What to do in Ouarzazate, the Moroccan Hollywood
On the journey of 1,000 kasb from Marrakech to the Sahara, one stop stands out for its movie-star status and sunset-drenched citadels. Ouarzazate is Morocco‘s Hollywood in the desert. Here’s how to see it.
Although there are many places of interest in Marrakech, many people make the popular trip to the sand dunes of the Sahara. Heading past the Unila Valley and Ait Ben-Haddou, almost all travelers stop overnight in Ouarzazate. Although this dusty roadside stop may appear to be a peaceful town, it actually has a few surprises up its sleeve.
The first thing that catches your eye as you approach Ouarzazate is a massive shining beacon of light. The largest solar power plant complex in the world rises over the area and emits light resembling that of a contemporary lighthouse. desert.
But Ouarzazate is also a leader in another dazzling field. Atlas Studios, near the city center, has been producing Hollywood blockbusters since 1983. More than 200 films have been shot in these parts. Everything from biblical scenes to ancient Egyptian fables have been filmed here.
In addition to being the center of the Moroccan film industry, Ouarzazate is also home to intriguing kasbahs – both ruined and restored – and a hidden oasis, making it one of the most interesting places to visit in Morocco.
Here’s our guide to the sights of Ouarzazate, including our suggestions for where to stay.
IN THIS GUIDE.
The best things to do in Ouarzazate, Morocco
01 – ATLAS STUDIOS
02 – KASBAH TAURIRT
03 – CINEMA MUSEUM
04 – AIT BEN HADDU
05 – FIN OASIS
06 – QUAD
07 – NUR ENERGY COMPLEX
01 – CELEBRATE THE OUARZAZATE LINEAGE AT THE ATLAS FILM STUDIO
The 433,000-square-foot Atlas Film Studio is considered the largest in the world. Cheap production costs and Morocco’s desert landscapes lured Hollywood studios to settle in Ouarzazate.
More than 200 films and television programs have been shot at Atlas Studios, including Gladiator, Ben Hur, The Mummy, The Passion of the Christ, Black Hawk Down and Game of Thrones.
Some sets have survived, while others are constantly being built and then torn down again to make way for the next ones. There are complete sets for “Kundun” and “The Mummy,” many memorabilia from the films, and an exhibit hall dedicated to the “Prison Break” series.
The highlight is the set of the movie “Kingdom of Heaven” – 1 km from the entrance. Climb its towering walls, examine the weapons and religious images and imagine you’re Orlando Bloom or Jeremy Irons saving Christianity.
Atlas Film Studio / 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. October through February; 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. March through September | Price: 80 drh for Atlas Film Studio; 40 drh Kingdom of Heaven set; 110 drh for both.
02 – A WALK THROUGH THE LABYRINTH OF TINY ROOMS AT THE KASBAH TAURIRT
Casbah Taurirt is a citadel in the center of Ouarzazate. It was the official residence of the Glaoui family who owned the valuable trade routes between Marrakech, the Unila Valley, and the Sahara. The imposing Taurirt, perhaps their greatest kasbah, was erected thanks to their hegemony on this crucial economic axis.
Visitors are drawn deeper and deeper inside this ancient labyrinth by its 300 rooms and veritable maze of tunnels. Sharp steps, small corridors, and an increasing sensation of curiosity connect room after room. Intricate plasterwork, painted moldings and delightful mosaics help distinguish one room from another.
Step outside into the garden where some of the tiny rooms still house Moroccan families to get a feel for what it was like to live in the Kasbah.
. For a small fee, they will gladly show you around.
After wandering through the interesting collection of tiny rooms, check out a few rooms near the exit where some very good local art is for sale.
Kasbah Taourirt / 8:30 – 16:00 every day | Price: 20 drh
03 – BE PUZZLED BUT FASCINATED AT THE FILM MUSEUM
Across from the Kasbah is the Film Museum, a more intimate look at the film industry in Ouarzazate. Instead of large sprawling lots, the museum contains a few old sets, various props and archaic cinematic equipment.
It’s a small, dusty room with sets from “Aladdin,” “The Mummy” and “Babel.” But with the occasional gaudy bulletin board and remnants of old films, it feels more like an abandoned house than a museum. Browsing through the old and interesting film camera equipment, we felt as if we had accidentally wandered into a storeroom.
But the Film Museum is one of those delightful experiences you can only have in Morocco. Not to be confused, we stumbled upon the camera that Russell Crowe walked out of in “Gladiator,” a very convincing-looking Egyptian palace and a set that looked like it was taken from a “Star Wars” movie.
Since the museum is located right across the street from the Kasbah, it’s worth checking out here.
Ouarzazate Film Museum / 8:00 – 18:00 every day | Price: 30 drh
04 – WATCHING THE SUNSET OR SUNRISE OVER AIT BENHADDOU
Ait Benhaddou is a spectacular fortified city (ksar) that is perched on a hill and whose red clay walls and structures tower majestically over the banks of the Unila River. Its fortified walls and dramatic location conjure up images of biblical cities, long-vanished villages, and battling armies.
Hollywood has also taken notice. Over the years, movie studios have made pilgrimages here to make such classic films as Lawrence of Arabia, GInside the ksar, tiny alleys and staircases wander around red-brick buildings that are in various states of disrepair. Some have been left in ruins, others have been renovated or completely rebuilt by the film industry. Most are filled with hawkers selling art, trinkets and local artifacts.ladiator, and Jesus of Nazareth.
It’s not exactly an authentic look at Moroccan rural life, but it’s still a great thing to do in Ouarzazate.
If you arrive at dawn or dusk, the crowds will be few, the vendors either gone or still asleep, and the Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou will shimmer with a golden glow. Climb to the top of one of the surrounding hills and you will be rewarded with beautiful desert mountain scenery.
One of the best ways to get here is by car through the beautiful Unila Valley. Read our guide with all the details about a stunning trip to Aït Ben Haddou.
Kasbah Aït Ben Haddou / Open 24 hours a day | Price: Free | Access: Enter by pedestrian bridge from the city or through the new entrance gate southeast of the kasbah | Location: 30 minutes drive from Ouarzazate.
05 – IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE PEACE AND QUIET OF OASIS FINT
Oasis Fint is a delightful little community in a stunning hidden oasis and is about 40 minutes along a bumpy road from Ouarzazate.
A community of 150 people lives in 4 villages along a palm-fringed river. Life here seems to have changed little from centuries past. Women till small fields, men herd goats, and children muzzle donkeys carrying them and their produce between villages.
In spring, the area is colored with contrasting colors. When there is a little more water in the oasis, the crops turn a brilliant green, and the river banks are adorned with bright pink flowers. The wide walls of red rock canyons sweeping overhead give the area an exotic, otherworldly feel.
At Flint Oasis, you don’t have to do anything but stroll around and enjoy the slow pace of life. The locals will undoubtedly approach and offer you a tour. If you decide not to, you can park your car and walk around on your own.
At one of the hotels in the oasis, Terrasses des Délices, you can have a cup of excellent mint tea on the terrace overlooking the lush palm trees.
Oasis Fint/Oasis is shown on the map at the end of this post. The 45-minute drive can be done slowly in a simple 2WD, but is faster and more comfortable in a high-clearance or 4×4 vehicle (25 minutes). Leave town heading south on the gravel road (P1507) and then turn onto road P1509 for the last few minutes on the bumpy road.
06 – ATV RIDE THROUGH THE DESERT
If movie memorabilia, intriguing kasbahs, quaint museums and mysterious oases don’t leave you indifferent to Ouarzazate, then your prayers are answered by four-wheeling.
The desolate landscape around Ouarzazate is the perfect place to ride an ATV. Traverse stunning trails to the Fint Oasis, explore hidden corners of the desert, and have afternoon tea with a local family. This is a great, adrenaline-filled way to get more out of your trip to Ouarzazate.
Fouad Quads offers 1-3-hour tours that start at the depot right outside Atlas Studios, or a 1-day trip to the far reaches.
07 – NOOR SOLAR ENERGY COMPLEX
The world’s largest concentrated solar energy complex is working to meet Morocco’s renewable energy goals on the outskirts of Ouarzazate.
Built on an area the size of 3,500 soccer fields, line after line of solar panels catch the sun’s rays, creating enough energy to supply a city the size of Prague. Each panel reflects light onto a massive tower illuminating the desert. As you approach it, it looks like something out of a science fiction movie, hovering over the sleepy, dusty terrain.
The bright light hovering over Ouarzazate proclaims Morocco to be part of the modern age. Eventually the Nour solar power plant will be able to store energy in the form of heated molten salt, allowing it to generate electricity in the evening.
Although the power plant is clearly visible from all around the city, tours of it are currently inaccessible without high-level scientific clearance. However, it is worth driving up to the entrance to get a closer look at the glow of the tower and marvel at the efforts Morocco is making to green its energy supply.
WHERE TO STAY IN OUARZAZATE, MOROCCO
As the major center of the region, Ouarzazate has several good lodging options for every budget and all the amenities you need, including restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations. Several attractions are in or near the center of town, so it’s a good base for exploring the area.
However, if you have your own car, you may want to stop at some places near Ait Ben Haddou. This way you can avoid the crowds of tourists and easily get there for sunrise and/or sunset to make the most of your photo opportunities. Driving in Morocco is easy (as we covered in this post), so getting back to the hotel from Ouarzazate after dinner is no problem. That said, the food at the Riad Tamdakhte, near Ait Ben Haddou, was very good. So there’s no reason to travel if you don’t want to.
Here are some of our suggestions for accommodation around Ouarzazate.
BUDGET OUARZAZATE
DAR WIDAD.
Dar Widad is a great budget option 10 minutes south of Ouarzazate. The rooms may be small, but everything is clean and the equipment works. The hostess could not be more responsive and friendly and offers helpful information, local tours and history of the area.
GREAT VALUE TAMDAHTE.
TAMDAHTE RIAD.
Located just north of Ait Ben Haddou, this reasonably priced riad has great views from both the rooftop terrace and the front patio. The large and comfortable rooms, beautifully decorated in the local Moroccan style, make it our favorite in the area. It is a 30 minute drive from Ouarzazate.
UPMARKET OUARZAZATE
DAR CAMAR.
To enjoy your stay in downtown Ouarzazate, check out Dar Kamar. The friendly English-speaking hosts have paid great attention to detail. Their beautifully restored riad creates a beautifully relaxing African-inspired space.On the patio with city views, breakfast is served.
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