For one day in Marrakech, start in the Kasbah with the Saadian Tombs and El Badi Palace, then continue toward Bahia Palace and Jemaa el-Fnaa. From Zalagh Kasbah, a four-star hotel, the tombs are about a 12-minute drive and El Badi Palace about 14 minutes, making this a practical starting point for a southern-medina itinerary.
- Start: Marrakech’s Kasbah, near Bab Agnaou.
- First sights: the Saadian Tombs and El Badi Palace.
- Palace hours: Bahia Palace is open from 9:00 to 17:00.
- Final stop: choose between Ben Youssef Madrasa and Jardin Majorelle.
Start in the Kasbah
Begin your day in the Kasbah, the historic quarter in southern Marrakech, and pass Bab Agnaou before visiting the nearby monuments. The gate’s Arabic name is; from Zalagh Kasbah Hotel & Spa, it is about an 8-minute drive.
Keep the first part of the day focused on the Kasbah sights rather than trying to cover the whole medina at once. The Saadian Tombs and El Badi Palace make a natural next pair of stops; a separate Saadian Tombs and El Badi Palace route covers their history in more detail.
Visit the Saadian Tombs and El Badi Palace
The Saadian Tombs and El Badi Palace are two distinct historic stops in the Kasbah area. From Zalagh Kasbah Hotel & Spa, the Saadian Tombs take about 12 minutes by car and El Badi Palace about 14 minutes by car.
Allow time to visit both before continuing east toward Bahia Palace. The palaces and tombs are a substantial part of the day, so check opening arrangements before setting your schedule.
Walk or ride toward Bahia Palace
Bahia Palace is an 8-hectare historical monument built in two phases during the second half of the 19th century. Its complex includes courtyards, gardens, salons, outbuildings and annexes; four main courtyards feature details such as marble, zellij, stained glass, carved and painted wood, stucco, fountains and gardens.
The Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication gives Bahia Palace visiting hours as 9:00–17:00. Admission costs 100 Dh for foreign adults and 50 Dh for foreign children aged 7–13; Moroccan or resident adults pay 30 Dh, and children aged 7–13 pay 10 Dh.
Entry is free for people with reduced mobility and for Moroccan nationals every Friday and on the first day of national and religious holidays.
After Bahia Palace, continue toward Jemaa el-Fnaa. For details on visiting the palace and planning its place in your day, see this Bahia Palace in Marrakech visiting guide.
Pause around Jemaa el-Fnaa
Jemaa el-Fnaa gives you a central point to pause after the southern-medina palaces. From Zalagh Kasbah Hotel & Spa, the square is about a 12-minute drive.
Use the stop to reset before choosing a final destination rather than adding another large sight automatically. The Jemaa el-Fnaa guide has more on what to know about the square.
Choose a final medina stop
Choose your last stop based on whether you want a historic school in the old Medina or a garden visit. Both options have published hours and admission details, so leave enough of the day for the one you select.
Ben Youssef Madrasa
Ben Youssef Madrasa is in the heart of Marrakech’s old Medina, at Rue Assouel. Its 134 rooms formerly accommodated students.
The official site gives regular hours as 9:00–19:00 every day and Ramadan hours as 9:00–16:30 every day. Admission is 50 DH for foreign adults, 20 DH for Moroccan adults with identification, 10 DH for children under 12, and 30 DH per person for groups of 21 or more. Tickets are available at the entrance.
Jardin Majorelle
Jardin Majorelle covers 9,000 m². Jacques Majorelle began planting exotic botanical specimens there in 1922, and Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé bought the garden in 1980 to save it from destruction by hotel developers.
The garden is open every day from 8:00 to 18:30, with last entry at 18:00. Admission is 170 Dhs; reduced rates are 75 Dhs for Moroccan citizens and residents, 40 Dhs for Moroccan students, and 95 Dhs for international students.
The official site advises booking online in advance. The garden is wheelchair accessible; children under 10 accompanied by an adult and people with disabilities presenting a disability card are eligible for free admission.
Plan the route and check practical details
Keep the itinerary in a south-to-central sequence: Kasbah sights first, Bahia Palace next, Jemaa el-Fnaa after that, and one final stop if time allows. The travel times from the hotel are useful for reaching the starting sights, but they do not set the time needed to visit each place.
Hours and ticket arrangements can change. Before you go, check the official site for each place you plan to visit: the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication for Bahia Palace, and the official sites for Ben Youssef Madrasa and Jardin Majorelle.
FAQs
Can you visit the Saadian Tombs and El Badi Palace in one day?
Yes. They are both Kasbah sights and can be grouped at the start of a day before continuing toward Bahia Palace.
What are Bahia Palace’s opening hours?
Bahia Palace is open from 9:00–17:00.
Do you need to book Jardin Majorelle in advance?
Its official site advises reserving online in advance to secure your desired date and time.
Where is Ben Youssef Madrasa?
It is in the heart of Marrakech’s old Medina, at Rue Assouel.