Hotels near Bahia Palace

Bahia Palace was built in the late 19th century for Grand Vizier Si Moussa and his son Ba Ahmed, and its name means brilliance. Around 8 hectares of courtyards, gardens and reception rooms show off the finest Moroccan craftsmanship of the period: painted cedar ceilings, carved stucco, zellige tiles and a grand marble courtyard.

The palace is one of the busiest sights in Marrakech, and its open courtyards can be very hot in summer, so October makes a real difference. Nearby, the Mellah, the historic Jewish quarter, has a spice market and a restored synagogue, and the Saadian Tombs and the ruined El Badi Palace, with storks nesting on its walls, are a short walk south-west.

Tickets are sold at the entrance, and the queue is shortest at opening.

Pro Tip: Visit Bahia at opening, then walk to El Badi Palace and climb its ramparts for a view over the medina rooftops before lunch in the Mellah.