Exploring the Fint Oasis is definitely among the best things to do in Ouarzazate. Many visitors don’t know its presence, and it’s a grave mistake. In the dry landscapes exists a peaceful and green escape for a day or two.
Fint means hidden in Tamazight, and for a reason. The path to reach it isn’t the most accessible, but the rewards are worth every effort made. Let me guide you into the Fint Oasis in Morocco, a local gem around Ouarzazate.
Exploring the Fint Oasis is definitely among the best things to do in Ouarzazate. Many visitors don’t know its presence, and it’s a grave mistake. In the dry landscapes exists a peaceful and green escape for a day or two.
Fint means hidden in Tamazight, and for a reason. The path to reach it isn’t the most accessible, but the rewards are worth every effort made. Let me guide you into the Fint Oasis in Morocco, a local gem around Ouarzazate.
A guide to the Oasis de Fint
How to reach the Fint Oasis
There are different ways you can reach this hidden Oasis in Morocco. Depending on your budget, time, and skills, each of them offers advantages and disadvantages. The Oasis of Fint is located approximately 12 km south of Ouarzazate, near the Atlas mountains. However, the last part on a rough rocky road will make the short drive take around 45 minutes in a desert landscape.
There are different ways you can reach this hidden Oasis in Morocco. Depending on your budget, time, and skills, each of them offers advantages and disadvantages. The Oasis of Fint is located approximately 12 km south of Ouarzazate, near the Atlas mountains. However, the last part on a rough rocky road will make the short drive take around 45 minutes in a desert landscape.
By car
You can access the Fint Oasis by car. This is the good news. The bad one? The road is very rocky and bumpy on the last kilometres, so ensure your vehicle can go on this type of road. Four wheels would be the best, but you will do with what you have. By driving slowly, you should avoid any damage.
You can access the Fint Oasis by car. This is the good news. The bad one? The road is very rocky and bumpy on the last kilometres, so ensure your vehicle can go on this type of road. Four wheels would be the best, but you will do with what you have. By driving slowly, you should avoid any damage.
By taxi
From Ouarzazate, go to the taxi central station and ask one of them to take you to Fint Oasis. The price should be around 300 – 500 MAD for the round-trip drive, depending on your haggling skills. Once you arrive at your destination, your driver will wait for you until you are finished and ready to head back to Ouarzazate. Thus, ensure that you agree on this point before leaving Ouarzazate to avoid one of the biggest Moroccan scams.
From Ouarzazate, go to the taxi central station and ask one of them to take you to Fint Oasis. The price should be around 300 – 500 MAD for the round-trip drive, depending on your haggling skills. Once you arrive at your destination, your driver will wait for you until you are finished and ready to head back to Ouarzazate. Thus, ensure that you agree on this point before leaving Ouarzazate to avoid one of the biggest Moroccan scams.
By scooter
In Ouarzazate, some shops exist to rent scooters. Prices should be around 20-30 euros for the day, and you must be careful on the rocky part of the path. Besides that, it can be a great alternative to the car as it is usually cheaper.
In Ouarzazate, some shops exist to rent scooters. Prices should be around 20-30 euros for the day, and you must be careful on the rocky part of the path. Besides that, it can be a great alternative to the car as it is usually cheaper.
By bike
If you are a real savvy backpacker like me, you can go biking! Rent one in Ouarzazate for 10 euros a day and ride your loyal transports for 1-2 hours, depending on your fitness level. The experience is worth it as you slowly see the landscapes changing. A real slow traveller journey!
If you are a real savvy backpacker like me, you can go biking! Rent one in Ouarzazate for 10 euros a day and ride your loyal transports for 1-2 hours, depending on your fitness level. The experience is worth it as you slowly see the landscapes changing. A real slow traveller journey!
Why should you explore the Fint oasis?
What to do in the Fint Oasis?
Hike around
From the parking at the Fint Oasis entrance, follow the river on your right until you reach the crossing passage. From there, take a sharp left and go towards the facing hill. You can climb to the top of this one and witness one of the most beautiful panoramas over the hidden Oasis and catch a glimpse of the Atlas Mountains. A real delight for your eyes.
From the parking at the Fint Oasis entrance, follow the river on your right until you reach the crossing passage. From there, take a sharp left and go towards the facing hill. You can climb to the top of this one and witness one of the most beautiful panoramas over the hidden Oasis and catch a glimpse of the Atlas Mountains. A real delight for your eyes.
Enjoy the Oasis
Sometimes, the best thing to do is to do nothing. Follow the Slow Traveller mantras and enjoy your time in the Oasis of Fint. Take a dip, enjoy the beauty of the surroundings, and immerse yourself in the water and nature sounds. This is a break from the heat of Ouarzazate any traveller will appreciate, especially if you come by bike like me. The water is clean, so don’t hesitate to jump in it! Many species live around, and you can even see turtles in the morning or evening looking for food.
Sometimes, the best thing to do is to do nothing. Follow the Slow Traveller mantras and enjoy your time in the Oasis of Fint. Take a dip, enjoy the beauty of the surroundings, and immerse yourself in the water and nature sounds. This is a break from the heat of Ouarzazate any traveller will appreciate, especially if you come by bike like me. The water is clean, so don’t hesitate to jump in it! Many species live around, and you can even see turtles in the morning or evening looking for food.
Explore the nearby villages
If you are travelling slowly and eager to dive into the local Moroccan culture, you can explore the nearby village. In total, 4 villages surround the Fint oasis, gathering slightly more than 150 people. You can eat traditional Moroccan food such as tagine or couscous while sipping a boiling mint tea.
Once again, it is not an invitation to take the locals for an attraction but rather to approach them to share mutual cultures and knowledge. With a smile and good intentions, many doors open and great things happen.
If you are travelling slowly and eager to dive into the local Moroccan culture, you can explore the nearby village. In total, 4 villages surround the Fint oasis, gathering slightly more than 150 people. You can eat traditional Moroccan food such as tagine or couscous while sipping a boiling mint tea.
Once again, it is not an invitation to take the locals for an attraction but rather to approach them to share mutual cultures and knowledge. With a smile and good intentions, many doors open and great things happen.
How long should you spend in Fint?
Overall, you can stay 2-3 hours in Fint Oasis chilling. Lay down your towel, swim, rest, and enjoy the nature and landscape around you. To me, it’s a good day trip activity, whether you are doing it on a tour or by yourself.
Then, the time to come and go back to Ouarzazate will require 1 hour and a half so in total, I will advise a solid 5 hours in total so you have time to do everything you want. Of course, a whole day will be perfect if you want to hike and explore the villages around. Don’t rush the moment! This is the best advice I can give you.
Overall, you can stay 2-3 hours in Fint Oasis chilling. Lay down your towel, swim, rest, and enjoy the nature and landscape around you. To me, it’s a good day trip activity, whether you are doing it on a tour or by yourself.
Then, the time to come and go back to Ouarzazate will require 1 hour and a half so in total, I will advise a solid 5 hours in total so you have time to do everything you want. Of course, a whole day will be perfect if you want to hike and explore the villages around. Don’t rush the moment! This is the best advice I can give you.
Overnight in Fint Oasis
Do you want to spend a night in Fint Oasis? Two options unfold. The first is to book a room in one of the Airbnb or Guest Houses around the hidden Oasis. You can find those looking on Google Maps. The second option is to camp there as I did!
You can rent a tent in Ouarzazate and bring it on a bike, scooter, car or taxi. It costs around 10 euros to rent it overnight. You can settle your campsite in many places, but don’t put it on the sand. By experience, this isn’t the most comfortable support for your back. The best option will be around the same point where you started the hike (see above).
Then, once installed, you can set a campfire and enjoy one of the best skies full of stars you have ever seen. There aren’t any lights in the villages around Fint, so the sky is super clear. Ensure to go when the weather is ideal, and you will be rewarded with a memorable moment. I’ve brought some sausage and veggies, a real Slow travel moment I particularly enjoyed during my Itinerary in Morocco.
Do you want to spend a night in Fint Oasis? Two options unfold. The first is to book a room in one of the Airbnb or Guest Houses around the hidden Oasis. You can find those looking on Google Maps. The second option is to camp there as I did!
You can rent a tent in Ouarzazate and bring it on a bike, scooter, car or taxi. It costs around 10 euros to rent it overnight. You can settle your campsite in many places, but don’t put it on the sand. By experience, this isn’t the most comfortable support for your back. The best option will be around the same point where you started the hike (see above).
Then, once installed, you can set a campfire and enjoy one of the best skies full of stars you have ever seen. There aren’t any lights in the villages around Fint, so the sky is super clear. Ensure to go when the weather is ideal, and you will be rewarded with a memorable moment. I’ve brought some sausage and veggies, a real Slow travel moment I particularly enjoyed during my Itinerary in Morocco.
The Fint Oasis - FAQ
Where can I eat in the Oasis de Fint?
You can either bring your picnic or go to the surrounding villages. A few restaurants around the Oasis Fint are there where you can eat delicious traditional Moroccan food.
You can either bring your picnic or go to the surrounding villages. A few restaurants around the Oasis Fint are there where you can eat delicious traditional Moroccan food.
Is the Fint Oasis safe?
The Oasis de Fint is completely safe. I camped there overnight and was completely fine.
The Oasis de Fint is completely safe. I camped there overnight and was completely fine.
Is the entrance to the Oasis free?
Yes! The entrance to the Oasis of Fint is free.
Yes! The entrance to the Oasis of Fint is free.
When is the best time to go to the Oasis de Fint?
The best time to go to the Oasis of Fint is between April and November. During this time, the weather and temperature are ideal for enjoying the water and nature.
The best time to go to the Oasis of Fint is between April and November. During this time, the weather and temperature are ideal for enjoying the water and nature.
Get the best of this Slow Travel Guide Fes Itinerary
The Oasis of Fint is one of those places that you don’t expect when travelling slowly in Morocco. It is a hidden gem only locals and a few visitors know, far from the buzz and hassle of other Moroccan destinations. Still preserved from mass tourism, its difficulty of access makes it an ideal stop for any slow traveller staying in Ouarzazate.
But, remember that as you enjoy this destination, don’t leave nothing but footprints. It’s our duty as foreigners to preserve this place from our impact as it belongs to locals. For them, it is more than a tourist spot but an invaluable water resource, a natural washing machine and a shower. Take care of it for the memories you made from staying untouched!
After an idyllic moment in this nature haven, where will you go? Is it time to explore the mystical city of Fes? Or will you go on the coast and dive into why the Souss-Massa region is worth visiting?
Bon voyage!
Wander with Purpose – Connect with heart.
The Oasis of Fint is one of those places that you don’t expect when travelling slowly in Morocco. It is a hidden gem only locals and a few visitors know, far from the buzz and hassle of other Moroccan destinations. Still preserved from mass tourism, its difficulty of access makes it an ideal stop for any slow traveller staying in Ouarzazate.
But, remember that as you enjoy this destination, don’t leave nothing but footprints. It’s our duty as foreigners to preserve this place from our impact as it belongs to locals. For them, it is more than a tourist spot but an invaluable water resource, a natural washing machine and a shower. Take care of it for the memories you made from staying untouched!
After an idyllic moment in this nature haven, where will you go? Is it time to explore the mystical city of Fes? Or will you go on the coast and dive into why the Souss-Massa region is worth visiting?
Bon voyage!
Wander with Purpose – Connect with heart.
