10 Things to do in Ouarzazate
10 Things to do in Ouarzazate: Ouarzazate is the starting point to learn about life in the Sahara desert and live the experience through the Arab and Berber culture. Ouarzazate is a strategic place that can not miss on your Morocco tours and its desert. When visiting this city you will find many things to do besides visiting the desert, such as taking an excursion to the walled citadel of Ait Benhaddou or the magical village of Telouet in the Atlas Mountains.
In Ouarzazate you can taste the typical Moroccan food and of very good quality, in the same way you can stay in wonderful places, set and decorated with the traditional essence of Morocco.
The accesses that connect the different tourist centers are in very good condition so you can rent a vehicle and live the experience on your own or you can hire a tour from Ouarzazate that will take you through the southern Atlas.
Currently something that has made Ouarzazate stand out globally is the development of the world’s largest solar panel plant, the marathon of the sabers through the desert and finally its participation in the making of films and series such as Game of Thrones.
Enjoy the view of Oasis Fint:
It is located 10 km south of Ouarzazate, could be considered as the garden of the Sahara desert, as it is unimaginable that a land so arid and desolate can give way to a green place full of vegetation. The visit can be done bordering the oasis, admiring its beautiful landscapes and the way its inhabitants live. The people here are very friendly and are willing to tell you about their traditions.
Admire the splendor of the Kasbah Taourirt and Tifoultoute:
Kashbah Taourirt is located in the center of Ouarzazate just 2.2 km from Al-Mouahidine square. It was built in the nineteenth century so you can appreciate the typical architecture of southern Morocco. In this construction you can appreciate the beautiful doors and facades and inside the ceilings carved cedar and painted plaster.
Kasbah Tifoultoute is located 9.6 km from the center of Ouarzazate, was built in the eighteenth century. At first glance it appears to be a majestic sand castle with many windows located in the middle of a wadi full of palm trees. This Kasbah is considered one of the most beautiful in Morocco. In the past it served as a fortress for the Pasha family of Marrakech and in the 60’s it was used to create a hotel and host the cast of Lawrence of Arabia and in 2000 the movie “Rules of Engagement” was filmed to stage the U.S. Embassy in Yemen.
Visit the Atlas Studios:
They are located just 2.8 km from Al-Moualhidine Square in the center of Ouarzazate. They are considered the largest in the world, making them a popular tourist attraction in Morocco. The landscapes and location of the Atlas Studios make them a very useful place for the realization of many films throughout the year. The most famous movies filmed in this place were: “Lawrence of Arabia” “Gladiator” “Cleopatra”, etc. Here you can visit the different sets that are spread over a huge area.
Visit the largest solar panel station in the world:
10 Things to do in Ouarzazate: The Noor Ouarzazate stations is a very important project for the generation of solar energy in Morocco. The project is to cover an area of 2,500 hectares and is located in a desert area 20 km from Ouarzazate. This station is so impressive that from some terraces you can see the reflections of the solar panels on the horizon. If you wish to visit the plant you must send a request one month before the desired date to the official website of the station.
Take a desert tour:
If you are looking for a desert tour in Morocco you can do it visiting very interesting places, once you get to the desert you can have dinner and live a breber party, and then rest in a nomad tent under the starlight. You can also enjoy trips through the desert dunes using all terrain vehicles and observing the immensity of the Sahara desert and in the evening you can not miss a sunset where the sun will paint the landscape red, something you will never forget.
Visit the citadel of Ait Benhaddou:
If you have seen the movie “Gladiator” or the series “Game of Thrones” you already know Ait Benhaddou. This small village with a walled citadel in the background is visited all year round by people from all over the world; to this day it is still used for major Hollywood productions because of its rural appearance and spectacular architecture. This place is so spectacular that you will not want to stop photographing it and take an unforgettable souvenir. This place is located only 30 km from Ouarzazate and 183 km from Marrakech.
Admire the architecture of the Kasbah of Telouet:
Magical village located 78 km from Ouarzazate in the Atlas Mountains, so the scenery is amazing. This Kasbah built in the eighteenth and nineteenth century by hundreds of craftsmen. Although it looks like a deteriorated construction, when you enter you will discover the incredible work done on the ceilings, where each mosaic was placed on the walls looking to make impressive shapes, so you will feel part of a work of art. You will see the stucco work and the carving of the doors and windows made by hand.
10 Things to do in Ouarzazate: El Manssur Dam:
This place is ideal to visit and due to its proximity you will be able to observe birds. Due to its tranquility and landscape, large hotels and mansions have been installed here.
Handicrafts of Ouarzazate:
In the city are manufactured and sold stone objects, ceramics and carpets. The carpets of Ouarzazate and its surroundings are highly prized. They are characterized by their orange background, with black, yellow, brown or blue motifs, creating intricate designs and made with silky wool.
The blankets are woven with goat hair, with black and white stripes, with red and green trimmings.
International Ultra Ouarzazate Marathon:
If you are athletic and you like challenges this marathon is for you, held in March and takes place in the city of Ouarzazate and its surroundings. You can not miss the International Marathon Ultra Ouarzazate.