Three kilometers from Ouarzazate, on the road to Marrakech, Atlas Studios stands as one of the world's largest film production complexes. Officially established in 1983, it has welcomed major international productions and preserves many of their sets in situ. Visits are open to the public when no filming is underway, allowing you to walk among Egyptian temples, film props, and open-air sets.

Why visit Atlas Studios

Atlas Studios offers a rare glimpse behind the scenes of cinema: here, you don't watch a film, you walk through its sets. The site exists because of the surrounding landscape—the ochre mountains, constant light, and desert expanses have long captivated Western filmmakers. The Ouarzazate region has become Morocco's primary filming base, and Atlas Studios is its most publicly accessible showcase.

The visit, brief (about 30 minutes), appeals equally to film enthusiasts and curious travelers wanting to understand why this city is called the "Hollywood of the Desert." You'll encounter monumental sets left in place after filming, sometimes repurposed from one production to another.

History of Atlas Studios

While the Ouarzazate region has hosted international productions for some time—among the earliest notable films is Jacques Becker's « Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves »—Atlas-Ouarzazate Studios were officially created in 1983 by Moroccan producer Mohamed Belghmi. The complex quickly specialized in biblical, antique, and desert sets, capitalizing on a natural environment consistent with Western imagery of the Middle East and ancient Egypt.

Over the decades, the region served as backdrop for highly diverse productions: Ridley Scott's « Gladiator », Alain Chabat's « Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra », and countless made-for-TV films and series. Film activity structured part of the local economy, creating jobs in extras, set construction, and logistics.

What to see on site

The studios are recognizable from afar by monumental pharaoh statues flanking the entrance, visible from the road. Inside, several set complexes are preserved and explained during the guided tour:

• Egyptian temples: large-scale reconstructions with columns, painted hieroglyphics, and deity statues, used for ancient Egypt productions.
• Biblical sets: alleyways, squares, and buildings evoking Jerusalem or ancient Near Eastern cities.
• The airplane from « Diamonds Are Forever »: fuselage preserved on site, now an iconic element of the tour.
• Various props: chariots, weapons, filming equipment displayed along the circuit.

The visit is narrated by a guide who contextualizes each set within its filming history. The tour is mostly outdoors, making the stroll more pleasant outside the hottest hours.

Practical information

Hours and admission

The studios are open to the public year-round, mornings and afternoons, with a midday break. Visits may be suspended when filming is underway: it's advisable to check the day before with your accommodation or a local agency. Entrance fees are modest and typically include a guide's services.

How to get there

The studios are about 3 km from Ouarzazate's town center, on the national highway heading toward Marrakech. Several options:

• By taxi from downtown (short ride, negotiate round-trip with waiting time).
• With a rental vehicle; free parking on-site.
• As part of a combined excursion including Taourirt kasbah and Aït-Ben-Haddou.

How much time to allow

Allow about 30 to 45 minutes for Atlas Studios alone. The stop fits easily into a half-day in Ouarzazate.

Nearby attractions

Ouarzazate and its region offer several complementary sites for a cinema-focused visit:

• Taourirt kasbah: former Glaoui fortress in central Ouarzazate, restored and open to visitors.
• Aït-Ben-Haddou: UNESCO World Heritage ksar, about 30 km away, itself a recurring film location.
• CLA Studios: the region's second major filming complex, sometimes open to visits.
• Drâa Valley: palm groves and earthen villages south of Ouarzazate.

To plan a broader stay, also consult our pages on the Bahia Palace in Marrakech or the Ben Youssef Medersa, classic stops before or after Ouarzazate.

Frequently asked questions

Plan your trip

Atlas Studios fit naturally into an itinerary through Ouarzazate, a key stop between Marrakech and the desert. To build your custom circuit combining cinema, kasbahs, and dunes, consult our suggestions for travel in Morocco.