Strategically located on the cross-roads of an old caravan trading route and cradled between the High Atlas Mountains and Anti-Atlas Mountains,  the oasis town of Ouarzazate is renowned as the Gateway to the Desert.  Ouarzazate captures the stunning, dramatic contrasts of the Moroccan Sahara Desert: a life-giving green oasis surrounded by soaring mountains peaks (often snow-capped in winter), steeped in desert traditions and arresting desert architecture. 
The imposing historic Glaoui Taourirt Kasbah with its towers, oriel windows, and defensive walls looms over the oasis –all the more remarkable given it is built from rammed earth and mud brick – a marvellous example of classic desert architecture.  Nearby are remnants of a French Foreign Legion garrison from the French colonial period.   
It’s remarkable setting has seen the area repeated sought after and featured in major films and television productions including Game of Thrones, Kingdom of Heaven, Gladiator, Star Wars, Kundun, Alexander and Lawrence of Arabia all of which were made in this area.   
Ouarzazate is easily accessible from Marrakech and serves as both the gateway to the desert and the perfect base for exploring Morocco’s southern desert treasures – Skoura, Tinghir (Tinerhir), Todra Gorge, Dades Gorge, Fint, Zagora, the Roses Valley and Road of a Thousand Kasbahs.  With a longer stay travellers can venture to more desert highlights including Merzouga and the beautiful Erg Chebbi sand dunes, Erfoud, Taous (Taouz) and the Ziz Gorge.