Agadir to Ouarzazate tickets

About the ride from Agadir to Ouarzazate

If you like going from one extreme to the other, you're in for a real treat when you travel from Agadir to Ouarzazate. In fact, the only thing the two share in common is that they're both sandy, but in a different way.

Agadir is known for being an ocean paradise, but after spending some time by the water, you'll be heading to Ouarzazate, known as the "Door of the Desert." 

Taking a bus from Agadir to Ouarzazate is the most affordable option. If you're looking to get there a few hours quicker, you can spend a little more money and pay for a private car or minivan. The bus takes 6-7 hours, while a private ride is closer to four.

Once in Ouarzazate, get your camera ready and stroll through town, capturing this beautiful desert city's incredible scenery. 

What is Ouarzazate like?

Some say that being in Ouarzazate makes you feel like you're in a movie. Well, there is some truth to that. 

The city was the filming spot of several blockbuster hits, including The Mummy, Gladiator, The Hills Have Eyes, Star Wars, and Game of Thrones. Some infamous desert scenes were shot in the Door of the Desert.

What stands out most isn't just the fortified buildings throughout the city but the peace and serenity you feel as you navigate it. The word Ouarzazate means a "city without noise," and it's perfect if you're seeking to get away from the hustle and bustle.

Ouarzazate is located just south of the High Atlas Mountains, with exquisite red-pink buildings and kasbahs overlooking the rugged landscape.

History and architecture lovers will also be in heaven when they visit Ouarzazate.

Things to do in Ouarzazate

Get your bucket list ready. Here are the top activities in Ouarzazate:

1. Visit Atlas Movie Studios. This is the world's largest film studio (by acreage) and a must-visit, especially if you're a Game of Thrones or Gladiator fanatic. Some of the scenery from this studio will look quite familiar, and if you're a Star Wars fan, it's where they filmed the scenes from Tatooine.
   
   

2. Enhance your movie experience. After a visit to the Atlas Studios, go to the Oscar Hotel. It has a mini-museum where they play all the clips filmed in Ouarzazate. Another place that has all the movie clips and a deeper background on the history of filming in Ouarzazate is the Cinema Museum.
   
   

3. Rent a car and tour the city. It's a lot to walk Ouarzazate, but if you rent a car for a day, you can drive around and admire the jaw-dropping views the city provides. You'll come across some exquisite gorges along with breathtaking valleys and landscapes.
   
   

If you do walk around, take a stroll around the main area and admire the beauty around you.

4. Tour the kasbahs. These palaces help give the city its gorgeous views and are worth checking out. Inside, you'll find beautifully decorated rooms. Some of the best ones to visit include the Taourirt Kasbah and Tifoultoute Kasbah.
   
   

5. Buy some art. One of the best parts of Ouarzazate is the art shops around town. They offer some of the most striking paintings and artwork as souvenirs from your time there.

How to get from Agadir to Ouarzazate

There are three primary ways to get from Agadir to Ouarzazate: by bus, car, and minivan.

The total distance between the two cities is 213 miles (343 km). It takes approximately four hours to make the connection via car or minivan. A bus ride will take between six and seven hours.

By bus

Prices start at $11 and increase as the amenities and comfort level does. All buses are air-conditioned; some have reclining seats, a TV, WiFI, and a charger.

There are multiple departures each day and into the night, and it will take 6-7 hours.

Buses leave Agadir Bus Station and arrive at the CTM Bus Station Ouarzazate.

Some operators have a 15 lb (7 kg) handbag limit per passenger, so you might have to pay 5MAD (¢0.50) for any extra luggage.

By car

If you want more control over your trip, a private car is an excellent option. You can choose your departure time, and the driver will pick you up at any local Agadir hotel. The drop-off location is any Ouarzazate hotel. It's entirely door-to-door.

The cost for the private vehicle is $144, which can be split amongst your group of up to three people. There is space for two bags per person, and the SUV has all the amenities of any luxury car: A/C, TVs, water, WiFi, and a charger.

There is free cancellation up to 72 hours prior to departure.

By minivan

Minivan prices start at $59 per person, but you must book for three people, which might be tricky if you're a solo traveler. 

Pick-up times are hourly from any Agadir hotel, and drop-offs are at any Ouarzazate hotel. 

Luggage allowances vary by provider.

All minivans include A/C and have English-speaking staff. Some minivans are a bit more expensive and include reclining seats, WiFi, a charger, water, and a child car seat if needed.

Cancellations are free up to 24 hours before departure.

What is the ride from Agadir to Ouarzazate like?

It's definitely a tale of two cities. When you leave Agadir behind, you're exiting a coastal city with lots of water and palm trees. 

However, as you navigate towards Ouarzazate, you'll encounter high elevations and mountainous regions. The lush green landscape turns into a sandy brown desert and flatland. 

When is the best time to visit Ouarzazate?

If you don't like sizzling hot temperatures, try to plan your trip in the spring or fall. Additionally, crowds are not as prevalent as in the summer months, which is the prime tourist season.

Between June and August, temperatures in Ouarzazate can exceed 100°F (38°C). However, if you go in April and May, you will see daytime highs in the 80s°F (upper 20s°C). Meanwhile, September and October can range anywhere between 80°F and 90°F (upper 20s°C to low 30s°C). 

As is the case with most deserts, the nights can get cool. Thus, it's advised to pack a light jacket.

How long should I stay in Ouarzazate?

Unless you are really into movie scenes, two to three days is enough to see it all there. 

Where should I go after Ouarzazate?

If you haven't been, Marrakech should be your next stop. In three to four hours, you can leave the serenity of Ouarzazate behind for the frenetic but fascinating city. 

Another option is to get your adrenaline pumping in the desert of Merzouga. There, you can go sandboarding and camel trekking and delve into the rich Berber culture the area is known for.