If we talk about Morocco, we must automatically talk about its natural richness, its cultural variety, and its long history, and every city in morocco has its own beauty, its own charm, and its own specificities. Ouarzazate is one of those very famous cities in Morocco, mostly thanks to its tranquility (no wonder its name means "no noise") and its fantastic natural setting. But I also want to mention in this article the excellent tourist conditions in Ouarzazate in terms of historical monuments, natural spaces, and cultural heritage.
The nature surrounding Ouarzazate and its architectural jewels are so famous that many film directors have chosen it as their favourite destination to shoot many internationally celebrated films including, among many others, "Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra", "Lawrence of Arabia", "The Man Who Would Be King", "Cleopatra, "Kundun", "Gladiator" and lately "Alexander", "Kingdom of Heaven" and "Babe". Ouarzazate was also the location of the 26th of November 2006 episode of the television series "The Amazing Race 10", all of which is possible thanks to the big studios equipped with all the necessary means for a most success film production, such as the CLA studios or the Atlas Film Studio.
The Kasbahs are the most important monuments that can attract the attention of the visitors to Ouarzazate. First, we have Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, which has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. This impressive and beautiful Kasbah is located 15 miles from Ouarzazate, a huge castle that stands in the middle of fields and trees, where you enjoy have a wonderful view over the river and the Atlas Mountains.
Also, you can find the Tifoultout Kasbah, located 7 miles from the city centre and where you can enjoy the beauty of the fields and murmur of the waters coming from the river. This 17th century Kasbah used to be the residence of the Pasha Glawi and consists of a series of rising towers that confer it a spectacular appearance. The Kasbah now hosts a fantastic hotel-hostel-restaurant where you can enjoy an utterly exotic and adventurous stay.
Equally, you can visit the Taourirt Kasbah, located in the city centre and also listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Monument. This majestic Kasbah used to be, in the 19th century, the residence of the powerful Pasha of Marrakech and, before that, the ancient palace of the "Lords of the Atlas". It was built with earth and straw, which makes it certainly fragile, but several rooms, richly decorated mostly with carved cedar wood ceilings, can be visited.
More than that, Ouarzazate has been called "The City of the 1000 Kasbahs", due to the many Kasbahs that are spread everywhere (Skoura, Talmasl, Agdez palaces, etc.). All this architectural maste pieces show the incredible skill and savoir-fair of the local craftsmen.
Near Ouarzazate, you will also enjoy different and varied natural spaces, such as the impressive Dadés and Todgha gorges, which are located in Tinghir (90 miles from Ouarzazate in the road to Errachidia), or the oasis of Fint, located 7.5 miles from Ouarzazate, a magnificent and gorgeous place.
In Ouarzazate, the visitor will get the chance to discover the local cultural heritage, which can be experience in many contexts and sites. For example, the local folklore (in the "ahwach" and "ahidous" dances), the food (like "baddaz", which is prepared with corn flour and vegetables and meat, or the traditional bread called "tafarnout"), the clothes (such as the "taterft" and the "laktib" dresses for celebrations), and the Amazigh jewellery (like the "tikhlallin" and the "talguamout", which are usually made of silver).
So, visiting Ouarzazate is a perfect occasion to discover another aspect of the endless beauty of Morocco, and this beautiful city is always glad to welcome its visitors with open arms to offer them its clean air and its lovely weather. Ouarzazate treats its visitor to a holiday full of pleasure, full of enjoyment, and full of peace and tranquility.
For your holidays in Ouarzazate, you can stay in one of the fantastic Marrakech hotels, not far from the City of the 1000 Kasbahs, or in one of the charming and typical Marrakech riads. You can also stay in a lovely villa in Marrakech, closer to Ouarzazate and the rural areas, where landscapes are stunning and where the inhabitants will welcome you with open arms.
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