The place is incredible but too touristic. The old town is full of shops screwing completely the atmosphere with carpets and souvenirs everywhere. Do pay attention to the companies who do a day trip to Ait-Ben-Haddou. You think you have paid everything but you will be surprised when a guide comes in halfway and say you have to pay more 30 /pp. He takes you to a "free" tea-break where they try to sell carpets. You stop in a shop for toilets and they ask for tip. They take you to a restaurant where they have their "contacts" and you do not have other options. The restaurant is too expensive and rude service (I paid a London price for a beer). It wasn't a pleasure trip.

We visit Ait Ben Haddou with a local guide arranged by our tour company on a Saturday in March 2022. He led us through the original back streets to get a feel for the town's history. Then we got pictures on a balcony with a full view of the Ksar's skyline. There was a co-op rug vendor who told us more history. We then crossed the river on sunken sandbags, very stable, and walked through some grassy areas. Before ascending to the Ksar's main gate, we stopped at an artist's stand and all bought canvas pieces. He made them by lighting certain paint on fire, so cool! The canvases rolled up in our knapsacks. Once you get in the ksar, you go past the arena used in Gladiator and Game of Thrones filming. Our guide told us about being an extra in multiple filming projects. There are photos and production lists in a few different places. Then, we started going up steps. It can get a bit steep, and one of my friends had to take breaks. The view at the watchtower top, past the buildings, is fabulous and very windy. It takes maybe 10-15 minutes to ascend. Unless you stop for breaks or to shop at various vendors. Lots of jewelry, some rugs, and more paintings. We took the newer, modern bridge to cross back over to the city. Would definitely visit again. There were ancient synagogues and more filming locations to explore. You can even stay at a riad in the ksar. A few families still remain, but not many.

Do not pay the aggressive men at the entrance door the 20MAD entrance fee, entry is actually free and it’s a UNESCO site. Simply walk away and use the other entrance around by the Gladiator cafe. How many visitors get conned like this everyday? The men should be arrested and it’s not fair on the traders inside who depend on visitors money. Apart from the idiots at the entrance we did enjoy our experience inside and the view from the top was amazing.

An absolute must. The trip through the Atlas Mountains was stunning. We did not expect snow but it was beautiful to see. The ksar itself was well preserved and the view from the top was gorgeous. Walking through the narrow streets transported us back to times of old.

It’s four hours from Marrakech up the Atlas Mountains to the site. You can get a guide for 200 MAD to explain its history for the little over an hour you will be there. It is worth the money and our guide spoke English very well. You have the option to enter from the pedestrian bridge or cross the river by stepping on rocks. If you want to see the game of thrones scene you will need to cross by the river. Recommend taking your shoes off, it isn’t deep. There are children that can hold your hand but you will need to tip them. Once across you head upward, there are several stones steps which are rather tall. If you cannot climb steps we don’t recommend going. The views are beautiful from the top. It is a long drive there and back 8 hours just in driving but worth it. Get a driver the roads can be narrow and dangerous.

The place is incredible. You go via narrow uneven alleyways and steps, past many small shops and stalls. The route is ever upward and steeper so you should have good shoes. You can walk right up to the top to get a nice view. It will take about 2-3 hours.There is a parking area.

The UNESCO site of Air Benhaddou is truly magnificent. Our guide Marjoub spoke English well & was very knowledgeable. What made it extra special was that he was actually born there & it’s where he spent his youth! At one time 80 families lived at the site. Now there are only four. They are trying to lure people back with sewers and electricity, but it would still be a hard life. If it looks familiar to you, it’s probably because you have seen several of the movies that have been filmed there, including the 1965 Academy Award winner Lawrence of Arabia.

Quite an interesting place to see! The structures made of clay and hay. And demonstrations of some old traditions, for example to paint and then warm (burn) the art to have the colors come alive. And here, as in many other places, the wisdom of our guide DJ made everything much more interesting!

If you have a chance to come out here and visit this magical little town, then do so. It’s a bit of a ride (about 3 ½ hours each way) from Marrakech but there are many day trip options available for this. After coming here, there are several movies and shows that I need to watch again so I can see exactly where they take place in orientation with what we saw. They were actually building the gladiator ring for the 2nd Gladiator movie while we were there, with plans to start shooting that in a couple weeks. Besides so many famous movies shot here, the original city itself is very special. The view from the river bed as you cross is the best. While there is a walking bridge from the new city across the river, all the guides will bring you across the river (when possible) to get the best views. There was water in the river in the spring when we were there but they have their own little micro-economy for that. Kids will help you across the river on rocks and sand bags that they have set up....for a few small coins of course. Just go with it and contribute to the kids. Take in the views from here as you are crossing. The town rising up from the river onto the hill is fantastic from here. Once here, you do not need a lot of time to wander the town and we only had about an hour as part of our larger tour, which felt a little rushed. The old village only houses a few families now as almost all have moved across the river to the new part of town but there is still quite a bit here that is of course directed at their largest source of income here – tourism. Becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 has also helped with funds to preserve the village and keep in for us all to see and enjoy. Definitely a piece of history on the road to the dessert.

We traveled as part of a day tour, it was about a 3 hour drive from Marrakech. We visited here and Atlas Studios. It is a long walk to the top mostly uphill but worth the view. There are quite a few shops on the way through to look at if you want, lots of paintings. We really enjoyed our trip, it was a bit rushed it would have been good to have more time.