Sounds Of The Souks

Tag: Bahia Palace

An exploration of The Red City known as Marrakech.

  • Staying In The Kasbah.

    An authentic district in Marrakech

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    The Kasbah is a quieter part of Marrakech, with fewer tourists than the medina.

    Staying in the Kasbah, you feel totally immersed in the culture of Marrakech as you rub shoulders with the friendly locals.

    There are plenty of restaurants and shops including a good fixed price store selling everything you will find in the souks at a realistic price.

    *See my separate post on Dar Bouchaib.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    Inside the Kasbah, you can visit tourist attractions like the Saadian tombs and El Badi Palace.

    Zeitoune Cafe overlooking the mosque is a lovely spot for lunch or a drink whilst taking a break from sightseeing.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    It is about 15 to 20 minutes leisurely walking from the main square with plenty to see along the way.

    There are a range of budget and high-end riads to stay in around the Kasbah.

    * See my separate post on Riad Hikaya.

    The Kasbah is the historical citadel in Marrakesh with fortified walls.

    The narrow alleyways make it an exciting place to visit, and there are fewer motorcycles and donkeys trying to negotiate the streets at the same time as you, making it less stressful.

    The Kasbah is home to the Clock restaurant and its legendary camel burger and storytelling evenings.

    Also, the Kasbah Cafe is a popular place for lunch and dinner.

    Krepchy does a fantastic breakfast, and the prices are very reasonable.

    I highly recommend the waffles.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    Consider taking a tuk-tuk from the main square if the weather is hot.

    It’s quite an adventure in itself as you rattle along the bumpy streets.

    Spending an hour or two enjoying this interesting area of Marrakech is definitely worth it.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    For details about places to stay or eat in the Kasbah,  contact me via the email address below;

    tracey.wright1963@googlemail.com
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  • Bahia Palace.

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

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    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.

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