kasbah Ait Ben Haddou

Morocco kasbah Ait Ben Haddou is a stunning fortified village in the southeast of the nation that has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. Around a thousand years ago, the little village was established and was a significant location along the trade route. Ait-Ben-Haddou is currently one of Morocco’s most popular tourist destinations and is most likely the most alluring stop on journeys around the country.Ait-Ben-Haddou has already been used as a movie set for a number of well-known films due to its distinctive architecture and absolutely enchanting atmosphere. For instance, this is where scenes from Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, and Game of Thrones were shot! Yes, a trip to this charming village is recommended, and everyone who visits Morocco should see the largest Kasbah in the nation.

We provide you with all the pertinent information about Ait-Ben-Haddou in Morocco in our trip guide. In addition, we provide you with wonderful images, directions, advice on where to stay, and the best vantage points for seeing the mud city.

Good to know!

Many people take a guided day trip or multiple-day journey to Ait-Ben-Haddou. You can find spectacular trips on Private Ddesert trips, which typically have additional southern Morocco sites on the itinerary.

With a rental car, you can most surely travel independently through Ait-Ben-Haddou. The renowned fortified town should be included in any ideal route for a road trip through Morocco!

Ait-Ben-Haddou can be explored in a half-day. However, you should plan one or two nights if you want to see the desert settlement at dusk and take in the scenery.

If you’re still seeking for a truly unique place to stay, we heartily recommend the incredibly quaint Riad Caravane, which offers a wonderful breakfast and a lovely pool.

General info about kasbah Ait Ben Haddou

About 30 kilometers from the city of Ouarzazate, Ait-Ben-Haddou—also known as At Benhaddou—is a well-known walled mud hamlet on the edge of the Atlas Mountains.The river Asif Mellah creates an idyllic backdrop at the gates of the old town as the town sits proudly on a hill overlooking the desolate plain. Particularly impressive is the town’s historic core, which has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1987. The 17th century stronghold, from which you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the area, is located at the top of the hill above the fortified old town.

The brown-red town houses’ architecture is regarded as a unique feature. As a result, the old mud homes were constructed close to one another, sometimes even nesting inside one another. Some well-maintained old townhouses can be entered and explored on the inside.

Ait-Ben-Haddou additionally served as the backdrop for numerous movies. Among the most well-known are Gladiator, Game of Thrones, Asterix and Obelix, Aladdin, Prince of Persia, The Mummie, The Hills Have Eyes II, Babel, Alexander, and Laurence of Arabia.

How to get to kasbah Ait Ben Haddou from Marrakech

In order to go to Ait-Ben-Haddou, which is 180 kilometers southeast of Marrakech, you can either rent a car or take a guided tour. The trip from Marrakech to Ait-Ben-Haddou is indeed breathtakingly gorgeous. Your journey will pass across the Tizi n Tichka Pass and over the High Atlas. Grandiose scenery, a distinct mountain environment, and the lovely south of Morocco will all be enjoyed by you. If you enjoy snapping photos, give yourself ample time to travel across this expansive mountain road.

We will travel from Marrakech to Ouarzazate and then on to Ait-Ben-Haddou by automobile, passing through the Atlas Mountains. On this scenic route, getting there is the important part. After Marrakech, the scenery quickly changes, and you are in awe of the beautiful greenery that creates an amazing backdrop. The road gradually starts to ascend as you pass the first undeveloped mountain settlements of the Atlas Mountains.

You will eventually reach the Tizi n Tichka Pass after continuing on the way up to the Atlas highlands. There are a ton of breathtaking vantage points and photo ops just close to the road. Another justification for why driving across Morocco is beneficial. When you reach the summit, you can take in the High Atlas’ stunning snowy peaks. The elevation of this zigzag road is 2260 meters. There are constantly stones for sale along Atlas Street, so if minerals fascinate you, you are unquestionably in the proper location.

As the mountain falls after Tizi n Tichka Pass, the scenery again undergoes a dramatic transformation. The Sahara is heralded by arid hills, enormous rock formations, and historic kasbahs. The landscape surrounding Ait-Ben-Haddou is already quite dry, and you can already see the first camels seemingly out of nowhere.

Things to Do in kasbah Ait Ben Haddou

Walking is the ideal activity for discovering the lovely mud city of Ait-Ben-Haddou. You can see this magnificent city as you cross the river. You can explore some of the historic homes on the interior by strolling through the enormous Kasbah. These little museums offer an exclusive look into life in the past for an entrance price that is frequently only one euro.

There are several gift shops, a few eateries, and some really nice cafés on the route up to the village of Ait-Ben-Haddou. Some of these locations are quite well-liked for Instagram photos. It’s difficult to imagine that 2,500 people still resided in this large fortified town 50 years ago. You’ll be rewarded at the summit with a breathtaking vista of the desolate desert environment. We consider this to be the highlight of the tour. You can view the entire valley along with the settlement, the numerous lovely clay structures, stony lunar landscapes, and the snow-capped Atlas Mountains in the distance. One may envision Berber life from a thousand years ago.

Best Viewpoints of kasbah Ait Ben Haddou

This village’s overall landscape is breathtaking, and depending on the time of day, the city’s hues alter. The morning light in Ait-Ben-Haddou provides fantastic photo chances, thus amateur photographers may also look forward to taking interesting photos here.

Famous Movies

No surprise this enchanted location has attained such notoriety. because numerous Hollywood strips used Ait-Ben-Haddou as a filming location. Here are a handful of the films that were shot there: A few examples include Laurence of Arabia, Babel, Gladiator, Game of Thrones, Asterix and Obelix, Aladdin, Prince of Persia, The Mummie, The Hills Have Eyes II, and Asterix and Obelix.

Admission and Opening Hours

Ait-Ben-Haddou has a totally free access. There may be a minor admission charge to enter some private museums. The town is always open; there are no set hours for visiting. But the best exploration trips are those that take place in the early morning or late afternoon when the majority of tourists have left.

Of course, you can also go from Marrakech to the mud city of Ait-Ben-Haddou on a guided trip. In Merzouga or Zagora, day trips as well as multi-day excursions including a stop in the desert are available. There are many different trips available on https://privatedeserttrips.com/ .

Where to Stay in kasbah Ait Ben Haddou

You can stay in some quite attractive little hotels in Ait-Ben-Haddou. We advise selecting a Kasbah that is situated inside the picturesque mud city, or even better, a lodging with a view of it. It is impossible to top having breakfast in such a setting. These are some suggestions for Ait-Ben-Haddou hotels: You should check it out!

_Kasbah in the Old Town: The Kasbah Tebi is charmingly situated right in the heart of Ait Ben Haddou’s historic district. There is no power in the evening; instead, there is a sea of candles. An insider tip!

_Hotel with pool: Paradise of Silence is a stunning hotel that inspires its guests with wonderful rooms, a pool, and delectable food.

_Kasbah with a View: As a less expensive option, we suggest Chez Brahim. The roof patio offers an amazing view over the mud city.