Long before travellers came for the dunes and the kasbahs, film crews did. For more than sixty years, the south of Morocco has stood in for ancient Rome, Jerusalem, Egypt, Tibet and fantasy kingdoms. Walk through the earthen alleys of Ait Ben Haddou or past the giant sets outside Ouarzazate, and you will recognise scenes you have seen on screen without ever knowing they were filmed in Morocco.
And the story continues: the new Mummy film from Universal, with Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz back in their famous roles, started filming in September 2026, with part of the shoot planned in Morocco. This guide takes you through the film locations you can actually visit, what was shot where, and how to fit them into your trip.
Why Hollywood loves Morocco
- Landscapes that look like anywhere. Deserts, rocky plains, snow-capped mountains, palm groves, gorges and the ocean, all within a few hours' drive.
- Light. The south of Morocco has strong, clear light and many sunny days a year, which is perfect for filming.
- Real ancient architecture. Fortified villages, kasbahs and medinas that need very little work to become a film set.
- Experience. Decades of international productions mean local crews, extras, horses, camels and craftsmen who know exactly how a film set works.
Ouarzazate, the "Hollywood of Africa"
Ouarzazate sits just south of the High Atlas, on the road to the desert. It is often called the Hollywood of Africa, and it has earned the name.
Atlas Studios
Opened in 1983, Atlas Studios is often described as one of the largest film studios in the world by land area. Its huge outdoor sets, including Egyptian temples, a Tibetan monastery and ancient city walls, have been used again and again. Guided visits let you walk through the sets and hear which films they appeared in. It is one of the most fun stops on the road to the Sahara, for adults and children alike.
CLA Studios
Opened in 2004, CLA Studios is the other big studio of the city. Large productions have built sets here for epic historical films and series.
The Cinema Museum
Opened in 2007 in a former studio opposite the Kasbah Taourirt, the Cinema Museum displays sets, props, costumes and old film equipment from productions shot in the region. It is a short, easy visit in the centre of town.
Kasbah Taourirt
Not a film set but a real kasbah, once a residence of the powerful Glaoui family. It is one of the most beautiful buildings in Ouarzazate and a nice break from the studios.
Ait Ben Haddou, the star of the screen
About 30 kilometres from Ouarzazate, the fortified village (ksar) of Ait Ben Haddou rises on a hill above a river, all earthen walls and towers. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and probably the most filmed village in Morocco.
Its walls and alleys are closely associated with Gladiator (2000), and it is the place many fans visit to relive the arena scenes of Maximus's time as a slave in North Africa. Game of Thrones fans will recognise it as the city of Yunkai in season 3. It has also appeared in many other productions over the decades.
Tip
Climb to the granary at the top of the hill in the late afternoon. The view over the ksar, the river and the desert plain is the best of the whole day, and the light turns the walls golden.
Famous films and series shot in southern Morocco
A selection of productions filmed in the Ouarzazate region, according to the city's film history:
| Title | Year |
|---|---|
| Lawrence of Arabia | 1962 |
| The Man Who Would Be King | 1975 |
| The Living Daylights (James Bond) | 1987 |
| The Last Temptation of Christ | 1988 |
| Kundun | 1997 |
| The Mummy | 1999 |
| Gladiator | 2000 |
| Kingdom of Heaven | 2005 |
| Babel | 2006 |
| Game of Thrones (season 3) | 2013 |
| Gladiator II | 2024 |
| Outer Banks (season 4) | 2024 |
For Gladiator II (2024), huge sets were once again built in Ouarzazate, more than twenty years after the first film.
The Mummy: from 1999 to the new film
The original Mummy (1999) used southern Morocco to recreate ancient Egypt and the desert of Hamunaptra. The Sahara dunes and the stone landscapes of the south gave the film its epic look.
In 2026, Universal began filming a new Mummy film that brings back Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz, with a release planned for October 2027. The production is based in the UK and, according to the news reports, also includes filming in Morocco. The exact locations have not been made public, so for now you can visit the landscapes that made the first film famous, and maybe recognise them on screen in 2027.
Beyond the south: Essaouira and Marrakech
- Essaouira: the old ramparts and sea walls of the city were used for Astapor in season 3 of Game of Thrones, and in the 1950s Orson Welles filmed his Othello here. See our day trip to Essaouira.
- Marrakech: the medina, the palaces and the nearby desert of Agafay have appeared in many films, series and advertisements.
How to visit the film locations
Day trip from Marrakech
The easiest way: a full day from Marrakech over the High Atlas and the Tizi n'Tichka pass to Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate, with time for a studio visit, and back in the evening. It is a long day, but very rewarding. See our day trip to Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou.
On the way to the Sahara
Every desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga passes through Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate on the first day. With a private tour, you can choose to spend more time at the ksar or visit a studio. See our 3-day desert tour from Marrakech and our Sahara desert tours.
A themed trip
For film lovers, we can build a private route around the locations: Marrakech, Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate and its studios, the gorges and the dunes of Merzouga, and Essaouira on the coast. Tell us your dates on our custom tours page.
Practical tips
- Best time: spring and autumn are ideal. Summer is very hot in Ouarzazate; winter is sunny but cold at night. Read the best time to visit Morocco and the Sahara.
- Studios: visits are guided and an entrance fee is charged. Opening times can change when a production is filming, so it is worth checking on the day.
- Ait Ben Haddou: wear comfortable shoes for the climb, and bring water and a hat.
- Photos: the best light is early morning and late afternoon.
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit the film studios in Ouarzazate?
Yes. Atlas Studios and CLA Studios offer guided visits of their outdoor sets, and the Cinema Museum is open in the town centre. Opening hours can change during active filming.
Was Gladiator filmed at Ait Ben Haddou?
Ait Ben Haddou and the Ouarzazate region are closely associated with the North African scenes of Gladiator (2000), and large sets were built again in Ouarzazate for Gladiator II (2024).
Where was Game of Thrones filmed in Morocco?
In season 3, Ait Ben Haddou became the city of Yunkai, and the ramparts of Essaouira became Astapor.
Is the new Mummy film being shot in Morocco?
According to news reports, the new Mummy film started production in September 2026, based in the UK, with filming also planned in Morocco. The exact locations have not been announced.
How far is Ouarzazate from Marrakech?
Around 4 hours by road over the High Atlas, depending on stops and weather. Ait Ben Haddou is about 30 minutes before Ouarzazate.
Can I combine the film locations with the desert?
Yes, and it is the best way: Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate are on the classic route from Marrakech to the Sahara.
Keep reading: Marrakech to Merzouga: what you see on the road · Best places to visit in Morocco · Morocco with kids