MOROCCO: Atlas Mountains, Berber Villages, Movie Sets and Seaside Sunsets

One of the things I love about Morocco is the diversity.

There are big modern cities that have centuries old historical medinas. 

There are quaint towns and villages nestled in the countryside and mountains. 

And there are desert dunes in the Sahara with Berber kasbahs.

Our route was a counter clockwise circuit of the country. We saw changes in the topography which included ocean, desert, mountains and valleys. 

All these elements make it perfect to be North Africa's mini Hollywood!

Tinghir is in central-eastern Morocco at the end of the High Atlas Mountains. 

Tinghir is known by its magnificent palm groves which are 30kms long and full of small Kasbahs that stretch on either side of the city.

The High Atlas Mountains have roads that wind and twist and provide beautiful scenery.

Ouarzazate is a quiet town with the High Atlas mountains in one direction and the Sahara in the other direction. It is known as the ‘door of the desert’. For centuries it served as a livestock trade capital.

Ouarzazate's natural landscapes and historical kasbahs have been featured in many movies and TV shows. 

At Atlas Studios you can see film sets for numerous movies that were filmed in the area over the years. 

Apparently, it is home to the biggest film studio in the world.

It's played Tibet, Somalia, Ancient Rome and Egypt, among others. 

Cleopatra, Asterix & Obelix, Lawrence of Arabia (1962), The Jewel of the Nile (1985), Game of Thrones, The Last Temptation of Christ, “Jesus from Nazareth”, Black Hawk Down (2001), Mission Impossible, Alexander, Prince of Persia, Kundun (1987), Gladiator (2000), Kingdom of Heaven (2005) and The Living Daylights are some of the movies filmed here.

Bill Donovan & John

Bettie Donovan, Nisha Jogia & Marie Frederick

The sets can be reused, or in some cases redeveloped. 

Ait Benhaddou is on a hill along the Ouarzazate River. It sat on the route between Marrakech and the Sahara.

 It is one of the best-preserved Kasbahs and is a UNESCO World Heritage. 

 Films shot here include Prince Of Persia (2010), Lawrence Of Arabia, Babel (2006), The Living Daylights (1987) and Game of Thrones.

I have never seen Game of Thrones, but apparently Khaleesi (Emilia Clarke) turned her dragons on the slave traders at the gates to the entrance.

Essaouira is a fishing town on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean situated in a 15th century Portuguese fortification. 

The medina is UNESCO-listed. 

Being on the west coast, watching the sun set is the perfect way to end the day.

Siiiiigh.