Take 01
2000
Gladiator
Ait Benhaddou and Atlas Studios — Roman-era exteriors and arena
30.9200°N, 6.8934°W
Ouarzazate
Professional film production services in Ouarzazate — the 'Hollywood of Africa.' Our team provides complete support at Atlas Studios, CLA Studios, and across the Draa-Tafilalet region.
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Scene 01 — Filmed Here
Notable Productions in Ouarzazate
Take 02
1962
Lawrence of Arabia
Draa Valley and desert exteriors across the Ouarzazate region
Take 03
2013–2014
Game of Thrones
Ait Benhaddou and Essaouira as Slaver's Bay (Yunkai, Pentos)
Take 04
2005
Kingdom of Heaven
Atlas Studios backlot for Jerusalem city set
Take 05
1999
The Mummy
Erfoud dunes and Atlas Studios for Hamunaptra sequences
Take 06
2006
Babel
Taguenzalt and remote villages in the Ouarzazate region
Scene 02 — Locations
Filming Locations in Ouarzazate
From landmark monuments to hidden quarters — every district scouted and permit-mapped.
landmark
Atlas Studios
The world's largest film studio complex covering 30+ hectares with Egyptian, Tibetan, and medieval standing sets, soundstages, and full production workshops.
Ait Benhaddou
UNESCO World Heritage fortified village of red earthen clay buildings cascading down a hillside — an unmistakable silhouette used in countless films.
Moderate
Todra Gorge
A dramatic 300-meter canyon carved through the eastern High Atlas — towering vertical walls creating spectacular natural set pieces.
Easy
Ait Benhaddou (UNESCO)
A stunning 11th-century fortified village (ksar) of earthen clay architecture along a former caravan route — featured in Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and The Mummy.
Kasbah Taourirt & Town Center
The historic Glaoui-era kasbah in the heart of Ouarzazate, surrounded by palm groves and offering authentic Southern Moroccan architecture.
Draa Valley & Desert Gateway
The road south toward Zagora and the Sahara, passing through dramatic oasis valleys, kasbahs, and the beginnings of the desert landscape.
Scene 03 — The Case for Ouarzazate
Why Film in Ouarzazate
- ✓ Atlas Studios and CLA Studios — world-class film production facilities with standing sets and backlots
- ✓ Ait Benhaddou UNESCO site — one of the most filmed locations in cinema history
- ✓ 300+ days of sunshine per year with consistent, predictable light for filming
- ✓ Experienced studio crews specializing in large-scale period and action productions
- ✓ 30% cash rebate on local spend through the Morocco Film Incentive for qualifying productions
Scene 04 — Logistics
Transport & Logistics
Airports OZZ (3 km from city center) ▼
Ouarzazate Airport (OZZ) — 3 km from city center
TaxiPrivate transfer
Local Transit taxi · car ▼
taxi
Grand taxis connect Ouarzazate to surrounding villages and kasbahs. Limited public transit in the area.
Crew tip: Production vehicles are essential. The region requires 4x4 capability for off-road desert and mountain locations.
car
Self-drive or chauffeured vehicles for reaching desert locations, gorges, and remote kasbahs throughout Draa-Tafilalet.
Crew tip: Ait Benhaddou is 30km away. Sahara desert locations require 4-6 hours of driving. Plan for fuel and water supplies on remote shoots.
Production Parking easy · Permits required
▼
Parking is generally available throughout Ouarzazate and at studio facilities. Remote locations have open parking areas.
Atlas Studios has dedicated production parking. For Ait Benhaddou, coordinate with site management for vehicle staging areas.
Getting Between Locations ▼
Ouarzazate town locations within 10-15 minutes. Ait Benhaddou 30 minutes. Todra/Dades Gorges 2-3 hours. Sahara (Merzouga) 5-6 hours.
Ready?
Plan Your Ouarzazate Shoot
From permits and crew to equipment and logistics — we handle everything on the ground so you can focus on capturing the Hollywood of Africa.