Step inside Bahia Palace, one of Marrakech’s most stunning royal residences. Built in the 19th century for Morocco’s grand viziers, this vast palace was designed to be the most beautiful in the land, and it still lives up to that dream. Behind its simple entrance, you’ll find elegant courtyards, carved cedar ceilings, colorful mosaic floors, and peaceful gardens filled with orange and jasmine trees. Carefully restored after the 2023 earthquake, Bahia Palace offers a true glimpse into Morocco’s royal past and craftsmanship.
Your guide will lead you through Bahia Palace with fascinating insights into its history, design, and the lives of those who once lived here. Learn how Morocco’s grand viziers created this 19th-century masterpiece to display their wealth, influence, and artistic taste.
Enter through the small riad, a tranquil courtyard surrounded by rooms once used for receptions. Admire the finely carved cedar ceilings, painted beams, and ornate stucco—each detail a glimpse into Morocco’s traditional artistry.
Next, your guide will lead you to the Grand Courtyard, a vast marble-paved space lined with zellij mosaics and arched galleries. This was where the vizier held important meetings and entertained guests in true royal style.
Continue to the large riad, once the private garden of the harem. The air is filled with the scent of orange, banana, and jasmine trees, offering a quiet moment amid the palace’s grandeur.
Walk through the elegant women’s apartments, including the Chamber of Lalla Zineb, known for its European-style stained glass windows, a rare feature in Moroccan design at the time.
End your tour wandering through the palace’s many salons and private rooms, each richly decorated with tilework and wood carvings.
You can choose between a guided tour that includes tickets or one that doesn’t. The tour with tickets option includes your skip-the-line entry and guided experience, while the one without tickets option covers only the guide, so you’ll buy your entry ticket separately at the palace. For a smoother experience, it’s best to book the skip-the-line version online, but you can also choose to pay on-site if you prefer flexibility.
Each guided tour lasts about 2 hours and includes a complete walkthrough of the palace’s key areas, from royal halls to the courtyards and gardens. Combo tours (like those that include Saadian Tombs, Koutoubia Mosque, or the Medina) may take longer.
Bahia Palace is mostly built on one level, making it largely accessible for wheelchair users, though some areas have uneven floors.
| Ticket type | What’s included | Recommended for | Book now |
|---|---|---|---|
Palace-only tour | Guided visit of Bahia Palace with its tilework, marble floors, and ornate carvings. 2-hour private or shared option; skip-the-line tickets available. | History buffs and architecture lovers | Bahia Palace Guided Tour |
Palace, Tombs & Mosque tour | Guided tour of Marrakech’s key landmarks — Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, Koutoubia Mosque, and vibrant souks. | First-time visitors wanting a city highlights tour | Palace, Tombs & Koutoubia |
Palace, Madrasa & Secret Garden tour | Explore Bahia Palace, Ben Youssef Madrasa, and Jardin Secret with expert insights. | Culture seekers and garden enthusiasts | Palace, Madrasa, Jardin Secret |
Start with the Small Riad, a peaceful courtyard surrounded by reception halls once used by the grand vizier. Each room stuns with hand-painted cedar ceilings in red, green, and gold, alongside carved stucco walls and geometric zellij tiles. These richly detailed salons offer a perfect glimpse into 19th-century Moroccan luxury.
Step into the palace’s most impressive space, a vast Carrara marble courtyard divided by colorful zellij walkways and anchored by a central fountain. Arched galleries lined with blue-and-yellow tiles glow in the sunlight, blending Andalusian and Islamic design. It’s one of Bahia’s most photogenic and awe-inspiring spots.
Venture into the southern wing, home to the former harem apartments. Don’t miss Lalla Zineb’s Chamber, known for its stunning stained-glass windows that fill the room with jewel-toned light — a rarity in Moroccan architecture. The cedar ceilings and stucco details reveal the private elegance of royal life.
Continue into the large riad, a serene courtyard garden filled with orange, banana, and jasmine trees. Once reserved for the vizier’s wives and concubines, it remains a peaceful escape from the bustle of Marrakech, surrounded by ornate floors and painted wood ceilings.
Every corner of Bahia Palace is a showcase of craftsmanship: intricate stucco, colorful mosaics, and painted cedar panels known as zouak. These patterns, drawn from centuries of tradition, make the palace a living gallery of Moroccan design.
Once you’ve explored the grandeur of Bahia Palace, unwind at Jardin Secret, a serene escape filled with fountains, lush greenery, and timeless Moroccan charm. It’s the perfect next stop for a relaxed, scenic experience.
👉 Book the Bahia Palace, Ben Youssef Madrasa & Secret Garden Tour
Yes! You can book skip-the-line tickets online in advance to save time, or purchase them at the venue before your tour begins.
A guide brings the palace to life, sharing stories, history, and hidden details you’d likely miss on your own. They explain the meaning behind the mosaics, carvings, and courtyards, and connect what you see to Marrakech’s royal and cultural past. It’s the best way to truly understand and appreciate the palace beyond its beauty.
Most tours are conducted in English and French, though other language options may be available upon request depending on the guide’s availability.
Most visits last about 45 minutes to 1 hour, but guided tours often take a bit longer to explore all the courtyards and chambers.
The tour lasts around 2 hours, giving you enough time to explore the palace interiors, courtyards, and gardens in depth with your guide.
You’ll visit Bahia Palace’s ornate halls and courtyards, the Saadian Tombs with their royal marble chambers, the Koutoubia Mosque’s exterior and gardens, and the souks, full of color, spices, and local crafts.
Yes, it sustained minor damage but was fully restored and reopened by October 2023. Today, it’s safe and ready to welcome visitors again.
Make your Marrakech adventure even richer by exploring not just the Bahia Palace but also the Saadian Tombs, the majestic Koutoubia Mosque, and the city’s vibrant souks: a sensory journey through history, art, and local life, all in one guided tour.
Learn how Bahia Palace reflects Morocco’s blend of Islamic and Andalusian design from an expert guide.
Inclusions
Licensed local tour guide
Free time to explore
Skip-the-line entry to Bahia Palace (as per option selected)
Exclusions
What to bring
What’s not allowed
Accessibility
Additional information
Trace Marrakech’s royal and spiritual legacy on a guided journey linking its grandest palace, sacred tombs, and iconic mosque.
Inclusions
Guided tour of Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, Koutoubia Palace and souks
Tickets for all sites (as per option selected)
Exclusions
What to bring
What’s not allowed
Accessibility
Additional information
Explore Marrakech’s cultural contrasts, from the grandeur of palaces to the calm of gardens and the intellect of ancient schools.
Inclusions
Licensed local tour guide (Italian, Spanish, English or French)
Guided tour through the Medina: Jemaa el-Fna, souks, artisan quarters
Guided tour to both gardens (Islamic & exotic) and palace courtyards at the Secret Garden
Guided visit inside Madrasa Ben Youssef and Bahia Palace
Skip-the-line entry to the monuments once entrance tickets are purchased on-site
Free time to explore
Exclusions
Ticket to secret garden (pay on site)
Ticket to Mesadra Ben Youssef (pay on site)
Ticket to Bahia Palace (pay on site)
Hotel/Riad pick-up
What to bring
What’s not allowed
Accessibility
Additional information
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.