Ben Youssef Madrasa
Ben Youssef Madrasa
4.5
Historic SitesPoints of Interest & LandmarksArchitectural BuildingsEducational sites
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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More than 3 hours
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  • Jamie Marie
    39 contributions
    Every detail is magnificent
    This place is something! We were lucky enough to visit this place. The site is abundant with art, architecture, wood carvings, and cement carvings. Every detail in the building was just magnificent. Everything was inspiring. The place was clean and well-maintained.
    Visited January 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written January 7, 2023
  • Frances B
    Yorkshire, United Kingdom879 contributions
    Wonderful architecture
    The Ben Youssef Madrasa in my opinion is definitely worth a visit, if only to view the amazing architecture and the intricate craftsmanship on show. It wasn’t very busy when I visited. The building dates back hundreds of years and it’s original purpose was as an Islamic college, teaching the 900 students living there the teachings of the Quran. There are some wonderful photography opportunities. While I was wandering around I was approached by an older gentleman who identified himself as an Imam and told me he had worked at the school for over 40 years. He was very knowledgeable and took me on a brief tour of the building. I learned and saw so much more as a result of meeting him. On the conclusion of the ‘tour’ he asked for some money and a small donation was duly provided.
    Visited November 2022
    Traveled solo
    Written January 9, 2023
  • Almeria2000
    Almeria, Spain404 contributions
    Beautiful architecture and stunning tilework!
    50dh (approx €5) entry to the now reconstructed largest and most important Islamic school in Morocco. There are guides, but I do not know how much they charge. The school was built for 900 students who specialized in religious studies, law and theology. It is interesting to see their cells/rooms, which range in size, decor and outlook.
    Visited January 2023
    Written January 10, 2023
  • fufaita
    Zaragoza, Spain234 contributions
    A must visit
    The best visit in Marrakech. The wonderful art of the main area and the multiple rooms for students make you really feel part of it. Unfortunately, there are no explanations at all unless you hire a guide that's waiting at the entrance.
    Visited February 2023
    Written February 6, 2023
  • Julie W
    San Francisco, California8 contributions
    Beautiful madrasa
    Beautiful Islamic architecture— cool to peek into the historic bathrooms and dormitories. We went early at opening at 9 am so it was not crowded at all. My main regret is not getting a tour guide to teach us more about the history of the madrasa and all the rooms we were walking through (embarrassingly, it took us a minute to figure out it was all dorm rooms!). I would definitely go back and have a tour guide teach me some more about its history.
    Visited February 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written February 27, 2023
  • mariarpms
    Lisbon, Portugal37 contributions
    Beautiful place!
    Beautiful quarters, very curious (super small!) chambers, splendid architecture! Really enjoyed this visit. My husband and I spent a day and a half in Marrakech and I was so glad we didn’t miss this place! We took some really memorable pitures :)
    Visited February 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 12, 2023
  • LexiV
    Cleveland, Ohio907 contributions
    Beautiful Architecture at Historic Islamic School
    This place is absolutely gorgeous, and there is a lot to explore. It is a bit busy, and I found it difficult to locate (it's called Ibn Youssef School on Google maps). When you get close, there are helpful signs. It's roughly a 10 minute walk from Jemaa el-Fnaa. I would highly recommend it. There are even some seats in the beautiful courtyard, which were especially welcome after walking all day.
    Visited February 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written March 27, 2023
  • Ariyya
    314 contributions
    Stunning!
    If you visit only one historical site in Marrakech, let it be this one. The building is beyond beautiful with intricate work done on the tiles, plaster, wood, etc. It's a feast for the eyes no matter where one looks, especially considering it just opened after renovations. Highly recommended! Go early to avoid the crowds.
    Visited February 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written March 30, 2023
  • Chuck1420
    55 contributions
    Wonderful Madrasa, well worth a visit.
    Although not that easy to find for those staying elsewhere, and clearly on the tourist trail, the Madrasa was well worth a visit. The architecture and scale are impressive; look at the detail! Beware of locals telling you it isn't open, to entice you elsewhere. Walking through the souks to Fnaa Square afterwards was easy.
    Visited March 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written April 5, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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Jason JG
Tucson, AZ7 contributions
Sep 2022 • Solo
This is supposedly an ancient madrasa but it is clearly contemporarily renovated. That does not mean it is not authentic. On the contrary, I mean it is taken good care of by the gov. The style is stunningly lavish and exquisite. The only thing I feel a little bit frustrating is the ticket price. It could be lower, such as 30-40 MAD instead of 50 MAD, because place is rather small and not that intensive from a traveller’s point of view.
Written September 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

saul g
Tel Aviv, Israel1,247 contributions
May 2022
On of the most important historical buildings in Marrakech.
The first Madrasa on this site was built in the mid 14th Cent. The current building was completed 200 years later. The Ben Youssef(Bin Yusuf/Ibn Yusuf) is considered to be the largest teaching/learning institute in North Africa . It was closed as a college in 1960 , and reopened as a historical site in 1982 .
We have found this building to be one the most stunning , and beautifully preserved buildings we have visited during our 14 days tour of Morocco .
Definitely a must see when in Marrakech .
Bring your cameras !!!
Written May 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

HINA W
Islamabad, Pakistan6,566 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
This 12th century Islamic School was built by the Almoravids. It is named after the son of Youssef Ben Tachfine, the founder of Marrakech. It was a fully functioning school till the 19th century. It suffered neglect during the French Protectorate. It was restored by the Omar Benjelloun Foundation. You can see the photos of disrepair and restoration in this building. You can also see lovely stucco, zellij mosaic, woodwork and marble inlay here. The contrast between the exquisite main hall and the bare student dormitories is worth seeing.
Written January 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Frank D
Slidell, LA1,318 contributions
May 2022
It's fascinating to go through this school and see where so many students have passed. It seems ironic that in the midst of the luxurious decor of this edifice the student cells are so small and sparse - monastic. As seems usual in the old buildings of Morocco, the craftsmanship and exquisite detail are wonderful to behold.

The sumptuously decorated Medersa of Ben Youssef is one of the finest examples of Saadian era artistry in Morocco. This theological college (completed in 1565), directly opposite the Ali Ben Youssef Mosque, once homed 900 students and was the largest center for Quranic study in the country.
Written June 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Almeria2000
Almeria, Spain404 contributions
Jan 2023
50dh (approx €5) entry to the now reconstructed largest and most important Islamic school in Morocco. There are guides, but I do not know how much they charge.

The school was built for 900 students who specialized in religious studies, law and theology. It is interesting to see their cells/rooms, which range in size, decor and outlook.
Written January 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Frances B
Yorkshire, UK879 contributions
Nov 2022 • Solo
The Ben Youssef Madrasa in my opinion is definitely worth a visit, if only to view the amazing architecture and the intricate craftsmanship on show.
It wasn’t very busy when I visited. The building dates back hundreds of years and it’s original purpose was as an Islamic college, teaching the 900 students living there the teachings of the Quran.
There are some wonderful photography opportunities.
While I was wandering around I was approached by an older gentleman who identified himself as an Imam and told me he had worked at the school for over 40 years. He was very knowledgeable and took me on a brief tour of the building. I learned and saw so much more as a result of meeting him. On the conclusion of the ‘tour’ he asked for some money and a small donation was duly provided.
Written January 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

billialesi
Derbyshire, UK13 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
Breathtaking detail, truly stunning, looked after. We wanted to beat the crowds so arrived just after 9am and it was worth it. The August heat wasn’t a problem at this time, and the picture opportunities were perfect. It doesn’t take long to look around the whole place, but it is interesting and only cost 50 dirhams per person, definitely worth it.
Written August 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rob
London, UK358 contributions
Nov 2022 • Friends
This is definitely the most beautiful college I’ve seen. It has a very nice art style that rivals other places around Marrakech. It does get somewhat repetitive though and certain rooms are small and dark, not for viewing. It’s a nice short exploration anyway.
Written November 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

victorcyho
Toronto, Canada651 contributions
Nov 2022 • Friends
It is beautiful to look at. You enter and you walk into this huge courtyard, with different tiles and pattern, you look around and am in awe.

You go up stairs and see 1 dorm, wow, and then another of the same pattern. Ok... and rinse and repeat.

Also, the full place has no history, nothing to read, or learn, and how most of the building has been re built from the ground up, so theres not much original history anymore.
Written November 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

fufaita
Zaragoza, Spain234 contributions
Feb 2023
The best visit in Marrakech. The wonderful art of the main area and the multiple rooms for students make you really feel part of it. Unfortunately, there are no explanations at all unless you hire a guide that's waiting at the entrance.
Written February 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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