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An update from Evaneos
Ait Benhaddou

Ait Benhaddou (Morocco)

Practical information about Ait Benhaddou

  • Encounters with locals
  • Viewpoint
  • River
  • Castle and fortress
  • Handicraft
  • Place or Historical Monument
  • Unesco World Heritage
  • Essential
4 / 5 - 2 reviews
How to get there
3 hours by bus from Marrakech
When to go
Between April and October
Minimum stay
Half a day

Reviews of Ait Benhaddou

Timothée D. Travel writer
285 travel articles

An incredible kasbah preserved from the 11th century, Ait Benhaddou resembles a mirage with its homes made of earth.

My suggestion:
There isn't an entry fee to Ait Benhaddou despite what the majority of locals will tell you. However, it remains a way for the last inhabitants of the place to make a few dirhams.
Summary:

Situated in the middle of the desert in the Ourzazate region, Ait Benhaddou is a mind-blowing example of a historic medieval kasbah and of traditional desert architecture with its earth houses and high protective walls. The town seems to be completely sleeping or frozen in time and, other than some souvenir shops, it is difficult to believe that anyone still lives here. So it's not surprising that Hollywood used it as settings for many films like Lawrence of Arabia and even Gladiator.

I stopped there en route between Marrakech and the desert and I must state that the town represents an unmissable stop during a stay in Morocco. However, I wouldn't recommend spending more than a few hours there, the infrastructure being rather limited and the surroundings of little interest. Finally, the arrival of (too) many tourist coaches somewhat spoiled this magnificent historic town for me.

View over Ait ben-Haddou
Travel writer
129 travel articles

This legendary kasbah, made from adobe, is an architectural masterpiece, as well as being perfectly preserved, which explains its designation as a World Heritage Site.

My suggestion:
Try to arrive at the end of the day, a few hours before sunset. The sunlight quietly disappearing behind the palm trees leaves an orange light on the kasbah, which is priceless, it's magnificent!
Summary:

At the foot of the Aït Ben Haddou Kasbah, I had this sudden thought that it resembled an enormous sandcastle. This site, recognised by UNESCO, is a must-see place during a visit to Morocco. In fact, it's a traditional construction dating from the pre-Saharan era, in an excellent state of preservation. I have no doubt at all that the clay town will impress you, just as much as it impressed me.

As it's made from traditional materials from the region, the overall picture is really harmonious. To round off the visit, upon arrival, you're offered the opportunity to cross the river at the foot of the kasbah, but not in just any old way: on the back of a donkey! The residents of Aït Ben Haddou are waiting for you, dressed in their light blue tunics, the colour associated with the people of the desert and South Sahara.

Have a good visit!

View over all of the valley
At the foot of the legendary Kasbah