Bahia Palace

Paved with indigo-white marble and mosaic tiles, the Bahia Palace is one of the best-preserved monuments in Morocco. Its monarchical history dates back to the mid-19th century Islamic dynasty. Today, the site continues to host the royal families of Morocco. But much of its modern-day popularity is owed to an epitomic Islamic-Moroccan architecture that resides within its walls. The palace is most famous for radiant shades of blue and yellow, a collection of stained glass windows, and painted cedarwood archways that open up to small oases of citrus tree gardens.

Once you absorb the austerity of the Grand Courtyard, dive into the piecemeal interior for a feast of intricate patterns. At the time, whenever a sultan ascended to the throne, it meant greater grandeur for the Bahia Palace. They left their mark on the design with dazzling dining halls and lush private gardens. Tucked away around Petit Riad and Grand Riad, the harem chambers and salon walls are delicate, vivid, and abounded in inscriptions with a boho-chic style.

Beyond its aesthetic value, the Bahia Palace shares the reputation of its first successor. As the story goes, the grand vizier Si Musa rose to power from being a slave to the royal government. And, he had the palace built for his family at the heart of Marrakech. Now, sitting elegantly on its laurels, the most magnificent landmark of Marrakech awaits visitors a few minutes away from the medina.