What are the Saadian Tombs?
The burial ground of the Saadian dynasty, which ruled Morocco in the 16th and early 17th centuries. Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur built the finest mausoleum, with the Hall of the Twelve Columns: Carrara marble columns, carved cedar and an extraordinarily intricate stucco dome. The tombs were walled up by a later sultan and rediscovered in 1917.
Tickets
Pay in cash (dirhams) at the entrance: about 70-100 dirhams for foreign adults, with reductions for children. Online tickets with a digital audio guide are sold by resellers, but they don't skip the viewing queue.
How to beat the queue
- Arrive at 9 am, before tour groups.
- Or come after 4 pm, when they've left.
- See the Hall of Twelve Columns first, then the garden tombs.
- Avoid 10:30 am-2 pm, the busiest window.
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Getting there
It's next to the Kasbah Mosque in the south of the medina, about 15 minutes' walk from Jemaa el-Fnaa, and 10 minutes from El Badi Palace.
What to see
The Hall of the Twelve Columns
The main mausoleum holds the tomb of Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur, who ruled from 1578 to 1603. Twelve marble columns support a carved cedarwood dome, with gilded stucco and zellige tilework below. It's viewed from a doorway, which causes the queue.
The Hall of the Three Niches
Next to it, a smaller hall that served as a prayer room, with a mihrab.
The second mausoleum
Built for al-Mansur's mother, Lalla Messaouda, with fine stucco decoration.
The garden
More than 60 members of the Saadian dynasty are buried in the mausoleums, and around 100 more graves, of servants and soldiers, are in the garden, marked by colourful tiles.
History
The Saadian dynasty ruled Morocco in the 16th and early 17th centuries, and al-Mansur, enriched by gold from his conquest of Timbuktu, built some of the grandest monuments in Marrakech. After the Saadians fell, Sultan Moulay Ismail of the Alaouite dynasty destroyed much of their legacy, including El Badi Palace, but he sealed the tombs instead of destroying them. They were forgotten until the French found them in an aerial survey in 1917.
Combining it with the Kasbah
The tombs are in the Kasbah quarter of the southern medina. Nearby are El Badi Palace, the ruins of al-Mansur's great palace with storks nesting on its walls, about 10 minutes' walk; the Bahia Palace, 15 minutes away; and the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter, with its spice market. A good morning: the Saadian Tombs at 9 am, El Badi, then the Bahia Palace before the midday heat.
Mistakes to avoid
Don't arrive at 11 am with the tour groups, when the queue for the Hall of the Twelve Columns can last an hour. Bring cash, as cards aren't accepted. Ignore unofficial guides at the entrance: the site is small and easy to see alone. And check for restoration work, which can close parts of the site.
Best time of year
Spring (March-May) and autumn (October-November) are the most comfortable seasons in Marrakech, and the busiest. Summer is very hot, so visit at 9 am. Winter mornings can be cool but are quieter. During Ramadan, opening hours are shorter.
Crowds by day and time
From the typical weekly visitor pattern for Saadian Tombs, based on Google’s popular-times data.
Least busy time
Sunday, 2-5 pm
Busiest time
Friday, 11 am-4 pm
Is it worth it?
Yes if you arrive early: the Hall of the Twelve Columns is one of the finest examples of Saadian craftsmanship. At midday, the queue can make it frustrating.
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FAQs
How much are the Saadian Tombs?
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About 70-100 dirhams, paid in cash.
What are the opening hours?
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Daily, about 9 am-5 pm, shorter in Ramadan.
Why is there a queue at the Saadian Tombs?
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The Hall of the Twelve Columns can only be viewed through a small doorway, one group at a time.
How long do you need?
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30-45 minutes, plus any queue.
Who is buried in the Saadian Tombs?
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Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur and more than 60 members of the Saadian dynasty, plus around 100 others in the garden.
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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.
