Drive: Crossing the High Atlas is Pretty Much Half the Adventure

Okay, so first things first, this drive is honestly no joke. You are actually in a car or minibus for a very long time, like around four hours each way. The whole thing starts super early in Marrakech, still, when the city is sort of waking up. Pretty much right away, you start to go up into the High Atlas Mountains. The view, as a matter of fact, starts to change a lot, going from flat ground to these enormous, rocky peaks that just feel ancient. The road, which they call the Tizi n’Tichka pass, is incredibly winding and snakes its way up and up; at the end of the day, it is one of the most well-known drives in the country for a reason.

Your driver will probably make a few stops on the way, you know, so you can take some pictures. These spots are usually picked out for the views, and seriously, you’ll want your camera ready. It’s almost a different world up there, with air that feels fresher and cleaner. By the way, most tours stop at an Argan oil cooperative. Frankly, this part can feel a little bit like a setup for tourists. The demonstration of how the women make the oil is actually interesting, but then you are, of course, led into a shop filled with products. There is just a little pressure to buy something, so just be ready for that; you definitely don’t have to if you don’t want to.

First Main Stop: Ait Benhaddou Kasbah, A Real-Life Movie Scene

So, after all that driving, you finally get to the main event, and that is Ait Benhaddou. Honestly, the first time you see it from a distance, it kind of takes your breath away. It’s this whole village made of reddish mud and straw, sort of climbing up a hill next to a river that is often nearly dry. It really looks like something from another time. It is actually a UNESCO World Heritage site, which basically means it’s a super special place that needs to be looked after. People, you know, still live here, though not that many. Most of the folks have apparently moved to a more modern village just across the river.

You have definitely seen this place before, even if you don’t know it. Like, it has been in so many movies and TV shows, for instance, Gladiator and Game of Thrones. Walking through its little alleyways feels pretty much like you have stepped onto a film set. You will probably cross the river on a bridge of sandbags, which is an experience in itself, right? Then you start the climb.

Seriously, a good tip is to wear really comfortable shoes, not your nice sandals. The paths are uneven, and the climb to the very top, to the old granary, is a bit of a workout, but you should totally do it. The view from up there is, you know, absolutely amazing, letting you see the whole kasbah and the big, empty land around it.

You could hire a local guide at the entrance for a small fee, and to be honest, it might be a good idea. They can, sort of, tell you stories about the place that you wouldn’t get otherwise and show you a few hidden corners. It’s better than just wandering around, anyway.

And Then Ouarzazate: The Doorway to the Desert

Alright, so after you’ve explored Ait Benhaddou, it’s back in the vehicle for a short drive, maybe about 30 minutes, to Ouarzazate. Now, Ouarzazate is known as the “Hollywood of Morocco” because it has these big film studios. At the end of the day, the town itself is more of a functional, modern place. It doesn’t quite have the same magical feeling as Ait Benhaddou, so you know, just manage your expectations a little bit. It is more or less a hub for people heading deeper into the desert or for the film industry.

Typically, your tour will stop at one of two main spots here. First, there’s the Taourirt Kasbah, which is right in the town. It’s another one of those big, impressive mud-brick forts and was once the home of a very powerful family. It’s huge and you can sort of get lost in its many rooms and courtyards. Your other possible stop is one of the film studios, like Atlas Studios. Frankly, this can be a kind of fun but also a very strange visit. You get to see old movie sets from films like The Mummy or Kingdom of Heaven, just sort of sitting there in the middle of the desert. It’s a little bit cheesy, but if you’re a movie fan, it’s actually pretty interesting to see how things are put together. If your tour only includes one, that is pretty standard too.

Lunch, Timing, and All The Practical Things

Now, let’s talk about the food, because obviously, you’re going to get hungry. Lunch is almost always at a pre-selected tourist restaurant, either in Ait Benhaddou or Ouarzazate. In most cases, it is not part of the tour price, so you’ll have to pay for it yourself. It’s usually a set menu with, for example, a Moroccan salad, a tagine, and some fruit for dessert. To be honest, the food is generally okay, but it’s not really the best Moroccan food you’ll ever eat. It’s just made for big groups of tourists. My advice is to just go with it; it’s the easiest option on such a packed day.

Here are some other quick things to think about, just so you are fully prepared:

• The Timing is Tight: I mean it, this day is very, very long. You leave around 7 AM and might not get back to Marrakech until 7 PM or even later. It is pretty tiring, you know.
• What to Wear: Definitely wear layers. It can be cool in the mountains in the morning and then very hot and sunny in the desert landscape around Ouarzazate. A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are, like, totally non-negotiable.
• Shopping Stops: Besides the Argan oil place, there will probably be other chances to shop, especially for rugs or pottery. There is absolutely no pressure to buy anything, so a simple “no, thank you” works just fine.
• Private vs. Group Tour: A group tour is more affordable, but you are sort of stuck to their schedule. A private tour costs more but gives you a little more say in how long you spend at each place.

Basically, you have to be ready for a very structured day with a lot of time spent sitting down. It’s just the way this trip works.

So, Is This Day Trip Actually Worth Doing in 2025?

So, at the end of the day, we get to the big question: should you do it? To be honest, my answer is… it depends. This trip is pretty much perfect for certain people. If you are only in Marrakech for a short time and really, really want to see a kasbah and get a tiny taste of the desert scenery without committing to a 3-day tour, then yes, you should absolutely go. It’s also great for movie lovers who will get a kick out of seeing all those famous locations in person. It really packs a lot into one single, long day, and you do see some truly unforgettable sights. The view of Ait Benhaddou alone is, for many, worth the whole car ride.

On the other hand, you might want to give this one a miss. If you genuinely can’t stand long road trips or get car sick, then this is literally your worst nightmare. If you are traveling with very small children, the length of the day might just be too much for them. And if you are the kind of traveler who likes to take things slow and really soak a place in, you will probably find the pace of this tour a bit frustrating. You only get a limited amount of time at each spot before you have to move on. In that case, you could look into an overnight tour. That would, like, break up the driving and give you more time to explore, plus you get to see the stars in the desert, which is another thing entirely.

---

Read our full review: Full Day Trip To Ouarzazate And Ait Benhaddou Kasbah Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Book Your Ouarzazate & Ait Benhaddou Tour)