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Ait Ben Haddou is a breathtaking ancient ksar (a.k.a. a fortified village) that you may recognise from several famous movies and TV shows (more on that below!). In my opinion, it’s a must-see when visiting Morocco, especially if you’re based in Marrakech.
Located about four hours from the bustling streets of Marrakech, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the country’s most iconic landmarks, famed for its mud-brick architecture, cinematic history, and stunning surrounding landscapes.
Many travellers visit it on the way to or from Merzouga (which is what I did), or as a day trip from Marrakech that often includes a stop in Ouarzazate. Whichever option you choose, this guide covers everything you need to know before you go.
I’ll walk you through how to get there, the best things to do, where to stay, and essential travel tips to make your visit smooth and enjoyable. Plus, I’ll highlight some beautiful local hotels that offer an authentic Moroccan experience.
History and Significance of Ait Ben Haddou
The Origins of this UNESCO Site
The roots of Ait Ben Haddou date all the way back to the 11th century, when Morocco’s Almoravid dynasty was in power. They originally built a fortress at Ait Ben Haddou to provide the Berber people with a place to live and defend themselves.
🌎 Fun fact: The Berber people still live in Morocco to this day and are the oldest inhabitants of North Africa, having lived in the region for over 20,000 years.
Connection with the Trans-Saharan Trade Route
Eventually, Ait Ben Haddou became a ksar: a fortified village in North Africa. With its high defensive walls and fortified gate, it offered protection to traders, who were carrying important items like gold, salt, spices, and caravans, which could include 1,000 – 10,000 camels. This provided them with a place to stop off and rest along the trans-Saharan trade routes. Ait Ben Haddou was strategically positioned along the trans-Saharan trade route, a route that ran from Sudan to Marrakech and operated at peak levels between the 8th and 17th centuries.
Establishing the Current-Day Ait Ben Haddou
By the 16th century, Ait Ben Haddou’s use as a trade centre started to decline as other trade routes became more popular. Despite this, the ksar was still home to around 80 families. In the 17th century, the iconic clay, straw, and mud houses were constructed. The fact that these buildings are still standing is a testament to the ingenuity of the Moroccan people in using the materials that make up their land to construct architecturally sound buildings.
The country was struck by a 6.8 magnitude earthquake in September 2023, and I visited Ait Ben Haddou ten months after this. To my surprise, the only building that was properly damaged was the storehouse at the top of the hill. This just goes to show how well-built Ait Ben Haddou is.
Ait Ben Haddou’s Tourism Boom
In 1987, Ait Ben Haddou was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many of the inhabitants moved across the Ounila River to set up accommodation for the influx of tourists. However, there are a handful of families that remain and still live in Ait Ben Haddou to this day.
When you visit Ait Ben Haddou, remember it is largely unchanged from how it was 300 years ago. So as you wander through the streets, you are essentially walking through centuries of history and along the same paths that traders and caravans once roamed. To me, that’s a mind-blowing thought and makes a visit there that much more interesting!
Ait Ben Haddou Film Location Guide: Movies Filmed Here
A major part of the reason that Ait Ben Haddou has become such a popular tourist site is that it has been featured in many famous movies and TV shows.
🏰 Fun fact: The gate in front of Ait Ben Haddou was actually constructed for the Gladiator film and left behind afterwards.
Popular movies and TV shows filmed at Ait Ben Haddou
- Lawrence of Arabia (1962) – Many scenes were filmed at Ait Ben Haddou.
- The Jewel of the Nile (1985) – The scene where the main characters try to escape in an F-16 fighter jet was filmed at Ait Ben Haddou.
- The Mummy (1999) – Ait Ben Haddou was used as an Egyptian town in the movie.
- Gladiator (2000) – The African city of Zucchabar was filmed at Ait Ben Haddou.
- Game of Thrones (2012) – All scenes filmed at the yellow city, Yunkai, were shot at Ait Ben Haddou. Most notably, in season three episode ten, when Daenerys Targaryen arrived at the gates of Yunkai (a.k.a Ait Ben Haddou) to take over the city and free the slaves.
Avoid the Ait Ben Haddou Entrance Fee: Travel Hack!
Visiting Ait Ben Haddou is free, but at times, people near the main entrance may try to charge tourists an unofficial fee. To avoid this, go to the right of the Gladiator gate, and you’ll find an alternative path into Ait Ben Haddou. Using this route will allow you to enter without being asked for an entrance fee.
Top Things to Do in Ait Ben Haddou
Explore the Streets in Ait Ben Haddou
Since Ait Ben Haddou is a small village, it only takes about an hour to wander around. However, chances are you’re probably only going to visit Ait Ben Haddou once, so really take your time to explore.
You could easily spend more time here, as the village is filled with local souvenir shops, cafes, restaurants, and a variety of museums, including art galleries, history museums, and even museums dedicated to the Gladiator film.
Ait Ben Haddou has also remained largely unchanged for centuries, so you can really imagine what it used to be like when it was a stop on the old caravan route from Marrakech to the Sahara Desert.
It’s also worth mentioning that Ait Ben Haddou is built into a hill, so be prepared for a lot of steps! You’ll probably want to take several breaks and remember to pack bottles of water, especially if you’re visiting in summer when the temperatures are 40-50°C (~105-120°F for my American friends!).
Have a Refreshment in a Cafe Overlooking Ait Ben Haddou
There are a couple of cafes in Ait Ben Haddou that have outdoor seating areas and terraces with incredible views over the village. These are nice to stop off for a refreshment. But be prepared to pay through the nose to sit in these cafes. For one bottle of water, it was 25 dirhams (~£2) – this was about five times the price of what you will pay in Marrakech.
Go On a Horse Riding Tour at Sunset Around Ait Ben Haddou
If you want to explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site in a completely unique way. Then you can spend an hour going on a Horse Riding Adventure in Ait Ben Haddou. This experience is sure to make your trip unforgettable!
A knowledgeable guide will help you navigate Ait Ben Haddou and the valley it sits in, Ounila Valley, on horseback, while sharing the rich history and culture of the area. What makes this activity even more special is that it takes place at sunset!
Climb to The Top of The Hill For Incredible Views Over Ait Ben Haddou
One of the best things to do is climb to the top of the hill that Ait Ben Haddou is situated on. It’s quite a steep climb to the top, which can be exhausting in summer when the sun is beating down. However, you’ll be rewarded with views for miles over the surrounding landscape. It’s also a really popular place to watch the sunset over the village.
You’ll see from the picture above that there is a small building at the top of the hill. This was previously used as a Granary (a.k.a. storehouse). Unfortunately, this was badly damaged by the 6.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Morocco in September 2023.
Stay in a Kasbah in Ait Ben Haddou For an Unforgettable Experience
Most accommodation in the area is actually located across the river from Ait Ben Haddou. However, there are a couple of hotels that are actually situated within the UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of which is Kasbah Tebi. This highly-rated accommodation is a bit pricier than other hotels in the area, but it’s so worth it!
By staying here, you’ll get to experience staying in an old kasbah in Ait Ben Haddou with very little electricity and lit mostly by candlelight. It offers you a unique insight into how locals used to live in the village.
I think it sounds absolutely magical, and I’m kind of gutted that I didn’t stay there! Guess I’ll just need to go back!! Another highly-rated hotel located in Ait Ben Haddou that would give you a similar authentic experience is Kasbah El Hajja.
Watch the Sunrise or Sunset Over Ait Ben Haddou
One of the most magical and unforgettable things to do when staying overnight is watching the sun rise and set over Ait Ben Haddou and the Ounila Valley. The best time for seeing the most vibrant sunrises and sunsets is in winter due to the fresher air. The river in front of the UNESCO site should also be flowing more then.
After talking to locals at my hotel, I also found out that Ait Ben Haddou offers some out-of-this-world stargazing in winter due to having minimal light pollution. So it’s an all-around great time to visit. However, the low temperatures in the winter months can make driving a bit more challenging.
That being said, it really doesn’t matter too much when you visit. I visited in summer and although the stargazing wasn’t that great, the sunrises and sunsets were still amazing – definitely worth setting my alarm a little earlier in the morning!
How to Get to Ait Ben Haddou from Marrakech
Marrakech to Ait Benhaddou Tour
For those who have a busy job/life and can only take limited time off work to travel, booking a tour is a great option – it’s honestly changed the way I travel.
Booking a tour through a reliable company will save you so much time in planning. They are usually reasonably priced for what is included, allow you to see the things you want to, and they are well organised. Plus, if you are a solo traveller, it’s a great way to meet people!
To visit Ait Benhaddou, you can take a day trip from Marrakech to Ait Ben Haddou, which is a good way to fit the UNESCO World Heritage site into a short itinerary, or a 3-Day Merzouga and Sahara Desert Tour is perfect for those with a longer itinerary. Try and incorporate a tour in your next travel itinerary, trust me, you’ll be forever converted!
Driving from Marrakech to Ait Benhaddou
If you feel comfortable driving in Morocco, then hiring a car in Marrakech and driving to Ait Benhaddou is one of the best options. Driving gives you so much freedom to explore a country and experience a more authentic version of it.
This way, you can also stop off wherever you like along the way. You can also visit other areas in the region, including Fint Oasis or Ouarzazate, or if you’re looking for a full-blown adventure, go on a road trip through Morocco from Marrakech to Merzouga, stopping off at Ait Ben Haddou and Todra Gorge. The latter is exactly what I did, and I absolutely loved it – in fact, driving was one of the highlights of my full trip!
According to Google Maps, driving from Marrakech to Ait Benhaddou is only supposed to take just over three hours. I found that driving in Morocco usually takes much longer than stated on Google Maps due to numerous factors, from stopping off to see the sights to getting stuck behind a slow vehicle in a no overtaking zone.
Marrakech to Ait Benhaddou Bus
One thing I noticed when I was planning my own Morocco itinerary was that the public transport wasn’t that great, especially for the route that I wanted to take from Marrakech to Merzouga.
Don’t get me wrong, there are buses between the bigger cities, but if you want to visit anywhere that was a bit off the beaten track, like Dades Valley or Todra Gorge, it becomes increasingly difficult to do so using public transport.
Taking the bus is the cheapest way, but definitely not the easiest. Navigating the windy roads in the Atlas Mountains on a bus might not be the most comfortable experience. Plus, you’ll not be able to stop off at any viewpoints or sights along the way. However, it’s a good option if you’re on a budget!
Taking this option to Ait Benhaddou means you’ll need to get a bus from Marrakech to Ouarzazate. From there, you’ll need to take a taxi the rest of the way to Ait Benhaddou.
The two bus companies that go to Ouarzazate are:
- Supratours: Supratours travels to Ouarzazate four times per day between 8am to 3.30pm. It costs about 100 dirhams one-way (about £8/€9).
- CTM: CTM travels to Ouarzazate five times per day between 12.30am and 4.15pm. It costs 95 dirhams one-way (about £7/€8).
🚌 Top Tip: If you plan on doing a day trip using public transport, I’d suggest getting an early morning bus from Marrakech to Ouarzazate and then an evening bus back to Marrakech to really make your trip worth it.
Some tips for taking the bus from Marrakech to Ait Benhaddou:
- You can only buy your tickets online using a Moroccan credit card. Otherwise, you’ll need to buy your tickets in advance from the Supratours and CTM bus company terminals next to the Marrakech train station.
- As you are getting on the bus, make sure to inform the driver that you are planning on going to Ait Benhaddou, and they should then drop you off at the crossroads 19km from Ouarzazate. From here, there are taxis that can take you to Ait Benhaddou.
- Don’t plan your journey to arrive in Ouarzazate at night for safety reasons.
- Make sure you have a Moroccan SIM in case you need to phone a taxi or contact someone. Using data on your home SIM might cost you £££. If you want to sort your Moroccan SIM card before you get there, get a Yesim international electronic SIM. Their eSIM offers a stable internet connection in 150+ countries worldwide, and it’s pay-as-you-go. It also means you don’t have to fiddle about trying to physically swap your SIM cards over and praying you don’t lose your original one. You simply have to select the country you are in, and it’ll all be sorted electronically.
Marrakech to Ait Benhaddou Taxi
If you don’t fancy driving or going on a busy tour or public bus, then your only option will be getting a private taxi or driver from Marrakech to Ait Benhaddou. This is obviously the most expensive option on the list. A private transfer from Marrakech to Ait Benhaddou typically costs about £70 one-way.
If you aren’t planning on staying overnight in Ait Benhaddou, then you could book a private tour of Ait Benhaddou and Ouarzazate. At least then you’ve got both transfers to and from Marrakech included, and you’ll also get a tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site from a knowledgeable guide. The beauty of this option is that you can get your driver to stop off at any tourist sights or viewpoints along the way.
Should You Visit Ait Ben Haddou on a Day Trip or Stay Overnight?
Pros/Cons of taking a Day Trip from Marrakech
Pros:
- If you don’t have long in Morocco, then a day trip from Marrakech to Ait Ben Haddou is a good way to fit the UNESCO World Heritage site into your itinerary.
- If you aren’t planning on driving in Morocco, then going on a day trip with a tour company is probably your best option, as Ait Ben Haddou can be difficult to get to otherwise. This 3-Day Merzouga and Sahara Desert Tour is perfect for those with a bit more available time – allowing you to visit both Ait Ben Haddou and the Sahara Desert.
- There’s not much to do in Ait Ben Haddou. So, a quick day trip would be more than sufficient to see all that you need to!
Cons:
- Multiple tour buses visit at similar times, so it can get very busy.
- Ait Ben Haddou is located over three hours’ drive away from Marrakech. This means if you take a day trip from Marrakech, you’ll be sitting in a car for over six hours, which can be a bit exhausting for some.
Pros/Cons of Staying Overnight
Pros:
- By staying overnight in Ait Ben Haddou, you get to explore Ait Ben Haddou at your own pace with no time constraints.
- If you actually stay within Ait Ben Haddou and not across the river from it, you will get a very unique and authentic local experience.
- If you have a view of Ait Ben Haddou from your accommodation, then you can watch the stars, sunrise, or sunset over Ait Ben Haddou. A magical experience, especially in winter!
- You get to explore Ait Ben Haddou when it’s quiet and all the tour buses have left – it can feel like you have it to yourself!
- Accommodation is pretty reasonably priced in Ait Ben Haddou.
Cons:
- This side of the river, directly across from Ait Ben Haddou, has been mostly built up to provide accommodation for tourists wanting to visit the UNESCO World Heritage site. So, there isn’t much to do other than visit Ait Ben Haddou, which doesn’t take long. Therefore, I would suggest only staying for one night.
Where to Stay Near Ait Ben Haddou: Hotels and Riads
Most accommodation in Ait Ben Haddou isn’t actually located within the walls of the old village. Instead, the accommodation tends to be located over the river, giving it a good vantage point over the old village.
When I visited Ait Ben Haddou, I stayed at La Fibule D’or. I have no complaints about this hotel. It was decent for what I needed it to be – a place to rest my head after a long driving day. At only £31 per night with city tax included and breakfast included, I thought it was very reasonably priced. It also had a lovely balcony, which I think was its best feature, as it offered one of the best views over Ait Ben Haddou. A perfect place to do some stargazing and watch the sun set or rise.
Other great choices for reasonably priced accommodation around Ait Ben Haddou include Riad Tamdakhte, a good all-round option, and Kasbah Rayane Ait Ben Haddou, perfect for those looking for a quieter location. For those in need of a hotel with a pool, understandable in those 40-degree Moroccan summers, then Dar Mouna La Source is a good choice, but a little bit more expensive.
But here’s what I would really recommend… There are a couple of hotels actually located in the old village of Ait Ben Haddou, one of which is Kasbah Tebi. This highly-rated accommodation is a bit pricier, but it offers you a unique experience of living like a local in the old village. With little electricity, the village relies mostly on candlelight. I think it sounds absolutely magical, and I’m kind of gutted that I didn’t stay there! Another highly-rated hotel located in Ait Ben Haddou is Kasbah El Hajja.
The Five Highest-Rated Ait Ben Haddou Restaurants
- Auberge Azaddou Tamlalte: Cheap and cheerful. Serves up authentic Moroccan cuisine with a nice view overlooking Ait Ben Haddou.
- Restaurant Kasbah Valentine: Another restaurant serving up delicious Moroccan food, with people raving in the reviews about their tagine and couscous.
- Restaurant Zaytoune: A hidden gem of a place with vegetarian options. It’s well-priced, the service is great, and it has amazing tagine!
- TANMIRT: This restaurant offers both Moroccan and international dishes. Everything tastes really fresh and is well-presented.
- La Terrazza: Highly-rated Italian restaurant with incredible pasta and pizza, overlooking Ait Ben Haddou.
Best Time to Visit Ait Ben Haddou
The best time to visit Ait Ben Haddou is from December to February. The locals who worked at our accommodation said that at this time of the year, the sky is clearer, so the sunrises and sunsets are incredible, and the night sky is a blanket of stars. It will also be quieter at this time of year.
The only thing is that the temperatures can drop to three degrees Celsius in Ait Ben Haddou during winter. This can make the roads a bit more dangerous to drive on due to the possibility of snow and ice.
I wouldn’t recommend visiting in the height of summer. I visited in mid-July, and the temperatures were around 40-50 degrees Celsius. It was almost too warm to walk around at times.
Because of the heat, everything dried out, and the river in front of Ait Ben Haddou stopped flowing. The sky was also constantly hazy, which meant the sunrise and sunset weren’t as spectacular as they could’ve been.
Exploring the Surroundings of Ait Ben Haddou
Just a 35-minute drive from Ait Ben Haddou is the Moroccan town of Ouarzazate. It’s home to several famous film studios. Beyond its cinematic appeal, Ouarzazate also offers stunning kasbahs and surprisingly modern streets. If you’re visiting Ait Ben Haddou, it’s a natural stop-off along the way and gives you an extra glimpse into authentic Moroccan culture.
Is Ait Ben Haddou Worth Visiting?
Absolutely! Even if you’re only in Marrakech for a few days, a day trip to Ait Ben Haddou is a must! This UNESCO-listed village showcases Morocco’s rich culture and preserves its history in remarkable detail. It’s a refreshing change of scenery from the hustle and bustle of Marrakech!
Tips for Visiting Ait Ben Haddou, Morocco
- Go early or late in the day: Visit early morning or around sunset to avoid the midday heat and crowds. The lighting is also perfect for photos.
- Wear comfortable shoes: The paths through the ksar (fortified village) are steep and uneven, so sturdy footwear is essential.
- Bring cash: Local guide tips or restaurants often require cash, as cards aren’t widely accepted. I’m sure when I visited, there was only one ATM. In case it’s out of order, make sure you withdraw cash in a larger city and take it with you to Ait Ben Haddou.
- Hire a (reliable) local guide: A short guided tour gives you insight into Ait Ben Haddou’s history, Berber culture, and hidden spots most visitors miss. Tours from Marrakech usually include these.
- Stay overnight if you can: Watching the sunset or sunrise over the ksar is unforgettable and worth the extra time. In my opinion, one overnight stay is plenty!
- Pack for the weather: Days can be hot and dry, but temperatures drop quickly at night, especially in winter. So, pack a jumper or jacket to make you more comfortable.
- Respect local customs: This is a traditional Berber community, so dress modestly and be considerate when taking photos.
- Combine your visit with nearby attractions: Ait Ben Haddou pairs perfectly with a stop in Ouarzazate.
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Kirsty x
