Most travellers treat Ouarzazate as a quick cinematic pitstop—a place to snap a photo of Atlas Studios and keep driving toward the Sahara. But if you find yourself here on a Sunday, you have the chance to witness the real heartbeat of the town at the Ouarzazate Market.
Forget the polished boutiques of Marrakech. The Ouarzazate Sunday Souk (Souk el Had). is raw, dusty, and wonderfully chaotic.
Here’s how to dive in without losing your cool (or your dirhams).
Ouarzazate: The Gateway to the South
For most travellers, Ouarzazate is a pass-through town—a convenient pit stop on the long, winding road between the red walls of Marrakech and the golden dunes of the Sahara.
It’s earned its title as the Hollywood of Africa. But while the towering film studios and the ancient, cinematic walls of Ait Benhaddou are undeniably worth the detour, there is a cool part to this city that most tourists miss entirely.
Historically, Ouarzazate sat at the critical junction of the trans-Saharan trade routes. For centuries, camel caravans laden with gold, salt, and spices would halt here after the gruelling trek across the desert.
Albeit the camels have largely been replaced by white transit vans and rugged 4x4s. Though the spirit of the Sunday Souk – the Ouarzazate Market – remains remarkably unchanged.
Ouarzazate Market
This isn’t a ‘made-for-Instagram’ market. It is a typically local, Moroccan souk.
This is where the locals from the surrounding Drâa-Tafilalet region come to do their weekly business. You can expect donkey carts parked next to motorbikes and mountains of spices that haven’t been meticulously stacked for photos. That is how they always are.
You can hear a mixture of haggling in Berber and Arabic, amidst bales of second-hand clothes, hand-woven carpets, and livestock in all directions!
It really is one of those pinch-me kind of Morocco experiences.
What to Look For: Ouarzazate Market
While you can find almost anything, a few things are worth the space in your luggage. Or at least hunting out to check out in real life!
Dates here are next level. These are some of the freshest in Morocco, sourced directly from nearby palmeries.
There are Moroccan carpets and authentic Berber rugs (often at better prices than in the big cities). There are all kinds of spices piled (literally) high into huge stacks and all shapes and sizes of earthy, functional ceramics typical of the Southern Draa Valley.
Things To Know: Ouarzazate Market
A few things make it easier to navigate. Although it is far from a tourist market, the locals are friendly enough and going about their weekly trade and shopping.
At the end of the day, the same tips go for other Moroccan Souks too:
Best Time to Go
The market kicks off early. To beat the heat and see the best of the livestock trade, aim to arrive by 8:00 AM. By midday, the sun is relentless, and the energy starts to dip.
What To Wear
Ouarzazate is more conservative than the coast.
Modest clothing (shoulders and knees covered) is not only respectful but also keeps the sun off your skin. Plus, comfortable, closed-toe shoes are a must—the ground is uneven and often dusty.
- Note: Always ask before taking photos of people or their stalls. People will know what you mean if you hold up your camera – and a smile goes a long way in Morocco.
Cash is King
There are no ATMs at the souk. Ensure you have plenty of small-denomination Dirhams before you head out.
Photography
People in Ouarzazate are incredibly friendly, but many are conservative. Always ask before taking a photo of someone or their stall.
Planning Travel to Morocco During Ramadan? Read all about it.
A Walk Through: Ouarzazate Market
There is no formal entrance; just head in from the paved road into the sprawling labyrinth of temporary stalls and blankets spread across the earth.
1. Fruits and Vegetables
The produce section is a masterclass in colour!
Despite the arid landscape surrounding the city, the market is filled with fruits and vegetables from nearby oases.
You’ll see mountains of green mint, stacks of carrots, lemons, onions, and crates of the sweetest dates you’ll ever taste.
We admired the amazing spread of fruits and vegetables as much as we were pleased to stock up as always at another of Morocco’s iconic markets.
There’s something deeply satisfying about watching a local farmer weigh out a kilo of those lemons on an ancient set of hand-held scales!
2. The Livestock Quarter
This is a fascinating part of the experience and a visceral reminder of where our food comes from.
The Ouarzazate Market is one of those experiences that is etched in my mind, like a picture of how life has been here for decades – and still continues.
Here, men in traditional djellabas huddle in circles, inspecting the teeth of goats or debating the value of a donkey. But they will welcome you to admire proudly as they haggle and show off their animals.
It’s a loud, dusty, and unapologetically real glimpse into rural Moroccan life.
Gavin was warmly welcomed in, shaking hands and admiring goats all around!
3. Treasures and Trinkets
You’ll find second-hand goods, hand-forged tools, and—if you’re lucky—traditional Berber jewellery and handwoven rugs.
Though unlike the aggressive sales tactics in the big cities, the vendors here are generally more relaxed. They expect you to haggle, but the vibe is one of mutual respect rather than a high-pressure pitch.
Getting There
Ouarzazate is literally right in the heart of Morocco on the way from Marrakech to the desert.
Once you are there, the Sunday Ouarzazate Market is located on the edge of town.
By Air
Ouarzazate International Airport (OZZ) is surprisingly well-connected. It handles a mix of domestic flights from Casablanca and Marrakech, as well as direct seasonal flights from several major European and UK hubs.
The airport is located just a few kilometres from the city centre.
By Bus
The bus journey from Marrakech to Ouarzazate is legendary for its views and takes approximately 4 hours 30 minutes (193 km).
Buses typically depart every four hours with CTM or Supratours. You can check schedules and book tickets on their respective websites or via the ONCF portal.
By Grand Taxi
For a more flexible (and faster) option, head to the taxi rank in Marrakech.
- Cost: Approximately 100 MAD (€10) per seat in a shared Grand Taxi.
- Pro Tip: If you want more comfort or don’t want to wait for the taxi to fill up, you can pay for all six seats to have a private vehicle for your group.
Driving Yourself
Self-navigating to Ouarzazate is straightforward as the N9 National Highway is well-maintained and clearly signposted.
Travel Times:
- Marrakech to Ouarzazate: 3 hr 30 mins (195 km) via N9
- Ben Haddou to Ouarzazate: 30 mins (30 km) via P1506
- Zagora to Ouarzazate: 2 hr 30 mins (160 km) via N9
- Tabounte to Ouarzazate: 15 mins (7 km) via N9
By Petit Taxi
Once you are in Ouarazate it is easy to get a Petit Taxi. Any driver will know exactly where to take you for a few dirhams.
Just tell them ‘Souk el Had’.
Visiting Ouarzazate Market with a Motorhome
If you are traveling with a motorhome, the Ouarzazate Souk is very accessible.
There is ample guarded parking located directly outside the souk entrance.
Look for the parking attendant in the bright high-vis vest. They will direct you to a spot suitable for a motorhome.
- Fee: A few Dirhams (usually 5–10 MAD for a short stay) is a standard tip for the attendant.
Ouarzazate Campsites
This is where we stayed in Ouarzazate with our motorhome and can recommend. It was a great, complete campsite with you need and close to a few small shops and restaurants for breakfast.
Camping Ouarzazate
- Location: Ouarzazate (City outskirts)
- Type: Full-service Campsite
- Park4Night Reference: #13362
- Cost: 85 MAD (approx. €8.50) per night.
- Full Service: 125 MAD (approx. €12.50) including electricity.
- Service Only: 30 MAD
If you’re just passing through, you can use the facilities (dump/fill) for 30 MAD.
This was a great complete campsite that covers all the essentials for van-life in Morocco with reliable electricity, fresh water points, showers and on-site laundry facilities (a lifesaver after a few days in the desert!).
Beyond Ouarzazate
If you haven’t had your fill of local culture, a short 2km hop across the bridge leads to Tabounte. While Ouarzazate is the new city, Tabounte feels like its older, more traditional sibling.
If you miss the Sunday Souk, Tabounte holds its own smaller, atmospheric market on Saturdays.
Ouarzazate might be famous for the movies, but we reckon the best experience is at the Sunday Ouarzazate Souk.
Enjoy! 🙂
Travel Planning for Morocco & Beyond
These are the companies we use and can recommend for planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. It is easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere online.
- Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. Everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). Make sure you have insurance before planning for the Ouarzazate Market!
Hi! I’m Sarah. I am the self-confessed dreamer, travel-schemer and the main editor behind this blog. I love to write, and it is a dream come true to share so many experiences together and inspire others in our stories.
