Things To Do
in Ben Guerir
Ben Guerir is a growing university and industrial town in central Morocco known for its phosphate industry and the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University. The city combines modern planned neighborhoods, research campuses and a compact traditional market serving nearby farming communities. Located on a dry plateau between Marrakech and Settat, Ben Guerir is a good base for experiencing working Morocco and for day trips to the High Atlas foothills.
Visitors will find a calm, small-city atmosphere with practical services, a youthful population around the university, and easy road links to larger Moroccan cities.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Start your day with a visit to the central square of Ben Guerir, where you can witness the local life bustling around. Enjoy a traditional Moroccan breakfast at a nearby café, featuring delicious pastries and mint tea. Take a leisurely stroll through the narrow streets, admiring the local architecture and vibrant markets.
Visit the local museum to delve into the history of Ben Guerir and the surrounding region, where you can learn about its significance in Moroccan culture. Afterward, explore the artisan shops where craftsmen create beautiful pottery and textiles, perfect for souvenirs. Enjoy lunch at a local eatery, savoring a tagine dish that captures the flavors of Moroccan cuisine.
As the sun sets, take a walk to a nearby viewpoint for breathtaking views of the city and surrounding landscapes. Dine at a traditional Moroccan restaurant, experiencing a feast of local dishes while enjoying live music. Conclude your evening by sipping mint tea at a rooftop café, watching the stars twinkle over the quiet streets.
Dive into the vibrant atmosphere of Ben Guerir's souks, where the sounds and scents of local spices fill the air. Engage with friendly vendors as you browse through colorful stalls brimming with fresh produce, textiles, and handmade crafts. Don’t forget to sample some local olives and cheeses as you navigate through this bustling marketplace.
After your market adventure, visit a local artisan workshop where you can see traditional crafts being made, such as pottery and leather goods. Participate in a hands-on pottery class, guided by a skilled artisan, to create your own unique piece. For lunch, indulge in a local favorite: a hearty couscous dish served with seasonal vegetables.
As the day winds down, return to the markets for an evening of food tasting, sampling street foods like kebabs and sweets. Join a local cooking class where you can learn to prepare a traditional Moroccan meal, guided by a local chef. Sit down to enjoy the meal you’ve prepared together, paired with local wines or mint tea.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍽️Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $6-12 |
| ☕Coffee or tea at a café | $1-3 |
| 🚕Short taxi ride (in-town) | $1-4 |
| 🏨Mid-range hotel (per night) | $30-70 |
| 🛍️Groceries for a few days | $15-35 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Quiet, authentic small-city atmosphere with a strong local community
- Close to a modern university and research centers with interesting architecture
- Good base for rural and Atlas foothill day trips
- Affordable prices and accessible services for travelers
- Limited tourist infrastructure and few dedicated attractions
- Sparse nightlife and limited entertainment options compared with major cities
- Hot summers and a dry climate may be uncomfortable for some visitors
- Longer-distance transport required to reach major attractions or international-standard hospitals
- "Salam / السلام" - Hello / Peace (general greeting)
- "Shukran / شكراً" - Thank you
- "Bslama / بسلامة" - Goodbye
- "Bshhal? / بشحال؟" - How much?
- "Afak / عفاك" - Please / Excuse me
Places to Visit in Ben Guerir
Visit one of these nice places.
Modern architecture, landscaped courtyards and research facilities provide contrast to traditional Moroccan scenes and make striking daytime photos.
Colorful produce, textiles and busy market activity offer vivid street photography and portraits of local life.
Wide-open skies over the Rehamna plateau produce dramatic light at dawn and dusk that highlight the flat landscape and distant hills.
Phosphate facilities and quarry landscapes create unique industrial panoramas—best photographed from public viewpoints with respect for restricted areas.
Food in Ben Guerir
Ben Guerir Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
A slow-cooked stew of meat (lamb, beef or chicken) with vegetables or fruit and warm spices; find it at local restaurants and family eateries throughout town.
Must-Try!
Steamed semolina served with vegetables and meat, traditionally eaten Friday; available at most restaurants and especially at community meals and markets.
Spiced minced meat grilled on skewers and often served with bread, salad and drippy egg; a popular and inexpensive choice at local grills.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
A traditional market day where farmers and traders sell produce, olives, spices and household goods; great for sampling fresh bread, olives, seasonal fruits and local sweets.
Small stalls and cafés offer mint tea, msemen (flatbread), grilled sandwiches and simple breakfasts; ideal for quick, inexpensive bites and people-watching.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
Polite greetings are important—use 'Salam' or 'As-salamu alaykum' and shake hands in formal contexts; address elders and officials respectfully.
Dress modestly in public out of respect for local customs—women should avoid revealing clothing and both men and women should cover shoulders and knees in conservative areas.
Public displays of affection are discouraged, bargaining is expected in markets, and always ask before photographing people, especially women.
Safety
Tipping in Ben Guerir
Ensure a smooth experience
Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory; leave small change for café service (a few dirhams), 5–10% in restaurants if service is good, and tip hotel porters and guides modestly.
Cash (Moroccan dirham) is widely used, especially in markets and small restaurants; ATMs are available and credit cards are accepted at larger hotels and some restaurants, but always carry cash for local purchases.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
Mild temperatures and blooming fields make spring the most pleasant time to visit; outdoor activities and day trips are comfortable and scenic.
Summers are hot and dry on the plateau with strong sun; plan outdoor activities for early morning or late afternoon and drink plenty of water.
Temperatures cool down from summer heat and humidity drops, making this a good season for travel and rural exploration.
Winters are mild to cool, with colder nights and occasional rain; daytime is often pleasant but bring layers for chilly evenings.
Ben Guerir at Night
Hiking in Ben Guerir
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
Gentle walks and dirt-road routes across the plateau offer low-difficulty hikes, rural scenery and opportunities to observe local agriculture and birdlife.
Accessible from Ben Guerir by car, foothill trails near Marrakech offer dramatic mountain scenery and village hikes suitable for half-day or full-day trips.
Airports
How to reach Ben Guerir by plane.
Approximately 60–80 km away depending on route; the nearest major international airport with regular domestic and international flights and road connections by bus, taxi or private car.
Around 150–220 km by road; Morocco's largest international hub, reachable by highway or intercity bus services for connections to Ben Guerir.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
Residents are primarily Arab and Amazigh (Berber) from surrounding rural areas, many involved in agriculture and local commerce.
The Mohammed VI Polytechnic University attracts students, researchers and young professionals from across Morocco and abroad, giving parts of town a youthful atmosphere.
Employees connected to phosphate mining and processing and associated industries form a significant portion of the local working population.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
The most popular sport across Morocco, with local matches and community teams commonly played and supported by residents.
Traditional horsemanship and occasional regional displays are culturally important in rural Moroccan areas and at local festivals.
The presence of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University supports team and individual sports like athletics, basketball and football among students.
Traffic
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Ben Guerir.
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Vegetarian options exist mainly as vegetable tagines, salads and couscous; explain dietary needs clearly and be prepared to eat vegetable-based mixed dishes rather than meat-free versions of all items.
Most meat in Ben Guerir is halal by default; alcohol is less common outside larger cities, so ask in restaurants if you require it.
Traditional breads, semolina and pastries contain gluten, so seek vegetable stews and salads and communicate clearly about avoiding bread when necessary.