9 January 2026
Day three of our Sahara tour felt strangely cinematic — which was fitting, because it began on a movie set and ended in one of Morocco’s most dramatic cities.
It was a day of illusion, history, wind, snow… and one very broken phone.
Atlas Studios, Ouarzazate — Where Movie Magic Meets Desert Reality
Our morning began at Atlas Studios, located in Ouarzazate — often nicknamed the “Hollywood of Africa.”
This region’s dramatic desert landscapes and proximity to the Atlas Mountains have made it a filming hotspot for decades. Productions such as Gladiator, The Mummy, and scenes from Game of Thrones were filmed here.
It was interesting — but also undeniably artificial.
Grand Egyptian temples stand supported by wooden frames. Massive stone doors open to empty scaffolding. Entire palaces are façades. If you truly love cinema, you’ll probably find it fascinating to see where “movie magic” happens. If not, it may feel more like a theme park in the desert.
Still, I understand its importance. Ouarzazate is not a large city, and film tourism sustains the local economy, especially during months when no major productions are shooting. Without Atlas Studios, fewer travelers might intentionally stop here.
Ticket tip: Entry is paid and guided tours are usually bundled in. Prices are not cheap by Moroccan standards, so decide beforehand whether film sets genuinely interest you.
Even so, there’s something surreal about standing inside a world built purely for cameras.
Ait Ben Haddou — Trade Routes, Thrones & A Small Lesson in Research
Next, we drove toward one of Morocco’s most iconic landmarks: Ait Ben Haddou.
This ancient ksar (fortified village) sits along what was once a key trans-Saharan trade route connecting Marrakech to the Sahara and beyond. For centuries, caravans carrying gold, salt, spices, and textiles passed through here. Its earthen architecture — built using rammed earth and straw — blends seamlessly into the surrounding landscape.
Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Ait Ben Haddou is one of the most intact examples of southern Moroccan pre-Saharan architecture.
And yes — it famously appeared as the city of Yunkai in Game of Thrones.
Climbing through its narrow passageways feels like stepping backward in time. The village rises gradually uphill, crowned by a granary at the top. From there, you get sweeping views of the Ounila Valley — absolutely stunning.
Here’s what we didn’t know:
There is no official entrance fee to enter the ksar itself.
However, if you enter through certain privately managed paths — like we did — you may encounter someone collecting fees. We hadn’t researched enough and ended up paying an entrance charge without fully understanding the setup.
Then came a proposed 150 dirham guided tour.
We declined — but since the guide had already shown us around briefly, we still tipped.
Lesson learned: ask clearly before agreeing to anything.
Visitor tip:
You can explore Ait Ben Haddou independently for free. If you want a guide, agree on the price beforehand. Don’t assume all entry points operate the same way.
Outside the ksar, stalls line the street selling scarves, ceramics, paintings, fossils, and leather goods. Haggling is expected — it’s part of Moroccan souk culture. The atmosphere felt lively but not aggressive, and the backdrop alone makes the visit worthwhile.
Snow in the Atlas Mountains — And A Phone That Turned Into a Brick
Then came the unexpected.
We drove through a high, windy mountain pass in the Atlas range. Snow dusted the ground. The air was freezing. We were stepping in and out of the warm vehicle to admire viewpoints.
And that’s when my phone went dark.
It wasn’t just the cold.
It was condensation.
Moving repeatedly between a warm car interior and freezing outdoor air likely caused moisture to form inside the phone. Combined with the humidity and snow exposure, it short-circuited itself.
It went black.
Not low battery.
Not glitching.
Just… dead. Like a brick.
It was devastating.
In modern travel, your phone is everything — map, camera, translator, planner, clock, backup payment method. Morocco is largely cash-based, so thankfully we could still pay for things. But I could no longer navigate, take photos, check transport options, search attractions, or even properly tell the time.
I felt helpless.
The only saving grace? I upload our photos to a shared drive every night because my phone storage is limited. If I hadn’t done that, 20+ days of memories — for both me and my travel companion — would have vanished.
But that day’s photos? Gone.
And the photos I am using? Courtesy of my travel companion.
Winter Morocco Travel Tip
Cold drains battery — but rapid temperature shifts cause condensation damage.
- Keep your phone in an inner pocket close to your body
- Avoid repeatedly exposing it to snow or rain
- Place it in a sealed plastic bag before moving from cold outdoors to a warm car or room
- Carry silica gel packs in winter
- Back up photos daily
Arrival in Marrakech — A Shift in Energy
By around 5pm, we arrived in Marrakesh and checked into our beautiful riad.
Traditional riads are built around internal courtyards — plain on the outside, intricate on the inside. Zellige tiles, carved cedar wood, fountains, arches — a calm oasis hidden behind heavy doors.
With some daylight left, we walked toward Jemaa el-Fnaa, passing the iconic Koutoubia Mosque.
Built in the 12th century during the Almohad dynasty, the Koutoubia’s minaret became an architectural model for later Islamic structures, including Seville’s Giralda in Spain.
Jemaa el-Fnaa was buzzing. Storytellers, musicians, food stalls, orange juice carts, henna artists. Historically, this square functioned as a public gathering place for traders and performers — and it still does.
After the quiet desert and snowy mountains, Marrakech felt alive.
Fes vs Marrakech — Souvenirs & Food Reflections
One thing surprised me.
Both Fes and Marrakech feel touristy — perhaps the most tourist-oriented cities in Morocco. Yet we found more variety and surprisingly reasonable prices in both cities compared to smaller towns.
Souvenirs — leather bags, lanterns, ceramics, spices — can be found in either city. I’m not entirely sure which is cheaper overall, but selection is wide in both.
Food in Marrakech was surprisingly economical. Fes also wasn’t as expensive compared to the cities we had been to previously. Despite being major tourist hubs, competition seems to keep prices reasonable.
We had tagines for dinner and slowly walked back to our riad.
And just like that, the Sahara chapter closed.
Film sets. Ancient ksar. Snowy mountains. A broken phone.
Marrakech marked the beginning of something new.
Leave a Reply