Ouarzazate is by all standards a different city from most Moroccan cities of its size: about 40,000 inhabitants.Its focal point is the long and wide street Avenue Muhammed V which starts before the city starts, and continue along the modern buildings, the kasbah of Tifoultoutte, and ends after Ouarzazate ends.Ouarzazate is designed for heavy tourism, and is well established with numerous hotels of high standard, but relatively few restaurants. There is a strange and empty feeling to Ouarzazate, except in the centre where a typical Moroccan market dominates.Seeing the kasbah from the other side of the river is a great experience. Through a frame of the palm branches you see the structurers of the kasbah slightly bending and stretching to the sky. All in all it could remind you of Yemen, an impression that is helped by the white painting around windows on some of the houses.
The Glaoui, the last ruling family of the south and a strong contender for control over Morocco, had this palace built in Ouarzazate — but they never lived here. Still it is quite impressive, especially with the help of government aided reconstruction in recent years. Some parts can be entered by visitors, like the visiting hall.
