Where Was Outer Banks Filmed in Morocco? Complete Guide to OBX Filming Locations

Netflix’s Outer Banks took the Pogues on their most ambitious adventure yet in Season 4 — and for the first time, the show actually filmed in Morocco. After using Spain as a stand-in for Moroccan scenery in Season 3, the production team brought the cast to real Moroccan locations to bring the search for the Blue Crown to life. Where was Outer Banks filmed in Morocco? The answer spans a stunning beach, a windswept port city, and a desert film studio known as the Hollywood of Africa.

In this guide, we will break down every Morocco filming location from Outer Banks Season 4 and explain how you can visit them on your next trip.

Essaouira — The Port City That Played Itself

The coastal city of Essaouira is one of Morocco’s most enchanting destinations, and it served as the primary Moroccan backdrop for Outer Banks Season 4. When the Pogues arrive in Morocco and begin their search through the city streets and port, they are walking through the real Essaouira.

The show nods to the city’s original Portuguese name, Mogador, by calling the treasure map the “Mogador Scroll.” Essaouira’s UNESCO-listed medina, 18th-century ramparts, and working fishing port all feature prominently in the season’s climactic episodes.

Essaouira has long been a favorite for filmmakers. Orson Welles shot Othello here, and it famously served as the fictional city of Astapor in Game of Thrones. With its whitewashed buildings, blue shutters, and constant ocean breeze, it is easy to see why the Outer Banks production team chose it.

Key spots to recognize:

• The port and fishing harbor where the Pogues navigate the docks
• The medina alleyways used in chase sequences
• The ramparts (Skala du Port) offering sea views

Ouarzazate — The Hollywood of Africa and Agapenta

Ouarzazate is a city with a well-earned nickname: the “Hollywood of Africa.” Home to the famous Atlas Film Studios, this desert gateway has hosted blockbuster productions for decades. For Outer Banks Season 4, the production team spent six weeks here building the fictional city of Agapenta.

In the show, Agapenta is the hidden Moroccan city where the Blue Crown is hidden. In reality, the set was constructed in and around Ouarzazate, using its dramatic desert landscapes and traditional kasbah architecture as a canvas.

Ouarzazate’s film pedigree is extraordinary. Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, The Mummy, Game of Thrones, and The Witcher were all filmed here. The nearby UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Benhaddou — an ancient fortified village — has also appeared in countless productions.

Cap Hadid — The Beach Landing Scene

When the Pogues survive a treacherous storm at sea and wash ashore in Morocco, they land on Cap Hadid. This real beach on Morocco’s Atlantic coast features dramatic sand dunes that stretch down to the ocean, creating the perfect cinematic landing spot.

Cap Hadid is located north of Essaouira and offers a wild, undeveloped coastline that looks exactly like what the show needed — a remote beach where the characters could regroup before heading into the city.

Why Morocco Is a Global Film Powerhouse

Morocco has become one of the world’s most sought-after filming destinations, and it is easy to see why. The country offers extraordinary diversity: Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines, the Sahara Desert, the High Atlas Mountains, imperial cities, and centuries-old kasbahs — all within a few hours’ drive.

The Moroccan government actively supports international productions with tax incentives and streamlined permitting, while the Atlas Film Studios in Ouarzazate provide world-class infrastructure. This combination of natural beauty and professional support makes Morocco a first-choice location for Hollywood, Netflix, and beyond.

Beyond Outer Banks, Morocco has hosted:

• Game of Thrones (Astapor in Essaouira, Yunkai and Pentos in Ait Benhaddou and Ouarzazate)
• The Witcher (various locations across the south)
• Gladiator (the desert arena and gladiator school scenes)
• James Bond: The Living Daylights (Tangier and Ouarzazate)

Plan Your Own Outer Banks Morocco Adventure

Inspired to visit the filming locations yourself? Both Essaouira and Ouarzazate are easily reachable and make for an incredible Moroccan itinerary. A private tour can take you through the High Atlas Mountains, past Ait Benhaddou, into the desert, and along the coast — hitting all the key Outer Banks spots along the way.

For a deep dive into Ouarzazate’s cinematic legacy, consider our 4-Day Guided Morocco Tour from Ouarzazate to Marrakech, which includes visits to the Atlas Film Studios, Ait Benhaddou, and the stunning desert landscapes that have made Morocco a filmmaker’s dream.

If you want to experience Essaouira and the Sahara in one trip, our 8-Day Morocco Tour: Marrakech, Sahara Desert & Essaouira is the perfect way to visit both the filming locations and Morocco’s most iconic destinations.