Ouarzazate, the gateway to the Great South, will take you to the immense arid expanses of the Moroccan desert. At the confluence of the Draa and Dades rivers, not far from the Ziz, the landscape transforms into a realm of palm groves, orchards, and gardens, as well as regs and ergs. Above the valleys and at the gateway to the desert, Ouarzazate is perched at 1,160m on the high plateaus of the Atlas Mountains. The city thus benefits from an exceptional climate for the region: winters are mild (around 15°C), while summer temperatures can exceed 35°C! A trip not to be missed under any circumstances!
At the heart of the Saharan universe, a former garrison town during the French protectorate, Ouarzazate lies on the caravan route between Marrakech and the Sahara. A crossroads of civilizations and peoples, the region has enjoyed great prosperity for centuries, with particularly flourishing trade and crafts. Embark on the oasis route to discover the adobe kasbahs, guardians of the history and legends of the great south. Ouarzazate is the starting point for numerous excursions to the oases and great dunes of southern Morocco.
Excursion to Ouarzazate
Market Street, Post Street, and Mohammed VI Street define the city center, where Ouarzazate’s main shops, cafes, and restaurants are concentrated. Take a stroll around Place du 3 Mars to enjoy its lively evenings. The city’s souk is located off Mohammed V Avenue. For your shopping, head to the Ouarzazate Craft Center. There, you can visit the stonemasonry, copper, and silver sculptors’ workshops. When visiting Ouarzazate, head to the Taourirt Kasbah, the former palace of the Pasha of Marrakech. It is located across from the craft center, on the other side of Mohammed V Avenue. This colossal adobe building houses a veritable labyrinth of corridors and staircases, and sumptuous rooms. In the fortified village of the kasbah, venture into the maze of shaded alleys; the peaceful atmosphere is very pleasant.
In the vicinity of Ouarzazate, you will come across numerous film sets, erected amidst the desert plateaus. These are often reconstructions of villas, temples, and ancient buildings used for the filming of historical epics or other American productions. The most interesting sets are located in the Atlas Corporation studios, which are easily identifiable: monumental Egyptian statues flank the entrance door.
