Cinema · Half day
Atlas Film Studios & CLA — Ouallywood Half Day
Behind the sets of the world's largest film studio, in Ouarzazate
Duration
Half day
Group size
1–6 travellers
Difficulty
Easy
Languages
English, French
From / person
$220
Overview
Ouarzazate is nicknamed 'Ouallywood' for good reason. A private half day inside the standing sets of Atlas Studios — Egyptian temples, Tibetan monasteries, Roman streets — with a guide who knows which scene was filmed where.
Ouarzazate has been a film-making base since the 1980s, drawn by the desert light, the kasbah backdrops and the studios on the edge of town. Atlas Film Studios is one of the largest in the world by surface area; its backlot holds permanent sets left standing from decades of productions — a Tibetan monastery, an Egyptian temple complex, a Roman amphitheatre, an aeroplane fuselage.
We tour the standing sets with a guide and, where access allows, take in the CLA Studios sets nearby. You'll see how plaster and polystyrene become stone on camera, and hear which films and series used each backlot. A good pairing with the Aït Ben Haddou day for film buffs.
Trip highlights
- Guided walk through the standing sets at Atlas Film Studios
- Egyptian, Roman and Tibetan backlots left from real productions
- How desert light and kasbahs made Ouarzazate 'Ouallywood'
- Optional add-on of the nearby CLA Studios sets
- Photo time on the open backlot
- An easy half day — pairs well with a kasbah afternoon
Photo gallery
Inside the trip.
Day-by-day itinerary
Ouarzazate → Ouarzazate
- 1
Morning · Atlas Film Studios
Ouarzazate edge of townPickup and the short drive to the studios. A guided circuit of the standing sets — temple, monastery, amphitheatre — with the stories of the productions that built them.
— - 2
Late morning · CLA Studios & town return
OuarzazateWhere open, a look at the CLA Studios backlot nearby, then back into Ouarzazate by lunchtime — free to add a Taourirt Kasbah visit in the afternoon.
—
Cities & regions on this trip
You'll experience 2 destinations.
Each stop has its own deep-dive guide — geography, history, best season, things to see, and other tours that visit it. Tap any card to open its dedicated page.
High Atlas · Imlil & Toubkal
Atlas Mountains
The mountain wall between Marrakech and the kasbahs — Berber villages and North Africa's highest summit.
Open guide
Pre-Sahara · Southern Morocco
Ouarzazate & Aït Ben Haddou
The door of the desert and the Hollywood of Morocco — kasbahs, film studios and the start of every southern road.
Open guideThe route
Map of Atlas Film Studios & CLA — Ouallywood Half Day
3 stops across Cinema. Distances and timings are flexible — every itinerary is reshaped to your pace.
- 1
Ouarzazate
Start
- 2
Atlas Film Studios
Studios
- 3
Ouarzazate
End
What's included
- Private English-speaking driver-guide for the duration
- Vehicle (sedan, 4x4 or minivan) with fuel, tolls and parking
- All listed accommodation in hand-picked kasbahs, riads or desert camps
- Daily breakfast and meals as noted in the itinerary
- All listed entrance fees and guided activities
- Pickup and drop-off at your Ouarzazate (OZZ) hotel or the airport
- Bottled water and snacks on board
- 24/7 WhatsApp concierge based in Ouarzazate
Not included
- International flights to/from Morocco
- Travel insurance (we recommend a provider)
- Alcoholic drinks and personal shopping
- Optional activities marked “add-on” in your quote
- Tips for driver, guides and camp staff
What to bring
Pack light, pack smart.
- Comfortable walking shoes (kasbah steps and earthen lanes)
- Layers — pre-Saharan nights can drop sharply, even in summer
- Sun hat, sunglasses, SPF 30+ — the southern light is intense
- Modest cover-up for villages, mosques and shrines
- Reusable water bottle (we refill on the road)
- Adaptor for Type C/E plugs (220V)
Frequently asked
Questions about this tour.
Is the studio entry fee included?
Yes — your studio admission and a guide are included. The optional CLA Studios visit can be added to your quote if you'd like both.
Why is Ouarzazate called Ouallywood?
Decades of films and series have used the town's studios and surrounding kasbahs and desert. Locals coined 'Ouallywood' as a nod to the industry that employs much of the area.
Can I change the dates or itinerary?
Yes. Every itinerary is a starting point. Add a day, swap a kasbah, change the start point — we'll re-quote in 24 hours and lock the price in writing before any deposit.
How fit do I need to be?
Easy. Light walking on kasbah steps and earthen lanes, plus optional activities you can opt in or out of on the day.
When should I book?
For high season (Oct–Apr) and any trip involving the Sahara or the Rose Valley harvest, book 6–10 weeks ahead. Last-minute (under 14 days) is usually still possible with a phone call.
