Bahia Palace Marrakech

The Bahia Palace, one of Morocco's most magnificent architectural treasures, covers an impressive 8,000 square metres. Construction began in the 1860s, and the grand residence took 14 years to complete. The finest Moroccan and Andalusian artisans worked tirelessly to create this masterpiece.

This remarkable palace represents the pinnacle of 19th-century royal living. A Grand Vizier built it to house his four wives and 24 concubines. The palace sprawls across 2 hectares with a maze-like design that features several inner courtyards. The stunning Cour d'Honneur, paved with Italian Carrara marble, stands out among these spaces. The palace's popularity has soared - more than 410,000 people explored its grounds in early 2019's first four months, making it Morocco's most visited heritage site.

The palace continues to engage visitors with its intricate marquetry, detailed plasterwork, and stunning painted woodwork, despite damage from the September 2023 earthquake. This piece reveals the palace's hidden corners, rich history, and essential tips to make your visit exceptional.

A Glimpse into the History of the Palace

A slave named Si Moussa wrote his name in history by climbing the ranks to become grand vizier under Sultan Muhammad ibn Abd al-Rahman. His son, Ba Ahmed ibn Musa later shaped this architectural wonder between 1894 and 1900, which became one of Morocco's most important historical monuments.

Construction started in the northern section back in the 1860s. The Grand Riad and its connected rooms, known as Dar Si Moussa, took shape first. Si Moussa's son Ba Ahmed rose to power in 1894 after Sultan Moulay Hassan's death left his 16-year-old son Abdelaziz as heir. Ba Ahmed's position as the young sultan's regent gave him massive influence over Morocco, and he used this time to expand the palace significantly.

Ba Ahmed's vision expanded the palace to cover 8 hectares. The complex included 160 beautifully decorated rooms, a mosque, a Koranic school, and several Islamic gardens. Morocco's finest artisans spent seven years creating masterpieces like carved cedar ceilings, mosaic-tiled floors, and detailed stucco work.

The palace in Morocco, once owned by Sultan Abdelaziz, was stripped of its valuables after Ba Ahmed died in 1900. Madani el-Glaoui claimed it in 1908, and it was briefly used by King Mohammed V after Morocco gained independence. It is now Morocco's most visited heritage site.

Planning Your Palace Visit

The architectural beauty of this palace deserves a well-planned visit. You can visit the palace year-round with several options to make your trip convenient.

Best times to visit

The palace opens at 9:00 AM and closes at 5:00 PM daily. Early morning visits give you the most peaceful atmosphere. The weather works best during spring and autumn, especially in April, May, and October. During Ramadan, the palace adjusts its hours to 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

Smart visitors show up before the 9:00 AM opening time. This helps them beat the crowds and catch beautiful photos in the morning light. The summer months of July and August can be tough, with temperatures reaching 37°C.

Ticket options and costs

A standard ticket costs 70 dirhams per person. The palace takes only cash payments in Moroccan dirhams, not credit cards. Local residents can enter for 20 dirhams. You can explore the palace by yourself or take a guided tour. The palace spans 8,000 square metres, so a guided tour helps you understand its rich history better.

Getting there

You'll find the palace right in the heart of Marrakech's medina. Just follow Rue Riad Zitoun el Jdid Street from Jemaa el-Fnaa Square to reach the entrance. The 'Bab Mellah' and 'Place des Ferblantiers' bus stops sit within walking distance. Taxis make a good choice since drivers know this popular spot well. If you drive, park at 'Parking Koutoubia' - it's just a 10-minute walk away. Most visitors spend between 90 minutes and two hours exploring the palace. Wheelchair users can access the palace with some limitations.
 

Main Palace Sections

This architectural masterpiece features a series of carefully designed spaces that tell unique stories of opulence and grandeur. The palace complex covers eight hectares and showcases some of the finest 19th-century Moroccan craftsmanship.

Grand Courtyard Highlights

The stunning Cour d'Honneur serves as the palace's centrepiece with its impressive 1,500 square metre span. Italian Carrara marble floors grace this grand courtyard, while skilled artisans from Meknès created the intricate mosaics surrounding it. The space measures 30 metres along its north-south axis and 50 metres east-west. Multicoloured zellige paths create simple yet elegant chequered patterns throughout.

Garden features

Nature and architecture blend seamlessly in the palace gardens. These lush spaces spread over two acres with refreshing fountains nestled among cypress, jasmine, banana trees, and orange groves. The gardens provide peaceful sanctuaries away from the busy courtyards.
 

Private chambers

The private quarters' thoughtful design reflects the palace's hierarchy. Four similar rooms housed the Grand Vizier's wives, showing their equal status. The palace had twelve chambers for twenty-four concubines, with pairs sharing each room. Large windows ventilate the summer quarters, while the winter rooms have no windows to retain heat.

Prayer rooms

A mosque and a Koranic school form the palace's spiritual centre. The school taught the vizier's children during the day and transformed into a mosque five times daily for prayers. These sacred spaces display the same attention to detail found throughout the palace, with fine woodwork, stucco decorations, and traditional Islamic architectural elements.

The palace's craftsmanship shines through every section, from cedar wood ceilings to Iraqi glass windows in the council room. Thick walls provided insulation and often contained hidden alcoves for guards or fireplaces. These features add an intriguing layer to this royal wonder.
 

Hidden Photo Spots

Photography enthusiasts will find a wealth of amazing shots at the Bahia Palace. Each corner reveals unique opportunities to capture architectural magnificence. This impressive masterpiece took seven years and thousands of craftsmen to complete, using materials from Northern Africa and Carrara's Italian marble.

Morning light locations

Sunlight streams through windows in the early morning hours and brings the palace to life. The grand courtyards provide exceptional photography conditions during these golden moments. Natural light interacts with the palace's intricate details to create striking visual effects. You'll notice this especially in:

• Stained glass windows that cast colourful patterns on marble floors
• Sunbeams that highlight detailed cedarwood ceilings
• Ornate archways and doorways that create shadow patterns
   

Best architectural views

An architect with experience from southern Spain designed this remarkable Andalusian and Moorish palace. Photographers should pay attention to these outstanding architectural elements:

Cedarwood ceilings with detailed stucco borders stand as the most notable features. Deep teal and striking red mosaic tiles cover the palace walls, while intricately carved arches showcase creamy yellows and deep azure paint.
These techniques will help you capture the best architectural shots:
 

• Use doorways as natural frames to show the depth of various archways
• Focus on the detailed wood, stucco, painting, and tilework that covers every surface
• Apply HDR techniques to capture full lighting range in rooms with dramatic contrasts
   

Lush gardens add more photo opportunities with abundant flowers, trees, and greenery that create stunning natural backdrops. Towering walls with intricate stucco and tilework surround various courtyards, offering compelling compositions that highlight Morocco's rich architectural heritage.

Palace Preservation Today

Morocco shows its dedication to protecting architectural heritage through recent preservation work at the Bahia Palace. Multiple restoration projects have focused on keeping the palace's historical authenticity since its independence in 1956. Teams meticulously preserved original materials and craftsmanship.

Restoration projects

The Moroccan Ministry of Culture supervised major renovations at the palace. Their complete renovation plan focused on boosting museum offerings to match international standards. Expert artisans spent seven years restoring carved cedar ceilings, mosaic floors, and detailed stucco work. Teams carefully rehabilitated and replanted the palace grounds and Aguedal gardens.

Earthquake impact and repairs

The September 2023 earthquake created major challenges for this historic structure. Partial collapses occurred in adjoining buildings. The palace suffered roof damage, wall fissures, and a collapsed vaulted ceiling in the Grand Riad. The palace reopened quickly by October 2023.
The Moroccan government started a bold GBP 10.09 billion five-year programme to rebuild earthquake-affected regions. A special reconstruction fund collected over MAD 12 billion (GBP 0.91 billion) from donations by individuals, public institutions, and private entities.

Future plans

The Culture Ministry is implementing rehabilitation programmes to enhance structural integrity and visitor experience at the Bahia Palace in Morocco. Expert teams are balancing historical architecture with modern conservation techniques, aiming to boost museum offerings to international standards.
 

Bahia Palace showcases Morocco's architectural heritage, blending centuries-old craftsmanship with modern preservation. Despite earthquakes, quick restorations have kept it open to visitors. The palace tells royal life stories through courtyards, gardens, and chambers, with zellige tiles, carved cedar ceilings, and stucco decorations. 

Give yourself the chance and visit the Bahia Palacae in one of our Morocco Tours!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is the Bahia Palace famous?
 

Bahia Palace is famous for its stunning Moroccan architecture, intricate tilework, and rich history. Built in the 19th century, it was meant to be the most magnificent palace of its time.

2. What can you do at Bahia Palace?
 

You can explore lavish rooms, admire detailed mosaics, stroll through serene gardens, and learn about Moroccan history. It’s also a great spot for photography.

3. What are some must-see features of Bahia Palace?

• Grand Courtyard – A vast marble courtyard with elegant archways.
• Painted Ceilings – Ornate cedarwood ceilings with intricate designs.
• Harem Quarters – Lavish private living spaces.
• Andalusian Gardens – Lush gardens with fountains and orange trees