🇲🇦 Palais El Badi Guide | Marrakech's Most Photogenic Ruins

Once a 16th-century golden wonder, this sun-bleached palace now stands as a poetic ruin—where crumbling walls whisper tales of sultans and stolen splendors. 📍 Essentials Address: Ksibat Nhass, Marrakech (No direct car access—look for subtle entrance) Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (seasonal changes possible) Ticket: ~100 MAD (foreign visitors) Best Time: Sunrise/sunset (we went at noon—scorching mistake! ☀️) 🏰 History in Fragments Built by Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur to celebrate his 1578 victory, this palace was looted in the 17th century—its Italian marble, Indian onyx, and Spanish gold hauled away to build Meknes. Now, only ghostly foundations remain. 📸 Must-Shot Spots 1️⃣ The Grand Courtyard A vast sunken plaza with reflecting pools that mirror the sky. 2️⃣ Underground Tunnels Cool, labyrinthine passages (perfect for moody portraits). 3️⃣ Ramparts View Climb for panoramic Medina + Atlas Mountains vistas. 4️⃣ Pigeon Tower A miraculously intact dovecote with geometric niches. 5️⃣ Throne Room Ruins Stand where sultans hosted dignitaries—imagine the lost mosaics! ⚠️ Pro Tips Wear sturdy shoes—uneven terrain everywhere! For golden-hour magic, arrive by 4 PM. Respect the ruins (no climbing fragile walls). #MarrakechPhotography #PalaisElBadi #TravelLikeALocal #RuinsWithAView