Taourirt Kasbah

Definitely get a guide to explain the function of each room and how they used to live in this site.

It's awesome, if you get a guide. Don't be cheap, pay a local guide to tell you all about it, and you will enjoy all the empty and otherwise meaningless rooms. We had Hussein guiding us, he's an awesome person and shared his immense knowledge with us, showing inside and outside of the Kasbah.

An old fortress, quite impressive, as an overall view. Part of it is renovated and looks OK, but there are also sections with cracked walls, which look ready to fall. Unfortunately, even in the renovated section, open to the public, there is nothing to see inside. Just empty rooms. There is a small art gallery (paintings) but nothing that presents anything related to the history of the place.

Iconic qasba where all the movies and TV series have been shot like Game of Thrones etc. It's called the Hollywood of Morocco!

Is it worth the 20 dirhams? For a tourist — yes. It’s something a bit different and offers a unique experience compared to what you might see in other countries. If you’ve already visited other kasbahs, it may feel quite similar, but the Saharan/Berber architectural style is still fascinating to see. There isn’t much to explore inside — many areas were under renovation during our visit, and the open rooms are mostly empty. It’s more about appreciating the structure and how it was built. A guide isn’t essential, but if it’s your first time and you haven’t read up on the history, having someone explain the background can enhance the visit.

On the 21st of februari I went to the Kasbah museum. I really enjoyed walking around through the building and understand that the renovation is in full swing, so that didn't bother me. What did bother me, was the very persistent guide, even after I told him very politely I didn't want to make use of his services he kept on pushing in a very unpleasant way. Next to that, I read here and on chat that the ticket price should have been 20 mad. They charged me 50 mad for a single person. This is the first time, since 1,5 month in Morocco, that something like this happens to me. Hchoumah! For me that's really disappointing because up till now, I had only pleasant interactions with the Maroccan people. It's a shame and leaves a bit of a bitter taste. But moving on and letting the good times last as memories.

Kasbah Taourirt is located in the city of Ouarzazate in southern Morocco and is considered one of the most prominent historical and architectural landmarks in the region. The kasbah is a remarkable example of traditional earthen architecture that characterizes southern Morocco. Its origins date back to the 17th century, but it gained prominence and was significantly expanded in the 19th century when it became the residence of the powerful Pasha Thami El Glaoui, one of the most influential political figures during the French protectorate period. Kasbah Taourirt is known for its unique architectural design, featuring a network of interlocking towers, high decorated walls, and numerous rooms used for residential and administrative purposes. Its walls are adorned with geometric patterns and intricately carved wooden doors, while the winding passages and inner courtyards reflect the traditional lifestyle within Moroccan kasbahs. In addition to its historical significance, the kasbah is a major tourist attraction. A large part of it has been restored and is open to visitors who wish to explore the region’s history and Amazigh (Berber) culture. It has also appeared in several international films shot in Ouarzazate, adding to its cinematic charm.

There are a lot of empty rooms you can partly visit. The rest is under construction or are art galleries. It's nicely renovated, don't get me wrong but it's not really interesting. I have seen much more interesting Kasbahs which a) you don't have to pay for and b) feel more real. For my taste too pushy guides which are getting grumpy when you don't want their service, too commercial and too many art galleries within the premises. Wouldn't go back