Medersa Ben Youssef review: our verdict
For four centuries, students lived in the small cells of the Medersa Ben Youssef, and one still turns their head in wonder at how they did. The Saadian Sultan Abdallah al-Ghalib had it built in 1564–1565, and here one did not learn only the Quran: medicine and mathematics were part of the curriculum. The shock remains the great courtyard, where a long basin reflects zellige, finely carved stucco, and cedar woodwork.
On the upper floor, more than a hundred rooms are arranged around small patios, and panels trace the school's history throughout the route. The visit wraps up in half an hour, especially for those who take time to examine the motifs. A life-size lesson in Moroccan craftsmanship, for families and architecture enthusiasts alike. Not for those fleeing the crowds: the site is very busy, and no time slot can be booked in advance.
The best time slot: 9 a.m., at opening, before groups and photo sessions around the basin. The trap: Tuesday afternoons, when doors close at 4:30 p.m. Budget 50 DH for adult entry (as of July 2026).
