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Ait Ben Haddou

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ATTRACTION GUIDE · MERZOUGA & THE SAHARA

Ait Ben Haddou

A fortified earthen village on the old caravan route, and a favourite film set.

Tickets & tours Open in Google Maps
Time needed
2 hours
Entry
Free (small fees inside houses)
Best time
Sunset · Oct–May
Area
Ouarzazate

A famous mud-brick village and UNESCO site.

Where it is & how to get there

Address: Aït Benhaddou, Ouarzazate Province

  • From Marrakech: About 3.5–4 hours over the Tizi n'Tichka pass in the High Atlas.
  • From Ouarzazate: About 30 minutes by car.
  • Tours: Included in most Marrakech–Sahara tours.

The story of Aït Benhaddou

Aït Benhaddou is a ksar, a fortified village of earthen houses and kasbahs climbing a hill above the Ounila river. It stood on the caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech, where salt, gold and slaves were traded.

Listed by UNESCO in 1987, it is a striking example of southern Moroccan earthen architecture and has appeared in many films and series, from Lawrence of Arabia to Gladiator and Game of Thrones.

Best time to visit

Best season

October to May.

Best time of day

Late afternoon and sunset from the granary at the top.

Crowds

Midday is busy with tour groups.

Tips before you go

  • Stop on the way from Marrakech.
  • Climb to the old granary at the top for the panorama.
  • Stay overnight nearby to see it at sunrise.

Best hotels near Aït Benhaddou

Well-known hotels within easy reach. Check prices and availability for your dates.

Ksar Ighnda

Kasbah-style hotel near Aït Benhaddou.

See prices

Dar Mouna

Guesthouse facing the ksar.

See prices

Le Berbère Palace

Palace hotel in Ouarzazate, the gateway to the desert.

See prices
All hotels near Aït Benhaddou

What's around Aït Benhaddou

  • OuarzazateThe "door of the desert" with film studios.
  • Telouet KasbahFormer Glaoui palace in the mountains.
  • Tizi n'Tichka passHigh mountain road from Marrakech.
  • Skoura oasisPalm oasis with kasbahs.

Questions travellers ask

Is Aït Benhaddou worth visiting?

Yes, it is one of Morocco's most beautiful kasbah villages.

Do people still live there?

A few families still live in the ksar.

Which films were shot there?

Including Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator and Game of Thrones.

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Travel Plan · Ait Ben Haddou Travel times, prices and opening hours change. Check official sites before you go. Photos: Unsplash. Privacy & disclosure