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Destination guide Morocco

Beni Mellal

A heritage centre by the gardens of a mountain spring.

See Ain Asserdoun Heritage Centre tickets
Beni Mellal and the plain below, seen from the hills above the city
Beni Mellal

In the city

Heritage by the spring.

The Ain Asserdoun Heritage Centre presents the landscapes, monuments and crafts of the Beni Mellal-Khenifra region. It stands by the terraced gardens of the Ain Asserdoun spring, on the south-eastern edge of the city.

Explore Ain Asserdoun Heritage Centre
Timed entry

Centre admission

A heritage centre by the terraced gardens of a mountain spring.
€25per adult
The lily pond and palms of Jardin Majorelle

Also in Morocco

Marrakech

From the blue of Jardin Majorelle to the courtyards of the medina’s palaces and tombs.

Read the Marrakech guide
The rocky Atlantic coast outside the Caves of Hercules

Also in Morocco

Tangier

Sea caves at Cap Spartel and a villa in the forest above the Strait of Gibraltar.

Read the Tangier guide
Chefchaouen’s blue medina and the mountains, seen from the kasbah tower

Also in Morocco

Chefchaouen

A kasbah and its garden on the main square of the blue town.

Read the Chefchaouen guide
A restored Roman gate at Tamuda, with Tétouan behind

Also in Morocco

Tétouan

A school of traditional crafts by the medina, and Roman gates outside the city.

Read the Tétouan guide
Ruins at Lixus above the meanders of the Loukkos river

Also in Morocco

Larache

Phoenician and Roman ruins on a hill above the Loukkos estuary.

Read the Larache guide
The tiled courtyard and fountain of the Marinid Madrasa in Salé

Also in Morocco

Salé

A Marinid madrasa in the old town across the river from Rabat.

Read the Salé guide
The ruins of Volubilis below the Zerhoun hills

Also in Morocco

Meknes

Roman ruins in the farmland north of Meknes, below the Zerhoun hills.

Read the Meknes guide
Blue fishing boats below the Skala du Port in Essaouira

Also in Morocco

Essaouira

Ramparts, cannons and blue boats on the Atlantic harbour.

Read the Essaouira guide

Visitor guide

Know before you go.

Practical information for a visit to Beni Mellal and Ain Asserdoun, from getting around to staying safe and finding somewhere to eat.

Checked 8 November 2026. Prices, apps and advice change; check the sources before you travel.

Quick facts

Currency
Moroccan dirham (MAD).
Language
Moroccan Arabic (Darija) day to day; French is widely used.
Time
GMT (UTC+0) all year.
Plugs
Type C and E (European two-pin), 230 V.
Best time to visit
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). Summers are very hot and dry; winters are cool.

About Beni Mellal

  • Beni Mellal is the capital of the Béni Mellal-Khénifra region and lies at the foot of the Middle Atlas, about 620 metres above sea level.
  • The modern town grew around a kasbah built by Sultan Moulay Ismail in 1688.
  • The Kasbah (Borj) Ras el Ain, a classified monument, stands above the Ain Asserdoun spring and looks out over the city.
  • A museum opened in 2024 at the Ksar Ain Asserdoun, among botanical gardens; it traces the region’s heritage from prehistory to the Alaouite period, with texts in Arabic, English and Amazigh.

Getting around

Taxis

Petit taxis use the meter within the city. Grand taxis run to nearby towns; agree the fare before you set off.

Coaches

Beni Mellal is not on the passenger rail network. CTM and other companies run coaches from the main cities; from Marrakech the trip takes about four hours.

From the airport

Beni Mellal Airport (BEM), near Oulad Yaich, has a few Ryanair routes, including from Tangier; most visitors fly into Marrakech or Casablanca.

Staying safe

The UK government’s advice for Morocco applies in Beni Mellal too: a threat of terrorism in busy places, and petty theft and scams in tourist areas. It has no separate warnings for the city or the Middle Atlas around it.

  • If you hike in the Atlas Mountains, research the route and hire a professional guide.
  • Heavy winter rain can cause flash floods in the mountains and near rivers.
  • Swimming in open water, including dams and rivers, can be dangerous.
  • There is a risk of wildfires in summer: don’t light barbecues or leave glass bottles behind.
  • Moroccan sources also give 19 for police and 15 for fire and rescue.

Emergency numbers

Police
190
Ambulance and fire
150
Gendarmerie (outside cities)
177

Places to eat nearby

Well-known restaurants near the sights, listed for convenience. Apollonaut has no connection with them and takes no bookings. Price levels (€ to €€€) are a rough guide; check opening times before you go.

  • Manhattan Plaza City centre, Hay Mimouna · Moroccan and Mediterranean, pizza and sushi €€
  • Rofaida Space Avenue des Martyrs, on the Ain Asserdoun side of the centre · Casual family restaurant €
  • La Villa BM Route de Marrakech, outside the centre · Moroccan and international €€€
Sources for this guide
Photography credits

Images have been resized and cropped for this guide.

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