Badi Palace
The Incomparable Ruins of a Golden Age
Hours of Operation
Open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Entrance Fee
Entrance fee is 100 MAD.
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About
El Badi Palace is a 16th-century Saadian palace in Marrakech, built by Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur to commemorate his victory over the Portuguese. Once one of the most lavish palaces in the Islamic world, it's known today for its dramatic ruins, sunken gardens, and nesting storks.
History Of El Badi PalaceGallery
Frequently Asked Questions
Is El Badi Palace free to visit?
No — entrance costs 100 MAD for adults, 30 MAD for children under 12, and 20 MAD for Moroccan residents (free for Moroccan residents on Fridays).
What is the best time of day to go?
Arrive right at opening, 9:00 AM, for the best light over the ruined courtyard and the fewest visitors — by 11:00 AM the palace fills with tour groups. It closes at 5:00 PM (4:00 PM during Ramadan), so morning is best.
Is El Badi Palace safe for visitors?
Yes — it's a well-supervised historic site. The main thing to watch for is unofficial "guides" outside the gate pushing paid tours; buy your ticket at the official counter or online and feel free to decline unsolicited offers.
Why is El Badi Palace famous?
Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur built it in 1578 to celebrate his victory over the Portuguese, financed by war reparations, making it one of the most opulent palaces in the Islamic world at the time. It was stripped of its precious materials in the early 1600s to build Meknes, leaving the dramatic ruins — now home to nesting storks — that visitors see today.