Ait Benhaddou is a historic city close to Marrakech that is situated along the Ouarzazate River. It is a lovely city in the southeast of Morocco that has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
In this blog post, you will read about this ancient city’s history, its evolution into a tourist attraction destination, and fun places and activities to see and engage in.
Ait Benhaddou is a well-known walled mud city on the edge of the Atlas Mountains, around 30 kilometers from Ouarzazate, the Asif Mellah River which creates an idyllic backdrop at the gates of the ancient town as the town sits proudly on a hill overlooking the desolate surroundings.
At the top of the hill above the fortified old town is a 17th-century fortress, from which you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the area. To get to Ait-Ben-Haddou, which is 180 kilometers southeast of Marrakech, you can either rent a car or take a guided tour.
The trip from Marrakech to Ait-Benhaddou is indeed breathtakingly gorgeous. Your journey will pass across the Tizi n Tichka Pass and over the High Atlas, which in turn has awe-inspiring scenery and a distinct mountain environment, and to cap it all, you will enjoy the lovely exploration of the south of Morocco. And if you enjoy taking photos, take your time snapping great and beautiful pictures filled with bright colors.
Numerous movies were filmed in Ait-Ben-Haddou. These are only a few of the most well-known, which include: Gladiator, Game of Thrones, Asterix and Obelix, Aladdin, Prince of Persia, The Mummie, The Hills Have Eyes II, Alexander, and Laurence of Arabia.
Hiking to the top of the hill is an interesting activity to participate in, walking all the way up the hill just to reach an amazing panoramic viewpoint. On one side, you see a stony desert that stretches into infinity, while the other side gives you an overview of the palm grove that lies at the foot of the city.
It is among the best spots in Morocco to watch the sunset. As you cross the Asif Mellah River while walking around the city, you will get to meet the local people, the Berber people, who are very hospitable to tourists.
You will also come across this huge Kabash, where you have the opportunity to explore some of the old houses from the inside. These houses were built with mud that is as old as the word ancient, but they are still in good condition and have been turned into small museums.
These small museums generally have entrance fees of just one euro and offer a unique look at the lifestyle of people in the past. Ait-Ben-Haddou has no fees associated with the entry. Only certain private museums require a minor admission fee to be paid. You can visit the town at any time, as there are no set hours for opening.
