Information
Landmark: Atlas StudiosCity: Ouarzazate
Country: Morocco
Continent: Africa
Atlas Studios, Ouarzazate, Morocco, Africa
Overview
Atlas Studios sits in Ouarzazate, Morocco, and holds the title of the world’s largest film studio by land, sprawling across sun‑baked desert terrain.It spreads across more than 31,000 square meters, wide enough to wander for minutes without seeing the far edge.This film studio is known not only for its massive space but also for shaping the global movie scene, especially with Hollywood hits that flash across screens worldwide.Founded in 1983, the studio sprang from the vision of Moroccan businessman Mohamed Belghmi, who first opened its doors on a quiet street in Casablanca.They built it in Ouarzazate for a reason: the relentless sun, the dry desert air, and scenery that can pass for anywhere from ancient Egypt’s sandstone temples to bustling Middle Eastern markets or misty hills in Asia.Atlas Studios was built to give filmmakers a spacious, adaptable place to work, whether they needed room for a quiet scene or a full-scale desert shoot.Ouarzazate, often called the “Gateway to the Sahara,” sits amid sweeping deserts, rugged mountains, and winding valleys-scenery so striking it’s long drawn filmmakers to shoot grand historical epics here.Atlas Studios has left a lasting mark on cinema, helping bring countless beloved films and TV shows to life-its old wooden soundstage doors still creak with history.Major productions shot here include *Lawrence of Arabia* (1962), the sweeping desert epic that made full use of the studio’s towering, sun-bleached sets."Gladiator" (2000) : This epic film, which won multiple Academy Awards, used Atlas Studios' desert landscapes to recreate ancient Rome."The Mummy" (1999) : A blockbuster film that featured dramatic desert sequences, shot in Atlas Studios."Game of Thrones" : Parts of this globally popular series were filmed in Morocco, including in Ouarzazate, and specifically in the Atlas Studios."The Jewel of the Nile" (1985) : A sequel to the movie Romancing the Stone filmed here."The Living Daylights" (1987) : A James Bond film also used the studio’s desert sets.The 2000 epic *Gladiator*, a multi–Oscar winner, filmed scenes against Atlas Studios’ sun-baked desert to bring ancient Rome to life.Released in 1999, *The Mummy* stormed theaters with sweeping desert scenes filmed at Atlas Studios, where wind whipped sand across the set.Parts of the hit series “Game of Thrones” were shot in Morocco, with scenes filmed in Ouarzazate’s Atlas Studios, where the desert air smells faintly of dust and sun.Released in 1985, *The Jewel of the Nile* is the sequel to *Romancing the Stone*, and parts of it were shot right here under the blazing desert sun.In 1987, the James Bond movie *The Living Daylights* made use of the studio’s sunbaked desert sets.Thanks to these blockbuster films, Ouarzazate has earned the nickname “Hollywood of Morocco,” with Atlas Studios at the heart of it all, its vast desert backlot stretching under the hot sun.Set Highlights Atlas Studios isn’t just a studio-it’s a sprawling outdoor movie set, with dusty streets and weathered façades that could fool you into thinking you’ve stepped onto a real film scene.The studio’s packed with massive sets that recreate cultures and eras from around the world, like towering Egyptian temples with sandstone-colored walls that have starred in countless films.Roman Arenas: Elaborate sets built to mirror the towering stone stadiums of ancient Rome, often brought to life in sweeping epic films.Tibetan monasteries make a striking setting for films that need a Buddhist or Himalayan backdrop, with prayer flags snapping in the mountain wind.Medieval fortresses have shown up in countless films, from gritty tales of medieval Europe to sweeping stories set in towering, torch-lit fantasy kingdoms.Traditional Moroccan kasbahs often serve as backdrops for films chasing an authentic North African feel, their sun-baked walls and carved wooden doors echoing the region’s distinct architecture.Many of these varied sets, still standing after their time on screen, invite visitors to wander through cobbled streets or ancient courtyards, offering a walkable museum of history and film.If you’re heading to Atlas Studios, you’ll step straight into the heart of Hollywood-style filmmaking-right there in Morocco, with sunlit sets and painted backdrops all around.When you visit, expect guided tours that lead you through the film sets-past weathered props, painted backdrops, and scenes frozen in time.These tours bring the studio’s past to life, covering its history, the movies filmed on-site, and even how crews built those towering, painted backdrops.Cinematic Tour: Step onto the very sets from iconic films, from the sun-bleached sands of *Lawrence of Arabia* to the roaring arenas of *Gladiator*.The studio often showcases props, costumes, and bits of movie memorabilia, like a weathered sword resting under a spotlight.Photo ops abound, with sprawling outdoor sets that make every shot-from a wide landscape to a close-up of weathered wood-worth capturing.The sweeping set designs rise against the pale, dusty expanse of the desert, creating striking images that demand a second glance.Film Exhibits: Visitors can see original props, costumes, and set designs up close-like a weathered leather jacket from the lead actor-offering a peek at the craft behind the scenes.On-Site Café: On some visits, you might slip into the nearby café for a few minutes, sip a hot coffee, and just unwind before heading back.Atlas Studios sits about five kilometers west of Ouarzazate, Morocco, where the desert air smells faintly of dust and sun-warmed stone.It’s just a short drive from the city, and many visitors pair a stop at the studio with a wander through nearby Ait Benhaddou, its sun-baked walls glowing under the desert light.Opening hours: The studio’s open most days, though times can shift-especially when film season’s in full swing and the scent of fresh popcorn fills the hall.Check ahead or ask your hotel-they can tell you the exact times, right down to the hour.Admission Fee: Most visitors pay to get in, though the price changes-sometimes just a few coins, other times more.The fee usually covers a guided tour, and that alone makes the experience feel richer-like strolling through cobblestone streets with someone who knows every story.Accessibility: The studio’s set up to welcome tourists, offering guided tours in several languages, from English to the soft lilt of Italian.Still, it’s best to wear comfortable shoes and carry some water-especially in summer, when the desert heat can climb past 100 degrees.Atlas Studios’ success has put Ouarzazate-and the sunbaked hills around it-on the world’s map, drawing global attention to the region.It’s brought more tourists to the area and given the local economy a steady stream of income, with jobs ranging from guiding visitors through sunlit sets to crafting props in sawdust-scented workshops.Hollywood in the Desert: With Atlas Studios at its heart, Ouarzazate and the dusty hills around it have carved out a unique place in world cinema.The studio’s been key to putting Morocco on the map as a top spot for filmmakers, drawing crews from around the world to its sun-bleached streets and desert backdrops.
