Ouarzazate

The largest kasbah in Morocco and one of the most impressive in the Saharan south, Taourirt was the seat of the Glaoui clan, the feudal lords who controlled the caravan routes between the Sahara and Marrakech. Its labyrinthine interior of decorated rooms, hidden staircases, and crumbling towers covers an entire hilltop. The restored sections showcase painted ceilings, carved stucco, and cedarwood screens, while the unreconstructed wings offer a haunting glimpse of decay and grandeur.

The largest film studio complex in the world covers over 30 hectares and has hosted productions from Lawrence of Arabia (1962) to Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, Game of Thrones, and The Mummy. Guided tours walk through surviving sets including an Egyptian temple, a Tibetan monastery, a Roman arena, and the Black Gate of Mordor. The sheer scale of the sets, combined with the desert backdrop, is genuinely awe-inspiring.

Forty-five minutes west of Ouarzazate, Ait Benhaddou is Morocco's most photogenic ksar (fortified village): a cascade of earthen towers and granaries rising above the Ounila River against a backdrop of semi-arid hills. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, it has appeared in more than 20 films including Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and Lawrence of Arabia. A handful of families still live within the ksar, and the climb to the top rewards with panoramic views.

South from Ouarzazate, the road to Zagora follows the Draa River through what is arguably Morocco's most beautiful valley: an endless ribbon of date palm oases punctuated by kasbahs, mud-brick villages, and Berber settlements. The valley was once a major trans-Saharan trade route, and its culture retains a deeply nomadic character. The drive itself is the attraction, unfolding like a cinema reel of southern Moroccan life.

Forty-five minutes northeast of Ouarzazate, the Skoura palmery is one of the largest and most beautiful oases in southern Morocco. Tens of thousands of date palms shade a patchwork of gardens, olive groves, and dozens of historic kasbahs. Kasbah Amridil, featured on the Moroccan 50-dirham note, is the finest and best-preserved, with beautifully decorated interiors and a rooftop offering 360-degree views over the palms.

An astonishingly green valley hidden just 10 kilometres from Ouarzazate, Fint Oasis appears without warning between folds of barren, rust-red hills. Palm trees, almond orchards, and vegetable gardens crowd the valley floor, irrigated by a centuries-old underground canal system. The oasis is home to a small Berber community and has served as a film set for its dramatic natural contrast.

Northeast of Ouarzazate, the Dades River carves a spectacular gorge through layered sedimentary rock, creating a landscape of twisted formations, sheer cliffs, and narrow canyons. The lower valley is a patchwork of almond orchards, kasbahs, and Berber villages, while the upper gorge narrows into some of the most dramatic scenery in Morocco. The famous "Road of a Thousand Kasbahs" begins here.

Approximately 2.5 hours northeast of Ouarzazate, the Todra Gorge is a narrow canyon where 300-metre limestone walls rise almost vertically from the riverbed, separated by barely 10 metres at the narrowest point. The gorge is a world-renowned rock climbing destination and a breathtaking natural spectacle. The morning light illuminating the orange and pink rock faces is one of Morocco's great visual experiences.