Budget Day Trip From Marrakech
Ouarzazate Day Trip: Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah & Atlas Film Studios
A low-priced day trip covering both Aït Benhaddou and Atlas Film Studios, backed by over two thousand reviews.
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The Short Answer
Atlas Studios is one of the largest film studios in the world by land area, founded in 1983. Visitors walk through standing sets from Gladiator, The Mummy, and Game of Thrones on guided visits. It sits 5 km west of Ouarzazate on the Marrakech road, opens daily from 8:30AM to sunset, and needs no advance reservation.
Ouarzazate earned the nickname 'Ouarzawood' for good reason. Since Mohamed Belghmi founded Atlas Studios in 1983, the site has hosted Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, The Mummy, Prince of Persia, Kundun, Ben-Hur, and episodes of Game of Thrones. The desert and mountain landscapes nearby let productions stand in for almost anywhere on screen, from ancient Rome to Tibet.
Unlike most working studios, Atlas leaves many of its biggest sets standing after filming wraps. That means a visit feels closer to walking through several film worlds at once, with a guide explaining which production built what. Most travelers combine the studios with the UNESCO-listed ksar of Aït Benhaddou about 30 km northwest, and day tours from Marrakech cover both in a single trip.
Compare The Tours
Both tours below run from Marrakech and pair the studios with Aït Benhaddou, so the choice comes down to group style and how much you want packed into one long day. One is a budget-friendly option with a large review base; the other carries a higher rating from a smaller pool of travelers.
Ouarzazate And Aït Benhaddou Day Trip
Day Trip from Marrakech to Explore Ouarzazate and Ait Benhaddou
Higher-rated alternative from Marrakech, exploring Ouarzazate and Aït Benhaddou with a smaller review pool.
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What You Will See
Egyptian temple sets
Massive pharaoh statues and temple facades evoke ancient Egypt without any digital trickery. These are among the most photographed structures on site and give a real sense of the scale productions build at the studio.
Gladiator Roman sets
A Roman colosseum and surrounding set pieces from Gladiator remain standing. Fans of the film can stand where the arena scenes were staged and compare the architecture with what appeared on screen.
Kingdom of Heaven castle
The castle set built for Kingdom of Heaven is one of the studio's headline attractions. A combined ticket covering both the main studio and this set is available for 110 MAD.
Kundun Tibetan monastery
The Tibetan monastery constructed for Kundun still stands, showing how the same Moroccan location can convincingly double for the Himalayas. It is a favorite stop for photographers visiting the backlot.
Props, costumes, and backstage
Guided visits include backstage areas and displays of props and costumes from past productions, along with anecdotes from the guides about shoots that have taken place on the lot.
Standing sets that change
The studio remains active, so the sets on view may change over time. Productions occasionally shoot on site, which can mean restrictions during a visit, but also the chance to see filming in progress.
Planning Your Visit
Getting There
Atlas Studios sits 3 to 5 km west of Ouarzazate center on Route N9 toward Marrakech, at Km 5, BP 28 Route de Marrakech. A petit taxi from town costs roughly 10 to 30 MAD. Many visitors arrive as part of a day trip from Marrakech that pairs the studios with Aït Benhaddou, which avoids arranging transport separately.
Tickets, Hours And Timing
The official entrance ticket starts at 80 MAD per person, with a combined option including the Kingdom of Heaven set for 110 MAD. Children under 5 enter free. Visits are guided, take about 1 to 1.5 hours, and no advance reservation is required. The studio opens daily from 8:30AM to sunset, including holidays, though active filming can bring changes or restrictions.
Booking Tips
- No advance reservation is needed; you can simply turn up and join a guided visit.
- Children under 5 enter free.
- Ask about the combined ticket with the Kingdom of Heaven set, at 110 MAD.
- Sets and access can change during active filming, so call ahead if a shoot is underway.
- Pair the visit with Aït Benhaddou, about 30 km away, to fill a full day.
On The Map
3 locations. The map loads when it scrolls into view.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Frequently Asked Questions
What was filmed at Atlas Studios?
Gladiator, The Mummy, Kingdom of Heaven, Prince of Persia, Kundun, Ben-Hur, and Game of Thrones all used the studio or the surrounding region. Sets from several of these productions remain standing and feature on the standard guided visit.
How much do tickets cost?
Entrance starts at 80 MAD per person, with a combined ticket including the Kingdom of Heaven set for 110 MAD. Children under 5 enter free. Bookable day tours from Marrakech, such as those listed on this page, add transport and guiding on top.
How long does a visit take?
Expect 1 to 1.5 hours for the guided tour of the sets, props, and backstage areas. Travelers combining the studios with Aït Benhaddou, roughly 30 km northwest, should plan for a full day.
Do I need to book in advance?
No advance reservation is needed for the studio itself; visits are guided and run throughout the day from 8:30AM to sunset. Day trips from Marrakech, however, benefit from being booked ahead to secure a seat.
Can you see filming in progress?
Sometimes. The studio remains active, and guides share anecdotes from past and current shoots. Active productions can also mean changes or restricted areas, so some sets may be off limits during your visit.
When is the best time to visit?
The studio opens daily, including holidays, from 8:30AM to sunset. Morning visits avoid the strongest desert heat and leave time to continue on to Aït Benhaddou or CLA Studios, a nearby alternative that sometimes opens for tours.
Atlas Studios rewards travelers who love seeing how films get made: real colosseums, temples, and castles standing in the desert, an hour from the center of Ouarzazate. Turn up without a booking, pay at the gate, and walk the sets with a guide. For those based in Marrakech, a paired day trip with Aït Benhaddou turns a studio visit into the region's most efficient full day out.
