Ouarzazate

The Kasbah-town of At Ben-Haddou, one of the world's best examples of North African pisé clay building dating back a thousand years, is located in Ouarzazate, which is a Berber term meaning 'without noise' or 'without confusion.

The village was a minor but strategically important crossing point for traders from all over Africa wanting to expand their markets into northern Africa and Europe, connecting ancient Sudan with Marrakech. During the French colonial administration, Ouarzazate grew significantly, becoming a larger garrison town and administrative hub, as well as a customs and commerce post. The film industry took over once the French protectorate left in the 1950s, and it hasn't looked back since.

Ouarzazate is one of the most well-preserved Moroccan cities we've all seen in a thousand films. The Atlas Studios in Ouarzazate — the world's largest film studio complex – has been used to recreate settings as diverse as ancient Rome, Tibet, Egypt, Somalia, and dozens of Middle Eastern locations, and is informally known as 'Ouallywood'. Lawrence of Arabia was filmed in the adjacent Ait Ben-Haddou in 1962, and since then, the world's film location scouts have been semi-permanently based in Ouarzazate.

The region has quickly evolved since the film industry boom, and today contains hotels, restaurants, stores, residences, and public spaces, as well as a plethora of local businesses that rent cars, motorcycles, and even camels, ensuring that your trip into the heart of the Sahara is well taken care of. It may not be as picturesque as other adjacent towns, but it is utilitarian and a little more upscale, as well as an ideal base.

Location: : Drâa-Tafilalet, Morocco