In a nutshell
- Aït-Ben-Haddou is a seriously cool desert town in Morocco and one of the world’s most famous filming locations. Gladiator, The Mummy, and Game of Thrones were all shot here.
- If you’re doing a road trip through Morocco, Aït-Ben-Haddou is a must-stop. It sits right on the route from Marrakech to the Sahara Desert.
- There are some great places to stay around Aït-Ben-Haddou. The top pick among our readers is the Riad Paradise of Silence — a traditional riad with a pool and views of the Ksar.
- If you’re based in Marrakech for a city trip, book a guided desert tour to the Erg Chebbi Desert — these tours always include a stop at Aït-Ben-Haddou. Our pick: 3-Day Desert Tour to Erg Chebbi.
Facts About Aït-Ben-Haddou in Morocco
Aït-Ben-Haddou is a seriously cool Moroccan desert town and one of the most impressive sights in Morocco.
The absolute highlight is the Ksar of Aït-Ben-Haddou, a fortified city that makes up today’s historic center.
What you should know before you go:
- The entire town is built from a mud-straw mixture.
- Since 1987, the Ksar has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Most people in Aït-Ben-Haddou live in the new district, built from the 1960s onward — that’s also where you’ll find most of the accommodations and restaurants.
- The new district and the old quarter are separated by a riverbed. There’s often no water in it, but if there is, bridges and stepping stones get you across.
- The Ksar is a super popular film location — you’ve almost certainly seen it on screen.
Where Is Aït-Ben-Haddou? Overview with Map
Aït-Ben-Haddou is located in the south of Morocco, though it’s still a good distance from the Erg Chegaga desert and the Algerian border.
It sits about 200 kilometers from Marrakech. Head northeast and you’ll reach the high Atlas Mountains — passing through the town of Ouarzazate along the way.
We’ve marked Aït-Ben-Haddou on a map so you get a clear picture of where everything is.
Film Location: Which Movies Were Filmed at Aït-Ben-Haddou?
Here’s a selection of productions that used Aït-Ben-Haddou as a filming location:
- Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
- Jesus of Nazareth (1977)
- The Jewel of the Nile (1985)
- James Bond – The Living Daylights (1987)
- The Mummy (1999)
- Gladiator (2000)
- Alexander (2004)
- Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010)
- Game of Thrones (2012)
More detailed info is available on the filmtourismus website.
Gladiator with Russell Crowe seems to have been an especially big deal here.
We spotted several souvenir shops with photos from the shoot around Aït-Ben-Haddou. You can clearly see that many locals appeared as extras in Gladiator — pretty amazing.
Aït-Ben-Haddou and Game of Thrones
Our personal favorite, though, isn’t a movie but a TV series. In 2012, Game of Thrones was filmed in Aït-Ben-Haddou — how cool is that!
Game of Thrones is a fantasy series built around power struggles, with noble families fighting for the Iron Throne — and supernatural forces thrown into the mix.
The show’s creators didn’t stop at Aït-Ben-Haddou for their Morocco filming. Some scenes were also shot in the port city of Essaouira, which we visited too.
You won’t always recognize Aït-Ben-Haddou at first glance in these productions, because parts were often temporarily built up or altered digitally. We still think it’s super cool!
Aït-Ben-Haddou Admission and Opening Hours
Admission to Aït-Ben-Haddou is free. That’s genuinely great, because prices in Morocco for other attractions can add up quickly.
There are also no set opening hours, so in theory you can wander through Aït-Ben-Haddou at any time.
Just keep in mind that some people still live in the houses. If you’re visiting early in the morning for sunrise, keep the noise down.
Note: We’ve read several times that a 20-dirham entry fee is charged at the main entrance because you walk through a private kasbah. During our off-season visit, that wasn’t the case. If it is when you go, there’s a bridge a bit further north of the main entrance (to Google Maps) where you can enter the Ksar for free.
The Best Aït-Ben-Haddou Sights and Activities
Honestly, there aren’t tons of activities in Aït-Ben-Haddou — and that’s fine. The focus here is on some sightseeing and soaking up the atmosphere.
Walk Through the Ksar
Start with the Ksar, the present-day historic center. A wander through the alleyways of Aït-Ben-Haddou is essentially the thing to do here. The atmosphere in those narrow lanes is genuinely magical.
We’d recommend just letting yourself drift through the town. The Ksar is relatively compact, so you definitely won’t get lost.
Along the way, you’ll pass plenty of shops selling all kinds of souvenirs. Our personal favorite: postcards painted with saffron and tea. Ask an artist to show you how it’s done — seriously worth it.
Aim for the top of Aït-Ben-Haddou first. There’s nothing particularly special up there itself, but the panorama of the surrounding landscape and the new district below is really beautiful.
Back in the alleyways, you’ll find that some residents offer to invite you into their homes. That’s totally normal. If you’re curious, it’s worth accepting — you’ll get a real sense of how people live there today, and maybe even imagine what life here was like centuries ago. Most residents ask for 1 to 2 euros.
Our tip: Try to do your walk through Aït-Ben-Haddou in the morning or afternoon. During the peak season in Morocco, tourist buses arrive around midday and the alleyways get really crowded.
Our restaurant tip: There are no restaurants inside the Ksar. Head to one of the spots by the riverbed with views of the old town, or eat in the new district. We ate at L’etoile Filante D’or — the tagines were absolutely delicious.
First Panoramic Viewpoint Aït-Ben-Haddou
Even better than strolling through the alleyways, in our opinion, is the view of the Ksar from outside. The best vantage point is the Panoramic Viewpoint directly opposite the town (to Google Maps). You can walk there in under five minutes.
The vista is most stunning in the late afternoon or early evening. The light just before sunset is really gorgeous — perfect for a great travel photo on your Morocco trip.
Our tip: On the way to the viewpoint, while still in the Ksar, there’s a stand selling fresh-squeezed orange juice — one of our favorite things to eat and drink in Morocco. Grab a cup, sit down on the hillside, and enjoy the view.
Second Panoramic Viewpoint Aït-Ben-Haddou
And because viewpoints are always a great idea — and in Aït-Ben-Haddou even more so — there’s a second Panoramic Viewpoint (to Google Maps).
You can’t walk to this one, though. Your best bet is to drive there by car. From up here you get another stunning overlook of Aït-Ben-Haddou and the surrounding landscape — really breathtaking.
The Hills Have Eyes Film Set
Attention horror fans: near Aït-Ben-Haddou stands the film set from The Hills Have Eyes.
This is where you’ll find the Gas Haven gas station — where the family stops during their camping trip in the film and where the whole story unfolds. We thought it was absolutely amazing.
We drove out there in the evening, just before sunset. When the sun disappeared behind the mountains, it started to feel a little eerie — especially if you’ve seen the film. That said, for your safety in Morocco, avoid being out on the roads after dark.
Admission costs 1 to 2 euros, and there are other film sets on site too. You can also get a really good look at the gas station for free from the road.
From Aït-Ben-Haddou, it’s about a 25-minute drive south. For us as horror fans, the detour was totally worth it. Just search “The Hills Have Eyes Gas Station” in your GPS.
Aït-Ben-Haddou as Part of Your Road Trip
The best way to experience Aït-Ben-Haddou is as part of a road trip through Morocco. For us, it was a perfect stopover on our way from the highlights of Marrakech to our desert tour in the Erg Chebbi.
You only need about two to three hours in Aït-Ben-Haddou itself, but factoring in the drive from Marrakech, you should set aside a full day.
The advantage of going independently: you can dodge the crowds. Ideally, plan your day so you arrive around 3 PM — by then, most of the tour buses have already headed back.
Afterward, wind down your evening at one of the accommodations in Aït-Ben-Haddou. The new part of town has plenty of good restaurants too.
Where to Go After Your Visit to Aït-Ben-Haddou?
After Aït-Ben-Haddou, we drove to Ouarzazate — about a 30-minute drive. For film fans, there’s another standout here: the Atlas Film Studios, one of the largest film studios in the world.
Beyond the productions already mentioned, scenes from Asterix & Obelix, Cleopatra, Ben-Hur, and the TV series Prison Break were all filmed here. You can visit the studios and walk through the sets.
From Ouarzazate, we continued toward the desert. You can add stops at Kasbah Amridil, the dramatic switchbacks of the Dadès Gorge, and the jaw-dropping Todra Gorge.
For more inspiration, check out our full article with tips for a Morocco road trip.
The Best Aït-Ben-Haddou Hotels
Spending a night in Aït-Ben-Haddou is really worth it — by evening, almost all the day-trippers have left. There’s a small but lovely selection of places to stay.
All hotel recommendations for Aït-Ben-Haddou:
Kasbah Rayane Ait Ben Haddou: Simple, affordable, and genuinely lovely. Has a pool and great views.
Riad Paradise of Silence: A reader favorite. Traditional riad with beautiful attention to detail, a pool, and views of the top of the Ksar.
Ayouze Auberge: Authentic Moroccan design and very welcoming hosts. A bit further out from the center.
Kasbah El Hajja: One of the few places to stay right in the heart of the Ksar. With a touch of luxury.
Important: If you’re only making a day trip to Aït-Ben-Haddou, you’ll of course be staying at your riad in Marrakech.
Getting to Aït-Ben-Haddou and Parking
There are four ways to get to Aït-Ben-Haddou:
- Rental car or your own vehicle
- Shared minivan
- Long-distance bus + taxi
- Guided tour
Getting to Aït-Ben-Haddou by rental car or your own vehicle
We drove directly from Marrakech to Aït-Ben-Haddou by rental car. Driving in Morocco is genuinely pleasant, and the 180 kilometers take about three to four hours.
The route crosses the Tizi n’Tichka Pass through the High Atlas. The scenery is breathtakingly beautiful and constantly changing — you’ll probably stop more than once to take a photo.
In the new district of Aït-Ben-Haddou, there’s a large parking lot (to Google Maps) where you can leave the car. From there, it’s about a five to ten minute walk to the entrance of the Ksar.
We’re not 100% sure whether the parking lot charges a fee. We were in Morocco during Ramadan, and when we arrived in the afternoon, the town was pretty quiet — so we ended up parking for free at a restaurant.
Getting to Aït-Ben-Haddou by shared minivan
If you don’t have a car and don’t want to join a guided tour, you can book a shared minivan from Marrakech with other travelers.
This is the only direct public transport option to Aït-Ben-Haddou. Minivans usually depart early in the morning, and the easiest way to book is through 12Go.
Book a shared minivan through 12Go
Getting to Aït-Ben-Haddou by bus and taxi
There’s also a long-distance bus from Marrakech heading toward Aït-Ben-Haddou — at least as far as Ouarzazate.
That town is still about 30 kilometers from Aït-Ben-Haddou, so you’ll need to arrange a taxi for the last stretch.
The upside over the minivan: buses run multiple times a day from Marrakech. However, because of the taxi ride, it’s not really any cheaper overall.
Book long-distance buses through 12Go
Guided Day Trips from Marrakech to Aït-Ben-Haddou
There are also guided tours from Marrakech to Aït-Ben-Haddou. We’d only recommend these if you’re not planning a road trip during your Morocco trip anyway.
On a day trip from Marrakech to Aït-Ben-Haddou, you’ll set off early in the morning — picked up right in the Medina, which is where you should stay in Marrakech anyway.
You’ll make two or three photo stops along the way. Your first destination isn’t Aït-Ben-Haddou, though, but Ouarzazate — the two are usually sold as a combo tour.
Most tours stop at the Atlas Film Studios in Ouarzazate, which you can visit. Then it’s on to Aït-Ben-Haddou, where you explore the Ksar independently or with a guide.
Day trip from Marrakech to Aït-Ben-Haddou and Ouarzazate
Morocco Desert Tour Including Aït-Ben-Haddou
If you’re thinking about a desert tour in Morocco alongside your Marrakech city trip, here’s something useful to know: most guided desert tours from Marrakech make a longer stop at Aït-Ben-Haddou.
That means you can combine two of Morocco’s top highlights really neatly — whether you’re heading to the Erg Chebbi desert, doing your tour in the Erg Chegaga, or heading to the Zagora desert. Super convenient.
Here are our two recommended desert tours from Marrakech.
3-day desert tour from Marrakech to the Erg Chebbi desert
2-day guided desert tour to the Zagora desert
Our tip: If you’ve never done a desert tour in Morocco before, we’d go with the Erg Chebbi desert — the tours are pretty incredible. For the Erg Chegaga, it’s worth planning independently. You’ll find all the details in our separate articles.
