Monument & palace · Riad Zitoun / Mellah

Bahia Palace

Must-see

A 19th-century vizier’s palace of painted cedar ceilings, zellige and courtyards of orange trees.

Opening hours: 9:00–17:00
Ticket: 100 MAD (≈ €9)
Time needed: 1 h 15
Best time: Early morning
Jemaa el-Fna: 10 min on foot

Why go

Built for the grand vizier Si Moussa and enlarged by his son Ba Ahmed, the Bahia (“brilliance”) spreads over eight hectares of courtyards, gardens and reception rooms. It was meant to be the finest palace of its time, and the decoration still shows it.

It is a series of rooms rather than one grand hall, so take your time: the carved and painted ceilings, the marble court and the women’s quarters are the highlights. Tour groups arrive from 10am.

Tips

Arrive at 9am: by 10.30 the courtyards are full of groups.
Pay in cash at the gate; last entry about 30 minutes before closing.
Combine with El Badi Palace and the Saadian Tombs, all within 15 minutes on foot.
Photo tip: The great marble courtyard straight after opening, when the light is soft and the space is empty.

Practical

Riad Zitoun / Mellah, Medina, Marrakech
10 min on foot from Jemaa el-Fna
9:00–17:00 — Last entry around 16:30; shorter hours in Ramadan.
100 MAD (≈ €9) — Children 7–13: 50 MAD; under 7: free.

Loading the map…