El Badi Palace

What it is and why it matters

El Badi Palace was the great reception palace of the Saadian sultan Ahmad al-Mansur. Works began shortly after his accession to the throne, in 1578; according to the chronicler al-Ifrani it was finished in 1593, although the sultan went on embellishing it until his death, in 1603. Marble was used, some of it brought from Italy, as well as gold, onyx and zellige. Its name is usually translated as "the incomparable".

It did not last long. After al-Mansur's death it was abandoned, and around 1707–1708 the sultan Moulay Ismail had it dismantled to take its materials to Meknes, his new capital. What remains are the rammed-earth walls, the empty pools and the layout of the complex. The September 2023 earthquake damaged it, and it reopened in October of that year.

What you see

• The great courtyard. It measures about 135 by 110 m. In the centre is a pool of about 90 by 22 m and, around it, four sunken gardens. Stand at one end to get an idea of the scale.
• The pavilions. On the sides of the courtyard there were four pavilions; the western one was the throne room, the Qubbat al-Khamsiniya. To the south, behind the southern pavilion, were the baths.
• The underground passages. Beneath the palace run vaults and channels that fed the fountains. Ask at the entrance which part is open.
• The Koutoubia minbar. In one room of the palace is displayed the 12th-century wooden pulpit of the Koutoubia mosque, an Almoravid work.
• The storks. They nest on top of the walls: look for them in spring.
• The terraces. Climb to the top of the walls: from above you see the whole layout of the palace, the medina and, on clear days, the Atlas.

The palace is also used as an exhibition space, and for years hosted the National Festival of Popular Arts of Marrakesh.

Hours and price

Entry costs 100 DH for foreign adults and 50 DH for foreign children aged 7 to 13; 30 and 10 DH for Moroccans and residents, who enter free on Fridays and on the first days of festivals. It is bought at the Ministry of Culture's online ticket office or at the ticket window. The website gives hours of 9:00 to 17:00; confirm at the entrance whether the minbar room has a supplement and what time the last entry is.

Allow an hour.

When to go

First thing or late in the afternoon. The courtyard is enormous and has no shade: at midday, especially in summer, the sun beats on the ground and the walls. The low afternoon light on the red rammed earth is the best for photos from the terraces.

Getting there

It is in the south of the medina, in the Kasbah area, about 15 minutes' walk from Jemaa el-Fna and a few minutes from the Bahia Palace. Link the two in one morning: first the Bahia when it opens, then El Badi. By petit taxi, ask for "Palais El Badii".

With children, teenagers and accessibility

Children like the size and the storks. The ground is uneven earth, with steps and high walls: watch them up top. With a pushchair you can tour the courtyard; to climb the walls there are stairs.