Ouarzazate

Sitting on a plateau near the High Atlas Mountains lies the Kasbah of Ouarzazate, its brick orange mud exterior blending in with the surrounding desert. For many tourists wishing to explore the desert and Draa Valley, Ouarzazate is used as a base but this friendly town has a vibrancy and life of its own. Allow one of the local Ouarzazate Travel guides to organise a tour to the Atlas Film Studio, the largest of its kind in the world where the classic film Lawrence of Arabia, Star Wars and Body of Lies was filmed. Filled with many historical buildings and sites, visit the Museum of the Liberation Army of Ouarzazate and the Saint Theresa Church, its bronze bell recalling a time when the French Army built the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass. Stroll around the Al-Mouahidine Square towards the bustling Ouarzazate Center Market finding some relief from the intense heat with a glass of mint tea or freshly squeezed orange juice and one of the delicious pastries filled with honey, cinnamon and nuts. The large man-made Al-Mansour Ad-Dahbi Lake transforms the desert landscape becoming an oasis for fishing or a starting point for one of the many hiking trails.