Bahia Palace is open every day of the year from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with last entry at approximately 4:30 PM. A small number of public holidays and Ramadan can shift these hours. Everything you need to plan your visit without arriving at a closed gate is below.
Key Takeaways
- Standard hours are 9:00 to 17:00 daily. Last entry is around 4:30 PM. During summer months (June–August) hours may extend to 18:00.
- Ramadan 2026 falls approximately March 1–30. During Ramadan, the palace typically operates 9:00 to 15:00. Confirm closer to your visit date.
- The first 90 minutes after opening (9:00–10:30 AM) are consistently the quietest of the day. Arriving early removes both the crowd problem and the queue problem in one step.
What Are Bahia Palace's Current Opening Hours in 2026?
Bahia Palace is open every day of the week. Morocco does not observe a fixed summer/winter schedule with set changeover dates, so hours can vary slightly and are worth verifying closer to your visit. The official schedule is published by Morocco's Ministry of Culture (e-services.minculture.gov.ma).
| Day | Opening Hours (Standard) |
|---|---|
| Monday | 09:00 – 17:00 |
| Tuesday | 09:00 – 17:00 |
| Wednesday | 09:00 – 17:00 |
| Thursday | 09:00 – 17:00 |
| Friday | 09:00 – 17:00 |
| Saturday | 09:00 – 17:00 |
| Sunday | 09:00 – 17:00 |
Last entry is typically 30 minutes before closing. During peak summer months (June–August), hours may extend to 18:00. During Ramadan, the palace typically shifts to a reduced schedule, often 9:00 to 15:00, and this can change year to year based on the Islamic calendar.
2026 Note: Ramadan falls approximately March 1–30, 2026. If you're visiting during this window, expect adjusted hours and plan accordingly. For ticket prices on all days, see the entrance fee guide.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Bahia Palace?
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM: The Clear Winner
Doors open at 9:00 AM, and the first 90 minutes are the calmest of the day. Tour groups typically don't arrive until 10:30 to 11:00 AM, and the light inside the palace's open courtyards is softer and more photogenic in the morning. If you want the iconic zellige tilework and carved cedar ceilings to yourself, go early. This is also when the entrance queue is shortest: arriving five minutes before opening and you'll be one of the first inside.
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM: The Window to Avoid
Between 11:00 and 14:00 is when Bahia Palace is at its most crowded, especially during high season (March–May, September–November). Tour buses arrive between 10:00 and 11:00 AM, audio guide groups clog the corridors, and queue times at the ticket window can stretch to 30 to 45 minutes. If this window is unavoidable, booking a ticket in advance removes the queue problem, even if the crowds remain.
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM: A Reasonable Alternative
After the lunch rush, crowds start to thin. Many visitors leave for lunch. The light changes, some rooms get shadier, but the overall experience is more relaxed. Still warm in peak season but significantly more manageable than midday.
3:30 PM to Close: Excellent for Photography
The late-afternoon light transforms Bahia Palace. Fewer visitors remain and the warm golden tones make for exceptional photography throughout the courtyards and garden. You have less time to explore before closing, but the experience is often better than a midday visit with twice the time. For full photography advice, see the photography guide.
How Long Does a Visit to Bahia Palace Take?
Most visitors spend between 1 hour and 1.5 hours inside. The palace's area open to visitors covers roughly 8,000 square meters across multiple courtyards, gardens, reception halls, and the former harem quarters — enough to keep you engaged without overwhelming you. For full room-by-room context, the room-by-room guide is useful to read beforehand.
If you're a photographer or a history enthusiast who wants to linger, budget 2 hours. If you're travelling with children or combining it with other sites the same day, such as the Saadian Tombs (10 minutes' walk away), 60 to 75 minutes is realistic.
What adds time: the ticket queue at the door (20 to 45 minutes if you buy on arrival), audio guides, photographing the tiled courtyards in detail. What removes that variable: arriving with a pre-booked ticket. In our experience, visitors who book in advance spend their time inside the palace rather than outside it.
Is Bahia Palace Open on Holidays?
Morocco observes both national secular holidays and Islamic religious holidays. The palace's schedule on these days is not always consistent: some years it remains open with reduced hours, other years it closes entirely. If your trip is timed around any of these dates, verify closer to your visit via the Ministry of Culture website.
| Holiday | Approximate Date | Likely Status |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1 | Closed or reduced |
| Throne Day | July 30 | Often closed |
| Eid al-Adha | ~June 6–7, 2026 | Closed 1–3 days |
| Eid al-Fitr | ~March 30, 2026 | Closed 1–2 days |
| Independence Day | November 18 | Often closed |
| Aid al-Mawlid | ~September 4, 2026 | Reduced hours |
Islamic holidays follow the lunar calendar, so exact dates shift each year. If you're planning around any of these dates, check the official Ministry of Culture listings closer to your trip, or ask your riad or hotel for local confirmation.
Which Month Is Best to Visit Bahia Palace?
Bahia Palace draws visitors year-round, but the experience varies significantly by season. Morocco's National Tourism Office recorded 17.4 million international arrivals in 2024 (ONMT, Morocco Tourism Annual Report 2024), with the Marrakech Medina as one of the most concentrated visitor corridors in the country. Timing matters.
March–May (Spring): Ideal. Temperatures are pleasant (18–30°C), the orange trees are in bloom, and daylight hours are long. Crowds are high but manageable if you arrive early.
September–November (Autumn): Excellent. Temperatures drop to 22–32°C after summer, crowds thin, and the light is beautiful. October is widely considered the best month overall.
February and December: Low season, low crowds. Temperatures are mild (15–22°C), and you'll often have entire rooms to yourself in the morning. The gardens are less lush but the palace itself is unchanged.
July–August (Summer): Proceed with caution. Temperatures regularly exceed 38–43°C by midday. If you must visit, arrive at 9:00 AM sharp and plan to be done by 10:30. The palace has no air conditioning. See the first-visit tips guide for summer-specific preparation.
| Season | Temperatures | Visiting Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | 18–30°C | Perfect |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | 35–43°C+ | Early morning only |
| Autumn (Sep–Nov) | 22–32°C | Excellent |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | 15–22°C | Great for low crowds |
How Do You Plan a Low-Crowd Half-Day at Bahia Palace?
The southern Medina works beautifully as a self-guided morning. Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, and El Badi Palace are all within 15 minutes' walk of each other and all open from 9:00 AM.
- 8:45 AM — Arrive at Bahia Palace entrance (five minutes before opening)
- 9:00–10:15 AM — Tour the palace at your own pace while it's quiet
- 10:30 AM — Walk 10 minutes south to the Saadian Tombs (open from 9:00 AM)
- Afternoon — Continue to El Badi Palace ruins, then explore the Mellah at your leisure
Combine with appropriate dress — see the dress code guide for what to wear at the palace and surrounding sites.
How Do You Avoid Long Queues at Bahia Palace?
The single ticket window at Bahia Palace is the main bottleneck. Even when the palace itself isn't crowded, the queue to buy a ticket at the door can stretch to 30 to 45 minutes in direct sun, particularly in peak season.
- Book online in advance. A pre-booked ticket means you walk past the queue entirely. In high season this alone saves 30 to 40 minutes standing in direct sun.
- Arrive at 9:00 AM sharp. The queue is shortest right at opening. Arrive five minutes early and you'll be among the first inside.
- Avoid Friday midday. The medina is busy with post-prayer foot traffic. The palace stays open, but the surrounding streets are more congested.
- Choose weekday mornings. The difference in queue length on a Tuesday versus a Saturday is noticeable, especially in spring and autumn.
- Watch for group tours. If you see a large tour group checking in ahead of you, wait ten minutes for them to disperse inside before entering.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Bahia Palace open?
Bahia Palace opens at 09:00 AM every day of the week. During peak summer months, closing time may extend to 18:00. During Ramadan (approximately March 1–30, 2026), hours are typically reduced to 09:00–15:00. Always confirm ahead if your visit falls during a holiday period.
Is Bahia Palace open on Fridays?
Yes, Bahia Palace is open on Fridays with the standard 09:00–17:00 schedule. The surrounding Medina can be busier than usual around midday due to Friday prayers, but there is no special closure for Friday at the palace itself.
Can I visit Bahia Palace without a ticket booked in advance?
Yes, you can buy a ticket at the door for 100 MAD (foreign adult price). However, during peak season the queue can take 30 to 45 minutes. Booking online eliminates this wait entirely and is strongly recommended from March through November.