Atlas Studios | Km 5, BP 28 Route de Marrakech, Ouarzazate 45000, Morocco

Lack of/bad info; still amazing. I want to start off by saying GLADIATOR II (2024) FILMED HERE which I have seen absolutely no where except hinted by the Wikipedia for the movie, not even from Atlas. Just watch the opening battle scene against the Roman amphibious assault, it’s the same fortification as Kingdom of Heaven (2005)’s Jerusalem set. You can still see a trebuchet and siege towers used in the films (which you can climb up)! Similarly, Game of Thrones S3 E4 was shot at this set, serving as Astapor for the iconic scene when Dany takes control of the unsullied. Though it is a 15 minute walk into the desert (they might have a bus instead), and a bit perilous to walk up onto the walls, it makes this studio completely amazing to tour, especially if you love these two Ridley Scott movies and Game of Thrones like I do. Now the main area for the studio is a mixed bag and, from some research, full of false information, but the sets are still cool. Gladiator (2000) does not have any sets left from what I could find, if anything actually was shot here. They may try and tell you the slave market was. I don’t think so; that was at Benhaddou (which is also perfect to visit for cinephiles). Same with Passion of Christ (2004). Nothing is left. They may say you can see the stairs from the crucifix on walk. You can’t; that was in Italy. If anything the short flashback of Jesus working on a table as a carpenter is the only set you can see. And it was not The Mummy (1999) but rather a few sequences from the sequel The Mummy Returns (2001) that were shot here. The only surviving set seems to be the opening tomb scene, some of it likely shot in the “Prison” warehouse with the Mummy sign in it. The mini Sphinxes around “Caesar’s Palace” are also in the movie, but I’m very confident other scenes were filmed in that palace and maybe “Egyptian House” too but they were closed at the time of our visit. This one is cool to see. And Kundun (1997), a Scorsese deep cut, has one of its sets left standing, which is also interesting. You can also see vehicles from The Living Daylights (1987), The Jewel of the Nile (1985) and Black Hawk Down (2001). But really, in my opinion, the saving grace for the main area is Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra (2002). If you are not Francophone and had not heard of it like me, you should check it out for before your visit—I loved it. Not confident the indoor palace sets remain (they are different than the Egypt sets standing), but the outdoor sets have, like the black and white pillars, and the palace from the end of the movie (“Caesar’s Palace”). Really, it seems like small productions mostly use this place like Ben Hur (2010 miniseries) and Cleopatra (1999 miniseries). As it stands, the studio is 5 stars, but it could be one of the best tours in the world if they tried. For now it’s best viewed without a guide (no they are not mandatory). p.s. if you are going to watch Kingdom of Heaven, watch the director’s cut.

Sebi

The Hollywood of Morocco! Everything from Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, to The Last Temptation Of Christ, and Game of Thrones (S3)... has been filmed at these studios in the desert a 10min drive from the town of Ouarzazate. The sets are amazing in their design and detail, and are still in use today. A visit is highly recommended if you've been to Ait Ben Hoddou which is a 20min drive away.

EFlatMajor7

The good: it's bigger than it seems like it will be. Lots of wonderful sets, most in good repair. The bad: sometimes they try to make you pay for parking. They only accept cash for the place and the price is high considering they have zero signage. The ugly: the workers are not friendly on any level. First time we found unfriendly people anywhere in Morocco!

Chris Bloomfield

If you are really into movies or desperately look for something to do during your stay in Ouzarzate, it’s worth a visit. The average visitor may be a bit disappointed though because it feels like the owners chose the „low effort“ option for many parts of the facility. You pay 7-8€ for your visit, but are expected to pay again for the „freelancing“ guides inside. Not cool. Apart from that, many sets are in a bad condition and there are no boards with explanatory texts anywhere. I feel like this place has so much potential, but the owners don’t really invest enough.

Felix Heuer

Amazing to see all these different film sets and really enter the world of some awesome movies. You walk from one world into another, from ancient Egypt with a massive temple to Roman streets, straight into the small streets of an Arabic Kasbah. The guides are very enthusiastic and kind. Highly recommend to visit if you're in the area!

Robin Masson

The Atlas Studios in Ouarzazate are among the largest and most famous film studios in the world, often referred to as the “Hollywood of the Desert.” Spread across a vast area on the edge of the city, the studios offer visitors a unique opportunity to step into the worlds of legendary movies. Over the years, many international blockbusters have been filmed here, taking advantage of the dramatic desert landscapes and monumental sets. Famous productions include Gladiator, The Mummy, Kingdom of Heaven, Babel, and episodes of Game of Thrones. Walking through the site, one can see Egyptian temples, Roman arenas, medieval castles, and biblical towns—all carefully constructed as film sets. The studios are open to the public with an entrance fee that grants access to guided tours around the main sets and exhibition areas. The ticket is reasonably priced, but visitors should be aware that additional “unofficial” charges may sometimes be suggested. In our case, the assigned guide was knowledgeable and entertaining, but he also hinted at an extra payment. Visiting Atlas Studios is a memorable experience. For anyone passing through Ouarzazate, the studios are an essential stop to discover how Morocco has helped bring epic stories to life on the big screen.

Lefteris Stamatelatos