Ksar Aït Ben Haddou
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The ksar Aït Ben Haddou, a community village, is the jewel of earthen architecture in the Southeast. An impressive masterpiece in harmony with its natural and cultural environment. Built on the side of a hill in the Ounila Valley, this complex of ocher and pink earth stands out with its ramparts and defensive walls reinforced with beautifully decorated towers.
The Ksar Aït Ben Haddou dates back to the 17th century. He played a big role in the Saharan trade. It was an important trading post on the trade route that linked Sudan to Marrakech via the Draa Valley and the Tizi-n’Telouet.
Aït Ben Haddou is always populated. Most of the houses are now art galleries or artisanal shops. The Center for Conservation, Restoration and Rehabilitation of Ksours and Kasbahs in Atlassic and Subatlassic Areas (CERKAS) is making great efforts to rehabilitate the Ksar.
Hafida Zizi
Discover Hafida, a self taught painter besed in the Ksar.
Ksar Aït Ben Haddou sets on a hill with an open view on the Ounila valley.
How to get to Ait Ben Haddou?
From Ouarzazate:
Grand Taxi
If you are not driving your car, the best way is to hire a Grand Taxi. usually, it’s a 30-minute drive as the Ksar is around 30km north Ouarzazate.
Public Bus
You can also take any bus that’s going to Marrakech by national road N9. You need to drop off at Tabouraht village, then take a Taxi or a local minibus to take to Ait Ben Haddou. This might be the cheapest way to Ait Ben Haddou from Ouarzazate, but it also time-consuming.
Tourist Transport
There is a lot of tourist transport agencies that offers a daily trip to Ait Ben Haddou, and other attractions around Ouarzazate.
Duration: 30 to 45 minutes.
From Marrakech:
Tourist transport
Most of the tourists visiting Ait Ben Haddou from Marrakech travel with agencies. After passing Tizi N Tichka, there are two roads to reach Ait Ben Haddou, fist by national road N9, and the second is by Ounila valley. Most drivers chose to go from one and get back from the other.
Grand Taxi
You can hire a Grand Taxi to take you to Ait Ben Haddou. The taxi station is near Bus station Bab Doukkala.
Public Bus
To get to Ait Ben Haddou from Marrakech by Bus, you need to get into the bus going to Ouarzazate, all buses use the N9 road. You have to drop off at Tabouraht village, 30 KM from Ouarzazate, then take a taxi or a small bus to Ait Ben Haddou.
Duration: 4 to 6 hours.
