The Ouzoud waterfalls are about 150 kilometres north-east of Marrakech, a 2 h 30 to 3 hour drive on the national road. Entry to the site is free. Allow a full day of nine to ten hours door to door, and know that getting to the foot of the falls is earned: these are staircases, not a path.
The figures, and what they imply
| Measure | Value | What it changes |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | 150 to 180 km | National road, no motorway |
| Drive each way | 2 h 30 to 3 h | Leaving before 8 am is advisable |
| Full day | 9 to 10 h | An excursion, not a half-day |
| Site entry | Free | Open at all hours |
| Parking | 10 to 20 MAD | Cash |
| Boat at the foot | about 20 MAD | Optional, but worth it |
| Local guide | 30 MAD in a group | 100 to 150 MAD alone |
| Height of the falls | 75 to 110 m per sources | The highest in Morocco |
Figures collected in October 2026. Entry to the site is free; sources disagree on the height of the falls, from 75 to 110 metres, and on the best season, March to June. The small on-site costs are paid in dirham cash.
The important number is the duration: nine to ten hours. This is not an outing you slot between two sights, it is the day. If your trip is three days long, Ouzoud takes a third of it. The day trips comparison helps you weigh it up.
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How the visit actually goes
- You arrive from above. The car park and the shops sit over the falls, and the overview reveals itself all at once.
- The descent is on built staircases, twenty to forty minutes depending on your pace and the number of photo stops.
- At the bottom, boats cross the pool to the foot of the falls for about twenty dirhams. It is the best moment of the visit, and you come back wet.
- Restaurants sit on terraces facing the falls. The view is remarkable, the cooking fine without more: you are paying for the position.
- The climb back up is the real effort of the day. Allow thirty to fifty minutes, more in summer.
There are wild Barbary macaques on the site. They are wild animals: do not feed them, do not approach them, and keep bags closed. They are also the only wildlife you will see at close range in Morocco.
When to go
The flow of the falls depends on snowmelt and winter rain. Sources converge on an optimal spring, March to June by some accounts, April to June by others.
- March to June: maximum flow, green vegetation, pleasant temperatures. The best window.
- July-August: the flow drops, the climb back becomes punishing and the site is very busy. Go early in the morning or not at all.
- September-October: moderate flow, moderate crowds, good walking conditions. The second-best window.
- November to February: variable flow, cool at altitude, slippery steps after rain. Possible, with good shoes.
The month-by-month weather guide and the guide to the best time to visit place these windows in the year.
By car, by bus, or with a driver?
Three options, very unequal.
| Option | Drive each way | Advantage | Drawback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private driver | 2 h 30 to 3 h | Free timing, stops possible | The most expensive |
| Organised excursion | 3 h | Simple, economical | Fixed timings, a group |
| Hire car | 2 h 30 to 3 h | Complete autonomy | Mountain road at the end |
| Public transport | 3 to 4 h | The cheapest | Connections, constraining timetables |
Our recommendation: a private driver if there are three or more of you, an organised excursion if there are two and budget matters. Public transport stretches the day to the point of exhaustion. We organise the day with a driver as part of a private hire, leaving from the house and returning when you want.
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What to bring
- Closed shoes with good soles: the steps are damp and worn by use.
- More water than you think: the climb back is in full sun in the afternoon.
- Cash in small notes for parking, the boat and tips. No cards are accepted on site.
- Something that dries fast: the boat at the foot of the falls genuinely soaks you.
- A warm layer if you leave early: at 1,000 metres, spring mornings are cold.
The what-to-wear guide details clothing by season, and the Marrakech safety guide covers the useful habits around approaches at tourist sites.
See Bab Akoul Palmeraie See Bab Akoul Atlas See Bab Akoul Medina
Ouzoud waterfalls: frequently asked questions
How far are the Ouzoud waterfalls from Marrakech?
About 150 kilometres north-east, a 2 h 30 to 3 hour drive on the national road. Allow a full day of nine to ten hours door to door.
Is there an entry fee for the Ouzoud waterfalls?
No, access to the site is free and open at all hours. Only the car park, at 10 or 20 dirhams, the boat at the foot of the falls, at about twenty dirhams, and an optional local guide are paid, in cash.
What is the best season for the Ouzoud waterfalls?
Spring, March to June: the flow is at its maximum after the snowmelt and the vegetation is green. September-October is the second good window.
Is the descent to the falls difficult?
These are built staircases, not a technical path. Allow twenty to forty minutes down and thirty to fifty back up, which is the real effort of the day. Closed shoes are necessary.
Are there monkeys at the Ouzoud waterfalls?
Yes, wild Barbary macaques. They are wild animals: do not feed them, do not approach them and keep your bags closed.
Can you do Ouzoud as a half-day?
No. With 2 h 30 to 3 hours of driving each way plus the visit, it is a full day of nine to ten hours. For a half-day, aim for the Ourika Valley or the Agafay desert instead.
