Ouarzazate owes its nickname of Hollywood of the desert to its studios. Since the 1960s the light, the landscapes and the kasbahs have drawn film crews, and the studios built on the edge of town have hosted productions from all over the world.
Atlas Studios
Founded in 1983 on the western edge of town, on the Marrakech road, these are the most visited studios. The guided tour lasts about an hour and crosses monumental sets left standing: Egyptian temples, fortresses, Tibetan villages, plaster aircraft and ships. The guides tell the stories of famous epics and series with infectious pleasure.
The cinema museum
Opposite Kasbah Taourirt, in the former studio of one production, the museum gathers sets, costumes and props. Smaller and more central, it takes half an hour and complements the studios well.
The natural sets
Many films were not shot in the studios but in the kasbahs and landscapes around: Aït Ben Haddou, Tifoultoute, the Draa valley, the lake. By visiting the region you walk through the sets.
Practical advice
Come in the morning to avoid the heat on the open air sets. The studios are open every day. In high season the groups arrive mid morning. Bring water and a hat.
After the visit
The studios are a few minutes from Tifoultoute. Our guests often do the studios in the morning, Kasbah Taourirt in the afternoon, and dinner at La Table du Berbère in the evening, on the patio of Riad Chay. The kasbah of Tifoultoute, visible from our roof, also served as a film set. Book and compose your menu in advance: the kitchen prepares your choice for your arrival.
Lunch and dinner around the visit are covered in where to eat near Atlas Studios.
Frequently asked questions
How long to allow? An hour for the studios, half an hour for the museum.
Can I visit without a guide? The studios are visited with an included guide, who gives the sets their meaning.
Is filming ever in progress? Sometimes, and some areas are then closed. Ask at the entrance.
