Medersa Ben Youssef
The Finest Example of Saadian Craftsmanship in Marrakech
Hours of Operation
Open daily from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Entrance Fee
Entrance fee is 50 MAD.
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About
The Medersa Ben Youssef is a 16th-century Quranic school in the heart of Marrakech's Medina. Rebuilt by the Saadian Sultan Abdallah al-Ghalib and completed in 1564–1565, it was once the largest madrasa in the Maghreb, renowned for its carved cedar wood, intricate zellige tilework, and a serene marble courtyard with a reflecting pool.
History Of Medersa Ben YoussefGallery
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Medersa Ben Youssef free to visit?
No — entrance costs 50 MAD for foreign visitors (20 MAD for Moroccan residents with ID, 10 MAD for children under 12, and 30 MAD per person for groups of 21 or more).
What is the best time of day to go?
Arrive right at opening, 9:00 AM, for the best light in the courtyard and the fewest visitors — by mid-morning the madrasa fills with tour groups. It's open until 7:00 PM (4:30 PM during Ramadan), so a late-afternoon visit works well too.
Is the Medersa Ben Youssef still a working school?
No — it closed as a Quranic school in 1960. It reopened to the public as a historic monument in 1982, and again in April 2022 after an extensive restoration of its zellige, stucco, and cedarwork.
Why is it a UNESCO heritage site?
The madrasa sits within the Medina of Marrakesh, which UNESCO inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1985 for its architecture and urban heritage dating back to the city's 11th-century founding.
How long does a visit take?
Most visitors spend 30–45 minutes exploring the courtyard, the prayer hall, and the student cells on the upper floors.