Vast stony plains and valleys cut through by impressive gorges define the eastern foothills of the Anti-Atlas in Ouarzazate Province. Farther south, the foothills of the Central High Atlas feature high vertical rock faces; Jbel Azourki reaches 3,685 metres. Plains, valleys and rock faces thus bring together distinct landforms. Exploring the province through its landscapes reveals more than a single mountain setting.
Mountains, Rivers and Oasis
The province's river network includes the Dades, Ouarzazate and Ait Douchen rivers and their tributaries; together, they form the upper Drâa Basin. The rivers can therefore be viewed as an interconnected network, rather than just individual names on a map. The basin is also part of the province's geographical identity, alongside its mountain foothills and gorges.
Wildlife is also part of the landscape: the Mansour Eddahbi Lake is used by migratory or nesting bird species, including the Bonelli's eagle, other birds of prey, songbirds and larks. Nature enthusiasts can encounter a range of birds, from birds of prey to songbirds and larks; the seasonal presence of birds is also part of the lake's character.
Skoura adds an inhabited, agriculturally used palm oasis to these landscapes. It covers 25 square kilometres and contains approximately 138,000 palm trees. In contrast with the stony plains and high rock faces, it is a lived-in and cultivated place. These different landscapes are all part of Ouarzazate Province's character, without being reduced to a single form.
Kasbahs and Handicrafts
The Taourirt Kasbah combines architectural features with a long history: it has stood since the 12th century and was once the residence of Pasha el Glaoui. It has been recognised as national heritage since 1953. Its distinctive details include crenellated towers and cedarwood ceilings.
Near the kasbah, the Ouarzazate handicrafts complex houses six workshops working with alabaster, High Atlas stones, fossilised stones, wood, copper and jewellery. The Grand Bazaar of Taourirt, in turn, offers Moroccan handicrafts such as carpets, ceramics, copper and woodwork, antiques and various accessories. Specialised workshops and a diverse range of goods thus represent two distinct aspects of local handicrafts.
Carpet-making is also associated with several places: production centres for Ait Ouaouzguit carpets include Taznakht, Tamassin, At Semgane, Ait Ougharda, Ait Douchen, Znaga and Sektana. The range of places named adds a further regional perspective to the handicraft traditions around Taourirt.
Caravan Routes and Film Sets
Telouet offers a glimpse into the history of travel. For centuries, the village was an important transit point for caravans, which had to pay customs duties to the Glaoui tribe. The Kasbah of Telouet is a 19th-century citadel that combines a grand residence with military command functions along the regional caravan route. The village's history and the kasbah thus offer two concrete insights into the importance of the caravan route.
Cinema offers another connection to the region's history. The Ouarzazate Film Museum officially opened on 30 July 2007 and features film sets relating to biblical history and major films shot in the region. The ksar of Ait Ben Haddou has also served as a film set for major international film productions. The museum and the ksar thus represent two distinct connections to film: sets with regional links and a place that has itself been used as a set.
Plan Your Trip
Ouarzazate is a central hub for a large area in southern Morocco and has an international airport. Check current flight connections for your travel dates. Landscapes, handicrafts, caravan history and film sets offer different perspectives on the province; you can choose which of these will shape your trip according to your own interests.
Discover more destinations: Skoura, M'semrir, Toundoute, Zagora, Tinghir Province, Chtouka Ait Baha Province, Tiznit Province, Agadir-Ida-Ou Tanane.
For the overview of the wider region: Souss-Massa-Draa.
