Did you know that Morocco is home to the largest film studio in the whole wide world? Well, neither did I, until my pal Chris informed me of this astounding fact. Atlas Film Studios is an incredible place, and it’s possible for anyone to rock up to this little-known gem and book onto a tour. (Not only possible, pals, but highly advisable. We bloomin’ loved it.)
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The Atlas Film Studios are kind of a big deal, where huge blockbusters have been filmed for decades, but you’d be forgiven for driving on past without so much as a sideways glance. The expansive studio complex is fully visible from the main road out of Ouarzazate, but despite its importance to the movie industry, its presence is a fairly understated affair. A few hotels, gas stations and a collection of gift shops line the open road; behind those is sprawling, arid desert.
The setting is unassuming but entirely theatrical at the very same time.
The story of the Atlas Film Studios
The Atlas Film Studios began life back in 1983, when a Moroccan entrepreneur realised how ideal the filming conditions are in Ouarzazate- and decided to capitalise on it. (Part of Lawrence of Arabia was filmed here back in the 60s; he took the idea and ran with it.) The first movie made at the new studios was Jewel of the Nile, closely followed by some scenes in The Living Daylights, and before long movie-makers were flocking to the desert in droves. The area surrounding the city of Ouarzazate isn’t just ideal scenery-wise, but film-makers can take advantage of the perfect light, reliable weather conditions, and expanse of space.
It’s an epic backdrop for some truly epic movies.
Over time, sets popped up in the desert, constructed by a mixture of local hires and employees brought in by respective production companies. Production crew were trained. Local drivers and security were employed, and translators appointed. Plenty of locals were given work as extras on set. It was an unlikely but big business, which quickly expanded and brought a great deal of prosperity (and a fair number of A-list actors and directors) to Ouarzazate.
Many of the sets and sound stages have been left behind, to be either toured by visitors or occasionally re-used in other movies. Colossal but completely hollow pillars line an Egyptian temple used for Cleopatra, and in a market square only the bottom stories of most buildings have been constructed- because the tops would be out of shot. Behind the facades is a mesh of wooden scaffolding; having spent my entire life running around theatre sets built in a similar fashion, I felt as if I was in a giant open-air production. Just, a production that happened to be in the middle of the desert.
Gladiator, Black Hawk Down, The Mummy, Babel, Kundun, Kingdom of Heaven…the list of movies filmed either entirely or partially at the Atlas Film Studios is extensive. And beyond the boundaries of the studio’s 322,000 square footage, there are plenty of other filming locations which have been used, with Atlas Film Studios as a production base.
Pull into The Hills Have Eyes gas station a short drive away, for a strange Americana-in-Morocco experience, or head up the road to Ait Ben Haddou like we did. The Odyssey was recently filmed in the stunning village, although their were plenty of other productions prior to that.
Where is the studio?
The Atlas Film Studios are about 5 miles west of Ouarzazate in central Morocco. The studio is very easy to reach by car, and it sits right on the N9 road towards Marrakesh. (Marrakesh being about 3.5 hours drive away.)
Here’s the exact location of Atlas Studios on Google Maps.
If you don’t have a car but do want to visit the film studio, it’s possible to head down on a day trip from Marrakesh. However, personally I don’t think it’s worth making the journey for the movie sets alone. It’d make far more sense to book onto a tour which will take you to Ait Ben Haddou as well, although if you have the time I’d definitely recommend staying overnight.
What’s the entry fee for Atlas Film Studios
First and foremost, if you’re visiting by car, you’ll need to park in the adjoining car park and cough up 20 dirhams for the parking fee.
Like all car parks and many streets in Morocco, this is paid directly to the parking attendant in cash, normally when you leave. (To discover more from the wild and wonderful world of driving in Morocco, read my complete guide.)
You do not need to pre-book to visit the Atlas Film Studios, however it’s only possible to visit with a tour. Tours leave very regularly throughout the day, and are conducted in multiple languages- our very knowledgable guide spoke English, French and Arabic- and it is 100% worth it to have a real human explaining everything you see.
The current price of entry is 80 dirhams per person, or 130 dirhams if you also want to travel to the Kingdom of Heaven set. This is such a reasonable price that we were more than happy to pay it.
Where to stay nearby
We visited the studios as part of our very epic and brilliant road trip around Morocco, and stayed in the nearby village of Ait Ben Haddou. Pals: it was magical. Our accommodation of choice was Kasbah Tebi, which is located inside the old village. It was sort of like staying in a sand castle (the walls are literally formed from soil and straw), except with more mint tea and tagines. It’s a unique stay, but even more so because the rooms are lit solely by candlelight.
For a completely different location with its own equally unique story, book in at the four star Oscar Hotel, which is right next to the Atlas Film Studios. The hotel was built in 1983 by the owner of the studios, to accommodate the cast and crew of Jewel of the Nile, and it’s been the go-to hotel for visitors ever since. The standards are high, the pool is glorious, and unlike Kasbah Tebi, it does have fully functional electricity.
Is it worth a visit to the Atlas Film Studios?
I’d seen mixed reviews online, with the main downside apparently being that you’re only allowed to visit with a guide, but for us a visit to the Atlas Film Studios was 100% worth it. The film industry in Morocco is an area I previously knew nothing about, and on a grand tour through the country, I loved trying to get a full picture of the place and its people.
And given the option, I much prefer visiting with a knowledgable guide than a portable headset or, god forbid, no info at all! Our guide did a great job of telling the stories of each set and providing context and background, plus he was on hand to answer numerous questions in several languages. As part of your tour, they’ll definitely get you to recreate your own movie scene and take a few pictures, but ya know what- it was actually pretty entertaining!
A Dreamy Stay at the Riad Sidrat, Fes