Aït Ben Haddou
Morocco · Drâa-Tafilalet · 1200 m
Description
Aït Ben Haddou (آيت بن حدّو) is a historic ksar on the edge of the High Atlas in southern Morocco and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The impressive earthen settlement is renowned for its traditional pre-Saharan architecture, with fortified walls, closely packed houses, and distinctive defensive towers. Once situated along an important caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakesh, Aït Ben Haddou is now one of Morocco’s most iconic historic sites. It has also gained international fame as a filming location for numerous movies and television productions, including “Lawrence of Arabia”, “Gladiator”, “The Mummy” and “Game of Thrones”. A climb to the hilltop above the ksar rewards visitors with sweeping views across the Ounila Valley and the foothills of the Atlas Mountains.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 2 days (optimal 1 day)
Travel season
Best time to visit: April – May
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou (UNESCO)
- Hilltop communal granary and panoramic viewpoint
- Earthen architecture and fortified lanes of the ksar
- Ounila River and classic ksar viewpoint
- Film locations of Aït Ben Haddou
- Tizi n'Tichka Pass(Day trip)
- Mosque and public square of the ksar
- Taourirt Kasbah, Ouarzazate(Day trip)
- Atlas Film Studios, Ouarzazate(Day trip)
- Caravanserai of Aït Ben Haddou
- Telouet Kasbah(Day trip)
- Sanctuary of Sidi Ali or Amer
- Tamdaght Kasbah(Day trip)
- Ounila Valley and fortified villages(Day trip)
- Historic Muslim and Jewish cemeteries
- Gardens and cultivated fields along the Ounila River
- Sunset views over Aït Ben Haddou
- Traditional local handicrafts and paintings
Getting there
- Airports:
- OZZ