Worth getting out of bed for
Highlights the best Ouarzazate has to offer, from art and culture to fun-packed activities; we've even found the most inspiring place to enjoy the views from.
- Viewpoint
- With the Atlas mountains surrounding you, there are viewpoints everywhere – get a car and or guide to take you to higher ground; feast your eyes on palmeries and crumbling Kasbahs and season depending almond blossom and roses. The views from the rooftop of Dar Ahlam and the terrace of Tiffoultoute Kasbah, a restaurant and former hotel, are pretty spectacular.
- Arts and culture
- The grand Taourirt Kasbah is the closest thing you'll find to a historical monument; built by the wealthy Glaoui family who collaborated with the French at the turn of the 20th century.
- Something for nothing
- Drive to the Draa valley when the roses or almond blossom is in bloom; see 'Diary'.
- Shopping
- Ouarzazate is a dusty crossroads, and as such you’re not going to find anything to rival the souks of Marrakech, although there are a few shops for leather slippers and wooden crafts along Boulevard Mohammed V, near the main souk.
- Daytripper
- Blockbusters such as Martin Scorcese’s Kundun hail from this part of the world thanks to Atlas Corporation Studios (www.atlastudios.com), a little Hollywood in the desert, 7km west of the town. It’s possible to visit when there are no films in the midst of production and you can see all the old sets from Asterix, Last Temptation of Christ and Alexander the Great. If they are in production, they often need extras, so if you fancy a big-screen debut…
- Activities
- For a list of recommendations on what to get up to while you're away have a look at the activties that can be arranged by Dar Ahlam (see the hotel, 'Worth getting out of bed' for section).
Diary
End of February The valley is abloom with almond blossom, and the festival of this is a fantastic treat for the senses. March/April Marathon des sables (www.saharamarathon.co.uk) is a six-day race across the subsahara. May/June The air is wonderfully fragrant when the Rose Festival celebrates the harvesting of the valley of Persian roses.
