Quarzazate city spans 350 sq. km in southern Morocco in theDraa River Valley the country’s longest river which is at an average elevation of 1,160 metres (3,810 ft). The city lies on a rocky plateau south of the Atlas Mountains and consists of lush palms, grooves and oasis valleys. It serves as a gateway to the Morocco Sahara Desert. Among the first people to settle in Quarzazate were the Berbers known for their unique architecture Kasbahs which are fortified structures built with rammed earth and mud-brick. These fortifications were built with defensive high walls to protect inhabitants and also serve as strategic administrative centers. Quarzazate became an important trading post along the camel caravan trade routes across the Sahara desert where salt from the north and gold from the south got traded. During the 17th century a royal Imzwarn royal family established Taourirt Kasbah as a royal residence and its one of the most spectacular and well preserved buildings of the Berber architecture in Quarzazate city. Due to the unique Kasbah architecture, spectacular landscape, and aesthetics Quarzazate became an attractive location for film making and designated a UNESCO creative city of film. Top Hollywood movies have been filmed there including the Old Guard 2, Game of Thrones, Gladiator, Mummy, and Vikings. As a result, the city was nicknamed the “Hollywood of Morocco” and is one of the best destinations for film tourism where visitors can explore the movie-making process firsthand. This status has helped to boost tourism and sustainable development of Quarzazate city through local crafts and folk arts. Those intending to explore Quarzazate can plan to stay for two days, however day tours are available for booking through a tour operator or a local tour guide.
Things to see and do in Quarzazate
Taourirt Kasbah
One of the major tourist attractions in Quarzazate is Taourirt Kasbah which is an extensive residential castle with over 300 rooms including former palaces, living quarters, harems, stores and kitchens, courtyards and riads. The building has three floors and is marked by imposing fortified square and rectangular towers. At least three quarters of the complex is open to the public which allows visitors to explore the inside some of the rooms with notable decoration of geometric motifs and niches and ceilings made out of woven reed. There’s also an art gallery inside the Kasbah.The history of Taourirt dates back to the 17th century when the Imzwarn family established the Kasbah as their royal residence. Later on the castle was taken over by Thami El Glaoui the Pasha of Marrakesh from 1912 to 1956 when Morocco obtained independence from the French. El Glaoui is known for having expanded the Kasbah and added decorative features such as cedar ceilings, Zellige tiles, and stucco paintings. The Kasbah Taourirt was inscribed on the UNESCO world heritage list and is open for visitors to explore the inside which contains cinema museums, an art gallery, rooms and raids adorned by intricate designs such as cedar ceilings, and plasterworks. There are multilevel towers that offer panoramic views of the city for a keen photographer. Guided tours are available to take you through the various sections of the Kasbah with an opportunity to explore the history, culture and architecture of the Berber people. Kasbah Taourirt has been featured in the Movie “Prince of Persia” and Kasbah Amridil.
Movie studios
Quarzazate city is home to two main movie studios which include Atlas and CLA film studios. Atlas film studios was founded in 1983 following the filming of the movie ‘Jewel of the Nile’ and has been used in several other movies including Lawrence of Arabia 1962, Gladiator 2, and Black hawk down. Sets and props used in shooting these movies have been preserved given that there’s enough space to build new ones. Some of the famous sets and props in Atlas studios include the F-16 and ancient Egyptian courtyards. Atlas film studios covers an area of 322,000 square feet on the edge of the Moroccan Sahara desert and is one of the biggest movie studios in the world. It lies in a natural setting surrounded by spectacular Atlas mountains, desert, and oases and that’s why it’s been considered among the best movie studios. Atlast movie studios is 5 km from Quarzazate city and can be reached by car on a day tour.
CLA studios
Located in the center of Quarzazate city CLA studios CLA film studios was established in 2004 and has been used in production of several movies including Kingdom of Heaven 2005, Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra 2002, and Babel 2006. Visitors can enjoy a guided tour of the CLA studios and explore the studio’s film sets and props, behind-the-scenes film making process, and several studio buildings can be visited with one ticket.
The Route of A Thousand Kasbahs
The route stretches between Quarzazate and Tinghir and offers an opportunity for visitors to enjoy spectacular views of Kasbahs and the Moroccan Sahara desert. One of the major attractions along this route is the Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO world heritage site famous for being the oldest village in Morocco. According to UNESCO a Ksar means a group of earthen buildings surrounded by high walls in North Africa. The Ksar Aït Benhaddou, 30 km (1-hour drive) north west of Quarzazate city is a fortified village with an area of 3.03 hectares that consists of many Kasbahs that have been preserved as an example of Southern Morocco architecture.
Ait-Ben-Haddou
Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou is an ancient village located on the banks of Ounila River with rich cultural and historical heritage. The village is made up of earthen buildings that were constructed between the 11th and 17th centuries during the Berber Almoravid dynasty. The structures stand out for their strength and durability due to the rammed earth technique that was used to construct them using sustainable local materials like sand, clay, and silt together. The mudbrick structures were built in a way that regulates temperature naturally making them suitable spaces to live in. Such a fortified village served as a strategic trading post of the Berber people along the camel caravan route in North Africa. Some people continue to live in Ait-Ben-Haddou preserving their ancient unique ways of life. The Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou was inscribed on the UNESCO world heritage list in 1987 due to unique earthen architecture. Most of the structures of Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou have been preserved including the Ksar museum and those turned into filming locations where several Hollywood movies have been shot including Queen of the Desert. Visitors to Ait-Ben-Haddou are allowed to tour multiple sections including film sets and meet artists famous for their paintings made with tea and sugar. There are artisans that specialize in making the famous Berber carpets and learn how these beautiful rugs are made by hand. Climbing stairs to the uppermost parts of the Kashbah offers panoramic views of the surroundings for a keen photographer. Before or after exploring Ait-Ben-Haddou visitors can enjoy food and drinks at the Tawesna Tea House, located at the entrance of the ksar. The restaurant is part of an organization that provides opportunities for local women to earn an income while promoting Moroccan cuisine and hospitality.
Where to stay in Quarzazate
Quarzazate city offers a wide range of accommodations including Berbere Palace Hotel which is 15-min drive from the airport. Berbere Palace Hotel is a 5-star hotel with 240 air conditioned rooms, each with veranda, en-suite bathrooms, smart TVs, and Wi-Fi. Among other amenities include swimming pool, hammam bath, multiple restaurants that offer local and intercontinental dishes.
Riad Dar Rita
Hotel Riad Dar Rita offers homestay accommodation in 7 air conditioned twin, double, and triple rooms each with a private bathroom, high speed Wi-Fi, coffee maker. The hotel’s main lounge area has a terrace, fireplace, library and a complimentary continental and buffet breakfast is served daily in the restaurant. Riad Dar Rita is 2.5 km from the centre of Ouarzazate, 10 min drive from the airport and Ouarzazate Bus Station, 6-minute drive from the Taourirt Kasbah and a 10-min drive from Atlas Film Studios.
Hotel Riad Dar Daif
Riad Dar Daif is a 3-star hotel located 5km east of Quarzazate city center on the shores of Lake Mansour Eddahbi on the southern slopes of high Atlas mountains. The hotel offers 17 rooms categorized into1 mini room, 2 small rooms, 2 standard rooms, 2 quadruple rooms, 2 junior suite, 2 family junior suite, 2 family suite, and 1 suite. All rooms have en-suit private bathrooms of which some have lounges and terraces and good views of the gardens. The restaurant serves Moroccan traditional dishes with an enjoyable dining experience either in the gardens, terrace or in the room. An outdoor swimming pool is available for guests
Dar Bladi
Dar Bladi guesthouse is 9.8 km southeast of Quarzazate city in the tranquil village of Talmasla making for a good place to relax away from the noise of the town. The guesthouse offers six air conditioned rooms each with en-suit bathrooms and private veranda with views of the surrounding Atlas mountains. A good room service is available allowing guests to order for meals and dine in their room. There’s also an option to dine in the restaurant which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with both Moroccan traditional and Mediterranean cuisine.