Aït Benhaddou: the ksar from Marrakech

Updated on October 1, 2026

Aït Benhaddou is a ksar, a fortified village built of raw earth, rising on a hill beside the Ounila river about thirty kilometres from Ouarzazate. A stop on the old caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. Its rammed-earth and clay-brick houses, packed behind walls and corner towers, have served as a backdrop for many films. From Marrakech, the visit takes a long day via the Tizi n'Tichka pass.

Highlights

The ksar from the riverbed

From the bed of the Ounila river you see the whole village terraced up the hill, with its towers and walls. The river is crossed by a footbridge completed in 2011, linking the new village to the ksar.

The climb to the old granary

Stepped lanes climb between the houses to the top, where the ruins of the old communal granary stand. The view takes in the valley, the new village and the arid hills around. Wear good shoes: the ground is uneven.

A film set

More than twenty-five major productions have been shot here, including Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Gladiator (2000), Kingdom of Heaven (2005) and the series Game of Thrones. The Atlas Studios in Ouarzazate continue the theme if you spend the night in the area.

Infos pratiques

Tips

Entry to the ksar is free and needs no ticket. A few families still live there: some private houses open to visitors for a small contribution or a purchase, and it is customary to ask before photographing residents. A local guide is not required, but can take you inside houses and explain rammed-earth building. From Marrakech, allow 12 hours for the round trip; to avoid fatigue, stay overnight in Aït Benhaddou or Ouarzazate.

How to get there

About 180 km from Marrakech on the N9 over the Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260 m), or 3 h 30 to 4 h of driving each way, then a short road north from the N9, some thirty kilometres before Ouarzazate. The mountain road is winding and can be disrupted by snow in winter. Most visitors come on an organised tour or with a private driver; a detour to the Telouet kasbah adds about an hour. Without a car, take a coach to Ouarzazate and continue by taxi.