Ouarzazate

Ouarzazate, pronounced "war-za-zat," has earned its reputation as the "Hollywood of Africa" through decades of hosting international film productions attracted by its dramatic landscapes, reliable sunshine, and authentic kasbahs. From Lawrence of Arabia to Game of Thrones, the region's scenery has doubled for locations from ancient Rome to Tibet.

The city serves as the primary gateway to Morocco's deep south, positioned at the crossroads where the High Atlas Mountains meet the pre-Saharan desert. This strategic location made it a crucial stop on the trans-Saharan trade routes and today makes it the starting point for journeys to the Sahara dunes.

Ait Benhaddou, just 30 kilometers from Ouarzazate, stands as Morocco's most spectacular ksar (fortified village). This UNESCO World Heritage site has appeared in countless films, its earthen towers and walls creating an otherworldly silhouette against the barren hills. Families still live within the lower sections, maintaining traditions stretching back centuries.

Atlas Studios and CLA Studios offer tours through massive sets including Egyptian temples, Tibetan monasteries, and Roman arenas. The Taourirt Kasbah, once the seat of the powerful Glaoui family, provides insight into the region's feudal past and showcases traditional pise (rammed earth) architecture.

Beyond cinema, Ouarzazate offers access to extraordinary natural landscapes: the Valley of Roses in spring, the Dades and Todra Gorges, the kasbahs of the Road of 1000 Kasbahs, and the endless horizons of the Draa Valley.