The Ben Youssef Madrasa was once the largest Islamic college in Morocco, home to up to 900 students. Founded in the 14th century and rebuilt by the Saadians, it reopened in 2022 after a major restoration. Its courtyard is one of the finest interiors in Marrakech.
| Entrance fee | 50 MAD per foreign adult; about 10 MAD for children under 12 (cash). |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Daily 9:00–18:00 (official site lists up to 19:00); shorter during Ramadan. |
| Good to know | The restored 14th-century Quranic school — one of Marrakech’s most beautiful interiors. Prices can change. |
Where is the Ben Youssef Madrasa and how to get there
In the northern medina, next to the Ben Youssef Mosque and the Marrakech Museum. About a 10–15 minute walk north from Jemaa el-Fna through the souks.
Opening hours and entrance fee
Open daily, generally 9:00–18:00. As of 2025 the fee is about 50 MAD (roughly €5) per adult. Entrance fees for Marrakech’s monuments are set by Morocco’s Ministry of Culture and reviewed from time to time, so treat any figure as a guide. The current price is posted at the ticket office, tickets are bought on site (bring cash in dirhams — cards are rarely accepted), and children usually pay a reduced rate.
What to see at the Ben Youssef Madrasa
- The central courtyard — a marble court with a reflecting pool and carved galleries.
- The prayer hall — a stucco mihrab under a domed cedar ceiling.
- The student cells — dozens of tiny rooms on two floors around light wells.
Tips for your visit
The upstairs cells give the best photos. Allow 45 minutes to an hour.
Visit the Ben Youssef Madrasa with a licensed local guide
the Ben Youssef Madrasa rewards a little context. Our guides are officially licensed by the Moroccan authorities, speak English, French and Spanish, and meet you right on Jemaa el-Fna square — so you get the history, the symbolism and the shortcuts, without the guesswork.
- Hire a private licensed guide in Marrakech — from €20, build your own monuments route.
- Marrakech Monuments & Souks tour — a guided 3-hour walk, from €22 per person.
Book a licensed guide on WhatsApp
More Marrakech monuments
See them all in our complete guide to Marrakech monuments — with fees, hours and locations. Popular next stops: Bahia Palace · Saadian Tombs · Koutoubia Mosque · Majorelle Garden.
New to the medina? Start with our complete Jemaa el-Fna guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Ben Youssef Madrasa?
As of 2025, entry is about 50 MAD (roughly €5) per adult. Fees are set by Morocco's Ministry of Culture and posted at the ticket office; bring cash in dirhams as cards are rarely accepted.
How long does a visit to the Ben Youssef Madrasa take?
About 45 minutes to an hour, including the courtyard and the student cells upstairs.
Is the Ben Youssef Madrasa worth visiting?
Yes. Its reflecting-pool courtyard of carved cedar and zellij is one of the finest interiors in Marrakech; it reopened in 2022 after a major restoration.
What was the Ben Youssef Madrasa?
It was the largest Islamic college in Morocco, home to as many as 900 students.