Atlas Film Studios

What it is

Atlas Studios is the big film studio of Ouarzazate. It was founded by the businessman Mohamed Belghmi in 1983, on the outskirts of the city, and since then it has hosted shoots from half the world: The Jewel of the Nile, The Living Daylights, The Mummy, Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra, Babel, series such as Game of Thrones, Vikings or Prison Break and programmes such as The Grand Tour. Most of its grounds lie in the desert and mountains around; what you visit is the main compound, next to the road.

The visit is a guided walk among sets that were left standing after the shoots: facades of Egyptian temples, aeroplanes, palaces and papier-mâché statues. You see how a set is built to look convincing on camera and why it looks so different up close. It is a simple visit, without effects or staging: what is interesting are the stories the guide tells and recognising scenes.

Where it is and how to get there

It is on the N9, the Marrakesh road, a few kilometres west of Ouarzazate: about 3 km according to the city's local website and about 5 km according to other sources. If you arrive from Marrakesh or from Aït Ben Haddou, it is on the left before entering the city, just after CLA Studios, another studio. By car it is the most convenient way: you stop on the same road on the way.

Without a car, a petit taxi from the centre costs about 10 DH, and bus line N1 drops you a few hundred metres from the gate. From the Aït Ben Haddou ksar it is about 30 km, half an hour by car.

Hours, price and duration

The Ouarzazate local website gives hours of 10:00 to 18:00 every day and an entry of 80 DH with a guided visit; other guides give somewhat different hours and a lower price in some cases depending on age. Take the 80 DH as a reference and carry cash. The studio is still active: when there is a shoot some sets are closed, and sometimes the entire compound. If you are going specially, ask at your accommodation that same morning.

The visit lasts between an hour and an hour and a half and is always with a guide: it cannot be toured independently. Ask at the entrance which languages the visit is offered in that day.

With children and teenagers

It works well with children of any age and with teenagers who have seen some of the films. You walk on flat ground of earth and gravel, without steep slopes. There is little shade between sets, so in summer go first thing or late in the afternoon and bring a hat and water. A pushchair can manage, though the gravel is tiring.

How to fit it into the trip

The usual thing is to combine it on the same day with the Aït Ben Haddou ksar and the Taourirt kasbah, in the centre of Ouarzazate. If you come from Marrakesh over the Tizi n'Tichka pass, the studio is on the way. If you sleep in Ouarzazate, Le Berbère Palace is close; in the ksar itself you have Kasbah Tebi.