Ait Benhaddou is an ighrem (fortified village in English) , along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech in present-day Morocco.
Most citizens attracted by the tourist trade live in more modern dwellings in a village on the other side of the river, although there are four families still living in the ancient village. Inside the walls of the ksar are half a dozen (Kasbahs) or merchants houses and other individual dwellings, and is a great example of Moroccan earthen clay architecture. Ait Benhaddou has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
Access : Coordinates : 31.047222, -7.128889 / Ait Benhaddou is accessible from Ouarzazate and Marrakesh / Buses: do not ply direct to Ait Benhaddou but can drop you off at the turn off about 7 km away from where you will have to find a lift.
Taxi: It will be better to arrange a private hire of a taxi for the trip. At daytime, grand taxis are always waiting at the crossing. A seat costs 9 dirhams to which they might add for luggage. The cost for the whole taxi will be 60 dirhams.
Car: The best way to get to Ait Benhaddou is renting a car from Marrakech. Ait Benhaddou is 9 km off the main Tizi n Tichka road, which links Ouarzazate to Marrakech. Coming from Ouarzazate, turn to the right after about 18 km from the town. It’s quite a scenic drive to Ait Benhaddou. On the way into town there is a slight turn to the right, which is a popular spot for great views over the town and the Kasbah.
From Marrakesh it will be a full day trip and the best advice is to organize a private tour if you do not have much time. Overnighting in Ait Benhaddou is recommendable as you get to see the Ksar in different lighting conditions. It looks very different in the morning when sun rises or when the sun is just setting.
Go next : Ouarzazate : a city in Morocco and the largest town in the Saharan Morocco.
