Ouarzazate lies in a valley at the foot of the Atlas Mountains. Owing to its position at the confluence of the Atlas, Draa, and Dades valleys, it was a crossing point for caravans and traders trying to reach the northern cities of Morocco and southern Europe. Today it is still a crossing of sorts, popular with tourists on their way to the Sahara Desert or other Moroccan adventures. On your way to other Moroccan destinations, stop off and enjoy what Ouarzazate has to offer. While it is not highly touted as place to visit by tour guides, you will find much to enjoy here. First, on that list, would be the mountains in the distance. These stark and dry monuments give the city a spectacular backdrop.
At first glance, Ouarzazate appears to be a somewhat sleepy but modern city. It came into its own when France made it an administrative center and a garrison. King Mohammed VI is keen to develop tourism in southern Morocco, so Ouarzazate has found its way into the future. The King is also a fan of the movies and has encouraged development of facilities for filming. Some of the best that the cinema world has or had to offer were filmed in this Moroccan city. If things look a little familiar to you here, you now know why.
Walking around in Ouarzazate is a little surreal. Everything seems new and very plain. Streets are wide and paved. New hotel complexes are everywhere. Ouarzazate has an empty, strange feeling about it compared to other Moroccan cities. The exception would be the typical Moroccan market area. The real lure to Ouarzazate is the surrounding areas. Scenic daytrips into the surrounding region offer a glimpse of times gone by with the ruins of ancient Kasbahs and age-old Berber villages. Plus, the Atlas, Draa, and Dades valleys give ample reasons to get out the hiking boots. Have your Moroccan tour guide set up trekking trips into the countryside or overnighters with a local family.
One of the best draws is the Kasbah of Tcasbah of Taouirt or Kasbah of Ouarzazate. Its gate is a popular movie site for filming. Inside the Kasbah is another world, whole time warp away from the city proper. Here you will find the Palace of Glaoui, which is a beautiful space built by the last ruling family of southern Morocco. It is kept in good shape by the Moroccan government. The entire palace is not open but many parts are available for exploration. You will find that the Kasbah is filled with people who live there.
Streets inside the Kasbah are narrow, irregular and filled with Moroccan people going about everyday life. Now, you truly feel like you are in Morocco. Many opportunities for taking the pictures of a lifetime present themselves everywhere you turn. One of the most beautiful places to take pictures of the Kasbah is across the river. You will be able to take pictures of the Kasbah within a setting of palm trees. Once you are finished exploring the Kasbah and the rest of Ouarzazate, head out to the Draa Valley. You can take day trips out to the surrounding areas and explore. You will have no trouble finding a place to go trekking.
Another spot to go near Ouarzazate is Ait Benhaddou. It's a great place for a day trip, returning to Ouarzazate at night. Ait Benhaddou is famous for its many fortresses and Kasbahs. It is a place of fantasy. Your imagination will run wild with scenes of Morocco of old. This is another place that filmgoers will recognize. If you saw the movie Gladiator, you saw much of Ait Benhaddou. It has been suggested that sunset is the time to be there. Seeing the setting sun reflecting off the red walls gives a surreal feeling.
If you are interested in how films are made, pay a visit to the Atlas Studios. It has an area of 150 hectares with a back lot of 500 hectares. You can see stages and sets used in many of the movies over the past few years. Plus, the view of the Atlas Mountains from the Studios is outstanding.
Consult with your Moroccan tour guide and plan your trip to the Sahara Desert. Your Moroccan adventure can start in Ouarzazate and include maybe exciting experiences. On your way from Ouarzazate to the desert you will pass through many palm date orchards and the town of Zagora. Your Moroccan tour guide will be happy to set you up on day trips into the countryside, book your hotel and transportation.
For more information about Morocco tours and information about Morocco Tours, please visit us at Journey Beyond Travel LLC. We have a quality Morocco travel guide that is updated every day by our wonderfully gifted staff writers. We enjoy sharing information about what Morocco has to offer every sort of traveler.
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