There are places where time seems to have stood still, and Essaouira is one of them. For millions of fans of the cult series Game of Thrones, the ancient Mogador is no longer just a pearl of the Atlantic; it has become Astapor, the “Red City” of Slaver’s Bay. By choosing the ramparts of Essaouira for the third season, HBO’s production offered Morocco one of its most beautiful roles in cinema. Today, tourists from all over the world come not only for the wind and surfing but to walk in the footsteps of Daenerys Targaryen, the Mother of Dragons.
The impact of this shoot on the city has been colossal. Essaouira’s natural settings, with its ochre stone walls and cannons pointed towards the ocean, required very little digital modification. This visual authenticity allowed for the creation of one of the series’ most memorable scenes: the liberation of the Unsullied. Walking along the Skala de la Ville, one can easily imagine the army of elite soldiers lined up on the ramparts, waiting for the signal from the “Breaker of Chains.” Film tourism is now a pillar of the local economy.
Iconic Locations of Astapor
The heart of the shoot was concentrated on the Skala de la Ville, the impressive ramparts built by European architects for Sultan Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah. It is here that Daenerys first meets the slave masters of Astapor. The circular promenade, overlooking the crashing waves of the Atlantic, offers a spectacular perspective that perfectly matches the brutal and majestic aesthetic of the world imagined by George R.R. Martin.
Another must-see location is the Marine Gate (Porte de la Marine). With its pediment adorned with sculptures, it served as the backdrop for the city’s monumental entrances. The narrow streets of the Medina were also used to simulate the stifling and mysterious atmosphere of Astapor’s markets. The directors skillfully exploited Mogador’s blue and the white of the facades to create a striking visual contrast with the dark outfits of the characters. Here are the essential stops for any “Thronie” pilgrimage in Essaouira:
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Skala de la Ville: Site of the famous scene where the Unsullied are purchased.
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Artillery Bastions: Used for panoramic views of Slaver’s Bay.
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The Fishing Port: Starting point for the Targaryen galleys.
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North Ramparts: To relive the dialogues between Daenerys and Jorah Mormont.
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Medina Squares: Where crowd scenes and market life were filmed.
Economic and Tourism Impact for Mogador
The passage of Game of Thrones transformed Essaouira into a premier destination for film tourism. Since the airing of Season 3, local travel agencies have seen a significant increase in requests for themed tours. The city has successfully capitalized on this global fame by improving its infrastructure while preserving its artistic soul. Hotels and guesthouses are often fully booked, driven by the fantastic aura that now envelops the city.
Beyond tourism, the shoot provided work for hundreds of local extras and Moroccan technicians. This expertise gained alongside the largest international productions has strengthened Morocco’s position as a preferred host land for the seventh art. Essaouira is not just a backdrop; it is a living city that has integrated the imagery of Westeros into its own history. Local merchants now sell souvenirs inspired by the series, mixing traditional Argan and Thuya wood crafts with Targaryen or Stark emblems.
Anecdotes and Shooting Secrets
Filming in Essaouira was not without its challenges. The city’s legendary wind, the Chergui, sometimes complicated sound recording and the maintenance of light costumes. However, it was this same wind that gave that particular movement to the capes and banners, adding a natural dynamic to Daenerys’s scenes. It is said that actress Emilia Clarke fell in love with the local gastronomy, enjoying grilled fish at the port between two high-tension scenes.
HBO technicians were impressed by the light of Essaouira, a particular clarity that makes colors more vivid without the need for excessive filters. A fun anecdote tells that some historical cannons had to be temporarily masked or decorated to avoid any anachronism, although their 18th-century style blended perfectly into the series’ “medieval-fantasy” universe. This fusion between Moroccan historical reality and global fiction is what makes visiting Essaouira so magical for fans.
FAQ on the Essaouira Shoot
Can I visit the filming locations for free? Yes, access to the ramparts of the Skala de la Ville and the Medina is free. It is one of the few filming locations of the series in the world that has remained so accessible to the public.
When was the series filmed in Essaouira? The film crews were present in 2012 for the production of Season 3, which aired in 2013.
Are there other cities in Morocco used in the series? Absolutely. Ouarzazate and the Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou served as settings for the cities of Yunkai and Pentos, completing Daenerys’s journey in Essos.
