Morocco has spent seventy years pretending to be somewhere else. It has played Rome, Tibet, Somalia, ancient Egypt and Troy in a long run of movies filmed in Morocco. As a result, the list of movies filmed in Morocco is far longer than most travellers expect.
Gladiator, Game of Thrones, Indiana Jones, Spectre and Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey all share one backlot: an entire country. This guide maps every major location, explains what you can actually visit, and shows how to link them into one trip.
Quick answer: where were the movies filmed in Morocco?
Most movies filmed in Morocco were shot in four places. Ouarzazate hosts the studios and the desert sets. Aït Benhaddou provides the mud-brick fortress seen in Gladiator and Game of Thrones. Essaouira supplies the walled Atlantic port. Tangier stands in for other cities entirely. All four are open to visitors, and a seven-day route covers them comfortably.
Key facts at a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Main filming hub | Ouarzazate, southern Morocco |
| Biggest studio | Atlas Corporation Studios, founded 1983 |
| Atlas Studios hours | Daily, 08:30 until sunset |
| Atlas Studios ticket | 80 MAD, or 110 MAD with the Kingdom of Heaven set |
| Most filmed single site | Ksar of Aït Benhaddou, UNESCO listed 1987 |
| Production incentive | 30% uncapped cash rebate on local spend |
| Minimum qualifying spend | 10 million MAD and 18 shooting days |
| Biggest recent shoot | Gladiator II, over 273 million MAD spent locally |
| Newest blockbuster | The Odyssey, released 17 July 2026 |
| Best months to visit | March, April, October, November |
Our drivers have covered these roads for years. In fact, many guests book the 3-day desert tour from Marrakech mainly because it passes two of the most filmed locations on earth.
Why Morocco became the world’s largest backlot
Three factors explain it: geography, light and money. Each one matters on its own.
One country that can play any country
You can drive from a medieval medina to Saharan dunes in a single morning. Then you cross a red rock gorge and reach a windy Atlantic port. Few countries compress that much variety into such short distances.
Consequently, Morocco has doubled for Jerusalem, Somalia, Iraq, Abu Dhabi, Kenya and pharaonic Egypt. In practice, a director saves three separate location trips by shooting here.
Predictable light and dependable weather
Southern Morocco delivers clear skies for most of the year. Moreover, desert light carries a contrast that cameras love. A production can schedule three consecutive weeks without losing days to rain.
That detail is not trivial. Indeed, a single lost shooting day on a major feature costs hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The 30% rebate that pulls Hollywood south
Morocco refunds 30% of qualifying local spend to foreign productions. The Centre Cinématographique Marocain (CCM) administers the scheme. Furthermore, the incentive is uncapped since the rate rose from 20% to 30%.
The conditions are straightforward. A production must spend at least 10 million dirhams inside the country. It must also shoot a minimum of 18 days on Moroccan soil.
Gladiator II is the standard example. The production left more than 273 million dirhams of local spend behind. Therefore, hotels, transport crews and technicians absorbed a large share of that budget.
Morocco at the Berlinale 2026
Here is the detail almost no travel guide mentions yet. Morocco was the “Country in Focus” of the European Film Market at the Berlinale, held from 12 to 18 February 2026.
CCM director Mohammad-Reda Benjelloun described the country as “a land of history and storytellers”. Likewise, the festival highlighted directors such as Nabil Ayouch, Maryam Touzani and Asmae El Moudir.
In other words, interest in movies filmed in Morocco is no longer Gladiator nostalgia. The country is having its strongest moment yet as a production destination.
Ouarzazate: the Hollywood of the desert
If you visit only one place on this list, make it Ouarzazate. The town holds the highest concentration of standing film sets in Africa, and roughly half of all movies filmed in Morocco passed through it.
Where it is and how to get there
Ouarzazate sits south of the High Atlas, roughly 200 kilometres from Marrakech. The drive crosses the Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2,260 metres. Additionally, the road is fully paved and in good condition.
Allow four to five hours with photo stops. For that reason, most travellers pair it with the Aït Benhaddou day trip from Marrakech or with a longer desert route.
Atlas Studios: hours, prices and what you see
Atlas Corporation Studios opened in 1983. Moroccan producer Mohamed Belghmi founded it. The complex lies about four to five kilometres west of central Ouarzazate, beside the main highway.
It opens every day, holidays included, from 08:30 until sunset. General admission costs 80 dirhams. Meanwhile, the Kingdom of Heaven set is ticketed separately for 40 dirhams more.
A combined ticket costs 110 dirhams. Children under five enter free. The visit is guided, and the guide is included in the price.
Inside you will find a Tibetan temple from Kundun, Egyptian temples from Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra, and remains of the Gladiator arena. The largest standing set belongs to Kingdom of Heaven: 200 metres long by 100 metres wide.
Budget two hours for the main area. Afterwards, allow another thirty minutes to reach the big set on foot or by vehicle. In any case, bring water and a hat, because almost the whole tour is outdoors.
CLA Studios, the modern rival
CLA Studios is the town’s second major complex. It is newer and geared towards purpose-built sets for incoming productions. By contrast, it receives far fewer tourist visits than Atlas.
If your time is tight, prioritise Atlas Studios. It keeps more standing sets and runs a better organised tour.
The Ouarzazate Cinema Museum
The museum sits in the town centre, facing Taourirt Kasbah. It occupies former studio buildings and displays cameras, costumes and original set pieces. Moreover, you can see it in under an hour.
It is the ideal stop if you arrive late and the studios have already closed. Afterwards, cross the road and visit the kasbah before dinner.
How long you need in Ouarzazate
One night covers the essentials. Two nights let you add the Draa Valley or the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs. Therefore, two nights is the comfortable option if movies filmed in Morocco are the reason for your trip.
Aït Benhaddou: the ksar that appears in everything
Aït Benhaddou is the single most photographed location in the country and the backdrop of countless movies filmed in Morocco. It stands 30 kilometres from Ouarzazate on the road back to Marrakech.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987
UNESCO inscribed the Ksar of Aït Benhaddou in 1987. It is a fortified group of earthen houses stacked on a hillside. Indeed, it remains a living example of southern Moroccan mud-brick architecture.
A few families still live inside the walls. Everyone else moved to the new village across the Ounila river.
Gladiator and the provincial arena
Ridley Scott shot the slave market and provincial arena scenes here in 1999. Consequently, the ksar dominates the first half of Gladiator, before Maximus reaches Rome.
Local guides still point out the gate Russell Crowe’s character walked through. It is the essential stop among movies filmed in Morocco.
Game of Thrones: Yunkai and Slaver’s Bay
Aït Benhaddou played Yunkai in season three of the series. Daenerys takes the Yellow City from these mud walls. Similarly, the surrounding valley hosted Dothraki camp scenes.
The Odyssey: Troy in southern Morocco
Christopher Nolan filmed here in late February and early March 2025. The opening Trojan sequences used the ksar and its surroundings. Additionally, the unit worked in Essaouira and Marrakech.
The film opened on 17 July 2026 with a reported 250 million dollar budget. Therefore, Aït Benhaddou is back on the global film-tourism map.
How to visit without the crowds
Coaches arrive between 11:00 and 15:00. By contrast, the ksar is nearly empty at sunrise. The early light is also far better for photographing earthen walls.
Sleep in the new village and cross the river at dawn. That is the single best tip in this guide.
Essaouira: the port that plays everywhere
Essaouira sits on the Atlantic coast, two and a half hours from Marrakech. Its Portuguese ramparts and working fishing harbour have appeared in dozens of movies filmed in Morocco. Furthermore, the medina has been UNESCO listed since 2001.
Othello, by Orson Welles
This is where it all began. Orson Welles shot part of his Othello in Essaouira, then known as Mogador. The famous bath-house murder sequence was filmed in the town’s Portuguese cisterns.
The film took the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 1952. For that reason, a square beside the ramparts carries Welles’s name. It is the historical starting point of film tourism here.
Game of Thrones: Astapor and the Plaza of Pride
Essaouira played Astapor in season three. The Skala de la Kasbah ramparts appear when Daenerys buys the Unsullied. Likewise, the seafront supplied the wide bay shots.
You can walk the ramparts and recognise the frames without paying admission. In fact, the Skala is free and open all day.
Hanna: desert and ocean in one film
Joe Wright directed Hanna in 2011, starring Saoirse Ronan, Eric Bana and Cate Blanchett. The Moroccan sequences were shot in Ouarzazate and Essaouira.
The heroine escapes a CIA facility and discovers she is in Morocco. She then crosses the country towards the coast. Therefore the film uses both Moroccan faces: sand and Atlantic.
The Odyssey and John Wick
Nolan also filmed in Essaouira for The Odyssey. Before him, the John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum unit worked here in 2019. The town doubled for Casablanca in that instalment.
To see the harbour properly, book the Essaouira full-day trip from Marrakech. It is the simplest way to add the port without changing hotels.
Hanna, scene by scene: the guide that was missing
Plenty of people search for exactly where Hanna was shot. Here is the ordered answer.
What was filmed in Ouarzazate
The desert sequences correspond to the country around Ouarzazate. The crew used the Road of Kasbahs and the landscapes towards Zagora. In practice, that is the same corridor our Sahara circuits follow.
What was filmed in Essaouira
The harbour, the ramparts and the medina lanes appear in the second half of the character’s journey. Moreover, Essaouira doubles here as a staging point towards Europe.
Where else Hanna was shot
Outside Morocco, the production worked in Finland and Germany. Lake Kitkajärvi in Kuusamo hosted the snow scenes. The team also shot at Babelsberg Studio in Potsdam and around Berlin and Hamburg.
Finnish temperatures dropped to −33 °C during the shoot. By contrast, the Ouarzazate unit worked in over 30 °C heat. That contrast defines the whole film.
Can you visit all of it?
Yes, and no permits are needed. Both Moroccan locations are public places. Therefore, any itinerary that includes Ouarzazate and Essaouira covers them.
The Odyssey: the most talked-about shoot of 2026
No recent production has driven more interest in movies filmed in Morocco. It is worth separating confirmed facts from rumour.
Confirmed dates and places
The unit filmed in Morocco between late February and early March 2025. The locations were Aït Benhaddou, Essaouira and Marrakech. In addition, the production shot near the White Dune at Dakhla in July 2025.
Who appears in it
Matt Damon plays Odysseus and Tom Holland plays Telemachus. Anne Hathaway is Penelope and Zendaya plays Athena. Likewise, the cast includes Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Charlize Theron and Jon Bernthal.
Which part of the story was shot here
The Moroccan sequences mostly cover the end of the Trojan War. That is, the section before the long voyage home begins. Consequently, Aït Benhaddou works as the walls of Troy.
What you can actually see
Temporary sets have already been dismantled. However, the landscape has not changed. Indeed, the Ounila valley and the ksar look much as they did decades ago.
Game of Thrones in Morocco, location by location
The series used Morocco mainly for Slaver’s Bay. These are the exact points.
Astapor
Essaouira, along the Skala de la Kasbah ramparts and the seafront.
Yunkai
Aït Benhaddou, with the ksar as the Yellow City and the Ounila river in front.
Pentos and the camps
The country around Ouarzazate, with sets built inside the studios and in the nearby desert.
How to build the full route
Marrakech, Aït Benhaddou, Ouarzazate and Essaouira form a convenient triangle. Moreover, five days covers it without rushing. The 5-day tour from Marrakech to the Sahara handles the southern half.
Gladiator and Gladiator II: the arena that came back
Ridley Scott shot Gladiator in Morocco in 1999. Twenty-five years later he returned for the sequel. These are probably the best known movies filmed in Morocco anywhere in the world.
What was shot in 1999
Aït Benhaddou supplied the slave market and the North African town. Ouarzazate and its studios supplied the provincial arena. Meanwhile, the Colosseum interior was built in Malta.
What was shot for Gladiator II
The production built a giant arena at Ouarzazate. Furthermore, the shoot left over 273 million dirhams of local spend. It ranks among the largest projects in the country’s recent history.
What survives today
Part of the original film’s sets still stands at Atlas Studios. The sequel’s structures were almost entirely struck. Even so, the guide will show you where each one stood.
Marrakech on screen: from Hitchcock to Mission: Impossible
Marrakech is the Moroccan city with the most screen credits. Jemaa el-Fna square is a ready-made set that needs no dressing.
The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)
Alfred Hitchcock set part of his thriller in Marrakech and Casablanca. It is one of the first major international titles to look this way. Therefore it opens the historical list of movies filmed in Morocco.
Hideous Kinky and the seventies
This 1998 film portrays hippy-era Marrakech with Kate Winslet. Moreover, it uses real medina and Atlas locations. It is a useful visual primer before you travel.
Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation
The 2015 instalment filmed in Casablanca, Rabat and Marrakech. The motorbike chase along mountain roads used Moroccan highways. By contrast, the underwater sequence was built in a studio tank.
Sex and the City 2
The 2010 film shot in Morocco although the story is set in Abu Dhabi. It is a textbook case of the country doubling for another destination. Likewise, it pushed luxury hotel bookings across the south.
The Marrakech International Film Festival
The festival runs each year in late November or early December. It draws international juries and stars, and it appears on the official Morocco tourism calendar. In addition, it screens films free of charge on Jemaa el-Fna.
Book accommodation early if you travel then. Pair it with our complete Marrakech travel guide to find your way around.
Tangier: the city that always plays somewhere else
Tangier faces Europe across the strait and holds a long list of credits among movies filmed in Morocco. Its old town, rooftops and port have doubled for half a dozen cities.
The Bourne Ultimatum
The 2007 rooftop chase is one of the most famous action sequences ever staged in the country. It was filmed in the Tangier medina. In fact, the window-to-window jump used real streets.
Inception: Tangier as Mombasa
Christopher Nolan filmed the Mombasa scenes in Tangier. That is, the Moroccan city played Kenya. Consequently, Nolan knew the country long before The Odyssey.
Spectre and the northern desert
The 2015 James Bond entry filmed in Tangier, Erfoud and Oujda. Moreover, the desert train and the isolated station were shot in the south. Combining north and south is standard practice for big productions.
How to visit Tangier
Tangier has its own airport and a high-speed rail link to Casablanca. Likewise, it is the arrival port for ferries from Spain. Our tours from Tangier start directly at the port.
Casablanca: the film that was never filmed in Casablanca
This is the most repeated myth in Moroccan tourism. It deserves a clear answer.
Where it was actually shot
Casablanca (1942) was filmed entirely at Warner Bros studios in Burbank, California. Neither Bogart nor Bergman ever set foot in Morocco. The closing airport scene was staged on a soundstage with a cardboard aircraft.
So what is there to visit?
The Rick’s Café that exists today opened in 2004. A former American diplomat created it as a tribute. That is, it is an homage rather than a location.
It is still worth a visit. The city also has the Hassan II Mosque and a notable art deco centre. Moreover, it has hosted genuine shoots, including Mission: Impossible and Prison Break.
Why the distinction matters
A well planned film trip separates myth from reality. That is why this guide to movies filmed in Morocco makes the point early. Our tours from Casablanca begin in the city and head south.
Merzouga, Erfoud and the Sahara on screen
The Erg Chebbi dunes are the country’s other great natural set. They lie about four hours from Ouarzazate.
The Mummy and the Egyptian desert
The 1999 film used the country around Erfoud and Merzouga as Egypt. Additionally, the area supplied dunes and palm groves. It is a classic among movies filmed in Morocco that pretend to be elsewhere.
Spectre and the desert train
Bond’s railway sequences were shot near Erfoud. The isolated station in the middle of nowhere is real. By contrast, the carriage interior was constructed on a stage.
Prince of Persia and Sahara
Both productions worked around Erfoud and Merzouga. Likewise, they used Ouarzazate for interiors. That is the standard circuit for large adventure films.
Sleeping among the dunes
Tented camps in Erg Chebbi let you spend the night in the desert. Moreover, the sky with no light pollution is extraordinary. Compare both dune fields in our Erg Chebbi vs Erg Chigaga guide.
The 4-day Marrakech desert tour links Aït Benhaddou, Ouarzazate and Merzouga in one trip.
Fez and the imperial cities on screen
The interior north has its share of credits too. One of them is very recent.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
The 2023 film shot in Fez. The medina supplied alleys and façades for the chase sequences. Therefore Fez joined the film-tourism map.
The Last Temptation of Christ
Martin Scorsese filmed in Morocco in 1988. He used Ouarzazate, Aït Benhaddou and southern landscapes. Moreover, he treated the earthen architecture as Judea.
Rabat, Salé and Kenitra
Black Hawk Down filmed in Salé, Rabat and Kenitra in 2001. Those cities doubled for Mogadishu. Likewise, Prison Break returned to Rabat and Casablanca for its fifth season.
What to see in Fez
The Fez medina is the largest car-free urban area in the world. Additionally, its tanneries are the most photographed frame in the city. Read our Fez guide and our tours from Fez.
Series filmed in Morocco you may not have placed
Television has followed the same path as movies filmed in Morocco for the big screen. These are the most relevant recent productions.
Homeland
The series filmed in Morocco for seasons three, six and eight. The country doubled for Pakistan and other Middle Eastern settings. Moreover, it used Rabat and Casablanca as logistical bases.
Jack Ryan and The Witcher
Jack Ryan shot here in 2018. The Witcher used Morocco for its third season in 2023. Likewise, The Wheel of Time filmed in the country in 2021.
Outer Banks and Prison Break
Outer Banks shot its fourth season in Morocco in 2024. Prison Break had done the same in 2016 and 2017, in Rabat, Casablanca and Ouarzazate. Therefore the catalogue of movies filmed in Morocco now extends deep into streaming.
Why series choose the country
A series must repeat locations over many weeks. Morocco offers trained local crews and available stages. In practice, that lowers the cost per episode considerably.
Moroccan cinema worth watching before you travel
The movies filmed in Morocco by foreign crews are not the whole story. The national industry has grown sharply.
Nabil Ayouch
He is the country’s most internationally recognised director. His work portrays contemporary Casablanca without filters. Moreover, his production company trained many of the local technicians working today.
Maryam Touzani
Her films look at family intimacy and traditional crafts. Indeed, they connect closely with our guide to traditional Moroccan clothing. Watching them before a trip changes how you see the medinas.
Asmae El Moudir
Her documentary work on family memory and recent Casablanca history travelled widely through festivals. Likewise, the Berlinale singled her out in 2026 among key Moroccan voices.
Where to watch them
Many of these titles stream with English subtitles. Therefore you can prepare the trip from home at no extra cost.
How to build your own film route through Morocco
Now the practical part. These combinations work best for seeing movies filmed in Morocco on the ground.
Three days from Marrakech
Marrakech, Tizi n’Tichka, Aït Benhaddou, Ouarzazate and back through the Draa Valley. It covers the two most famous locations. Moreover, it is the cheapest option.
Our 3-day desert tour from Marrakech follows exactly that road.
Five days with the desert
Add Merzouga and a night in a camp. You then pick up the locations from The Mummy and Spectre. By contrast, you will spend more hours in the car each day.
Seven days with Essaouira
This is the complete route for anyone travelling specifically for film. It includes Aït Benhaddou, Ouarzazate, Merzouga and Essaouira. Therefore it covers almost every location in this guide.
See the 7-day private tour from Marrakech or ask us for a custom version.
Starting from the north
If you arrive by ferry from Spain, begin in Tangier. Then drop to Fez and continue south. Our 7-day tour from Tangier follows that line.
Starting from Casablanca
This is the usual option for long-haul arrivals. The 8-day private tour from Casablanca links imperial cities and desert.
When to travel and what the light is like
The season shapes the photographs you take home.
Best months
March, April, October and November are ideal. Temperatures stay mild and skies stay clear. Additionally, there are fewer coaches at Aït Benhaddou.
July and August are punishing in Ouarzazate and Merzouga. By contrast, Essaouira stays cool all summer thanks to the Atlantic wind.
The 2026 time change
Morocco adopted permanent GMT on 20 September 2026. Consequently, sunset now falls an hour earlier on the clock than in previous years. Likewise, golden light arrives earlier for photographing the ksar.
Always check local time in our guide to what time it is in Morocco. It is a detail that wrecks plans when ignored.
Golden hour at each location
At Aït Benhaddou the mud brick glows at sunrise. At Essaouira the best light hits the ramparts at sunset. Therefore it pays to sleep close to each site.
Budget guide for a film-location trip
Following the trail of movies filmed in Morocco is not expensive. Prices vary by standard, and these are realistic references.
Tickets and visits
Atlas Studios costs 80 dirhams, or 110 with the large set. The Cinema Museum is around 30 dirhams. Moreover, Aït Benhaddou itself is free, although tipping a local guide is customary.
Transport
A private circuit with a driver costs more than a shared tour. However, it lets you stop wherever the light is good. Compare the options in private versus group tours in Morocco.
Accommodation and meals
A mid-range riad in Ouarzazate costs considerably less than one in Marrakech. Likewise, roadside meals are inexpensive. See our guide to traditional Moroccan dishes.
Money and payments
The currency is the dirham, and it cannot legally leave the country. Additionally, carry cash for tips and entrance fees. Read the guide to the Moroccan dirham.
Mistakes film travellers make
After years of running routes around movies filmed in Morocco, the same errors repeat.
Trying to see everything in three days
Moroccan distances are deceptive. Marrakech to Merzouga is roughly nine hours of driving. Therefore an over-packed plan becomes a road trip with no stops.
Arriving at Aït Benhaddou at midday
It is the worst moment: peak heat and peak coaches. By contrast, sunrise delivers silence and good light.
Hunting for sets that no longer exist
Many sets are struck once filming ends. Likewise, others are recycled for new productions. Ask before you go so you are not disappointed.
Confusing tributes with locations
Rick’s Café in Casablanca is the classic example. It is a good restaurant, but it is not a filming location.
Photography and permit tips
A few simple rules prevent trouble while touring the locations of movies filmed in Morocco.
Photographing people
Always ask before photographing someone. Moreover, a tip is customary in the souks. A smile and a question solve almost everything.
Drones
Drones are heavily restricted in Morocco. In practice, they can be confiscated at customs. Therefore do not bring one without prior authorisation.
Recommended kit
A wide angle works well on the Essaouira ramparts. A short telephoto helps at the ksar. Likewise, bring cleaning cloths, because southern dust gets into everything.
Clothing and footwear
The climb inside the ksar is steep and slippery. Additionally, the sun is strong even in winter. Check what to wear in Morocco before packing.
Every major production and its Moroccan location
| Production | Year | Moroccan location |
|---|---|---|
| Othello | 1952 | Essaouira (Mogador) |
| The Man Who Knew Too Much | 1956 | Marrakech and Casablanca |
| Lawrence of Arabia | 1962 | Desert sequences in Morocco |
| The Last Temptation of Christ | 1988 | Ouarzazate and Aït Benhaddou |
| Kundun | 1997 | Atlas Studios, Ouarzazate |
| Hideous Kinky | 1998 | Marrakech |
| The Mummy | 1999 | Erfoud and Merzouga |
| Gladiator | 2000 | Aït Benhaddou and Ouarzazate |
| Black Hawk Down | 2001 | Salé, Rabat and Kenitra |
| Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra | 2002 | Atlas Studios, Ouarzazate |
| Kingdom of Heaven | 2005 | Ouarzazate, Essaouira, Aït Benhaddou |
| Babel | 2006 | Ouarzazate region |
| The Bourne Ultimatum | 2007 | Tangier |
| Inception | 2010 | Tangier, doubling for Mombasa |
| Sex and the City 2 | 2010 | Morocco, doubling for Abu Dhabi |
| Hanna | 2011 | Ouarzazate and Essaouira |
| Game of Thrones | 2013 | Essaouira (Astapor), Aït Benhaddou (Yunkai) |
| Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation | 2015 | Casablanca, Rabat and Marrakech |
| Spectre | 2015 | Tangier, Erfoud and Oujda |
| Prison Break (S5) | 2017 | Rabat, Casablanca and Ouarzazate |
| John Wick: Chapter 3 | 2019 | Essaouira |
| The Wheel of Time | 2021 | Morocco |
| Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny | 2023 | Fez |
| The Witcher (S3) | 2023 | Morocco |
| Gladiator II | 2024 | Ouarzazate |
| Outer Banks (S4) | 2024 | Morocco |
| The Odyssey | 2026 | Aït Benhaddou, Essaouira, Marrakech, Dakhla |
Key takeaways
- Ouarzazate is the production capital, with Atlas Studios open daily from 08:30 until sunset for 80 MAD.
- Aït Benhaddou, UNESCO listed in 1987, is the single most filmed site in the country.
- Essaouira played Astapor in Game of Thrones and appeared in Hanna, John Wick and The Odyssey.
- Tangier doubled for Mombasa in Inception and hosted the rooftop chase in The Bourne Ultimatum.
- Casablanca the film was shot in California, not in Morocco.
- Morocco pays a 30% uncapped cash rebate, which is why the list of movies filmed in Morocco keeps growing.
- Seven days is enough to visit almost every location in this guide.
Frequently asked questions about movies filmed in Morocco
What are the most famous movies filmed in Morocco?
Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, The Mummy, Inception, Spectre and The Odyssey lead the list. Game of Thrones is the best known series. All of them used locations you can visit today.
Where was Gladiator filmed in Morocco?
At Aït Benhaddou and Ouarzazate, in 1999. Part of the original sets still stands at Atlas Studios. Gladiator II returned to Ouarzazate in 2024.
Was Casablanca filmed in Casablanca?
No. The 1942 film was shot entirely at Warner Bros studios in Burbank, California. It is not one of the movies filmed in Morocco, despite the title.
Where was Hanna filmed?
In Ouarzazate and Essaouira, plus Finland and Germany. The character discovers she is in Morocco after escaping CIA custody.
Where was Game of Thrones filmed in Morocco?
Essaouira played Astapor and Aït Benhaddou played Yunkai. The Ouarzazate area hosted camps and built sets.
Can you visit Atlas Studios?
Yes. It opens every day from 08:30 until sunset. Admission is 80 dirhams, or 110 dirhams including the Kingdom of Heaven set.
How many days do I need for a film location trip?
Three days cover Aït Benhaddou and Ouarzazate. Seven days add the Sahara and Essaouira. One week is enough to see the most iconic movies filmed in Morocco on location.
Where was The Odyssey filmed in Morocco?
At Aït Benhaddou, Essaouira, Marrakech and the White Dune near Dakhla. The Moroccan shoot ran from late February to early March 2025, and again in July that year.
Why do so many productions film in Morocco?
Because of varied landscapes, reliable light and a 30% rebate on local spend administered by the CCM. The country also has experienced crews and two large studio complexes.
Do I need a guide to visit the locations?
At Atlas Studios the guided tour is included in the ticket. At Aït Benhaddou a guide is optional but useful. A private driver saves hours of logistics.
Is it safe to travel through these areas?
Yes. These are well established tourist routes with good roads. See our guide on whether Morocco is safe.
What is the best time of year for this route?
Spring and autumn. March, April, October and November offer good light and mild temperatures. Read the best time to visit Morocco.
Conclusion: a country that has been acting for seventy years
Morocco is not a backdrop. It is a real country that happens to be very good at playing other places. That is why the list of movies filmed in Morocco keeps growing, from Orson Welles to Christopher Nolan.
The good news is that nearly every location is accessible. Aït Benhaddou, Essaouira and Ouarzazate are linked by paved road. Likewise, they fit into a single one-week route.
If you want to travel them with a driver and a local guide, get in touch. We design tailor-made itineraries from Marrakech, Fez, Casablanca and Tangier. Write to our team through the contact page and we will send you a proposal.
In the meantime, browse our tours from Marrakech and our excursions in Morocco. You can also read more about us on the about us page.