Ouarzazate: Hollywood of the Sahara & Gateway to the Kasbahs

Nicknamed « The Door of the Desert, » Ouarzazate is a cinematic landscape of ochre cliffs, ancient kasbahs, and sprawling film sets. This crossroads for Sahara-bound caravans now hosts blockbuster movies (Gladiator, Game of Thrones) and travelers en route to Merzouga.

Iconic Sights

1. Aït Ben Haddou
   This UNESCO-listed ksar (fortified village) is Morocco’s most iconic kasbah. Cross the river at dawn to see its mud-brick towers glow like gold.
2. Atlas Film Studios
   Tour the world’s largest film studio, where pharaohs’ temples and medieval castles stand beside Star Wars relics.
3. Fint Oasis
   A hidden valley of date palms and Berber villages, best explored by 4×4 or mountain bike.

Behind the Scenes

• Kasbah Taourirt: Once home to the « Lord of the Atlas, » its honeycomb rooms showcase pre-Saharan architecture.
• Amazigh Pottery Workshops: Learn to hand-coil clay pots in Tamegroute’s green-glaze style.
• Rose Valley (April–May): Drive through Morocco’s « Valley of Roses » when 8,000 farms bloom pink.

Local Flavor
Try madfouna (Berber « pizza » baked in desert sand) at Café-Restaurant Aït Ben Haddou.

Why Filmmakers Love It
Ouarzazate’s raw beauty needs no CGI. Whether you’re tracing caravan routes or spotting movie props in the wild, it feels like walking through a living film set.