Morocco Itinerary 2026: Tracing The Odyssey Film Locations

Movie Filming Locations

The Odyssey Filming Locations

Hello, fellow adventurers! 😊

Watching the epic film, ‘The Odyssey,’ something in particular caught my eye.

It wasn't just the actors; it was the overwhelmingly stunning scenery.

Seeing those colossal earthen fortresses and rugged Atlantic beaches, I thought, "Wait, haven't I been there?" Turns out, parts of it were filmed in Morocco, a country I've explored before!

Known for its preference for real-world locations over CGI, the production team for The Odyssey chose to film in captivating spots across Morocco, Greece, Italy, and Scotland.

Morocco holds a special place in my heart, as I once lived there, so seeing it on screen was an extra treat. The movie even inspired me to dig out my old Morocco travel photos! 😊

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The most famous filming location is the 900-year-old fortified village, Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

This Ksar (fortified village) is nestled on the road from Marrakech, over the Atlas Mountains, towards Ouarzazate. In the film, it dramatically portrays ancient Troy.

During filming, approximately 60 temporary structures were added to recreate Troy's grand gates and temples.

Today, the film sets are gone, and visitors can explore the authentic Aït Benhaddou village as it has always been.

This iconic location has graced the screens in countless other productions, including blockbuster hits like 《Gladiator》, 《Game of Thrones》, and 《The Mummy》.

From Marrakech, it's about a 3.5 to 4-hour drive by car.

Another captivating spot that caught my attention was the Atlantic port city of Essaouira, a place I've also had the pleasure of visiting.

Reportedly, the scenes where the Trojan Horse is discovered on the sandy beach and Odysseus's crew sails away were filmed along this very coastline.

A massive 35-foot tall Trojan Horse prop was used during the actual filming!

Essaouira is located approximately 3 hours west of Marrakech. It's renowned for its walled medina and its breezy Atlantic beaches, perfect for watersports.

Discovering The Odyssey's filming locations led me to revisit my old Morocco travel photos.

The picture quality might be a bit dated, but the memories came flooding back! Haha.

What I once simply considered beautiful Atlantic landscapes now felt entirely different after seeing them through the lens of the film.

While researching the filming locations, I found myself even more intrigued by the potential travel itineraries that incorporate these cinematic spots.

A great route starts from Marrakech, crosses the Tizi n'Tichka Pass (over 6,500 feet above sea level), moves to Aït Benhaddou, and then continues to Ouarzazate, which is only about 20-30 minutes away.

Essaouira → Marrakech → Atlas Mountains (Tizi n'Tichka) → Aït Benhaddou → Ouarzazate

This itinerary is particularly efficient if you're traveling by rental car.

Many Sahara Desert tours depart from Marrakech, passing through Aït Benhaddou and Ouarzazate before reaching Merzouga over 2-3 or 3-4 day itineraries. Because of this, many travelers opt to visit Essaouira separately from Marrakech, either before or after their desert adventure.

Just the journey from Marrakech to Ouarzazate alone is an epic drive, covering a total distance of over 370 miles.

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If I get the chance to return to Morocco, I'd love to slowly explore Aït Benhaddou, which I missed on my last trip, then cross the Atlas Mountains to Ouarzazate, and finally spend some time in the Sahara Desert.

The film The Odyssey is a masterpiece in itself, but for me, it's even more memorable because it brought back cherished memories of my Moroccan travels.

I haven't had much time to write about recent trips, so I'm not sure when I'll get to a full Morocco post, but I'll definitely share more stories about this enchanting destination from time to time! 😊

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