Essentials
- City
- Ouarzazate, Drâa-Tafilalet, Morocco
- Population
- 80,000
- Internet Speed
- 4G/5G stable, Fiber available in city center (up to 100 Mbps). Average 35 Mbps.
- Currency & Banking
- Moroccan Dirham (MAD). 1 USD ≈ 10.10 MAD, 1 EUR ≈ 10.95 MAD.
- Tap Water
- Drinkable but high mineral content; bottled water (Sidi Ali, Ain Saiss) recommended for sensitive stomachs.
- Power
- 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets.
- SIM Card
- Maroc Telecom (best coverage in desert), Orange, Inwi. 10GB data ≈ 100 MAD ($10).
- Banking for Expats
- Attijariwafa Bank, BMCE, Société Générale. ATM withdrawals widely available.
- Accommodation
- Riads, Guesthouses, and Airbnb. Prices range from 3,500 MAD/month for local flats to 12,000 MAD for high-end Riads.
- Cashless Friendly
- No, mostly cash-based. Only large hotels and upscale restaurants take cards.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and local Riads in the Ait Guezoul or Tassoumaat areas.
- Budget Accommodation
- Cinema Voyageur (approx. 150 MAD/night) or Hostel Ouarzazate.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Taourirt (near the Kasbah) for history and easy walking to museums.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Hay Al-Mansour or Al-Mouahidine for better residential infrastructure and quieter nights.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Ouarzazate Hub (Avenue Mohamed V) - Reliable internet and printer access, approx. 1,000 MAD/month.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Habibi's Coffee (Avenue Moulay Rachid) - Good Wi-Fi, modern decor, and comfortable seating.
- Networking Events
- Cinema-related workshops at the ATLAS Film Studios; tech meetups organized by Ouarzazate Technopark.
- Social Events for Expats
- Expats in Ouarzazate Facebook Group; drinks at Hotel Berbere Palace bar.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps; use 'Petit Taxis' (beige cars). Flat rate in town approx 5-10 MAD.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Bike Morocco (Rue de la Poste) - Approx. 150 MAD per day for a mountain bike.
- Best Beach Nearby
- None (Desert location). Nearest coast is Agadir (approx. 5 hours drive).
- Top Regional Airline
- Royal Air Maroc (Connects to Casablanca/Marrakech).
- Top International Airline
- Transavia, Ryanair (seasonal flights from Europe).
- Highway Access
- N10 connecting to Agadir/Errachidia, N9 connecting over the Tizi n'Tichka pass to Marrakech.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- No trains. CTM Bus Station (Avenue Mohamed V) is the primary hub.
- Public Transport Passes
- No formal tourist passes; pay per ride for local buses (approx. 4 MAD).
- Regional Travel
- CTM or Supratours buses to Marrakech (approx. 100 MAD, 4.5 hours).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Sidi H'maine Provincial Hospital (Public) or Polyclinique Chifa Ouarzazate (Private).
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Sultana Spa (Yoga sessions upon request, approx. 200 MAD/class).
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Club de Santé Ouarzazate (Avenue Ennasr) - Approx 300 MAD/month.
- Laundry Services
- Pressing Atlas (Avenue Mohamed V) - Fast and affordable per-item service.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Glovo (limited availability) or direct WhatsApp delivery from local snack shops.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Tagine of Dates and Meat; Berber Omelette.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Restaurant La Kasbah (Good vegetarian tagine options).
- Best Dessert Spots
- Patisserie des Princes (Avenue Mohamed V) - Moroccan pastries and almond sweets.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Souk el-Had (Sunday Market) for fresh produce and spices.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Jumia.ma for electronics and household goods.
- Grocery Delivery
- Often handled via local grocery stores (Hanouts) concierge-style.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Limited; mostly restricted to high-end hotels like Hotel Oscar or Le Berbere Palace.
- Local Brewery
- No local breweries; Casablanca/Flag Special beer served in hotel bars.
- Wine Bars
- Rose des Sables Bar is the most popular for international travelers.
- Street Food Stalls
- Place Al-Mouahidine for grilled meats and Harira soup (approx. 10-20 MAD).
- Popular International Cuisine
- Le Jardin des Arômes (French/Moroccan fusion).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Taourirt Kasbah, Atlas Film Studios (OLLYWOOD).
- Museums & Art Venues
- Musée du Cinema (Avenue Mohamed V, entry 30 MAD).
- Historical Sites
- Aït Benhaddou (UNESCO World Heritage Site, 30 mins away).
- Religious Sites
- Grand Mosque of Ouarzazate.
- Annual Events
- Ouarzazate Film Festival; Ahwash Folk Arts Festival.
- Cultural Districts
- Kasbah district (Old town).
- Theater Venues
- Palais des Congrès (Used for festivals and cinema screenings).
- Local Markets
- Central Souk (Daily) for textiles and Berber jewelry.
- Music Scene
- Traditional Berber (Gnaoua/Ahwash) music performances at the Riads.
- Street Art
- Murals near the Cinema Museum and the Technopark.
- Cooking Classes
- Dar Kamar Riad - Authentic Moroccan cooking workshops (approx. 400 MAD).
- Art Galleries
- Gallery of Artisans near Taourirt Kasbah.
- Historic Buildings
- Glaoui Palace remains.
- Local Heritage
- Berber/Amazigh craftsmanship, particularly woven carpets from the local tribes.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Fint Oasis (Green palm groves 15km south of the city).
- National Parks Nearby
- Iriqui National Park (Desert/Sand dunes accessible via 4x4).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Starlight path along the Oued Ouarzazate riverbed.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Tizi n'Tichka pass viewpoints; roof of Taourirt Kasbah.
- Birdwatching Locations
- El Mansour Eddahbi Lake (Migratory birds and flamingos).
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Desert camps in the Skoura Palmery (approx. 40 mins away).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL Express (Avenue Mohamed V); Aramex via local agents.
- Tech Repair Services
- Electro Atlas Repair (near Place Al-Mouahidine).
- Table Tennis Spots
- Maison de Jeunes (Youth Center).
- Language Classes
- American Language Center Ouarzazate (English/Arabic).
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Bibliothèque Municipale near the city hall.
- Community Centers
- Technopark Ouarzazate (Hub for startups).
- Gaming Lounges
- PlayZone (Avenue Ennasr).
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None (Prohibited outside major resort cities like Marrakech).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 6,500 MAD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 260,000 MAD / $26k).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 4,500 MAD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 180,000 MAD / $18k).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 6,000 MAD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 360,000 MAD / $36k).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 4,000 MAD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 240,000 MAD / $24k).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 5,500 MAD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 440,000 MAD / $44k).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 3,800 MAD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 304,000 MAD / $30k).
- Corporate Tax
- Progressive rates from 10% to 31%.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15%
- Tax System
- Territorial for non-residents; world-wide for residents (staying > 183 days).
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 38%
- VAT
- Standard rate 20% (reduced rates of 7%, 10%, 14% apply to some goods).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, but focus is on large corporations and offshore entities.
- Property Tax
- Yes, 'Taxe d'habitation' based on rental value.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Registration fee 4% plus notary fees/land registry ≈ 6-7% total.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Specific 'Auto-entrepreneur' status available with low tax (1-2% on turnover) for local services; otherwise No specific DN visa tax break.