Ouarzazate Guide: Film Studios, Kasbahs & Day Trips
Hassan Ait Baha · 10 min · South Morocco
How to visit Ouarzazate — Morocco's "Ouallywood" film city, with studios, kasbahs and the gateway to the Sahara and the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs.
Ouarzazate — "the door of the desert" — is the gateway to the Moroccan Sahara and the unofficial capital of African cinema. Sitting at the crossroads of the Marrakech-to-desert route and the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, it's a practical base for exploring Ait Benhaddou, the Dades and Todra gorges, and the deep south. Most travellers pass through; a few stay to explore the studios and kasbahs.
Top Things to Do in Ouarzazate
- Atlas Film Studios and CLC Studios — tours of the vast film sets
- Taourirt Kasbah — a restored mud-brick kasbah in the town centre
- Ait Benhaddou — the UNESCO kasbah, 30 minutes away
- Skoura palmery and Kasbah Amerhidil — 45 minutes away
- Fint Oasis — a hidden palm oasis with traditional villages
- The Dades Valley and Todra Gorge — a 2-hour drive east
The Film Studios
Ouarzazate's studios are among the largest in the world. Atlas Film Studios (the bigger of the two) has vast permanent sets — a Roman coliseum, Egyptian temples, a Tibetan monastery, medieval streets — built for productions like Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven and The Mummy. CLC Studios is smaller but includes Game of Thrones sets. Tours run daily and take 1-2 hours each.
Taourirt Kasbah
In the town centre, Taourirt Kasbah is one of the most impressive mud-brick kasbahs in Morocco, once the residence of the Glaoui chiefs who controlled the southern trade routes. Restored with intricate interior decoration, it's worth an hour and gives context to the kasbah architecture you'll see across the south.
As a Base for the South
Ouarzazate is the natural hub for the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs. From here you can day-trip to Ait Benhaddou, Skoura and the Fint Oasis, or head east to the Dades and Todra gorges and on to Merzouga. It's also the practical overnight stop on the Marrakech-to-Sahara drive.
Where to Stay
Ouarzazate has a range of modern hotels in the town centre and atmospheric kasbah-hotels in the surrounding countryside (Skoura is the best base for these). For a Sahara loop, one night in Ouarzazate or Skoura is standard.
Book an Ouarzazate Tour
Visit Ouarzazate on a Sahara loop or a South Morocco kasbah tour. Book an Ouarzazate tour and step behind the scenes of "Ouallywood".
Frequently asked questions
What is Ouarzazate famous for?
It's Morocco's film-making capital, nicknamed "Ouallywood". Major films and TV shows — Gladiator, Game of Thrones, Kingdom of Heaven, The Mummy — were shot here and at the nearby Atlas and CLC film studios. It's also the gateway to Ait Benhaddou and the Sahara.
Are the Ouarzazate film studios worth visiting?
Yes if you enjoy film. The Atlas Film Studios and CLC Studios offer tours of the standing sets — Egyptian temples, Roman coliseums, medieval towns — built for various productions. Allow 2-3 hours.
How far is Ouarzazate from Marrakech?
About 200 km and a 4-hour drive over the Tizi n'Tichka pass. It's the natural overnight stop on the Marrakech-to-Sahara route, and a base for visiting Ait Benhaddou (30 minutes away).
What else is near Ouarzazate?
Ait Benhaddou (30 min), the Dades Valley and Todra Gorge (2 hours), the Skoura palmery and Kasbah Amerhidil (45 min), and the Fint Oasis. It's the perfect hub for the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs.
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