Tuesday, 23 June 2026
CLA Studios Ouarzazate: Is It Even Open? The Truth Nobody Tells You
Ouarzazate · Morocco · Film Tourism
CLA Studios Is the
Strangest Attraction in Town
Everyone who comes through Ouarzazate gets sent to Atlas Studios. It's the bigger one, the famous one, the one with the guided tour and the Egyptian temples and the ticket office at the Oscar Hotel. A few hundred metres down the same road sits CLA Studios — smaller, stranger, and run by a question nobody can answer with confidence: is it actually open today?
I am going to be honest with you, because that is the whole point of this blog. CLA Studios is the most confusing attraction in Ouarzazate. Not because it is hard to find — it is right there on the route to Atlas Studios. It is confusing because nobody, not Google, not Tripadvisor, not the studio's own staff some days, seems entirely sure whether you can get in.
Sources disagree. Some recent visitor reports describe CLA Studios as permanently converted into production offices and storage, no longer open to tourists. Others, including the studio's own website, still advertise public tours and a props exhibition. Google listings have flipped between "open" and "permanently closed" multiple times. The honest answer: it depends on the week, and possibly on whether a production is shooting there. Do not build your day around it — treat it as a bonus stop if you happen to find the gate open.
What CLA Studios Actually Is
Founded in 2004 and now owned by Sanam Holding, the same group that owns Atlas Corporation Studios, CLA was built to give Ouarzazate's film industry a second working lot. It was where Ridley Scott filmed parts of Kingdom of Heaven, and its sets have stood in for Roman courtyards, biblical villages, and the kind of generic "ancient world" backdrop that Hollywood needs constantly and rarely wants to build from scratch.
When it is open, a single ticket gets you into the main grounds and, with your own car, three additional studio buildings scattered nearby. Inside: a small props and costume exhibition, weathered facades from films most visitors won't recognise, and the particular charm of walking through a "castle" that turns out to be plaster and timber the moment you touch it.
"We liked the castle in the desert the most. Unbelievable that everything is just plastic."
Studio sets near Ouarzazate — the kind of weathered facade you'll find at both CLA and Atlas. © Wikimedia Commons
What Visitors Actually Find
The reviews tell a fairly consistent story across the years, even as the opening status has flickered on and off. People who get in describe it as run-down but worthwhile — a couple of hours among genuinely surprising film history, let down by maintenance that never quite catches up. People who arrive to a locked gate get redirected to Atlas Studios, where the 80 DH guided tour is reliable and well organised.
One recurring complaint: the secondary buildings, reachable only by car about 2km further into the desert, have sometimes been surrounded by litter and neglect rather than film magic. If you do get a ticket, ask the guard directly whether the outer buildings are worth the drive that day — the answer changes.
CLA vs. Atlas: An Honest Comparison
If you only have time for one studio — and most people do — here is the comparison nobody on a tour bus will give you straight.
| Feature | CLA Studios | Atlas Studios |
|---|---|---|
| Reliably open | Uncertain | Yes |
| Guided tour included | Inconsistent | Yes, ~2.5hrs |
| Size | Smaller | 30+ hectares |
| Notable films | Kingdom of Heaven, Aladdin | Gladiator, Kundun, Game of Thrones |
| Entrance fee | Cheap when open | ~80 DH per person |
| Site maintenance | Run-down | Well maintained |
| Crowds | Very Low | Moderate |
You have flexible time and curiosity
- You're already on the road heading past it
- You have a car for the outer buildings
- You're a genuine film history enthusiast
- You can handle finding the gate locked
- You want the road-less-travelled version
You want a guaranteed experience
- You have only one studio visit in your itinerary
- You want a structured, guided tour
- You're travelling with kids or a tight schedule
- You want the famous sets (Gladiator, GoT)
- Reliability matters more than novelty
Getting There
CLA Studios sits on the same road as Atlas Studios, a few minutes outside central Ouarzazate, heading towards Marrakech. There is no public transport directly to either studio — a petit taxi from town costs very little, or combine both stops if you have a rental car or driver for the day. The Oscar Hotel, where Atlas Studios sells its tickets, is the more reliable starting point if you want to confirm CLA's status on the day before heading further down the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CLA Studios open to the public in 2026?
It depends on the day. Status has flipped repeatedly between open-with-tours and closed-to-public/production-only. Treat any online "open" listing as unverified and confirm locally, ideally by calling ahead, before planning around it.
How far is CLA Studios from Atlas Studios?
They sit on the same road outside Ouarzazate, only a few minutes apart by car. It is entirely feasible to attempt both in one outing.
Is CLA Studios better than Atlas Studios?
No, not in terms of reliability or polish. Atlas is larger, better maintained, and has a consistent guided tour. CLA is smaller, more uneven, and may simply be closed. Choose Atlas if you only have time for one.
What is the best time to visit the Ouarzazate film studios?
Morning, before the heat builds, and outside the peak summer months (June–August) when temperatures regularly exceed 38°C. Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable conditions for walking the open-air sets.
How many days do you need for the film studios in Ouarzazate?
Half a day covers both studios comfortably if CLA happens to be open; otherwise Atlas alone takes 2–3 hours including the guided tour. This pairs naturally with a stop at Taourirt Kasbah or the Cinema Museum the same day.
Can I just show up without booking?
Yes for Atlas — tickets are sold on the spot at the Oscar Hotel nearby. For CLA, showing up is genuinely the only way to find out if it's open; there is no reliable way to book ahead.