Medersa Ben Youssef

School Marrakech, Marrakech - Safi, Morocco

What to expect

The Ben Youssef Madrasa is an Islamic college in Marrakesh, Morocco, and is widely recognized as a pinnacle of Saadian and Moroccan architecture. The madrasa was constructed by the Saadian sultan Abdallah al-Ghalib in 1564-65 and was the largest Islamic college in the Maghreb at its height. It features a central courtyard surrounded by east and west galleries and student dormitories on the upper and lower levels, as well as a large shallow reflective pool and a prayer hall with a mihrab. The madrasa is a great place to visit with family and friends to learn about Islamic architecture and history

Plan your family visit to the Medersa Ben Youssef with these blog insights 👇

MARRAKECH with family, Marrakech with children

This family's experience:

Activities: We visited Medersa Ben Youssef, the former largest Koranic school in the Maghreb. The children under eight could enter for free

Highlights: The building offered the family an insight into the history of the region. We imagined the spartan furnishings ✨

Marrakech with family: the best places to visit with children

This family's experience:

Activities: We walked through the beautiful entrance with a central basin, explored the classrooms, and appreciated the intricate wood carvings

Highlights: The kids were intrigued by the small, austere cells where the students lived, and we all enjoyed the calm atmosphere of the medersa ✨

We spent 40 hours in Marrakech on our way to West Africa

This family's experience:

Activities: We visited the historical building and admired its architecture and tile work

Highlights: The girls loved climbing every staircase and looking out every window ✨