Ouarzazate Travelers Recommend

From the frozen wilderness of Iceland to the sun-soaked coast of Croatia, Game of Thrones has picked backdrops around the globe worthy of the Seven Kingdoms, and Morocco’s real-life wonders have made their mark on the show. Here are the GoT filming locations that fans should add to their itinerary.

Ait Benhaddou as Yunkai

A UNESCO World Heritage Site situated in the heart of the desert, the ancient fortified city of Ait Benhaddou has had its fair share of big screen appearances, having been used as a filming site for Gladiator, The Mummy, and Kingdom of Heaven. Most recently, it was transformed into the Yellow City of Yunkai for HBO’s Game of Thrones, one of the slave-trading cities liberated by Daenerys Targaryen in season three. Ait Benhaddou can be visited on a day trip from nearby Ouarzazate or Marrakech, and visitors can explore the crumbling ruins on a walking tour.

Ouarzazate as Pentos

A short distance from Ait Benhaddou, Ouarzazate doubled up as Pentos, one of the free cities and where Daenerys and Viserys first met Khal Drogo and the Dothrakis in the show’s pilot episode. Film fans can also take a tour of the legendary Atlas Film Studio, the “Hollywood of Morocco,” where films such as Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, and Star Wars were shot.

Essaouira as Astapor

Journey from the desert to the coast, where the historic port town of Essaouira is not only known for its beautiful beach and lively souks, but also for being another important Game of Thrones filming site from season three. Take a guided tour of the scala (the ancient Portuguese fortifications) and follow in the footsteps of Daenerys in Astapor, the home of the Unsullied.

With two days to spend in Morocco’s answer to Hollywood, you’ll have plenty of time to catch the highlights, experience a bit of cinematic history, and explore the desert and High Atlas scenery that makes Morocco so stunning. Read on for tips on how to make the most of your two days in Ouarzazate.

Day 1: Cinematic Magic

**Morning:**Start your trip getting oriented in Ouarzazate on a guided sightseeing tour. Highlights around town include the labyrinthine Taourirt Kasbah, Atlas Film Studio (home to numerous decaying film sets), and the Cinema Museum. If time permits, take a stroll through the central square behind Muhammad V. 

**Afternoon:**No tour of Ouarzazate would be complete without a visit to Ait Ben Haddou, the famous kasbah several miles outside of town. Most guided tours include a visit to explore the spectacular earthen dwellings of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, also a popular filming location. 

**Night:**Refuel after a day spent exploring with a meal of traditional Moroccan cuisine at a local restaurant. You’ll find many clustered in areas such as Moulay Rachid and Avenue Mohammed V. After dinner, take an evening walk down pedestrian-friendly rue du Marché, an excellent spot for people watching.

Day 2: Into the Desert

**Morning:**Get an early start for a day outside of Ouarzazate soaking up some of Morocco’s diverse scenery. Travel through the Draa Valley to the lunarlike Zagora Desert for a walk in the dunes, or take a day trip to the beautiful Dades Gorge via the Rose Valley.

**Afternoon:**Plan to spend the afternoon continuing your journey through the Moroccan countryside. Most day-trip itineraries include lunch at a local restaurant and free time to explore the valleys, deserts, and rock formations of the region. 

**Night:**While a long day of sightseeing might have you ready for a quiet dinner in your hotel, those with energy to spare might consider an evening cooking class in a private riad, where you’ll learn to make typical Moroccan salads and tagine before feasting on your creations. 

You might recognize Ouarzazate even if you’ve never been here. This desert outpost is Morocco’s Hollywood: Countless movie and television scenes have been filmed in its giant walled, earthen village. If you only have a day to spend in the gateway to the Sahara, here are some tips for how to make the most of your time.

Morning: Ait Ben Haddou

One of this area’s most spectacular attractions is the traditional mud brick ksar (fortified village) Ait Ben Haddou. Spend your morning exploring this UNESCO World Heritage Site during a guided half-day tour. Wander through the pathways leading up the hill between buildings for an up-close look at Morocco’s most famous kasbah and filming location. Some excursions to the area also include a visit to the small Berber village of Télouet, set in the High Atlas Mountains. Alternatively, explore the desert scenery around Ait Ben Haddou on an ATV tour.

Afternoon: Atlas Film Studios

Dive into Ouarzazate’s Hollywood history this afternoon with a visit to the Atlas Film Studios, where scenes from Game of Thrones, The Mummy, and Jewel of the Nile were shot. A tour of this film studio—one of the world’s largest—takes you through decades’ worth of decaying movie sets and props littered across the desert landscape. Don’t miss the replica kasbah, Egyptian tomb, and the colosseum that featured in the Russell Crowe movie Gladiator. If time permits, head to the Cinema Museum to learn more about Morocco’s role in the movie industry.

Night: Night Under the Stars

No trip to Morocco would be complete without a night spent amid the towering Erg Chebbi dunes of the Merzouga Desert. Set out on camelback to a Berber-style camp of tents, where you can watch the sunset, enjoy a traditional meal, sleep under the stars, and watch the sunrise over the dunes. If you’re looking for something a bit more low key, opt instead for a quiet dinner of tagine and Moroccan salad in an Ouarzazate riad.