If there is one Moroccan city that has a unique character, it is Ouarzazate. Located 200 kilometres south of Marrakech, on the southern slope of the High Atlas, this small city of about 75,000 inhabitants combines its Berber cultural identity with one of Africa’s most surprising film industries. Ouarzazate hosts the world’s largest film studio complex by surface area, has been the location for dozens of major international productions, and is, simultaneously, one of the most practical bases for exploring the Moroccan desert south. This guide covers everything you need to know.
Why Ouarzazate is called Hollywood of Africa
Ouarzazate’s nickname as “Hollywood of Africa” is no exaggeration. The Atlas Film Studios complex covers approximately 30,000 square metres of outdoor sets and indoor facilities, making it the world’s largest film studio by surface area. The list of major productions filmed here is staggering: Lawrence of Arabia (1962), The Sheltering Sky (1990), The Mummy (1999), Gladiator (2000), Black Hawk Down (2001), Babel (2006), Kingdom of Heaven (2005), Body of Lies (2008), Prince of Persia (2010), American Sniper (2014), Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation (2015), and multiple seasons of Game of Thrones, among many others.
What to see in Ouarzazate
Atlas Film Studios
The studio tour takes 90 minutes to two hours and is genuinely entertaining even for visitors with little interest in cinema. The outdoor sets include recreated ancient Egyptian streets, Roman colosseum sections, mediaeval Arabian city facades, and several other architectural environments. You can walk through the same sets where major productions were filmed, see vintage props and costumes, and the guides explain anecdotes from each production. Our Tours from Fes includes this stop on the route.
Kasbah Taourirt
The Kasbah Taourirt in the city centre is a 19th-century earthen palace that served as the residence of the Glaoui family, the most powerful feudal dynasty in southern Morocco before independence. UNESCO has funded substantial restoration work, and the interior reveals carved and painted reception halls, intimate family quarters, and rooftop terraces with panoramic views. The visit takes about an hour.
Excursions from Ouarzazate
The most popular excursions from Ouarzazate are: Ait Benhaddou (30 km, half-day), the Draa Valley (south, full day), the Dades Valley with the famous Monkey Fingers (east, full day), and the Skoura palm grove with its famous Amridil kasbah (45 km, half-day). The information about Ait Benhaddou is on Lonely Planet Morocco.
Ouarzazate as a desert tour base
Ouarzazate’s strategic position makes it an ideal base for travellers who want to combine a desert tour with deeper exploration of the southern kasbah landscape. From here, both Erg Chebbi (Merzouga) and Erg Chegaga (Zagora) are accessible. The city has a small regional airport with flights from Casablanca, which makes it a viable alternative entry point for travellers who don’t want to start in Marrakech. Our tours from Tours from Ouarzazate are designed for this scenario.
How to visit Ouarzazate
Most travellers visit Ouarzazate as part of a desert tour from Marrakech, with a stop of 1-2 hours in the city on the first day. This is sufficient to see Kasbah Taourirt and possibly the Atlas Studios. Travellers who want more time can spend a night in Ouarzazate, which allows a more relaxed visit including dinner at a local restaurant and exploration of the small medina. Our Tours from Errachidia includes an overnight in Ouarzazate. For more information, see our blog.
