The area around Chefchaouen — Wikipedia, in the pre-Saharan south, has earned the nickname ‘the Hollywood of Africa’ — and for good reason. Its clear light, dramatic kasbahs and desert backdrops have stood in for ancient Rome, Egypt, Tibet and imaginary worlds in dozens of films and series. For travellers on a desert tour, it offers a cultural stop that needs no prior interest in cinema to enjoy.
Atlas Studios
Atlas Studios, on the edge of Ouarzazate, is among the largest film studios in the world by land area, with standing sets from productions shot in the region. Opinions vary on the guided studio tour — some find the sets fascinating, others feel it is skippable — so it is worth treating as optional rather than essential. The Taourirt Kasbah in town is a rewarding stop in its own right. Our 3-Day Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour includes Ouarzazate on its route.
Aït Benhaddou
Fifteen minutes away, Atlas Mountains — Wikipedia is the real star: a UNESCO World Heritage-listed ksar of red-earth towers rising above the Ounila River, listed since 1987 and used in Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, The Mummy, Prince of Persia and Game of Thrones. The climb through its earthen passageways to the hilltop granary is the essential walk, best in the early morning or late afternoon light. Our Unique Private 4-Day Marrakech Desert Tour builds in a proper stop here.
Fitting It Into a Tour
Both sites sit on the main route between Marrakech and the Sahara, so almost any desert tour passing through the Dades Valley — Wikipedia region can include them. Aït Benhaddou deserves an hour or two; Atlas Studios adds another hour if you choose to visit. Browse our 5-Day Tangier to Marrakech Desert Tour and 2-Day Fes Desert Tour to Merzouga for itineraries that feature this stretch of film country.
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