What is the Bahia Palace?
The Bahia ("brilliance") Palace was built in the late 19th century for Si Moussa, grand vizier of the sultan, and greatly expanded by his son Ba Ahmed, who effectively ruled Morocco as regent. The idea was to build the finest palace of its time, and it shows: painted cedar ceilings, zellige tilework, carved stucco and marble courtyards, set around gardens of orange and banana trees.
Only part of the huge complex is open, but what you see includes some of the most beautiful rooms in Morocco. It's one of Marrakech's top sights, so the courtyards fill quickly with tour groups. Time your visit well and it's one of the city's most peaceful places.
Ticket price and how to pay
Buy at the ticket window by the entrance. Bring dirhams in cash: card machines aren't reliable. Prices are set by the Moroccan Ministry of Culture and change from time to time.
Skip-the-line tickets
Online resellers sell "skip-the-line" Bahia tickets, sometimes with an audio guide. The ticket queue is rarely long, so it's usually not worth paying extra unless you want the audio guide.
Guides
Official licensed guides wear an ID badge and can be hired at the entrance. A guide helps explain the rooms, which have little signage. Agree a price before starting. Don't hire unofficial guides who approach you on the street outside.
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How busy is the Bahia Palace?
The Bahia is on every half-day medina tour, and the groups arrive between about 10 am and 1 pm. The narrow corridors and the small rooms off the Petit Riad get jammed, and the Grand Courtyard fills with selfie-takers.
- Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are peak season. Christmas and New Year and Easter are busy too.
How to beat the crowds (and the touts)
- Be at the gate at 9 am, or arrive after 3:30 pm.
- Bring cash so you go straight to the window.
- Walk against the flow. Groups usually go through the rooms in order. Head to the Grand Courtyard first, then come back to the smaller rooms.
- Ignore "it's closed" warnings. Someone may tell you the palace is closed for prayer or lunch and offer to take you somewhere else (often a shop or tannery). It's a common scam. Walk to the gate and see for yourself.
- Use a map app. The entrance is on Rue Riad Zitoun el Jdid, near Place des Ferblantiers. Following GPS avoids "helpful" guides.
What to see
1. The Grand Riad
A garden courtyard with fountains, orange and banana trees and rooms with some of the finest painted cedar ceilings in the palace.
2. The Petit Riad
The older part of the palace, with intricate carved stucco and zellige. The rooms are small, so go early.
3. The Grand Courtyard (Cour d'honneur)
A vast courtyard paved in white marble, surrounded by a gallery with blue and yellow painted columns. It's the palace's most photographed space.
4. The Council Room and the favourites' rooms
Ornate reception rooms with stained-glass windows and the most elaborate ceilings. The rooms around the courtyard were for Ba Ahmed's wives and concubines.
Look up
The ceilings are the real treasure. Each room has a different design of painted, carved cedar. Bring a wide-angle lens or use your phone's 0.5x mode.
Plans by visitor type
Half-day Kasbah and Mellah walk
Bahia Palace at 9 am, El Badi Palace at 10:30 am (ruins with storks on the walls), the Saadian Tombs at noon, then lunch in the Mellah or on a rooftop near Place des Ferblantiers.
Photographers
Arrive at 9 am for empty courtyards. The marble Grand Courtyard is bright at midday, so the morning or late afternoon gives softer light on the tiles.
Families
Children pay a reduced price or nothing. The gardens and courtyards are good for kids, and the visit is short. Strollers are manageable on the flat floors.
Limited mobility
Most of the open area is on one level, with a few steps and thresholds. The streets around the palace are busy and uneven.
Insider tips
- 9 am is the golden hour. You'll have the Grand Courtyard almost to yourself.
- Carry small notes. It helps at the ticket window and for tips.
- Don't follow anyone who says it's closed.
- Dress for the heat, not for a mosque: there's no dress code, but light, modest clothing is comfortable and respectful in the medina.
- Pair it with Dar Si Said, a museum of Moroccan arts in a palace a short walk away, much quieter.
- Rooftop lunch: the cafés overlooking Place des Ferblantiers have views of the storks on El Badi's walls.
Mistakes to avoid
- Arriving at 11 am with every tour group in the city.
- Following a stranger who says the palace is closed.
- Coming without cash.
- Expecting the whole palace to be open: only part is.
- Visiting in Ramadan in the late afternoon without checking the hours.
Is the Bahia Palace worth it?
Yes. For about €9, it's the best place in Marrakech to see Moroccan craftsmanship at its finest, and an easy hour in the medina. At 9 am, it's serene. At 11 am, it's a crowded corridor. Choose your time accordingly.
FAQs
How much is the Bahia Palace ticket?
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About 100 dirhams for foreign adults, with reduced prices for children. Pay in cash at the gate.
Do I need to book the Bahia Palace in advance?
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No. Tickets are sold at the gate and the queue is rarely long.
What are the Bahia Palace opening hours?
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Daily, 9 am-5 pm. Hours are shorter during Ramadan, and the palace can close for official events.
How long do you need at the Bahia Palace?
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1-1.5 hours.
What's the best time to visit the Bahia Palace?
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9-10 am or after 3:30 pm. Check our live crowd tracker for your date.
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How we research: every guide is written by the BeatTheCrowd team from official sources and recent traveller reports, cross-checked against each other, and dated so you know how fresh it is. Last checked 29 October 2026. Prices and rules change, so always confirm on the official site before you book.
