Game of Thrones (GoT) is an epic fantasy TV series based on George R.R. Martin’s novels, which became a global phenomenon. One of the most captivating aspects of the movie is its stunning filming locations, which transport viewers to different parts of the fictional world of Westeros.
Game of Thrones has taken the world by surprise, captivating audiences with its intricate plot lines, political intrigue, and epic battle scenes. The showrunners were able to create such amazing backdrops, as they often use real-life locations. While Croatia, Iceland and Ireland are famous for being used as Game of Thrones filming locations, Morocco seems to have flown somewhat under the radar, even though many scenes have been filmed across the country over the years.
This guide will help you with finding the Game of Thrones filming locations in Morocco. Game of Thrones enthusiasts make the voyage year-round to Morocco to visit the filming locations used in the long-running series. Season 3 of Game of Thrones has been lovingly referred to as “The Morocco Season” by its fandom because of the many filming locations held within the Kingdom. Many of the locations are true historical sites that can be visited in person and can offer a more authentic feeling than visiting a filming studio lot.
Here are some of the most iconic Game of Thrones filming locations in Morocco:
Aït Benhaddou: The City of Yunkai
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The Aït Benhaddou is a famous fortified city (ksar) located in Morocco. The city of Aït-Ben-Haddou, located around 100 km from Marrakech, is a beautiful ksar (fortified city) near the Moroccan desert. From a fan perspective, this makes visiting Ait Ben Haddou very exciting, as even a glance at the fortified village will take you to Essos.
In “Game of Thrones,” Aït Benhaddou served as the filming location for the city of Yunkai. Yunkai is one of the three great Slaver Cities of Slaver’s Bay, located on the continent of Essos. One of the most recognizable locations within the remote parts of Morocco was the fictional city of Yunkai, which is actually UNESCO World Heritage site Ait Ben Haddou. Yunkai was one of the cities located on Slaver's Bay that Daenerys seized early in Season 3.
Aït Benhaddou prominently appeared in Season 3 of “Game of Thrones.” In the show, Daenerys and her army approach the city of Yunkai, which is depicted by scenes filmed at Aït Benhaddou. Aït Benhaddou’s appearance in “Game of Thrones” further heightened its cultural significance and increased tourism to the site. The popularity of “Game of Thrones” has led to an increase in tourism to Aït Benhaddou and other filming locations in Morocco.
The drive from Marrakech takes you through amazing landscapes (and depending on the time of year, potentially different weather patterns!) from winding mountain roads with amazing vantage points to green valleys and clay villages. Keep in mind it is around 4 hours one way if you make a stop half way for a rest, or to take photos at vantage points along the way. It is suggested to take this journey in a 4-wheel-drive vehicle or with a tour group and driver. It’s very easy to visit this fortified village. It’s very popular for tourists not only because of its unique appearance but also due to it being a very popular film location for over 20 movies. So if you’re a big fan of film, you’re going to love visiting Ait Ben Haddou.
Ait Ben Haddou is rather isolated. It’s located in the Atlas Mountain Region of Morocco, meaning it can be a little difficult to reach. Many companies offer tours from the city which take you through the beautiful Atlas Mountains, and towards Ait Ben Haddou. As you won’t need more than 2 hours to visit Ait Ben Haddou, you can also make a trip to the town of Ouarzazate on the same day, as it’s located just 30minutes away from the village.
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Ouarzazate: Atlas Studios
Atlas Film Studios - Ouarzazate - 4K
Not far from Aït-Ben-Haddou you can find Atlas Studios in Ouarzazate, located in the Moroccan desert. Ouarzazate, just beyond Ait Ben Haddou, is a developing city in the middle of the desert whose growth is attributed to being the home to Atlas Studios, known to be the largest studio in the world.
This is an attraction where you can have the chance to tour sets of shows and movies such as Cleopatra. It was also a part of the filming location for GoT as well. The old sets in the studio were used for some shots of Pentos in Slaver's Bay. While this little town is in the middle of nowhere, it’s right on the gateway to the Sahara Desert. So this allows you to see this Game of Thrones filming location while also getting to experience the beauty of the desert.
There are several hotel options within this area, and after an overnight stay you can continue your journey towards Merzouga to view the Sahara desert or return to Marrakech. This town is home to the famous Atlas Studios, which (by landmass) is the largest studio in the world. Despite being located in the middle of nowhere, Quarzazate is a vibrant and modern town, known as the ‘Gateway to the Sahara’.
As Quarzazate is located so close to Ait Ben Haddou it makes sense to visit both Game of Thrones shooting locations in one day, as already mentioned. Therefore, as above, It’s best to book to go on a day trip to see the whole region.
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Essaouira: The City of Astapor
Essaouira is a big touristic destination in Morocco, and I completely understand why! The white houses, the shore perfect for surfers and the red fortified wall makes it very popular. Essaouira is a port city on Morocco’s Atlantic coast. One of the cities top attractions is its ‘ramparts’. Constructed in the 1760s, these walls were built up around the town to defend the city from threats from mainland Europe. Their impressive structure, yet again inspired the Game of Thrones creators, as they were used to create Astapor’s ‘Walk of Punishment’.
The peaceful seaside city of Essaouira is the real-life location used to film scenes from the fictional city of Astapor. Located just two hours west of Marrakech, Essaouira offered its ramparts and winding streets as a perfect castle location for the show. Essaouira is an amazingly charming place to visit for reasons beyond it being a Game of Thrones location, and should be a must-visit-destination on your itinerary.
Sqala du Port
The Bastion Nord is one of the more recognizable spots in Game of Thrones and it’s free to visit in the city, and it is also possible to walk the walls by the Sqala du Port although there is a fee for access. Essaouira can either be an all day road trip from Casablanca or Marrakech, though we suggest you spend a night there if possible and enjoy the sunset on the beach and take a slow morning walk along the ramparts as depicted in the show.
Fun Fact: The Cannons that line Essaouria’s Ramparts are secured in place. In the show, Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) can also be seen exploring the waterfront/harbour of Essaouira/Astapor. There are two parts of Essaouria’s Ramparts that can be explored. But, you can also walk the walls connected to the Sqala du Port. However, much like Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate, Essaouira is much more than just a Game of Thrones Morocco set.
Essaouira is about a two-hour drive from Marrakech. Therefore the best way to visit is by hiring a driver to take you directly to the town. However, if you’re looking for a cheaper option there are many tour operators that offer day trips. These tend to make a few stops along the way, at attractions such as Argan Oil cooperatives. But, they still give you a decent amount of time to explore Essaouira.
Astaphor is shown in Season 3 of Game of Thrones with scenes in Essaouira in episodes 1, 3, and 4. The Ramparts are heavily shown in Episode 1 of Season 3. Where you’ll see the towers, walkways, and bottom level throughout the episode. It’s here in Astaphor that Daenerys is looking to purchase the “Unsullied” to build her army. In this episode you’ll so see the fishing area of Essaouira, Scala du Port. Episodes 3 and 4 show Essaouira as Astaphor on a small scale, featuring the Ramparts again through the “Unsullied” negotiations in Astaphor.
What you’ll most likely notice throughout the episodes is how much CGI and set dressing was used to make Astaphor from Essaouira. Astapor is one of the three great cities of Slaver’s Bay in Game of Thrones, and it’s famously where Daenerys Targaryen first builds her army. In real life, you can explore Astapor’s look-alike by visiting Essaouira. Walking around Essaouira today still feels like stepping into the world of Astapor.
While there isn’t an official Game of Thrones tour in Essaouira, you can still explore the real-life filming sites. Many day tours combine visits to Essaouira’s coastal city walls and fishing port with guided commentary. You can also easily DIY your own mini-tour. Grab a map from your riad or hotel and wander the Ramparts and Squala yourself.
Here is a table with estimated travel times and costs from Marrakech to the Game of Thrones filming locations mentioned above:
| Destination | Travel Time from Marrakech | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Aït Benhaddou | Approximately 4 hours (one way) | Tour or 4x4 vehicle required |
| Ouarzazate | Approximately 30 minutes from Aït Benhaddou | Included in Aït Benhaddou tours |
| Essaouira | Approximately 2 hours | $10 (bus) to $100 (private transfer) |
That completes my summary of the three main Game of Thrones Morocco filming locations. Before visiting Morocco I had no idea that so much of the show was filmed in the country. Further, each location mentioned is worth a visit whether you’re a fan of Game of Thrones or not! If you have limited time and are therefore only able to visit one Game of Thrones Morocco location, I’d suggest Essaouira as its simply charming, and there’s much to do in the town, making it the perfect day trip.
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