The Telouet Kasbah is a former palace in the High Atlas, about 20 km off the main road between Marrakech and Ouarzazate. It was built and enlarged by the Glaoui family, the powerful lords of the Atlas in the first half of the 20th century. Far fewer visitors come here than to Aït Benhaddou, which is part of its charm: the rooms are quiet, and the mountain valley around them is wide and almost empty.
Telouet is an easy and rewarding detour on the classic road from Marrakech to Ouarzazate and the Sahara. With a private driver, you can cross the Tizi n'Tichka pass, visit the kasbah and continue to Aït Benhaddou in the same day, at your own pace.
Telouet was the base of the Glaoui, a Berber family whose best-known member, Thami El Glaoui, became Pasha of Marrakech. The village sat on the old caravan route linking the Sahara with Marrakech, and controlling that route brought the family great wealth and influence.
After Morocco's independence in 1956 the family lost its power, and the kasbah was left to decay. Today parts of the palace have been restored while others remain in ruins, which makes the visit a striking mix of grandeur and silence.
A short guided tour takes you through the reception rooms, where carved cedar ceilings, delicate stucco and colorful zellige tilework show the taste and ambition of the Glaoui. Other areas are bare and crumbling, and the contrast is part of the experience.
From the roof terraces you can look over the village, the old mud-brick houses and the valley. Plan about one to two hours for the kasbah and a short walk around the village.
The road from Marrakech to Ouarzazate crosses the High Atlas at the Tizi n'Tichka pass, at about 2,260 meters above sea level. The road winds through hairpin bends with wide views, and small roadside stalls sell minerals and fossils from the region.
In winter, snow and fog can occasionally slow traffic on the pass, so it is worth allowing extra time. An experienced driver knows the road and the best places to stop for photos.
From Telouet, a scenic road follows the Ounila valley south toward Aït Benhaddou, passing mud-brick villages and old kasbahs. It is a beautiful alternative to returning to the main road. Your driver will confirm current road conditions, since mountain roads can be affected by weather.
Related guides and trips: private day trip from Marrakech to Aït Benhaddou, Aït Ben Haddou guide, Ouarzazate guide, Marrakech to Merzouga tours.
Spring and autumn offer mild weather and clear light, ideal for photos of the valley. Summer is hot in the lowlands but pleasantly cooler in the mountains. In winter the High Atlas can be snowy and cold, which is beautiful but calls for a more flexible schedule.
It is in the High Atlas, about 20 km off the main road between Marrakech and Ouarzazate, after crossing the Tizi n'Tichka pass.
The Glaoui family, powerful lords of the Atlas, built and enlarged the palace, and it was their base until the 1950s.
Plan about one to two hours for the kasbah and the village, plus the extra driving time for the detour.
Yes, if you enjoy history, architecture and quiet places. It is far less crowded than Aït Benhaddou and shows a different side of the High Atlas.
Yes. With a private driver it fits easily into a Marrakech to Ouarzazate and Sahara itinerary, with the detour adding some driving time.
Our team designs fully private, tailor-made luxury tours from Marrakech, including the Tizi n'Tichka road, the Telouet Kasbah and Aït Benhaddou on the way to Ouarzazate and the Sahara, with expert drivers, hand-picked stays and every detail arranged for you.
Plan Your Trip