Car Hire Ouarzazate

Ouarzazate Mini Guide

The Moroccan Hollywood
This part of Morocco has played host to many famous actors and film directors who have chosen to use it as a location for some of the most famous movies in the world including Lawrence of Arabia and Jewel in the Nile. Why not visit the the Ait ben Haddou kasbah which was also the backdrop for the film Gladiator during your stay? 

Movie star hotels
One of the advantages resulting from the use of the area by so many people in the film industry is the abundance of so many excellent hotels in an otherwise fairly barren part of Morocco for creature comforts.  The 4 star Mercure Ouarzazate is just 10 minutes from the airport and close to the centre of town, similarly situated is the 5 star Berbere Palace, a luxury spa hotel with every possible comfort.

The Atlas Mountains
The imposing Atlas Mountains are the backdrop for the city of Ouarzazate, always topped with snow they are a wonderful photo opportunity for anyone interested in photography. Ouarzazate is a well organised city, divided into a modern district and several smaller traditional areas, there really is something in this city for everyone.

A trip into the desert
Why not try a trip into the desert? There are various excursions available – from a day or longer learning the Berber way of life to an adventure tour “sand duning”. Or why not hire a car and venture a little way on your own – you never know what you'll discover!

Staying in the city
The ancient streets of the Kasbah have been remained untouched for centuries, this is really how the locals live.  As you enter you will be approached by any number of young men wanting to act as your guide, but it's really not necessary as it's not big enough to get lost in and you'll have more fun exploring on your own! Perhaps whilst in the Kasbah you would like to visit the Palace of Glaoui, home of the last ruling family of the south of the country and a strong contender for power when the country became independent.  This is the highest point of the Kasbah and parts are open to the public.

Finally the sunset
Don't miss the sunset in Ouarzazate – for an all too brief a time the sun gives way to a cascade of colours across the sky, before it becomes completely dark – definitely a sight worth seeing.

Ouazarate has very much the feel of a frontier town and it is, with its southern outlook onto the Saharan desert. There are some great things to do there including a tour of one or both of the film studios in the town. Atlas Studios shot ‘The Man Who Would Be King’ as well as ‘Lawrence of Arabia’.

The sets are looking a little tired which is why, if you have a hire car, you should also visit the CLA studios which has the entire, very authentic, set of Jerusalem from ‘The Kingdom of Heaven’.