Sci-Fi On Location: Real-World Settings from Your Favorite Films

2. Aït Benhaddou, Morocco – Sci-Fi Stronghold in Game of Thrones and Star Wars

Aït Benhaddou may look like a relic of ancient times, but this fortified village in Morocco has become an iconic backdrop for both historical and science fiction films alike. Its towering mud-brick kasbahs and labyrinthine alleys lend themselves to otherworldly storytelling. While it gained fame in historical epics like Gladiator and The Man Who Would Be King, it also appeared as the desert planet Jakku in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The site’s arid location on the edge of the Sahara enhances its illusion of existing beyond Earth. Time seems to stand still here, and with little modern interference, the environment remains strikingly cinematic. Visiting Aït Benhaddou is like entering a film set that’s been waiting a thousand years for your arrival. It’s a rare place where fiction and reality blur, offering travelers a deeply immersive step into the worlds of sci-fi and fantasy.