Ouarzazate is a city located in southern Maroc. It sits at an elevation of 1,150 meters and belongs to the province of the same name. With a population of approximately 61,000 inhabitants, including a significant Berber community, the city is also known as the Gateway to the Desert due to its proximity to the Sahara. It boasts an international airport accessible by road from Marrakech. The city has experienced remarkable growth in both tourism and film production, making it one of the most sought-after locations for filmmakers worldwide. The climate is dry and arid, with average minimum temperatures of 11.3°C, average maximum temperatures of 27°C, and overall average temperatures of 19°C.

Ouarzazate is a majestic city, an impressive blend of kasbahs, verdant valleys, splendid flora, magnificent oases, and a captivating desert. Its charm is heightened by its impressive palm grove, its villages perched on red earth turning to ochre. This city serves as the departure point for journeys through numerous kasbahs. It is indeed called the city of a thousand kasbahs, also known as Ksars. Notable examples include Ksar Ighnda, the kasbah at Agdz, Taourirt (the most famous), and Tanmougalt. These structures represent ancient dwellings made of clay earth and straw—pisé. They once housed Berber clans, livestock, and harvests. Small openings throughout provide ventilation and are adorned with Berber decorations and geometric patterns. Generally built over multiple stories, they resemble gray fortresses that become magical after nightfall, transforming into a mystical setting, another world entirely.

The gorges, valleys, and palm groves are typical features of Ouarzazate. The Todra Gorges present towering rock walls approximately 300 meters high. You can approach by car, though the remainder must be traversed on foot. Restaurants and a hotel sit at the base of the tallest cliff. For the adventurous, rock climbing with proper equipment is possible. Todra Valley is an oasis bordered by the Grand Atlas to the north and Imider Valley to the south, with Jbel Saghro to the east. It stretches across some twenty kilometers. You may also visit the Drâa Valley, a gigantic oasis stretching 200 kilometers. This valley lies at the gates of the desert. The Dadès Valley is the route of a thousand kasbahs. Over more than 170 kilometers, you'll discover all of Maroc's varied landscapes. Its wadi waters supply the oases in this arid desert setting. A stop at the Dadès Gorges is essential. The most daring can wade barefoot through the stream—the water is very cold, but the scenery is stunning, tranquil, and colored in ochre tones. You'll take the road on a small circuit between Agdz and Zagora to admire eight palm groves that create a striking contrast with the rocky terrain surrounding them. As you leave Zagora, the Moroccan desert opens before you. You can undertake magnificent excursions on camelback.

You can explore Ouarzazate's artisanal market, which has the atmosphere of traditional souks. You'll find numerous locally produced items such as pottery, stone objects, bags, babouches, spices, and carpets. Wandering through the city's streets yields interesting discoveries at every turn. Nightlife in Ouarzazate is varied and abundant. You can dance on the nightclub floors typically found in hotels, attend a folkloric evening in the desert organized by hotels, enjoy evenings with various entertainment, spend nights under the stars, or simply admire the beauty of the landscape and the splendor of the city illuminated in ochre hues, transforming this place into something magical and extraordinary. This is a city that comes alive at night—allow yourself to be tempted, according to your preferences, by the numerous entertainment and shows on offer.

Ouarzazate is the film city. Indeed, numerous filmmakers from around the world are drawn to its landscapes, exceptional light quality, abundant local workforce, and sunshine that graces the region for more than 300 days annually. Highly prized by cinematographers for the quality of its diverse landscapes and ethnic diversity, it is a filming location where many films have been produced, such as Lawrence of Arabia in 1962, Patton in 1970, Gladiator in 2000, Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra in 2002, and The Jewel of the Nile in 2006, to name just a few, as the list is lengthy. Ouarzazate is home to the Atlas Corporation studios and a cinema museum open to visitors. You can discover the many costumes worn during film productions in the region, as well as the remains of sets on display. It's sure to satisfy your curiosity. It's also a production site for documentaries, advertising spots, short films, and reportages.

Ouarzazate's strengths include: luminosity that brings colors to life, a near-Saharan climate, a bright blue sky, ethnic diversity, generous sunshine, a multitude of landscapes, a film school, three studios, numerous hotels, warm hospitality from its residents, and, finally, remarkable welcome and hospitality.