A cinematic dream setting
A cinematic dream setting
Fortified desert city
Between canyons, oases & the Sahara
A spectacular setting between the High Atlas Mountains and the desert. Located at a cinematic altitude of 1,150 metres. Ouarzazate, the ochre pearl, is considered the Hollywood of Morocco and a picturesque starting point for exploring the great south of Morocco. Game of Thrones, Gladiator, The Physician and many other blockbuster films and series were shot here – not only because of breathtaking kasbahs such as Ait Ben Haddou, but also because of the contrasting landscapes and the blazing sun.
The Hollywood of Morocco: Ouarzazate between the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara. The cinematic Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou. Film studios. Natural spectacles. And the opportunity to immerse yourself in Berber culture.
The Hollywood of Morocco with film studios and iconic filming locations.
Impressive fortress architecture & the famous Route of the Kasbahs.
Spectacular landscapes between the High Atlas and Anti-Atlas Mountains.
Dramatic rock formations, palm oases and fertile valleys.
For spectacular tours through the Dadès and Todra gorges.
Ouarzazate, with around 80,000 inhabitants, is the capital of the province of the same name in the Drâa-Tafilalet region in southern Morocco. Magnificent kasbahs built in traditional rammed-earth architecture and its location between the High Atlas and Anti-Atlas mountain ranges give this “gateway city” between Marrakesh and the Sahara a unique character. Here you can fully experience the extraordinary diversity of Morocco’s southern landscapes: wild canyons, impressive fortified complexes known as kasbahs, fragrant rose fields, idyllic oases and, finally, the transition to the desert with its magnetic allure.
Atlas Film Studios & Musée du Cinéma
At the centre of Ouarzazate stands the Kasbah Taourirt. From its towers you enjoy wonderful panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Just five kilometres away are the Atlas Studios, Africa’s largest open-air film set. In the Cinema Museum, visitors gain fascinating insights into film props, costumes and the history of filmmaking.
Diverse landscapes
From the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, you enjoy sweeping views of rugged mountains and vast valleys. To the south lies the fertile Drâa Valley with endless palm groves, while the first desert dunes shimmer on the horizon. To the east rises the volcanic massif Jebel Saghro (up to 2,700 m) with jagged rock formations and remote nomad valleys. Nearby, the turquoise El Mansour Eddahbi reservoir is home to colourful sailboats and flamingos.
Climbing, hiking & trekking
The Ouarzazate region offers countless opportunities for hiking and trekking across the High Atlas Mountains, oases and gorges. Routes range from easy walks through oases and kasbahs to moderate canyon hikes and challenging multi-day mountain treks with overnight stays in nomad camps.
Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou
Located about 30 km from Ouarzazate, the fascinating clay village lies picturesquely at the foot of a hillside at around 1,300 metres altitude. Once an important caravan stop on the route between the Sahara (Sudan, Timbuktu) and the royal cities such as Marrakesh and Fes, Ait Ben Haddou is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Nature retreat between palm oases and silent valleys
Around Ouarzazate, a different kind of relaxation begins: palm oases, small riverbeds, peaceful gardens and centuries-old kasbahs create secluded retreats where tranquillity comes naturally. Especially in Skoura and the surrounding oasis landscapes, you experience the slow-paced atmosphere that makes southern Morocco so special – far away from the speed of everyday life, yet deeply connected to nature, light and silence.
Particularly unforgettable is a late afternoon in the Skoura palm oasis – when golden light falls across the earthen walls, the heat of the day slowly fades and a profound sense of calm settles between the date palms and quiet gardens. It is this atmosphere that defines true relaxation.
Rose Valley – Kelaat M’Gouna
Around 60 km from Ouarzazate, ochre-coloured canyons frame endless rose fields that bloom in spring (April–May) and produce rosewater, oils and cosmetics. The cultivation area, with over 4,000 km of rose hedges, is ideal for romantic spring walks.
Tip: Visit a distillery in Kelaat M’Gouna and buy precious rose oil directly from the source.
Fête de la Rose
Every May, the town of Kelaat M’Gouna celebrates the traditional Rose Festival. The harvest of the Damask rose is honoured with parades, the crowning of the Rose Queen, traditional Berber music, dancing and markets selling rose products.
Explore the surroundings
Explore the surroundings
Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou
Skoura Oasis
Monkey Fingers / Dadès Gorge
Valley of Roses
El Mansour Eddahbi Reservoir
Fint Oasis
Drâa Valley
Todra Gorge
Jebel Saghro
Our Pur Life Maroc concierge service offers tailor-made travel experiences designed around your wishes. Discover the most beautiful and authentic sides of Morocco up close, guided by our local experts and Pur Life insiders. Immerse yourself in your own personal Pur Life Maroc journey.
A visit to Ait Ben Haddou, perhaps Morocco's most impressive kasbah, is an absolute must. This fascinating earthen village lies about 30 km from Ouarzazate, the centre of Morocco's film industry, and is beautifully set at the foot of a hillside at around 1,300 metres above sea level. The historic site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has served as a filming location for famous productions such as Game of Thrones and Lawrence of Arabia.
The picturesque Fint Oasis, located about 20 km from Ouarzazate, is especially beautiful in the early morning or evening light. In the Berber language, "Fint" means "hidden." Your personal guide will take you into this secluded valley, where palm groves and traditional earthen Berber houses create a setting that feels like stepping back in time.
Located about 95 km northeast of Ouarzazate (approximately 1.5 hours by car), the Valley of Roses bursts into bloom each spring when thousands of roses cover the landscape. Enjoy the fragrance of the flowers, lush gardens and the maze of valleys and gorges. In Kelaat M'Gouna, visit a traditional distillery to learn how precious rose oil is produced and discover a variety of rose-based products.
Experience a true desert adventure in the vast dune sea of Erg Chebbi near Merzouga. From Ouarzazate (370 km, about 5–6 hours by 4×4), begin a guided camel trek at sunset into the dunes. Spend the night in a luxury Berber desert camp with heated tents, a traditional tajine dinner, and a spectacular star-filled sky. The next morning, watch the sunrise over the dunes and enjoy a quad ride before returning to Ouarzazate in the afternoon.
Experience a private round trip through kasbahs, oases and the fascinating vastness of the Sahara.
