Exploring Ait Ben Haddou The Ancient Moroccan Village That Inspired Game of Thrones

In Episode 11 of our Morocco Vlog road trip we travel to the ancient Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, the “Hollywood of Morocco”. Countless movies, including Game of Thrones, The Mummy & Gladiator, have been filmed here, and when you see this UNESCO World Heritage Site you will understand why. It is incredible! But has it become more Hollywood than historic? Watch our video to find out.

Built on a hill in the southern slopes of the Moroccan High Atlas Mountains, Ait Ben Haddou is a historic fortified Berber Village constructed of mud & straw, clay & wood, strategically located along an ancient caravan trading route. Almost biblical in appearance, it is a popular stop for daytrippers from Marrakech, or tourists making their way to the Sahara Desert.

Although it is centuries old, Ait BenHaddou is very well preserved, making it an attractive location for filming movies and TV show. In fact the nearby city of Ouarzazate is home to movie studios, such as Atlas Film Studios, giving it the nickname “Hollywood of Morocco”.

Our accommodation in an old kasbah, Kasba Ellouze, a few minutes down the road from Ait Ben Haddou, is equally stunning. Our hosts, Michel & Colette, originally from France, leave no stone unturned to make sure we have a wonderful stay. Join us for a full tour of our amazing 5-level apartment with rooftop terrace overlooking the crumbling mudbrick kasbah, lush green oasis, and rugged mountains.

If you love immersive travel experiences and stunning landscapes then this video is perfect for you.

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Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction
01:19 – Accommodation in Kasbah Ellouze
04:02 – Rooftop Terrace
06:31 – Ait Ben Haddou arrival
08:58 – Women’s Cooperative Carpet Weavers
09:54 – Entering Ksar
11:21 – Sunset from Ait Ben Haddou Granary
11:51 – Ait Ben Haddou descent
13:24 – Jazz Dinner

Hi, we’re Lydia & Chris, the Roving Balys!
As an empty nest couple from Newcastle, Australia, we’ve traveled the world together for 30 years. We started this vlog to share our travel tales and showcase our beautiful region. We met traveling around Europe in 1995 and have since visited 50+ countries. We love discovering new places, meeting people, and trying local cuisines (including gluten-free options).Our journey has evolved from backpacking to family travel, and now back to couple adventures. With the kids doing their own thing, we’re ready to dust off our backpacks (now suitcases) and start new adventures. So grab a cup of coffee and come roving with us!