The story of T.E. Lawrence, the English officer who successfully united and led the diverse, often warring, Arab tribes during World War I in order to fight the Turks.
Biblioteca pública Provincial de Sevilla Infanta Elena, 8, Avenida de María Luisa, Santa Cruz, Casco Antiguo, Distrito Sur, Sevilla, Andalucía, 41011, España
Ksar d'Aït-Ben-Haddou, Aït Ben Haddou ⴰⵢⵜ ⴱⵏ ⵃⴷⴷⵓ آيت بن حدو, Ait Zineb ⴰⵢⵜ ⵣⵉⵏⴱ آيت زينب, caïdat de Amerzgane, Cercle d'Amerzgane دائرة أمرزكان, Province d'Ouarzazate ⵜⴰⵙⴳⴰ ⵏ ⵡⴰⵔⵣⴰⵣⴰⵜ إقليم ورززات, Drâa-Tafilalet ⴷⴰⵔⵄⴰ-ⵜⴰⴼⵉⵍⴰⵍⵜ درعة تافيلالت, 45100, Maroc ⵍⵎⵖⵔⵉⴱ المغرب
Scene: (desert)
Carboneras, Almería, Andalucía, 04140, España
Scene: (town: Aqaba)
قضاء الجفر, لواء قصبة معان, معان, الأردن
Scene: (Gasim rescue - camel ride - mudflats)
5308, Ben Hulse Highway, Glamis, Imperial County, California, 92227, United States of America
Scene: (desert)
Aouint Yghomane عوينة يغمان, caïdat d'Aouint Yghomane, Cercle d'Assa دائرة آسا, Province Assa-Zag ⵜⴰⵙⴳⴰ ⵏ ⴰⵙⵙⴰ ⵣⴰⴳ إقليم آسا الزاك, Guelmim-Oued Noun ⵜⴰⵙⴳⴰ-ⵡⴰⴷ ⵏⵓⵏ كلميم وادي نون, Maroc ⵍⵎⵖⵔⵉⴱ المغرب
Scene: (Doubled as Arabian desert)
Chobham Common, M3, Woodlands, Chobham, Valley End, Surrey Heath, Surrey, England, GU20 6AT, United Kingdom
David Lean’s desert epic is one of the most visually breathtaking films ever made – shot in glorious 70mm across the deserts of Jordan and Morocco, with the palaces of Seville standing in for Cairo and Damascus.
Where was Lawrence of Arabia filmed?
Lawrence of Arabia was filmed in Jordan (Wadi Rum), Spain (Seville and Almeria) and Morocco.
Every Lawrence of Arabia location, explained
1
Wadi Rum – the desert
The film’s sweeping desert vistas used the red sands and cliffs of Wadi Rum in Jordan, where Lawrence really operated.
2
Seville – Cairo and Damascus
The Cairo officers’ club and the Damascus scenes used the grand plazas and buildings of Seville in Spain.
3
Almeria – Aqaba
The port of Aqaba was recreated on the coast at Carboneras in Almeria, southern Spain.
4
Morocco – the further desert
Additional desert scenes used Morocco, including Ait Benhaddou.
Planning a visit
Wadi Rum in Jordan is a spectacular, visitable desert wilderness – the film’s soul – and Seville‘s plazas, which played Cairo and Damascus, are among Spain’s most beautiful.
Lawrence of Arabia Fun Facts
1
Shot in glorious 70mm The film’s vast desert vistas were captured in large-format 70mm for maximum grandeur.
2
Seville played Cairo and Damascus The Arab-city scenes used the palaces and plazas of Seville in Spain.
3
Wadi Rum is the real desert Jordan’s Wadi Rum, where Lawrence operated, provides the film’s iconic landscapes.
4
Seven Oscars The film won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.
5
A star-making role Peter O’Toole became a star in his first major film role.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lawrence of Arabia based on a true story?
Yes – it dramatises the WWI exploits of T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt.
What city played Cairo and Damascus?
Seville in Spain, whose plazas and buildings stood in for both.
Can you visit Wadi Rum?
Yes – the Jordanian desert is a popular, accessible destination with desert camps and tours.
