Ait Benhaddou

Ait Benhaddou is a fairytale earthen city on the edge of the Sahara, a UNESCO ksar of red mud-brick kasbahs and houses stacked dramatically against a hillside above a river. Once a stop on the caravan route between the desert and Marrakech, its crenellated towers and rammed-earth walls glow in the desert light, and its cinematic looks have made it a favourite film set for epics and series.

What you actually see

• The stacked kasbahs - the red earthen towers rising up the hillside.
• The hilltop granary - the climb to the top for views over the valley.
• The film locations - the ksar's role as a set for famous films and series.
• The desert setting - the earthen city against the mountains and palms.

When to go

Spring and autumn for pleasant weather; go early or late for the warm light on the earthen walls and to avoid the tour crowds and midday heat. It is a common stop on the route to the desert from Marrakech.

Honest expectations

It is a popular stop on the desert route, so tour groups arrive midday; early or late gives the best light and fewer crowds. Only a few families still live in the old ksar, much of it restored for visitors and film. It is a photogenic half-day stop rather than a long visit.

Nearby

Ouarzazate and its film studios are close; the road leads over the Atlas to Marrakech or on to the desert.