Game of Thrones Film Sites in Ouarzazate

From the frozen wilderness of Iceland to the sun-soaked coast of Croatia,Game of Thrones has picked backdrops around the globe worthy of the Seven Kingdoms, and Morocco’s real-life wonders have made their mark on the show. Here are theGoT filming locations that fans should add to their itinerary. 

Ait Benhaddou as Yunkai

A UNESCO World Heritage Site situated in the heart of the desert, the ancient fortified city of Ait Benhaddou has had its fair share of big screen appearances, having been used as a filming site forGladiator,The Mummy, andKingdom of Heaven. Most recently, it was transformed into the Yellow City of Yunkai for HBO’sGame of Thrones, one of the slave-trading cities liberated by Daenerys Targaryen in season three. Ait Benhaddou can be visited on a day trip from nearby Ouarzazate or Marrakech, and visitors can explore the crumbling ruins on a walking tour.

Ouarzazate as Pentos

A short distance from Ait Benhaddou, Ouarzazate doubled up as Pentos, one of the free cities and where Daenerys and Viserys first met Khal Drogo and the Dothrakis in the show’s pilot episode. Film fans can also take a tour of the legendary Atlas Film Studio, the “Hollywood of Morocco,” where films such asLawrence of Arabia,Gladiator, andStar Wars were shot. 

Essaouira as Astapor

Journey from the desert to the coast, where the historic port town of Essaouira is not only known for its beautiful beach and lively souks, but also for being another importantGame of Thrones filming site from season three. Take a guided tour of the scala (the ancient Portuguese fortifications) and follow in the footsteps of Daenerys in Astapor, the home of the Unsullied.