Ouarzazate

Welcome To Ouarzazate

Ouarzazate (Arabic: ورزازات‎, Tamazight: ⵡⴰⵔⵣⴰⵣⴰⵜ, Warzazat) is a picturesque city in south-central Morocco, known as the “Door of the Desert”. Located at the crossroads of the Draa, Dadès, and Ziz valleys, it serves as the main gateway to the Sahara Desert and is globally famous for its film studios, ancient kasbahs, and breathtaking desert landscapes.

Historical Background

The name Ouarzazate means “without noise” or “without confusion” in Tamazight, reflecting the city’s calm and open desert nature.

Historically, Ouarzazate was a strategic caravan center, linking North Africa to sub-Saharan Africa through trans-Saharan trade routes. Local Amazigh (Berber) tribes played a key role in this exchange of gold, salt, slaves, and goods.

In the 20th century, the French colonial regime developed Ouarzazate as a military outpost. After Morocco’s independence, it grew as a cultural and cinematic landmark, attracting global film productions.

Ouarzazate in Cinema

Ouarzazate is known as the “Hollywood of Africa”, thanks to its vast studios and desert locations. Movies and series filmed here include:

• Lawrence of Arabia
• Gladiator
• The Mummy
• Kingdom of Heaven
• Game of Thrones
• Prison Break (Season 5)
• Babel
• Cleopatra

Major film studios include Atlas Studios and CLA Studios.