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Ait Ben Haddou is an absolute must-see when visiting Marrakech! It can be tricky working out how to get from Marrakech to Ait Ben Haddou, but whichever way you decide to take - it will all be worth it when you set your eyes on this incredible village.
Many people choose to do a day trip to Ait Ben Haddou from Marrakech. Instead, I chose to stay overnight to be able to really get the most out of my visit. Although it doesn't take long to explore, there are some additional things that you can do to make your trip absolutely unforgettable!
This post covers What To Do in Ait Ben Haddou.
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Ait Ben Haddou Entrance Fee
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.
What 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 packed 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 degrees Celsius!
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 and memorable 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 below, 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.
Surprisingly, the houses in Ait Ben Haddou, which are constructed from clay and mud, managed to withstand the force of the earthquake – a true testament to the architectural ingenuity of the Moroccan people!
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 more pricey 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 crisper and clearer air. The river in front of the UNESCO site should also be flowing more then too. So you can be sure to capture some insta-worthy photos!
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 round 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!
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