Nicknamed the “Door to the Desert”, Ouarzazate sits at the edge of the Atlas Mountains, between Marrakech and the shifting sands of the Sahara. Far more than just a stopover spot, this old trading city is now known as the Hollywood of Africa. Its desert landscapes and earthen-clay kasbahs have featured in Game of Thrones, Star Wars, and The Mummy to name a few. The best things to do in this ochre-tinged city include visiting movie studios; kasbah-hopping around Aït Benhaddou and Tifoultoute; relaxing in the palm-fringed Fint oasis; or heading out into the Draa Valley.
The best time to visit Ouarzazate is either in the spring—between March and May—or in the fall months of September, October, and November, when temperatures are perfect for exploring. Summer, on the other hand, can be blisteringly hot, while winters can be pretty chilly—although you do get the benefit of seeing snow-capped peaks on the distant Atlas mountains.
While public buses get you in and out of Ouarzazate, the best way to get around is by taxi—either a white petit taxi if you're staying within the city limits or a grand taxi if you're heading further afield. You can also organize a private driver so you can focus on the history of the old trading outpost and its scenery. Day trips to Atlas Studios, Aït Benhaddou, and Fint Oasis, Zagora Desert, and Draa Valley often include round-trip transport.
While most people use Ouarzazate as a jumping-off point, the city has several hot spots of its own, including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Taourirt Kasbah and the Cinema Museum. Found in the heart of the Old Town, the 17th-century rammed earth and mud-brick kasbah has been featured in movies such as Gladiator and Prince of Persia, and offers great views over the Old Town. The neighboring museum is packed with movie set memorabilia dating back to the ‘60s.
