Ouarzazate is, improbably, one of the world's great film towns. For more than fifty years, reliable sun, vast empty landscapes, the kasbahs of Aït Ben Haddou and a deep bench of local crew and extras have drawn directors here to build ancient Egypt, Rome, Tibet and Jerusalem out of plaster and timber. Atlas Film Studios, opened in 1983, gives you something few places can: whole standing sets you can walk through, with the props and backdrops of films you know still standing in the desert sun.
The case for the guided tour
You cannot wander Atlas Studios freely — it is working film space — so you join a guided walk, and a good guide turns a dusty lot into a living history of cinema. They will show you which set belonged to which production, how the giant Egyptian temple and Tibetan monastery were constructed, and how the desert beyond was dressed for battle scenes. Budget around 50–80 dirhams for entry and the walk; we arrange a knowledgeable local guide as part of every film-locations itinerary.
The standing sets
You enter past the studio's landmark gate and into a yard of full-scale sets: an Egyptian temple with painted hieroglyphs, a Tibetan monastery built for Scorsese's Kundun, Roman walls, a grounded aircraft fuselage and rows of props and statues weathering in the open. Your guide will time the walk to the light and explain which film left which trace.
Arrive at opening for the best light and the emptiest sets — by mid-morning the tour groups arrive and the unshaded ground radiates heat. A good guide will time it correctly.
The films shot in Ouarzazate
The filmography is extraordinary. Lawrence of Arabia began the tradition in the early 1960s; Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, The Mummy, Babel, Prince of Persia and scenes from Game of Thrones followed. Many used the studios for interiors and the surrounding kasbahs and desert for exteriors — which is why a studio visit makes most sense paired with the locations themselves.
Across town, opposite the Taourirt kasbah, the Musée du Cinéma fills an old studio with costumes, cameras and set pieces — a quieter, more hands-on complement to the big lots, and worth an hour if the heritage interests you.
Pairing the studios with Aït Ben Haddou
The studios pair naturally with Aït Ben Haddou, 30 km northwest, where so many of the same films were shot on location among real earthen kasbahs. Seeing the built sets and then the genuine ksar that inspired them makes a full and rewarding film-themed day. Ask us when you enquire about an Ouarzazate film-locations itinerary.
For lunch, Ouarzazate town has simple grill houses and tagine restaurants a short drive from the studios. Skip the souvenir-heavy stalls right at the entrance for food — a local kitchen in town serves better tagine and brochettes at a fraction of the price.
The best time to visit
March to May and September to November offer ideal conditions — mild temperatures, excellent light for photography and smaller crowds than peak summer. The sets are almost entirely unshaded, so July and August can be punishing in the midday sun; go at opening or late afternoon. Winter days are clear and pleasant, though the desert nights are cold.
If a production is filming on site, access can be limited, so it is always worth checking ahead through our Ouarzazate guide before you plan a day around the studios.
Frequently asked
Do you need a guide at Atlas Film Studios?
Visits to Atlas Studios are guided by default — you join a tour that walks you through the standing sets, since the lots are working film space and you cannot wander freely. A good guide brings it alive, pointing out which film used which set and how the giant Tibetan, Egyptian and Roman backdrops were built. Tours run regularly through the day from the entrance on the Marrakech road.
How much does it cost to visit Atlas Film Studios?
Entry to Atlas Studios is modest — around 50–80 dirhams per adult, including the guided walk through the sets. CLA Studios, the larger facility next door, is mostly a working lot and not always open to casual visitors. Agree any extra photography or private-guide arrangements before you set off, and check opening times, which can change when a production is filming.
How much time do you need at the studios?
An hour to ninety minutes covers the standing sets at a comfortable pace: the Egyptian temple, the Tibetan monastery, the Roman and aeroplane sets and the prop yards. Add time if you want to combine the visit with the Ouarzazate film museum opposite the Taourirt kasbah, or with Aït Ben Haddou, where many of the same films were shot on location.
Which famous films were shot in Ouarzazate?
An enormous number. Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, The Mummy, Kundun, Babel, Prince of Persia, parts of Game of Thrones and many more used Ouarzazate's studios and surrounding desert. The combination of reliable sun, dramatic landscapes, the kasbahs of Aït Ben Haddou and a skilled local film crew has made Ouarzazate the 'Hollywood of the desert' for over fifty years.
Is Ouarzazate safe and easy to reach?
Yes. Ouarzazate is a calm, welcoming town and the studios sit just off the main road, easy to reach by taxi or car. The sets are open and easy to walk, though largely unshaded — bring water, a hat and sunscreen. A polite but firm 'no thank you' ends any persistent souvenir or unofficial-guide pitch at the gate.
What is the best time of year to visit the studios?
March to May and September to November are ideal — mild temperatures, good light and manageable crowds. The sets are exposed, so summer (June–August) can be punishing in the midday sun; go at opening or late afternoon. Winter days are pleasant and clear, though the nights are cold. Productions filming on site can occasionally limit access, so it is worth checking ahead.
Ready to explore film Ouarzazate?
We'll arrange a local guide and the right film-locations day.
Every Ouarzazate & Aït Ben Haddou Tours film programme includes a curated walk through the studios with a local guide, a private vehicle, and the option to add the film museum and Aït Ben Haddou on location.
Request a film-locations itinerary