The Bahia Palace is located in the medina of Marrakesh near the Jewish quarter. The exact dates of the construction of the palace ae not known but it was completed by 1900.
The palace complex was erected in sections additional tracts of land were obtained resulting in a slightly haphazard layout. The palace is quite large and spreads over almost eight hectares including walled gardens, pavilions, and courtyard buildings.
The older part of the palace is the Dar Si Moussa which includes a courtyard in the north of the complexand a central garden featuring several fountains and cypress, orange, jasmine, and banana trees.
The palace has some fine example of Moroccan architecture and design - beautiful carved archways, marble floors, painted cedar ceilings and tiled panels. I especially admired the intricate carving above the windows of the harem.
The Bahia Palace has been well-maintained over the past century by the Moroccan government and is currently used to receive foreign dignitaries. Part of the palace is occupied by the Moroccan Ministry of Cultural Affairs.
Written Aug 22, 2011
Website: http://www.morocco.com/attractions/el-bahia-palace/
This palace is quite close to the Jemma el Fna square. It has some amazing decorations inside, on the floors, walls and ceilings. Some of the tiling done in the palace looks really nice. There are plenty of places inside that provide a nice shade in the summers heat.
The palace looks nice but it is in desperate need of restoration and if this was done it would look a million times better.
There was an entrance fee of 10 dirhams.
Written Jul 2, 2010
Palais De La Bahia is a private palace dating to the 19th century. With decorated rooms and ceilings, mosaic fireplaces, beautiful gardens and patios, Palais De La Bahia was the prettiest place we saw in Marrakech. Even had a harem!
Updated Jul 15, 2009
Address: Riad Zitoun Jedid
Palais Bahia translates as Palace of the Favourite.
Built in two stages or parts at the end of the 19th century by two powerful grand viziers - the older part built by Si Moussa, the vizier of Sultan Sidi Mohammed ben Abderrahman, and the newer part of the two built by Si Moussa's son, Ba Ahmed, vizier of Moulay Abdelaziz.
The older part contains apartments around a marble-paved courtyard and an open courtyard with cypress and orange trees and jasmine, with 2 star shaped pools.
The newer part is a huge palace complex containing luxurious apartments looking onto courtyards planted with trees. The best craftsmen in the kingdom were apparently hired to build and decorate this palace and it is decorated with prized materials such as marble from Meknes, cedar from the Middle Atlas and tiles from Tetouan.
The main courtyard, once used by the vizier's concubines, is paved with marble and zellij tilework, with 3 fountains and surrounded by a gallery of finely fluted columns. This courtyard faces the main reception room with a cedar ceiling painted with arabesque.
I have visited the Bahia on two occasions - the first was quite rushed and I always after wanted to come back for a better look! When I finally returned last year I needed about 1 and a half to 2 hours to adequately see and photograph this beautiful complex!
Entrance is still only 10 dirham - approximately 1 euro
Check if it definitely closes for a lunchbreak from about 1230 to 230 pm each day. Opens early before 9am and closes 6pm.
Updated Jun 24, 2009
There are two other courtyards with jasmine, cypress, lemon and orange trees. It is believed that Ba Hmad, Sdid Moussa’s son, received government representatives in these areas. Zellij tile work is laid out in beautiful designs on the floor of the courtyards and surround small fountains.
Written Feb 16, 2009
Address: Bahia Palace, Rue de la Kasbah
During the 1900’s, the French conquered Marrakesh and Marshal Lyautey used the Palace as his residence. During this time he chose to update and modernise the complex.
Decorations take the form of subtle stucco panels, zellij decorations, tiled floors, smooth arches, carved-cedar ceilings, shiny marble (tadlak) finishes and zouak painted ceilings.
Written Feb 16, 2009
Address: Bahia Palace, Rue de la Kasbah
The palace is made up of 160 rooms opening off a maze of passageways and corridors. The bedrooms of the Harem varied in size depending on their importance. Some one thousand tradesmen were transported from Fez to work on the huge task which took around 15 years to complete
The Palace is also a favourite roosting ground for storks, seen all along the palace walls.
Written Feb 16, 2009
Address: Bahia Palace, Rue de la Kasbah
The Grand Vizier was a large man and not fit enough to climb stairs and so he had the entire Palace build solely on one level. Marble was brought in from Meknes, the cedarwood came from the Middle Atlas and the beautiful tiles came from Tetounan.
Written Feb 16, 2009
Address: Bahia Palace, Rue de la Kasbah
Bahia Palace’s name has two meanings ‘Place of the Favourite” or “Palace of the Beautiful”. It was designed by Muhammad al-Mekki and built around 1880 for the wives and concubines of Ahmed Ibn Moussa who was the Grand Vizier to Moulay Hassan. He wanted it to be the largest palace in Morocco. Around the outside of the palace buildings are 8 hectares of gardens. There is an admission charge.
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 0830-1145 and 1430-1745.
Written Feb 16, 2009
Address: Rue de la Kasbah, Marrakech
This palace was built in the 1890's by Bou Ahmed to house his family and retinue of 4 wives, 24 concubines and countles children. The architecture reflects the Muslim need for privacy with rambling rooms, eloborate reception halls, living quarters and pleasure gardens, fountains etc.
The ruling Sultan, Abdel Aziz took displeasure with Ahmed for having the palace and upon his death had the palace looted.
We enjoyed our visit to this palace, which still retains beautiful tiling and other examples of Moroccan craftmanship.
Updated Feb 14, 2009
Address: Rue RaidZitoun el-Jedid
Phone: 044 389221
Website: http://www.visitmorocco.com/index.php/eng/I-am-going-to/Marrakech/unmissable
Sponsored Links
Riad Kniza Marrakesh
2 Reviews and 563 Opinions Beautifully decorated room, cozy aura, clean bathroom, delicious food and warmhearted staff. I got...
Riad Aguerzame Marrakesh
2 Reviews and 267 Opinions Situé dans la médina de Marrakech, près du palais Moulay Idriss, le Riad Aguerzame, entièrement...
Riyad Al Moussika Marrakesh
7 Reviews and 294 Opinions My husband and I went with good friends to stay at Riyad Al Moussika. I had read reviews and was...
El Bahia Palace tips and photos posted by real travelers and Marrakesh locals.
Write a Review
This palace was built in the 1890's by Bou Ahmed to house his family and retinue of 4 wives, 24 concubines and countles children. The architecture reflects the...
67 members live in Marrakesh
Q: hi, can anyone help? I am arriving at marrakech airport on sunday third june at 7pm with my 13 year old daughter. what's the...

A: No it won't be dark at 7pm in June,but by the time you clear the airport the last bus will have left. The easiest way is to book a taxi to meet you at the airport and...
Read 6 Replies
1
Winter and Summer in Marrakesh

Wow! what can I say about this fascinating city that will do it justice? Marrakesh had long been on my top 10 places to see list. So looking for somewhere special to celebrate my Birthday, I decided...
2
Marrakech - Incredible but exhausting!

Marrakech is a crazy city. Noisy, dusty, busy and smelly, it is an exhausting place to visit! I loved it. Well, most of it. I spent 4 nights there with my sister Alison. She suggested that we stay......
3

I've got some interesting experiences in Marrakesh. I'd love to share with you the 60 tips I've written, the 238 photos uploaded, and 7 travelogues I've created.
4

Marrakesh is known as the "Red City" Marrakesh is the capital of the south of Morocco. The ambiance here is very different than other Imperial cities like Fez, Rabat or Meknes. This city is something...
5

We came to Marrakesh with high expectations. The city had been on our “wish-list” for some years, and as this was the first holiday of any length that we had been able to take together for over a...
Build your own Marrakesh page
Sponsored Links