Bahia Palace Palace

Address: Palais de la Bahia (Bahia Palace), Marrakesh, Morocco (near Rue Riad Zitoun el Jdid)

Hours: Typically daily during daylight hours; hours can vary seasonally

Admission: Adult: paid entry (see local ticket office); fees vary - check official sources

Bahia Palace is a large 19th-century palace complex in the medina of Marrakech, built as a private residence for high-ranking members of the Moroccan elite and later expanded. The palace is noted for its multiple ornate courtyards, gardens and richly decorated interior rooms.

Expansive riads, intricately carved stucco, painted cedar ceilings and colourful zellij tilework that decorate reception rooms and corridors. Visitors walk through a sequence of courtyards and function rooms that illustrate late 19th-century palace design and craftsmanship.

Constructed in the late 19th century for powerful court officials, the palace showcases traditional Moroccan decorative arts and was completed by successive owners who enlarged the complex. Today it is maintained as a historic monument and is open to the public for visits.

The palace sits in Marrakech’s historic medina, within walking distance of other major attractions in the old city.

• Date and purpose: Built in the late 19th century, the complex was intended as a residence for high-ranking political figures and demonstrates Moroccan artisan craftsmanship in tilework and carved wood.
• Visitor note: The palace is situated in Marrakech’s medina and is one of the city’s most visited historic houses due to its scale and decoration; expect crowds during mid-day.

What to See#

• Courtyards and riads: A series of ornate courtyards and riads decorated with carved stucco, painted wood ceilings and zellij tilework that form the palace’s public and private spaces.
• Private apartments and harem: Private apartments and harem quarters with richly decorated reception rooms that illustrate late 19th-century Moroccan palace architecture.

Bahia Palace is in Marrakech’s medina (old city) and is within easy walking distance of the central Jemaa el-Fnaa square - about 10-15 minutes on foot. From Marrakech’s main train and bus stations it’s typically a 15-20 minute walk or a short taxi ride into the medina.

• Arrive at opening to see the courtyards and main rooms with far fewer people-midday visits often coincide with large tour groups that fill the palace quickly.
• Enter through the main gate off the medina and work clockwise through the rooms; don't rush past the smaller private chambers and ornate stucco and woodwork which are easily overlooked.
• Pause in the shaded inner courtyards for photography-the light and symmetrical composition are best in the morning before crowds gather in the larger reception halls.