The Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou is a fortified village in Ouarzazate Province, in southern Morocco. Its cluster of traditional earthen clay buildings rises above the Ounila River valley, and it is one of the country's best-known heritage sites, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What to expect
The village is built in the traditional Saharan style, with mud-brick and clay houses, towers and walls that have been shaped by the local climate and landscape. Walking through its narrow lanes and up toward the upper granaries gives a clear sense of how a fortified settlement like this was once organised and lived in.
- Traditional earthen clay architecture across the whole village
- Views over the surrounding river valley and desert landscape
- A setting that has appeared in many films set in ancient times, so it may look familiar to some visitors
Planning your visit
Ait Ben Haddou is best approached as a half-day or longer stop rather than a quick photograph. Good walking shoes are useful, as the paths are uneven. The village sits within reach of Ouarzazate, a town that makes a convenient base for exploring the wider region, and the landscapes along the route through the High Atlas foothills are part of the appeal of the journey itself.
For practical details, the site can be reached at Ait Ben Haddou 45000, Morocco, and can be contacted by telephone on +212 524-883116.
