El Badi Palace

El Badi Palace is a ruined late 16th-century royal palace in the medina of Marrakech, built by Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur of the Saadian dynasty as an opulent reception complex.

The site today presents an extensive set of ruined walls and terraces surrounding a very large sunken central courtyard and pool area, with raised viewing platforms that offer broad views across the old city. Visitors typically walk the courtyard, climb the remaining terraces and examine the stone and brickwork that outline the former palace layout.

Construction was commissioned by Ahmad al-Mansur after his accession; the palace was richly decorated with imported marble, onyx and gilt work. In the late 17th and early 18th centuries much of the decorative material was removed or looted by later rulers, leaving the substantial masonry ruins visible today.

The palace lies within Marrakech’s medina near other major sites such as the Bahia Palace and the central Jemaa el-Fnaa area, making it accessible on foot from the historic core of the city.

• Builder and date: Built in the late 16th century by Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur of the Saadian dynasty as a monumental display of wealth and power.
• Visitor tip: Ruins are a good place for late-afternoon light and city views; stork nests are commonly seen on the higher walls and towers.

What to See #

• Main courtyard and terraces: A large ruined palace complex built in the late 16th century with a vast central courtyard, reception rooms and elevated terraces; visible remains include thick enclosing walls and raised platforms used as viewpoints over the city.
• Royal pavilions: Formal reception and private pavilion areas that once displayed imported marble, onyx and gilt decoration; many decorative elements were removed in later centuries, leaving structural ruins and surface ornamentation.