Ait Benhaddou Kasbah is a historic city close to Marrakech that is situated along the Ouarzazate River. Travelers love visiting this Moroccan UNESCO World Heritage Site. primarily because it is a filming site for the wildly popular HBO series Game of Thrones. Over a thousand years old and still important, the North African Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou is a must-see for anybody visiting Morocco.
How to get to Ait Benhaddou Kasbah?
Join a guided tour
Joining a guided tour is the most straightforward option. You don’t have to bother yourself about any planning when you take a tour, which is a pleasant perk. Even in the Atlas Mountains, you can make a few stops so that you could take some pictures. Take a look at these secured guided tours on Viator:
Rent a car
It’s a great choice to rent a car and drive yourself but take into consideration that driving in Morocco is quite the experience in and of itself. The roads may take you into challenging circumstances, and you must feel secure enough to handle them. The majority of car rental agencies in Morocco demand a security deposit of €800–€1200.
Take a bus
There are two significant transport companies in Morocco, Supratours and CTM. Buses leave from Marrakech and head to Ouarzazate, the closest city to the Kasbah. The bus travel will cost 95 dirhams and last approximately 4,5 hours. Ask the bus driver to let you out at the crossroads before entering Ait Ben Haddou, as this is a crucial first step. 20 kilometers separate here from Ouarzazate.
The distance in a big cab from here to Ait Ben Haddou is 8 kilometers, and the fare is 15 dirhams. If you give them some cash, many locals will offer to drive you around.
For travelers on a budget, this is the most challenging option but also the least expensive.
Bus travel has the drawback of not stopping at the Tizi n’ Tichka pass or the High Atlas Mountains. These landscapes are among Morocco’s top attractions and a photographer’s dream.
When is the best time to visit the Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou?
The ideal time to visit a UNESCO World Heritage site is early in the morning or late in the day, as is customary. The same applies to Ait Ben Haddou since it is a highly well-liked tourist destination in Morocco.
We usually attempt to visit a place during the shoulder season, and thus far we have reaped many rewards from doing so.
What is the weather like in Ait Benhaddou Kasbah?
From November through February: Fewer tourists visit Ait Ben Haddou in the winter, making it an ideal time to enjoy the site without sharing it with anybody else. Bring clothing, since the evenings may be unexpectedly cold.
From March through April and from September through October: Spring is the ideal time to come both for temperature and for scenery. As the weather warms, the vegetation blooms and the landscape becomes green. The same weather conditions will persist throughout the fall.
From June through August: Summer brings scorching temperatures and long, bright days. Wear protective clothing and drink plenty of water to prevent becoming sunburned.
How much time to spend at Ait Benhddou Kasbah?
When visiting Ait Benhaddou as part of a desert vacation, you’ll get a maximum of 3 hours to take in the site. Despite the lack of attractions, it is nevertheless a pleasant place to spend a day and an excellent location from which to see the sunset.
What to do in Ait Benhaddou Kasbah?
There isn’t much to do, as you’ll discover when touring the historic Kasbah. But you will find part of the beauty that this area has to offer as you meander through the tiny streets.
Get in touch with the locals
Engage in meaningful conversation with the Berbers as they demonstrate their regional crafts. Perhaps you’ll even be tempted to purchase a magnificent handcrafted rug.
Hike the Kasbah
You can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic vista by ascending all the way to the top of the hill above the Kasbah. You can see an endless length of the rocky desert on one side, and you can see the palm grove that is located at the base of the settlement on the other.
Enjoy the sunset
One of the greatest sites in Morocco to see the sunset is Ait Benhaddou. You could want to locate a peaceful rooftop or location on the overlook at the end of the day. It is a fantastic site to watch the sunset with such an amazing spectacular view.
Ait Benhaddou Kasbah, home of movies and series
During season three of Game of Thrones, Ait Ben Haddou served as a shooting site for Yunkai. Daenerys Targaryen liberated the slave-trading city of Yunkai from its slave traders. Ait Ben Haddou’s popularity increased thanks to its appearance in Got.
The Mummy, Gladiator, Alexander, and Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time are just a few of the movies that have been filmed here, in addition to HBO’s popular series Got.
Where to stay in Ait Benhaddou Kasbah?
There are several hotels to choose from in the tranquil hamlet that encircles the ancient Kasbah.
Auberge Ksar Ait Ben Haddou: This hotel is close by and provides a beautiful view of the Kasbah. This is one of the better options for a reasonable price and amenities including a swimming pool, restaurant, and free internet.
Riad Tamdakhte: It is always pleasant to stay in a riad when visiting Morocco. This riad’s architecture is classic Moroccan in style, and the terrace offers a stunning view. The hotel’s 4.4-kilometer proximity to the Ksar plus the fact that every room has air conditioning makes it a peaceful place to stay.
Kasbah Tebi: There is no need to search further if you want the entire Ait Ben Haddou experience. This hotel, which is within the Ksar, is incredibly gorgeous. Each room has a private bathroom and is typically designed throughout. On the terrace, you may unwind and take in the surrounding landscape.
To get the most current prices for hotels in Ait Ben Haddou, search here:
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