Day 5 15th April 2026 Ouarzate, Ait Ben Haddou, Atlas Mountains

 Early start, sun not up as we jumped in a taxi to head back to Philippa’s Hotel to be picked up for our road trip adventure.


Its a big day and our first stop is about 4 hours out of Marrakesh at the Atlas Studios.

There was quick coffee stop about 2 hours in and we were also blessed there with superb views.

We haven’t a guide today, so its sort of any ones guess how the day will play out.

Back to the studios, they were a bit of fun seeing the sets. The studio opened in 1983 with Jewel of the Nile.


Gladiator 2, Game of Thrones, The Mummy, cleopatra, The Prison Break series, Black Hawk Down are just a few of the projects. 

It was fun.


Then lunch in one of those enormous 3 floor restaurants with a set menu catering to we, the tourist.


Finally, we get to go to a place I have been very excited to visit.

A place called Ait Ben Haddou.

A Unesco listed fortified village and the epitome of Moroccan earthen clay architecture.

It is on trade route between The Sahara and Marrakesh.

Important as it is on one of the few passes through the Atlas Mountains.

Dates back to the 11 century but current buildings built 17th Centuryish.


Despite being Unesco listed, films have been made there too. I can understand it to be honest, it is stunning.

Lots of Game of Thrones filmed there but most recently the Roman coliseum was built beside it for Gladiator 2.

Dismantled after filming finished.


Now we turn around for the long trip home, quick coffee at the same place as this morning.


I think one of the best aspects of today is getting out of marrakesh and seeing the countryside, several photos of which appear below. 


Arrived back in Marrakesh about 8pm 

Dropped at Djemaa El Fna

Slow wander home to bed





































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