Marrakech: Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, Souk & Medina Guided Tour
Description
Embark on a captivating journey led by your knowledgeable local guide as you delve into Marrakech's rich tapestry of iconic landmarks. Marvel at the intricate beauty of Bahia Palace, pay homage to history at the Saadian Tombs, and admire the grandeur of the Koutoubia Mosque. Immerse yourself in the bustling medina, a haven of exotic sights and sounds, and experience the lively atmosphere of Jemaa el-Fna Square. • Explore Djemaa El Fna square with its vibrant markets full of souvenirs & goods • Uncover the architectural wonders of the Koutoubia Mosque & the Saadian Tombs • Admire the stunning decorations and lush interiors of El Bahia Palace • Immerse yourself in rich history, culture & architecture that define Marrakech
Tour Options
Itinerary
The Koutoubia Mosque, the city's largest mosque, derives its name from its historical association with bookshops and booksellers. Following a traditional Almohad architectural style, its tower is adorned with four copper globes. Miniature replicas of the mosque are widely sold in Morocco, attesting to its popularity.
Then, pause at the Kasbah, a historic neighbourhood that served as a fortified royal district. Its narrow streets and traditional architecture offer a glimpse into the life and heritage of the city’s past. Nearby, admire Bab Agnaou, a grand 12th-century gateway with intricate stone carvings, historically serving as the royal entrance to the Kasbah.
The Saadian Tombs, dating from the time of Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur, house the remains of about sixty members of the Sa’adi Dynasty. Rediscovered in 1917 and carefully restored, these tombs have become a prominent attraction in Marrakech, serving as the final resting place for members of the dynasty from the Dra’a Valley beyond the high Atlas Mountains.
El Bahia Palace, “the palace of the beautiful” was built for Ahmed Ibn Moussa between 1894 and 1900 in the then-popular Alaoui style. There are 160 different rooms in the palace around little courtyards, which were, according to rumour, chiefly occupied, by an increasing number of concubines. The beautiful decorations are stucco panels, zellij decorations, tiled floors, carved cedar ceilings, shiny marble finishes (a special Marrakesh finish called tadelakt and used in all the city's riads’ bathrooms) and painted ceilings. The palace is surrounded by an eight-hectare garden.
The bustling souks are the heart of Marrakesh, offering an array of traditional Moroccan handicrafts, spices, medicinal remedies, and local entertainment. Visitors can find iconic items like babouches, leather goods, garments, pottery, tajine dishes, and silver jewellery. Bargaining is a common practice, adding a sense of fun and excitement to the shopping experience.
End your journey immersed in the essence of Marrakech, where architectural marvels, vibrant markets, and a rich cultural heritage come together to create unforgettable memories of a truly unique experience.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Not suitable for people with mobility impairments
Reviews(231)
Our experience was great we thoroughly enjoyed it, Ali was very friendly and knowledgeable and made the experience very interesting and engaging! Would definitely recommend!
Mouhsine was our guide and he was great. The tour was very informative and enjoyable. Such a wonderful experience. We had one guest in this tour group who showed up agitated and later went on to have a tantrum and storming 3/4 of the way in. Mouhsine handled it well and made sure the rest of the group was not affected and still finished the tour happy. I would highly recommend this tour.
What an absolutely fabulous tour. Mouhssine was fantastic! He helped us immerse ourselves in the culture and history of Marrakech. He was so knowledgeable. We had an awkward member of our group and Mo dealt with the situation professionally. Highly recommend Mo and the tour!!
Excellent way to learn about the history of Marrakech and the sites visited. Our guide, Ali, is knowledgeable and caring. One thing to note: Google Maps would lead you to the side entrance of Cafe de France while the meeting point is actually on the Jamaa El Fna square side.
Great experience, knowledgeable and friendly tour guide (Ismael) who kept things interesting during the tour. Our group was relatively small which I preferred and it made navigating the souks in a group less chaotic. Meetup instructions and fees for the palace and tombs were communicated clearly well in advance of the tour which was appreciated. Recommended for people interested in the history of Marrakech!
Great place and nice souk Moroccans love tourists it feels enormously nice cultural change thank you
Very informative, casual, 3-4 hours visiting multiple sites. A couple of admission fees to pay but inside was well worth it especially with the guide. Bought some herbs and oils along the way. Fun morning
Bahia Palace was having some restoration work done when we visited but it didn't lessen our experience. A stunning place to visit, no queues at entry and we were there for about 2 hours. Our guide was brilliant, very knowledgeable and he had a great sense of humour 😀. We really enjoyed learning about the palace and its history. I would definitely recommend a trip there.
Wear comfortable shoes, a fan if possible and bring plenty of water . Cash only so make sure to bring some. Ali was a fabulous tour guide.
Excellent tour to do at the start of your holiday in Marrakech. Our tour guide, Mo, was knowledgeable, entertaining and interesting to listen to. He gave us lots of tips for our stay and made the tour worth while even in 42 degrees Celsius. The tour is broken up into various stops such as the Bahia Palace (100 MAD extra per person - integral to the tour), Saadian Tombs (100 MAD extra per person- optional) and a stop in a herbalist. Highly recommend.
