BAHIA PALACE

Bahia Palace is a stunning, 19th century palace in Marrakesh.

It’s definitely a must-see if you’re visiting the city, and it’s quite spectacular.

The rooms are decorated with stuccos, paintings, and mosaics to capture the essence of Islamic architecture.

The word Bahia means  ‘brilliance’ in Arabic, reflecting the splendour of Islamic art and architecture.

It is necessary to book tickets prior to visiting the palace as queues can be extremely long.

They cost 70 dirhams each, and the palace is open from 8.00am-5.00pm daily.

The courtyard is stunning, and all the rooms open out onto it.

It is rather grand and very spacious with a fountain in the centre and intricate tile work typical of Morroccan culture.

There is also a 2-acre garden surrounding the palace.

There are orange trees lining the route up to the entrance of the palace.

When Morocco gained independence from France in 1956, the Bahia palace was used as a royal residence. This was until King Hassan II transferred it to the custody of the Moroccan Ministry of Culture.

The building then became a cultural icon and tourist attraction.

Bahia Palace is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Marrakech.

It is best to arrive as close to opening time as possible to avoid the crowds.

That way, you can spend time reading about the history of the palace and enjoying the experience.

I would recommend visiting Bahia Palace.

It’s gives you a good understanding of Islamic culture and the fine craftsmanship that defines it.

If you enjoy looking at Islamic architecture, you could also visit Badi Palace in the Kasbah area of the city.