Cinema & Travel
Where Was The Odyssey Filmed in Morocco?
Morocco served as the setting for the most spectacular scenes in Christopher Nolan's upcoming film. Discover the exact locations where The Odyssey was shot.
When Christopher Nolan decided to shoot his adaptation of Homer's Odyssey in Morocco, he drew on four centuries of the country's film history. Morocco had already served as a backdrop for *Gladiator*, *Lawrence of Arabia*, *Game of Thrones*, *The Mummy*, and *Babel* — the list goes on. This time, it's the epic of Odysseus that comes to life in the Atlas and on the Atlantic coast.
Here are the four exact locations where The Odyssey was filmed in Morocco, and how you can visit them.
## 1. Aït Ben Haddou — The burning streets of Troy
The Aït Ben Haddou ksar, 30 km from Ouarzazate, is probably Morocco's most famous filming location. This late 19th-century earthen fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, served as the setting for Troy. The scenes of the city's fall, the burning streets, and the ancient city were filmed here.
Nolan is not the first to fall for Aït Ben Haddou: Ridley Scott (*Gladiator*, 2000), David Lean (*Lawrence of Arabia*, 1962), Terry Jones (*Monty Python and the Holy Grail*, 1975) and the series *Game of Thrones* have all filmed there.
How to visit: Aït Ben Haddou is 3h30 from Marrakech, on the road through the Tichka pass (7,415 ft). Allow a full day from Marrakech, with stops at Ouarzazate (Atlas Studios, Taourirt kasbah) and the Skoura palm grove.
## 2. Essaouira — The entry of the Trojan Horse
The seaside town of Essaouira served as the setting for the Trojan Horse entry sequence and the beginning of Odysseus' long voyage back to Ithaca. The 18th-century Portuguese ramparts, facing the Atlantic, housed a 35-foot replica of the Trojan Horse, planted in the sand for filming.
Essaouira is also known for being the city of Astapor in the series *Game of Thrones*. Ridley Scott filmed scenes of *Kingdom of Heaven* (2005) there and Orson Welles filmed *Othello* in 1952.
How to visit: Essaouira is 2h45 from Marrakech. A very popular day trip, with a stop at an argan oil cooperative on the way.
## 3. Agafay — The stone plains
North of the Marrakech palm grove, the Agafay desert appears briefly on screen: its arid stone plateaus and white hills contrast with the snowy Atlas in the background. Nolan filmed some of the desert travel scenes here.
Agafay is not the Sahara, but its lunar atmosphere — only 30 minutes from Marrakech — makes it the favorite getaway for Marrakech residents in search of escape.
How to visit: 30 min from Marrakech. This is where most of the day's desert activities take place: quad, camel, dinner-show under the stars, overnight bivouac.
## 4. Dakhla — Calypso's Island (White Dune)
The most remote location is undoubtedly the White Dune, 30 km north of Dakhla, in Western Sahara. This immaculate white sand dune, which overlooks a lagoon the color of sea glass, served as the setting for Calypso's island, where Odysseus is held prisoner for seven years (Homer). Flamingos gather there at dawn.
It's one of the most surreal landscapes in Morocco, and one of the most difficult to access (1,300 km from Aït Ben Haddou, domestic flight recommended).
How to visit: Domestic flight from Casablanca or Marrakech to Dakhla, then guided excursion to the White Dune. To be combined with a 2-3 day stop in the Merzouga desert.
## Morocco, land of cinema
Morocco has attracted filmmakers since the 1950s thanks to its golden light, its varied landscapes (sea, desert, mountain, medina), its proximity to Europe (3h flight), and its world-renowned studios in Ouarzazate (the Atlas Studios, founded by King Hassan II in 1983, have hosted *Gladiator*, *Kingdom of Heaven*, *Babel* and *Asterix at the Olympic Games*).
The Odyssey is just the latest in a long line. Morocco remains one of the most popular filming destinations in the world, and most filming locations are open to visitors all year round.
## Our recommended tour
To relive The Odyssey locations in one go, we offer a 3-day tour from Marrakech that passes through Aït Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, and the Todra gorges — with the option to continue to Merzouga and the desert.
Want to push on to Dakhla and the White Dune? Ask us about our tailor-made Sahara & Atlantic extension.
Here are the four exact locations where The Odyssey was filmed in Morocco, and how you can visit them.
## 1. Aït Ben Haddou — The burning streets of Troy
The Aït Ben Haddou ksar, 30 km from Ouarzazate, is probably Morocco's most famous filming location. This late 19th-century earthen fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, served as the setting for Troy. The scenes of the city's fall, the burning streets, and the ancient city were filmed here.
Nolan is not the first to fall for Aït Ben Haddou: Ridley Scott (*Gladiator*, 2000), David Lean (*Lawrence of Arabia*, 1962), Terry Jones (*Monty Python and the Holy Grail*, 1975) and the series *Game of Thrones* have all filmed there.
How to visit: Aït Ben Haddou is 3h30 from Marrakech, on the road through the Tichka pass (7,415 ft). Allow a full day from Marrakech, with stops at Ouarzazate (Atlas Studios, Taourirt kasbah) and the Skoura palm grove.
## 2. Essaouira — The entry of the Trojan Horse
The seaside town of Essaouira served as the setting for the Trojan Horse entry sequence and the beginning of Odysseus' long voyage back to Ithaca. The 18th-century Portuguese ramparts, facing the Atlantic, housed a 35-foot replica of the Trojan Horse, planted in the sand for filming.
Essaouira is also known for being the city of Astapor in the series *Game of Thrones*. Ridley Scott filmed scenes of *Kingdom of Heaven* (2005) there and Orson Welles filmed *Othello* in 1952.
How to visit: Essaouira is 2h45 from Marrakech. A very popular day trip, with a stop at an argan oil cooperative on the way.
## 3. Agafay — The stone plains
North of the Marrakech palm grove, the Agafay desert appears briefly on screen: its arid stone plateaus and white hills contrast with the snowy Atlas in the background. Nolan filmed some of the desert travel scenes here.
Agafay is not the Sahara, but its lunar atmosphere — only 30 minutes from Marrakech — makes it the favorite getaway for Marrakech residents in search of escape.
How to visit: 30 min from Marrakech. This is where most of the day's desert activities take place: quad, camel, dinner-show under the stars, overnight bivouac.
## 4. Dakhla — Calypso's Island (White Dune)
The most remote location is undoubtedly the White Dune, 30 km north of Dakhla, in Western Sahara. This immaculate white sand dune, which overlooks a lagoon the color of sea glass, served as the setting for Calypso's island, where Odysseus is held prisoner for seven years (Homer). Flamingos gather there at dawn.
It's one of the most surreal landscapes in Morocco, and one of the most difficult to access (1,300 km from Aït Ben Haddou, domestic flight recommended).
How to visit: Domestic flight from Casablanca or Marrakech to Dakhla, then guided excursion to the White Dune. To be combined with a 2-3 day stop in the Merzouga desert.
## Morocco, land of cinema
Morocco has attracted filmmakers since the 1950s thanks to its golden light, its varied landscapes (sea, desert, mountain, medina), its proximity to Europe (3h flight), and its world-renowned studios in Ouarzazate (the Atlas Studios, founded by King Hassan II in 1983, have hosted *Gladiator*, *Kingdom of Heaven*, *Babel* and *Asterix at the Olympic Games*).
The Odyssey is just the latest in a long line. Morocco remains one of the most popular filming destinations in the world, and most filming locations are open to visitors all year round.
## Our recommended tour
To relive The Odyssey locations in one go, we offer a 3-day tour from Marrakech that passes through Aït Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, and the Todra gorges — with the option to continue to Merzouga and the desert.
Want to push on to Dakhla and the White Dune? Ask us about our tailor-made Sahara & Atlantic extension.