Ksar Aït Benhaddou, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, was named one of the world’s twenty prettiest villages, according to British Media outlet “Time Out.”
This site, located approximately 30 kilometers northeast of Ouarzazate, occupied the 12th spot in the rankings. The ranking was based on the village’s popularity on Instagram.
Cinque Terre in Italy came out on top with its colorful houses balanced on cliffs and fishing boats bobbing in pretty harbors. Reine in Italy took the second spot, while Oia, a coastal spot in Santorini, Greece, ranked third.
Also called an ighrem (fortified village or grainery) in Amazigh languages, the ksar of Ait Ben Haddou is a typical ksar that can be found along the main trans-Saharan trade routes in Morocco. It consists mainly of a collection of earthen buildings encircled by high walls. Within the defensive walls, which are strengthened by corner towers, the dwellings cram close together.
The ksar is also well-known as a filming location, having been featured in dozens of well-known Hollywood films and international television shows.