By air
Ouarzazate (OZZ), ~30 km
Africa · Morocco
Aït Benhaddou, Morocco
A fortified mud-brick village
Getting there
Best time to visit
March to May and September to November — mild
Don't miss
The Ksar of Aït Benhaddou
The Taourirt Kasbah
The Atlas film studios
Things to do
Exploring the ksar
The film studios of Ouarzazate
Where to eat
What to pack
A sun hat
A quieter corner
Sunset from the old granary at the top
Questions travellers ask
What is Aït Benhaddou?
A fortified mud-brick village, the Ksar of Aït Benhaddou. Explore the ksar, then catch the sunset from the old granary at the top.
Which months are mild at Aït Benhaddou?
March to May and September to November. Bring a sun hat.
What else can I see around Aït Benhaddou?
The Taourirt Kasbah and the Atlas film studios of Ouarzazate. Refuel with local tagines.
Is there an airport near Aït Benhaddou?
Yes: Ouarzazate (OZZ), about 30 km away.
About Aït Benhaddou
- Desert
Where it is
Aït Benhaddou is a fortified village, or ksar, in Ouarzazate Province in southern Morocco, rising on a hillside above the Ounila river on the old caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakesh, at the southern foot of the High Atlas.
History
The ksar grew as a stop on the caravan route across the High Atlas, and its clustered earth houses and towered kasbahs were rebuilt over the centuries, with most surviving buildings thought to date from the 17th century or later. As the route lost importance most families moved to the new village across the river, and the ksar became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
People
A few Amazigh families still live inside the ksar, and the new village across the river is home to farmers, craftsmen and people working in tourism. Tashelhit and Arabic are spoken, and many local people have worked as extras in the films shot here.
Known for
- The earthen ksar on its hillside
- Sunset from the old granary at the top
- Film locations such as Gladiator
- The film studios of Ouarzazate
- The Taourirt Kasbah in Ouarzazate
Did you know?
Aït Benhaddou has appeared in many films and series, including Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator and Game of Thrones, in which it stood in for the city of Yunkai.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.