Each year, visitors arrive at the gates of Bahia Palace dressed for a beach day — shorts, tank tops, spaghetti straps — and are turned away or handed a robe before they can enter. It's an awkward moment that's entirely avoidable with five minutes of preparation. Morocco is a Muslim-majority country, and Bahia Palace is a historic royal monument. Modest dress is expected, and while enforcement varies, it's never worth the risk of being refused at the door after walking 20 minutes through the medina to get there.
Is There a Strict Dress Code?
Bahia Palace does not publish a formal written dress code the way some mosques do. However, the cultural expectation is clear: shoulders and knees should be covered for all visitors. In practice, enforcement is inconsistent — on quieter days, visitors in shorts occasionally get through. But on busy days, if a guard is checking, you may be stopped, asked to cover up, or directed to rent a wrap at the entrance.
The safest approach is to simply dress appropriately from the start. You'll be more comfortable inside anyway — loose, light fabrics are far more practical than tight, revealing clothing in the Marrakech heat.
What Women Should Wear
- Lightweight trousers, linen pants, or a maxi skirt (knee-length or longer)
- A top with sleeves — at minimum, cap sleeves. Short sleeves are generally fine; sleeveless tops are not.
- A loose-fitting dress that covers the shoulders and falls past the knee
- A light cardigan, kimono, or wrap that can cover bare shoulders
A common and practical choice: wide-leg linen trousers + a short-sleeve top + a light scarf in your bag. The scarf doubles as a cover-up if needed and costs nothing to carry. Choose linen and cotton — they breathe well and keep you cool even when covering up.
What Men Should Wear
Men face fewer restrictions in practice, but the same general rule applies: no bare shoulders, and shorts should fall at or below the knee.
- Chinos, lightweight trousers, or longer shorts (knee-length or below)
- A t-shirt, polo, or short-sleeve shirt
- Light sneakers or sandals with good grip
If you're already in Marrakech and dressed casually, a lightweight shirt thrown over a tank top is enough.
What NOT to Wear
These items may get you turned away or result in an uncomfortable conversation at the entrance:
- Sleeveless tops and vest tops — for any gender
- Short shorts or mini-skirts — anything that falls significantly above the knee
- Low-cut or sheer tops — even if they technically have sleeves
- Swimwear of any kind
- Crop tops — they expose the midriff
- Flip-flops with no grip — the palace floors are smooth stone and tile; slippery footwear is a practical hazard
What If You Forget?
If you arrive underdressed, you have two options:
Option 1: Scarves and wraps at the entrance. Vendors outside Bahia Palace (and sometimes staff at the entrance) offer lightweight wraps or sarongs to borrow or purchase. The price is typically 10–30 MAD for a purchase or a small tip for a borrowed item.
Option 2: A nearby shop. The streets immediately surrounding Bahia Palace are lined with small shops selling scarves, light cotton trousers, and djellabas. A basic cotton wrap costs very little and you'll use it at other sites in Marrakech too. Don't rely on either of these as your plan — come dressed appropriately.
Other Visitor Rules
Photography: Allowed throughout the palace. No flash photography — this is enforced to protect the painted woodwork and pigments. Drone use is not permitted.
Shoes: You do not need to remove your shoes — Bahia Palace is not a mosque. Comfortable, closed-toe shoes or sandals with good grip are recommended.
Touching the tilework and woodwork: Don't. The zellij mosaics and carved stucco are centuries old and fragile.
Food and drink: Eating inside the palace is not permitted. You can bring a water bottle — staying hydrated in Marrakech is important.
Plan a Stress-Free Visit
Dress right, arrive early, and skip the queue. Book your skip-the-line ticket before you arrive and walk straight through the entrance — no waiting, no scrambling for cash, no uncertainty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to cover my head at Bahia Palace?
No. Bahia Palace is a historic royal palace and museum, not an active mosque. Head coverings are not required for any visitors, regardless of gender. Covering your shoulders and legs is the key expectation.
Can I wear shorts to Bahia Palace?
Men can wear knee-length or longer shorts without issue in most cases. Women in shorts that fall above the knee may be asked to cover up. The safest approach for anyone is to wear trousers or a skirt that reaches the knee or below. If in doubt, carry a scarf or wrap that can be tied around the waist.