Famous Movies and Series Filmed in Morocco and How to Visit Their Iconic Locations

Game of Thrones (2011–2019)

📍 Location: Ait Ben Haddou

HBO’s Game of Thrones brought the world of Westeros to life with stunning real-world locations, including Ait Ben Haddou, which served as the slave city of Yunkai and the merchant city of Pentos. The fortified village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, perfectly matched the show’s medieval aesthetic.

• In Season 3, Daenerys Targaryen arrives in Yunkai with her army, determined to free the city’s enslaved people.
• The site’s distinctive mud-brick kasbahs and towering walls provided the ideal backdrop for her interactions with the Wise Masters and her famous speech to the freed slaves.

Ait Ben Haddou’s appearance in Game of Thrones has since made it a major attraction for fans of the series, drawing visitors eager to walk in Daenerys’ footsteps.

Gladiator (2000)

📍 Location: Ouarzazate & Ait Ben Haddou

Ridley Scott’s Academy Award-winning epic Gladiator used Ouarzazate—often called the “Hollywood of Africa”—as one of its key filming locations.

• The Atlas Studios in Ouarzazate housed elaborate sets that recreated ancient Rome and the bustling markets of North Africa.
• Ait Ben Haddou was transformed into the city where Maximus (Russell Crowe) was sold into slavery, setting the stage for his rise as a gladiator.

The film’s unforgettable battle scenes, grand arenas, and sweeping desert landscapes showcased Morocco’s cinematic potential, solidifying its reputation as a go-to location for historical dramas.

Dune (2021)

📍 Location: Erg Chebbi Dunes, Merzouga

Denis Villeneuve’s visually stunning adaptation of Dune relied on Morocco’s Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga to create the harsh, desert planet of Arrakis.

• The towering sand dunes provided a breathtaking, alien-like environment, mirroring the treacherous landscapes where Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) and the Fremen struggle for survival.
• The natural lighting and shifting sands added to the authenticity of the film’s aesthetic, immersing audiences in the world of Arrakis.

Erg Chebbi’s dramatic scenery made it the perfect stand-in for Frank Herbert’s fictional desert world, proving that Morocco’s landscapes can transport audiences to entirely new realms.

The Mummy (1999)

📍 Location: Ouarzazate

This adventure classic starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz showcased Ouarzazate’s desert landscapes and historic architecture as the setting for ancient Egypt.

• The film’s thrilling chase sequences and tomb exploration scenes took place in and around Morocco’s famous kasbahs and dunes.
• The city’s Atlas Studios provided elaborate sets for the film, blending practical locations with Hollywood magic.

Ouarzazate’s cinematic versatility has made it a popular location for films depicting ancient civilizations, and The Mummy is one of the best examples of how Morocco can stand in for Egypt’s legendary past.

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

📍 Location: Ait Ben Haddou & Ouarzazate

David Lean’s masterpiece, Lawrence of Arabia, is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made. Its stunning cinematography captured the grandeur of the desert, with Morocco providing key locations for the film’s sweeping battle scenes and dramatic storytelling.

• Ait Ben Haddou was used to depict parts of the Arabian Peninsula, its ancient mud-brick structures blending seamlessly with the film’s vast desert landscapes.
• Ouarzazate’s deserts provided the backdrop for many of the film’s epic sequences, including sweeping shots of the army’s marches and intense battle scenes.

The film won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and is still celebrated for its breathtaking cinematography, much of which was made possible by Morocco’s landscapes.

Kingdom of Heaven (2005)

📍 Location: Ouarzazate

Ridley Scott returned to Morocco to film Kingdom of Heaven, a historical epic set during the Crusades. The medieval-like environment of Ouarzazate was the ideal setting for the film’s grand castles, sieges, and battles.

• The Atlas Studios in Ouarzazate provided expansive sets to recreate the city of Jerusalem.
• The surrounding desert landscapes were used for battle scenes and long desert treks, giving the film an authentic, historical feel.

The film’s realistic portrayal of medieval warfare and stunning cinematography were enhanced by Morocco’s rugged landscapes and ancient kasbahs, further cementing the country’s status as a premier film locatio

Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah

Why Visit?

Ait Ben Haddou is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a stunning ksar (fortified village) made entirely of clay and earth. This centuries-old marvel has been a prime filming location for Hollywood epics, including Game of Thrones, Gladiator, The Mummy, and Lawrence of Arabia.

How to Get There:

• From Marrakech: Ait Ben Haddou is about a 4-hour drive. You can:
  
  
  • Rent a car for a self-drive adventure.
  • Join a guided tour, which often includes stops at the Atlas Mountains.
  • Take a bus to Ouarzazate and then a taxi to Ait Ben Haddou.
• From Ouarzazate: Just a 30-minute drive, making it an easy day trip.

What to Do:

• Explore the ancient village – Wander through its winding alleys, lined with kasbahs that have stood for centuries.
• Climb to the top – Reach the summit for breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding desert.
• Visit local shops and cafes – Discover handcrafted Berber jewelry, rugs, and sip mint tea in a traditional setting.
• Step into movie history – Stand in the very spots where iconic scenes from Gladiator and Game of Thrones were filmed, including the famous Gladiator Arena.

Ouarzazate: The Hollywood of Africa

Why Visit?

Nicknamed the “Hollywood of Africa”, Ouarzazate is home to Atlas Studios, one of the world’s largest film studios. This cinematic hub has hosted blockbuster productions such as The Mummy, Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, and Prince of Persia.

How to Get There:

From Marrakech:

• • By car: A 4-5 hour drive via the scenic Tizi n’Tichka mountain pass.
  • By bus: CTM and Supratours offer comfortable rides to Ouarzazate.
  • By air: Ouarzazate Airport has domestic flights, mostly from Casablanca.

What to Do:

• Tour Atlas Studios – Walk through sets and props used in famous movies. You might even catch a live film production!
• Visit Taourirt Kasbah – Once a grand palace, this fortress is a filmmaker’s favorite, used in many historical epics.
• Explore Skoura Oasis – Just outside Ouarzazate, this lush palm grove contrasts beautifully with the surrounding desert.

Erg Chebbi Dunes: A Sci-Fi Dreamscape

Why Visit?

The towering dunes of Erg Chebbi in Merzouga played a crucial role in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune (2021), transforming Morocco into the mystical desert world of Arrakis. These mesmerizing golden sands also appear in numerous adventure films.

How to Get There:

• From Marrakech: An 8-10 hour drive (best done with an overnight desert tour).
• From Fes: A 7-9 hour drive, with scenic stops in the Middle Atlas Mountains.

What to Do:

• Camel Trekking – Ride across the vast dunes and stay in a traditional Berber camp under the stars.
• Sandboarding & 4×4 Adventures – Experience the thrill of gliding down the dunes or exploring them in a desert safari.
• Sunrise & Sunset Views – Witness the sky painted in hues of gold and red, creating an unforgettable moment.