With our morning having been taken up with the ruins of El Badi and some delicious food, it was time for us to proceed on to our next stop – La Bahia Palace. It wasn’t far from where we were so it was only a couple minutes walking to arrive.
Arriving at La Bahia
The entrance wasn’t where Google told us it would be, but we could see that it was, in fact, the palace itself. Following the perimeter wall quickly brought us to the entrance.
Passing through the arched doorway, we quickly left the chaos of the street and entered the serene garden walkway. It is obvious that this was the intended effect for the royalty of Marrakech.
Inside the Royal Chambers
At the end of the walkway was a small arched doorway that led into the inner chambers of the palace. As we passed through, we were suddenly greeted to dazzling designs of mosaics, plasters, and carved cedar.
And of course, many tourists. This was okay though, some were taking tours, while others just wandered as we were. Despite the many visitors, the layout makes it so you don’t feel crowded.
Taking a Self Guided Tour
The numerous courtyards and rooms can easily make one feel overwhelmed at first. However, a path has been laid out by the curators that allows for a smooth tour through the complex. Despite how large it feels as you walk through, only a small portion of the eight-hectare palace is open to the public.
As you wander through the 150 rooms (many are not open to the public) you begin to appreciate the artisanship that went into the design and 14 years of construction.
Built in the late 19th century by Si Moussa, the grand vizier of the sultan, it was intended for the personal use of the Sultan, his 4 wives, and 24 concubines. The opulence of the palace impressed many, including the warlord Pasha Glaoui and French aristocrats in the early 20th century.
Painted wood ceilings, white marble, stucco designs, mosaics, and stained glass embellish almost every inch of the palace. Everywhere you look, there is fine detail and craftsmanship.
Most of the rooms and courtyards you visit are a part of the Harem. But the back-courtyard is where everything comes together in extravagance. A 2-acre courtyard of marble and blue and yellow mosaic culminate with a central fountain.
Despite the glaring sun and heat, the cool marble and mosaic tile keep the courtyard at a comfortable temperature. The fountain also adds a nice bit of character.
We decided to rest and relax for a bit in this courtyard. We had been walking a lot the previous few days, and earlier that day as well – so our feet welcomed the break.
Leaving La Bahia
We noticed that the sun was beginning to sink, and after a rough time getting back to our riad the previous night, we decided it time to make our way back.
We still had plenty left to see though as we left the back-courtyard. More rooms, with yet more elaborate designs and artisanship.
There is also even a small art gallery in one of the rooms. It doesn’t take long to view, but well worth taking the time to admire.
Eventually, we found out way back towards the entrance. As we made our way out, we took the time to say hello to the numerous cats that made the bushes of the palace their home.
Visit La Bahia Palace
La Bahia Palace can be visited on your own at your own pace. It is the way that we preferred to see it. However, we did miss a bit of the history as there wasn’t a whole lot of information displayed, and what was there, was displayed in French or Arabic. Our French is pretty basic, so while we managed to get the idea of what was being said, we’re sure we missed some information. If you want to visit on your own, we’ve listed the necessary information below. However, if you want a guided tour with thorough explanation, we recommend you book this tour. You won’t have as much time to wander, but you’ll get a great tour of not just La Bahia, but also of El Badi and Majorelle Garden.
- Hours: 9 am – 5 pm every day.
- Address: Avenue Imam El Ghazali, Marrakech 40000, Morocco
- Fee: 10 Dirham (~$1 USD)
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- Travel Pack – Carrying the right pack can make a huge difference while out. Our Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Travel Pack will help ensure you get off on the right foot.
- Water Bottles – Collapsible Water Bottles – These are some of our favorite items to bring with us. They’re really light-weight and you can also roll them up so you can store them away easily. If there is one item that is most important to bring with you, it is water.
- Hiking Clothes – You wouldn’t think of this as a hike at first, but you will cover a lot of distance in Marrakech and the Moroccan desert doesn’t play around. In the desert, it is easy to be overexposed to the sun and not realize it until too late. Keeping yourself covered can really help. A recent addition to my wardrobe has made a big difference. For him | For her
- Sun Screen – It was chilly in November, so we were covered but if you don’t cover up with clothes, then you should wear sunscreen. We’ve used these and we haven’t been burned since, plus they are allowed in carry-on luggage. TSA Approved Sunscreen
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