Atlas Studios, Ouarzazate

Established in 1983, Atlas Studios helped transform Ouarzazate into one of the world’s leading filming destinations. The nearby landscapes, they can look like ancient civilisations, desert kingdoms, or even distant worlds which makes the whole region a bit too attractive for international filmmakers to skip. 
Over the years, the studio has had a meaningful part in Morocco’s growing film industry, pulling in major productions and at the same time supporting tourism too, and creating openings for local crews plus businesses. 
Nowadays, visitors from many places come to see the well known film sets and also learn the stories behind several of Hollywood’s biggest productions.

Atlas Studios has been involved, in a lot of internationally acclaimed films and television series. A few of the more recognizable productions, filmed here, include Gladiator , The Mummy, Kingdom of Heaven , Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Babel and Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation. It kind of shows how adaptable the place is, really.
The nearby scenery as well has been used in the hit TV series Game of Thrones, where Morocco’s striking landscapes were used to stand in for multiple fictional cities, during different scenes.
Because of that remarkable versatility, Atlas Studios keeps pulling in directors and producers who want authentic period settings and spectacular sand-dune backdrops.

When you join a guided tour of Atlas Studios, you get to wander through a whole bunch of impressive film sets. And a lot of them stay put, standing there, even long after filming is done.
Step into recreated ancient Egyptian temples ,then into medieval fortresses ,and afterwards traditional villages, plus monumental palaces too. You’ll also pick up little nuggets about how these same remarkable places were reshaped for different productions, kind of like a careful conjuring act.
Along the way, you’ll uncover intriguing details on set construction, film production, visual effects and that creative workflow behind some of the world’s most successful movies. Whether you’re a cinema lover, a photographer, or just curious and nosey about filmmaking, Atlas Studios gives you a fun ,and surprisingly memorable visit.

So Atlas Studios is basically located a short drive out of the centre of Ouarzazate, and yeah it’s easy to get to by car, taxi or through an organised tour. A lot of visitors tend to pair the trip with Aït Benhaddou nearby and also those wide desert scenery areas just around the corner, you know.
It’s a good idea to book the guided tours, because they share a lot of useful details about the history of the studios, the productions shot there, and some behind-the-scenes anecdotes that really make the sets feel alive, not just look nice on paper.
In general, spring and autumn are probably the best moments to come, since temperatures are mild enough for wandering around the outdoor parts. When summer hits though, the heat can get really intense, so it’s recommended to wear comfy shoes ,carry plenty of water, put on sun cream and don’t forget a hat. 
As for photos, photography is allowed in most areas of the site ,which makes Atlas Studios a solid choice for photographers, film fans, and anyone who wants to frame one of Morocco’s most distinctive attractions.