Trip Planning
Game of Thrones, Gladiator and More: Film Locations You Can Visit in Morocco
Published November 4, 2026 by Morocco Amazing Tours
The short answer: Morocco has played Jerusalem, Rome, Tibet, Somalia and the fantasy cities of Westeros. The top locations you can visit are Ait Ben Haddou (Gladiator, Game of Thrones' Yunkai, Lawrence of Arabia), Ouarzazate's film studios, Essaouira's ramparts (Game of Thrones' Astapor), Tangier (Inception, Bourne) and the desert near Erfoud (Spectre). One route from Marrakech to the Sahara covers most of them.
The main locations
| Place | Films and series |
|---|---|
| Ait Ben Haddou | Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, The Mummy, Game of Thrones (Yunkai) |
| Ouarzazate (studios and surroundings) | Kingdom of Heaven, Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra, Kundun, The Last Temptation of Christ |
| Essaouira | Game of Thrones (Astapor), Orson Welles' Othello |
| Tangier | Inception, The Bourne Ultimatum, Spectre |
| Erfoud and the desert | Spectre (the desert lair) |
| Rabat and Salé | Black Hawk Down |
| Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech | Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation |
| Marrakech | Sex and the City 2 (standing in for Abu Dhabi) |
Ait Ben Haddou: the star
This earthen ksar on the old caravan route between Marrakech and the Sahara is Morocco's most filmed village. Its towers and alleys became Gladiator's slave market, the city of Yunkai where Daenerys freed the slaves, and dozens of biblical towns. Climb to the granary at the top for the view. Our Ait Ben Haddou guide covers the visit.
Ouarzazate's studios
Thirty minutes away, Ouarzazate has some of the largest film studios in the world by area. Guided tours walk you through sets of temples, palaces and ancient cities. See our Ouarzazate guide.
Essaouira: Astapor
In Game of Thrones' third season, the sea bastion of Skala de la Ville became Astapor, where Daenerys bought the Unsullied. Walk the ramparts and their bronze cannons, then the port. Orson Welles filmed Othello here in the early 1950s; a square near the beach carries his name. Read the Essaouira guide.
A film-lover's route
- Marrakech: Sex and the City 2 hotels and Mission: Impossible roads.
- Tizi n'Tichka to Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate studios.
- Dades and Todra gorges, then the desert near Erfoud and Merzouga.
- Back to Marrakech and on to Essaouira's ramparts.
Our 3 day Sahara tour covers steps 2 and 3, and the 11 day Morocco tour adds Essaouira. And a classic myth to finish: the film Casablanca was shot entirely in Hollywood; the Rick's Café you can visit in Casablanca today is a recreation.
Frequently asked questions
Where was Game of Thrones filmed in Morocco?
At Ait Ben Haddou, which played Yunkai, and in Essaouira, whose sea bastion played Astapor, both in season 3.
Was Gladiator filmed in Morocco?
Yes. The slave market and arena scenes in the provinces were filmed at Ait Ben Haddou, near Ouarzazate.
Can you visit the film studios in Ouarzazate?
Yes. Guided tours of the studios run daily and take about an hour.
Was the movie Casablanca filmed in Casablanca?
No. It was shot entirely in Hollywood studios. Rick's Café in Casablanca is a recreation opened decades later.
See it with a private driver
Planning a trip around this? These private, driver-guided itineraries cover it — every route can be adjusted to your dates.
Comments
No comments yet — be the first.