Patchy rain nearby 
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Ouarzazate, 1,151m (3,776 ft) up on Morocco’s southern plateau, is the gateway between the High Atlas and the Sahara. It averages 300 sunny days and just 112mm of rain a year, with July highs of 38°C (100°F) and January nights of 3°C (37°F). The city is known for the UNESCO kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, the Atlas film studios and the date-palm oases of the Draa Valley. This guide covers the climate, the best time to come, and where to stay.
Welcome to Ouarzazate
Ouarzazate (say “war-za-zat”) is a desert town of about 72,000 people at the meeting point of the Draa and Dades valleys. It grew from a French colonial garrison into the centre of Morocco’s film industry, earning the nickname the Hollywood of Africa after hosting productions from Lawrence of Arabia to Gladiator and Game of Thrones. The town is a practical base rather than a sight-heavy city: its value is the kasbahs, studios and oases within an hour’s drive.
Ouarzazate Weather at a Glance
Ouarzazate has a hot desert climate (Köppen BWh), meaning clear skies, big daily temperature swings and very little rain. Annual rainfall is about 112mm, most of it in short showers between October and April, and the city gets roughly 3,900 sunshine hours a year. Humidity sits around 20 percent, so the dry heat is more bearable than coastal humidity, but the sun is strong at 1,151m elevation.
Winters are mild by day and cold by night: January averages 17°C (63°F) by day and 3°C (37°F) at night, with frost on clear nights. Summers are hot: July averages 38°C (100°F) by day and 22°C (72°F) at night. The shoulder seasons of March to May and September to November sit in the comfortable 23 to 30°C (73 to 86°F) range.
Ouarzazate Seasons at a Glance
- Winter (December to February): 17 to 19°C (63 to 66°F) days, 3 to 5°C (37 to 41°F) nights, lowest prices, few crowds.
- Spring (March to May): 23 to 30°C (73 to 86°F), 4 to 8mm rain, the most comfortable season for sightseeing.
- Summer (June to August): 35 to 38°C (95 to 100°F), 1 to 3mm rain, too hot for midday walking but fine by a pool.
- Autumn (September to November): 21 to 33°C (70 to 91°F), 7 to 14mm rain, great photography light and lower prices.
Ouarzazate Travel Guides
- Ouarzazate Weather by Month: month-by-month temperatures, rainfall and sunshine hours, with a comparison table.
- Best Time to Visit Ouarzazate: the exact months for best weather, lowest prices and each festival.
- Things to Do in Ouarzazate: Ait Ben Haddou, Atlas Studios, the kasbahs and desert day trips with hours and prices.
- Ouarzazate Events and Festivals: the Rose Festival, Marathon des Sables and the annual calendar.
- Ouarzazate Neighborhoods: the city centre districts and the base villages outside town.
- Where to Stay in Ouarzazate: hotels by area from the centre to Ait Ben Haddou.
- Ouarzazate Travel Tips and FAQ: airport, transport, money, safety and tipping.
Where to Stay in Ouarzazate
Base yourself in Centre Ville for walkable access to the bus station and restaurants, in the palm-grove and lake district for pools and quiet, or at Ait Ben Haddou to photograph the ksar at sunrise. Budget rooms run 200 to 400 MAD, mid-range 400 to 800 MAD, and the top 5-star over 1,000 MAD a night.
Suggested Hotels in Ouarzazate
Le Berbère Palace
This 5-star sits 5 minutes from Kasbah Taourirt with an outdoor pool, a spa with hammam, sauna and jacuzzi, and four restaurants serving French, Italian, Asian and Moroccan cuisine. Best for couples and film-crew travelers who want the highest comfort in town. Check rates and availability
Hôtel Riad Dar Daïf
Hôtel Riad Dar Daïf sits 5km from the centre with views over the Atlas Mountains and El Mansour Eddahbi lake, with individually decorated rooms around a furnished patio and pool. Best for couples and families who want a quiet traditional riad outside the city. Check rates and availability
Hotel Riad Amlal
Hotel Riad Amlal is a 1-star in the town centre with air-conditioned rooms, free WiFi, private bathrooms and a shared lounge, a short walk from the CTM bus station. Best for backpackers and budget travelers who plan to be out all day. Check rates and availability
Ouarzazate Quick Facts
- Best months to visit: March to May and September to November.
- Warmest month: July at 38°C (100°F).
- Coolest month: January at 17°C (63°F) by day, 3°C (37°F) at night.
- Wettest month: October at 14mm.
- Annual rainfall: about 112mm across roughly 30 rainy days.
- Sunshine: around 3,900 hours a year, roughly 300 sunny days.
- Elevation: 1,151m (3,776 ft).
- Airport: Ouarzazate Airport (OZZ), 3km north of the centre.
Location and Climate Context
Ouarzazate sits on a high plateau south of the High Atlas, which blocks Atlantic moisture and keeps the region dry, and north of the Sahara, which brings summer heat. The Drâa River, fed by snowmelt, waters the date palms and kasbah villages of the valley that runs southeast toward Zagora. This position makes Ouarzazate the natural staging point for desert trips and for crossing the Atlas on the N9 road from Marrakech.
