Ouarzazate

A studio founded in the 1980s, where big sets such as an Egyptian temple and a Jerusalem gate stand out on the desert floor. Wandering alone is not allowed; groups go round behind a guide, and on shooting days some areas close.

A former film set building turned museum, holding props, cameras and costumes. It stands right across from the Taourirt Kasbah, so one walk covers both.

An earthen kasbah perched on a rocky rise by the river west of town, once held by the Glaoui family. From the roof the riverside palms and the Atlas ridge behind them line up in one view.

A large lake made by damming the Draa, and water released from it keeps the oases of the Draa valley to the south alive. In drought years the shoreline pulls far back and wide dry beds show.

Among the largest concentrated solar plants on earth, where hundreds of thousands of mirrors gather sunlight and a tall central tower glows white by day. Entry needs permission arranged in advance, so most people view the mirror fields and tower from the road.

A broad oasis east of Ouarzazate, with dozens of earthen kasbahs hidden among palms and olives. Paths in the grove fork constantly and signs are scarce, so walkers go with a village guide.

A seventeenth century kasbah in the Skoura oasis, the building pictured on the old 50 dirham note. One family has looked after it for generations and opens it as a museum, and the rooms keep an old oil press and kitchen gear.

An earthen village near Agdz in the Draa valley, with the kasbah of the caids who once ruled the area at its heart. It lies over the pass south of Ouarzazate, so it is a stop on the road to Zagora.

The pass between Ouarzazate and Agdz, where eroded rock strata stack up in stripes on the mountains along both sides. A pull-off near the top is where most people stop for photos.

A palace the Glaoui family built on the old caravan route through the Atlas; outside the earth walls crumble, while inner rooms glow with painted tiles and carved ceilings. The mountain road north from Ait Ben Haddou is the most scenic way up.

Ouarzazate's second big film studio, on the Marrakech road, where the Jerusalem walls built for Kingdom of Heaven still stand. It is quieter than Atlas Studios. A combined ticket covers both, so many see them on the same day.

The oasis town where the Draa valley road ends south of Ouarzazate, known for its painted sign reading 52 days to Timbuktu by camel. Climb the rocky hill behind town to see where palm groves meet desert. Midsummer days are scorching.

A small cluster of orange dunes south of Zagora, where those who can't reach Merzouga take a short camel ride. Far smaller than Erg Chebbi, an hour covers them. Toward sunset the sand colour is deepest.