Real-Life Film Locations You Can Visit on a Halal Holiday
If you have ever watched a desert chase scene and thought, “I want to go there,” you are not alone. Some of the most famous scenes in film history were shot in Muslim-majority countries. Jordan’s red deserts have stood in for Mars and far-off planets. Morocco’s mud-brick towns have played ancient Rome and fantasy kingdoms. Istanbul and Dubai have hosted big-budget spy thrillers.
The good news for Muslim fans is that these places are also some of the easiest places to travel as a Muslim. Halal food is everywhere, you can hear the call to prayer, and you do not have to plan every meal around a menu.
Here are some of the best real-life film locations you can visit on a halal holiday, plus tips on keeping the cost down. And if you are planning Umrah, some of them make a great stop on the way.
Jordan: Petra and Wadi Rum
Petra
Petra is an ancient city carved into pink and red rock in southern Jordan. Its most famous building, the Treasury, appears near the end of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, when the heroes ride up to the hidden temple. In real life, the walk to the Treasury is just as dramatic. You go through a long, narrow canyon called the Siq, and then the building suddenly appears in front of you.
Fan tip: Go early in the morning, before the tour groups arrive. The light on the Treasury is at its best, and it is much quieter.
Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum is a huge desert of red sand and tall rock mountains. It is one of the most filmed deserts in the world. Lawrence of Arabia was shot here back in the 1960s. More recently, it stood in for Mars in The Martian and for desert planets in films such as Dune and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
You can stay overnight in a desert camp, take a jeep tour and watch the stars. On a clear night, there are so many stars that it really does feel like another planet.
Halal travel note: Jordan is a Muslim-majority country, so halal food is the norm. Many Bedouin camps in Wadi Rum serve traditional zarb, meat and vegetables slow-cooked in a pit under the sand.
Morocco: Ouarzazate and Ait Benhaddou
Morocco is sometimes called the Hollywood of Africa. Near the town of Ouarzazate, there are large film studios and a famous fortified village called Ait Benhaddou.
Ait Benhaddou is a group of old mud-brick houses on a hill. It has appeared in many films and series, including Gladiator and Game of Thrones. Walking up through its narrow paths to the top, you can easily picture the scenes.
The film studios near Ouarzazate are open to visitors. You can see old sets and props from films shot in the area.
Fan tip: Combine a visit with a trip to Marrakech. The main square, Jemaa el-Fnaa, is packed with food stalls at night, and it is one of the best places in the world to try street food.
Halal travel note: Morocco is a Muslim country, and food is halal as standard. Many riads, the traditional guesthouses, do not serve alcohol at all.
Turkey: Istanbul
Istanbul has been a favourite for spy films for decades. The opening chase in Skyfall, the James Bond film, races across the rooftops of the Grand Bazaar. From Russia with Love was also partly filmed in the city back in the 1960s.
For Muslim travellers, Istanbul has much more to offer than film scenes. It is home to some of the most beautiful mosques in the world, including the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. The Topkapi Palace museum holds historic Islamic items, and the food is some of the best you will ever eat.
Fan tip: Visit the Grand Bazaar early on a weekday. It is calmer, and you can take in the old roof and arches the film made famous.
Halal travel note: Most food in Istanbul is halal, and you are never far from a mosque. Hotels and restaurants are used to Muslim guests from all over the world.
UAE: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
The UAE is a newer film location, but it has already hosted some huge films. Tom Cruise climbed the outside of the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol. The deserts near Abu Dhabi were used for scenes in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
You can go up to the viewing decks of the Burj Khalifa to see the city from the same height, though from the inside. A desert trip from Dubai or Abu Dhabi lets you see the huge golden dunes for yourself.
Fan tip: Book the Burj Khalifa at sunset. You see the city in daylight and then lit up at night.
Halal travel note: Halal food is standard, and there are mosques in every shopping centre. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is a must-see.
Egypt: Giza and beyond
The pyramids of Giza have appeared in more films than anyone could count, from old adventure films to modern blockbusters. Nothing quite prepares you for seeing them in real life.
Egypt also has the old streets of Islamic Cairo, full of historic mosques, and the Nile, which you can explore by boat. It is one of the cheapest places on this list to visit from the UK.
Halal travel note: Egypt is a Muslim-majority country, and halal food is easy to find everywhere.
How to plan a cheap halal holiday
Book a package
For many Muslim families, a package is the easiest way to travel. You get flights, a hotel and transfers in one booking, and many halal tour companies also add guided tours with time for prayers built in.
When looking at cheap Islamic holiday packages, check what makes them halal-friendly. Good providers check that food is halal, plan tours around the five daily prayers and choose hotels that suit Muslim families. As a rough guide from UK agents, short trips start from around £250 for Egypt, £375 for Turkey, £470 for Morocco or the UAE, and £550 for Jordan.
Travel outside school holidays
Prices go up a lot in the school holidays. If you can travel in term time or in the quieter months, you will often pay much less.
Go for shorter trips
Many of these places work well for a short trip of three to five days. Istanbul, Dubai and Marrakech are all good for a long weekend.
Check ATOL protection
Any UK package with flights should be ATOL protected. You can check the ATOL number on the Civil Aviation Authority website. This protects your money if the company goes bust.
Add a stopover to your Umrah
Here is a tip many people do not know. If you are already planning Umrah, you can often add a few days somewhere else on the way there or back.
Many flights from the UK to Saudi Arabia stop in Istanbul, Dubai or Cairo anyway. Some UK agents can add a short stay in one of these cities to your Umrah trip as one booking. You get to complete your Umrah and then see the Blue Mosque, the Burj Khalifa or the pyramids before you fly home.
Flights with a stop are also usually cheaper than direct flights, which helps keep the overall cost down. If you are comparing cheap Umrah packages, ask whether a stopover can be added. It can turn one trip into two without paying for two sets of long-haul flights.
A note on timing: Most people prefer to do their Umrah first and add the holiday after. That way, your worship is the focus of the trip, and you can relax afterwards.
Tips for fans travelling as Muslims
- Plan around prayer times. Many film locations are in remote deserts. Pack a small prayer mat and a compass app.
- Dress for the place. Even in tourist areas, modest clothes are respected, and they keep you cool in the sun.
- Book desert trips with good firms. Look for reviews and make sure safety gear is included.
- Ask about food. In Muslim-majority countries, food is usually halal, but if you are unsure, simply ask.
- Respect sacred places. Some locations are near mosques or homes. Be polite when taking photos, and do not film people without asking.
Final word
You do not have to choose between your faith and your love of film. Some of the most famous film locations in the world are in Jordan, Morocco, Turkey, the UAE and Egypt, where halal food and mosques are part of everyday life. Book a halal-friendly package or add a stopover to your Umrah. Travel outside the busiest weeks to save money. Then you can stand in the real places behind your favourite scenes.If you have ever watched a desert chase scene and thought, “I want to go there,” you are not alone. Some of the most famous scenes in film history were shot in Muslim-majority countries. Jordan’s red deserts have stood in for Mars and far-off planets. Morocco’s mud-brick towns have played ancient Rome and fantasy kingdoms. Istanbul and Dubai have hosted big-budget spy thrillers.
The good news for Muslim fans is that these places are also some of the easiest places to travel as a Muslim. Halal food is everywhere, you can hear the call to prayer, and you do not have to plan every meal around a menu.
Here are some of the best real-life film locations you can visit on a halal holiday, plus tips on keeping the cost down. And if you are planning Umrah, some of them make a great stop on the way.
Jordan: Petra and Wadi Rum
Petra
Petra is an ancient city carved into pink and red rock in southern Jordan. Its most famous building, the Treasury, appears near the end of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, when the heroes ride up to the hidden temple. In real life, the walk to the Treasury is just as dramatic. You go through a long, narrow canyon called the Siq, and then the building suddenly appears in front of you.
Fan tip: Go early in the morning, before the tour groups arrive. The light on the Treasury is at its best, and it is much quieter.
Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum is a huge desert of red sand and tall rock mountains. It is one of the most filmed deserts in the world. Lawrence of Arabia was shot here back in the 1960s. More recently, it stood in for Mars in The Martian and for desert planets in films such as Dune and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
You can stay overnight in a desert camp, take a jeep tour and watch the stars. On a clear night, there are so many stars that it really does feel like another planet.
Halal travel note: Jordan is a Muslim-majority country, so halal food is the norm. Many Bedouin camps in Wadi Rum serve traditional zarb, meat and vegetables slow-cooked in a pit under the sand.
Morocco: Ouarzazate and Ait Benhaddou
Morocco is sometimes called the Hollywood of Africa. Near the town of Ouarzazate, there are large film studios and a famous fortified village called Ait Benhaddou.
Ait Benhaddou is a group of old mud-brick houses on a hill. It has appeared in many films and series, including Gladiator and Game of Thrones. Walking up through its narrow paths to the top, you can easily picture the scenes.
The film studios near Ouarzazate are open to visitors. You can see old sets and props from films shot in the area.
Fan tip: Combine a visit with a trip to Marrakech. The main square, Jemaa el-Fnaa, is packed with food stalls at night, and it is one of the best places in the world to try street food.
Halal travel note: Morocco is a Muslim country, and food is halal as standard. Many riads, the traditional guesthouses, do not serve alcohol at all.
Turkey: Istanbul
Istanbul has been a favourite for spy films for decades. The opening chase in Skyfall, the James Bond film, races across the rooftops of the Grand Bazaar. From Russia with Love was also partly filmed in the city back in the 1960s.
For Muslim travellers, Istanbul has much more to offer than film scenes. It is home to some of the most beautiful mosques in the world, including the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. The Topkapi Palace museum holds historic Islamic items, and the food is some of the best you will ever eat.
Fan tip: Visit the Grand Bazaar early on a weekday. It is calmer, and you can take in the old roof and arches the film made famous.
Halal travel note: Most food in Istanbul is halal, and you are never far from a mosque. Hotels and restaurants are used to Muslim guests from all over the world.
UAE: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
The UAE is a newer film location, but it has already hosted some huge films. Tom Cruise climbed the outside of the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol. The deserts near Abu Dhabi were used for scenes in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
You can go up to the viewing decks of the Burj Khalifa to see the city from the same height, though from the inside. A desert trip from Dubai or Abu Dhabi lets you see the huge golden dunes for yourself.
Fan tip: Book the Burj Khalifa at sunset. You see the city in daylight and then lit up at night.
Halal travel note: Halal food is standard, and there are mosques in every shopping centre. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is a must-see.
Egypt: Giza and beyond
The pyramids of Giza have appeared in more films than anyone could count, from old adventure films to modern blockbusters. Nothing quite prepares you for seeing them in real life.
Egypt also has the old streets of Islamic Cairo, full of historic mosques, and the Nile, which you can explore by boat. It is one of the cheapest places on this list to visit from the UK.
Halal travel note: Egypt is a Muslim-majority country, and halal food is easy to find everywhere.
How to plan a cheap halal holiday
Book a package
For many Muslim families, a package is the easiest way to travel. You get flights, a hotel and transfers in one booking, and many halal tour companies also add guided tours with time for prayers built in.
When looking at cheap Islamic holiday packages, check what makes them halal-friendly. Good providers check that food is halal, plan tours around the five daily prayers and choose hotels that suit Muslim families. As a rough guide from UK agents, short trips start from around £250 for Egypt, £375 for Turkey, £470 for Morocco or the UAE, and £550 for Jordan.
Travel outside school holidays
Prices go up a lot in the school holidays. If you can travel in term time or in the quieter months, you will often pay much less.
Go for shorter trips
Many of these places work well for a short trip of three to five days. Istanbul, Dubai and Marrakech are all good for a long weekend.
Check ATOL protection
Any UK package with flights should be ATOL protected. You can check the ATOL number on the Civil Aviation Authority website. This protects your money if the company goes bust.
Add a stopover to your Umrah
Here is a tip many people do not know. If you are already planning Umrah, you can often add a few days somewhere else on the way there or back.
Many flights from the UK to Saudi Arabia stop in Istanbul, Dubai or Cairo anyway. Some UK agents can add a short stay in one of these cities to your Umrah trip as one booking. You get to complete your Umrah and then see the Blue Mosque, the Burj Khalifa or the pyramids before you fly home.
Flights with a stop are also usually cheaper than direct flights, which helps keep the overall cost down. If you are comparing cheap Umrah packages, ask whether a stopover can be added. It can turn one trip into two without paying for two sets of long-haul flights.
A note on timing: Most people prefer to do their Umrah first and add the holiday after. That way, your worship is the focus of the trip, and you can relax afterwards.
Tips for fans travelling as Muslims
- Plan around prayer times. Many film locations are in remote deserts. Pack a small prayer mat and a compass app.
- Dress for the place. Even in tourist areas, modest clothes are respected, and they keep you cool in the sun.
- Book desert trips with good firms. Look for reviews and make sure safety gear is included.
- Ask about food. In Muslim-majority countries, food is usually halal, but if you are unsure, simply ask.
- Respect sacred places. Some locations are near mosques or homes. Be polite when taking photos, and do not film people without asking.
Final word
You do not have to choose between your faith and your love of film. Some of the most famous film locations in the world are in Jordan, Morocco, Turkey, the UAE and Egypt, where halal food and mosques are part of everyday life. Book a halal-friendly package or add a stopover to your Umrah. Travel outside the busiest weeks to save money. Then you can stand in the real places behind your favourite scenes.
