Ouarzazate

About

For most of its history, Ouarzazate was a small trade town, seeing villagers from the Atlas, Draa and Dadès Valleys meet at its Taourirt Kasbah. However, in the 1920s, the French used it as a garrison town, administrative center, and customs post, greatly expanding the town. Ouarzazate’s traditional architecture has made it a popular film location, being featured in everything from Lawrence of Arabia to The Living Daylights to Game of Thrones. Even American horror movie The Hills Have Eyes was shot nearby, and visitors can still see its abandoned set. After exploring the historic medina, kasbah, or film sets, shoppers will want to head to the central market where you’ll find all manner of goods, including the area’s signature carpets with geometric designs of red-orange on black background.