Ait Ben Haddou, ancient fortified city in Morocco
July 4, 2016We went to Ait Ben Haddou, a tour we bought at the hotel (see here the types of tours and values), I think we paid a 40 EUR per person, The tour lasts all day from 8am to 22h, because the city is far from Marrakesh (We will tell in another post), where we were staying, the tour also visits the Atlas Mountains and the city of Ouarzazate (We will tell in another post).
Things to Do in Ait Ben Haddou and what are the main attractions of Ait Ben Haddou.
In the Atlas mountains the tour stops in some lookouts with lovely views.
Aït Benhaddou is a fortified Arab town, located in Morocco, the old caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakesh.
The city is on the hill of the High Atlas foothills, the river Ounila, which according to the tour guide following the river mouth to reach Mauritania and flows into the Atlantic ocean.
founded in 757, It consists of a group of several small forts / houses, or Casbas, getting to have ten meters high each.
Most city dwellers now live in a more modern village (because in the old town has no electricity nor running water or well water, because old wells are with salt water), across the river, but some families still live in the old city, we visited one of these houses.
To enter the house the key is pretty funny because it looks like a hair comb, each end of the key is a person who lives in the house.
There were several rooms and even raised sheep in a part of the house, this house had solar plate light.
There were filmed several famous films, including Game of Thrones, Indiana Jones, Lawrence of Arabia, The Mummy, Gladiator, Alexander and Prince of Persia, among many others. The town began as the home of a family only, however the town grew to its current size. The tomb of its founder, Ben-Haddou is on the hill of the base, behind the village.
The Arab old city is beautiful, an incredible landscape, one of the most beautiful we have ever visited, much worth knowing the local.
The tour includes a lunch in the modern city across the river, and has a view of the beautiful old town.
The whole city has color ocher or clay, Ait Ben Haddou is a fantastic set of buildings that clearly show the construction techniques of this region of southern Morocco.
Ait Ben Haddou was deemed a UNESCO World Heritage in 1987.
The tour guide speaks both English, as Spanish.
We climbed to the top of the city, where I had of ancient palace.
Many people find that the pictures of Ait Ben Haddou are Ouarzazate, even if you search on Google Ouarzazate photos that will appear are Ait Ben Haddou.
This was one of the best tours we've ever done, super recommend.
Well this interesting city, I had never heard. I love these monochrome cities, I think much represent a region. Good tips
In Morocco we diferentas beauty of what we are used.
I really liked to meet with you Ait Ben Haddou, it seems like a movie scene, neither? Morocco is on our list! 🙂
You have to know, even more for being a cheap country to travel.
I did not know it was UNESCO World Heritage! too I found this place in Morocco!
Sim, It is a lovely place.
I loved this tip about Ait Ben Haddou. Another wonderful place to meet in Morocco
Going to Morocco does not fail to meet Ait Ben Haddou
I had never heard of Ait Ben Haddou, Morocco, but it seemed an amazing tour. movie set even!
It is little known, but worth a visit
Glad you mentioned movies, because I was curious thinking I knew the place of something that saw on TV, and it was probably some of these films.
Sim. A city known for TV.
Congratulations for the photos of this ancient city! In a unique sensitivity
Thank you
ah… how beautiful… we did this tour of Ait Ben Haddou in Morocco and love. It really is a very different place and its history related to very curious film production.
Tb loved the Arab town
Looking at the photos and reading his account, I wondered how our capitalist society differs from these places. Thanks for sharing the experience.
Thank you for the words.
Still I had not heard about this city, but I really wanted to know Morocco, and just include it in the list of places I want to know.
Morocco worth a visit.