Medersa Ben YoussefvsBahia Palace
Both Bahia Palace and Ben Youssef Madrasa are rated highly by expert reviewers. Overall, Bahia Palace scores significantly higher than Ben Youssef Madrasa. Bahia Palace is ranked #4 in Marrakech with recommendations from 6 sources like Afar Magazine, Lonely Planet and Fodor's.
Medersa Ben Youssef
Fodor's
Concierge
Lonely Planet
Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
Afar Magazine
Frommer's
Just off Rue Souk el Khemis, Marrakech, Morocco
From $0/night
Fodor's "If you want a little breath taken out of you, don't pass up the chance to see this extraordinarily well-preserved 16th-century Koranic school, North Africa's largest such institution." Full review
Concierge "A 14th-century Koranic school that has been lovingly restored, the Medersa has a serene courtyard with a central, water-filled basin; and facades enhanced with tiling, stucco, and carved cedar."
Lonely Planet Top Choice
"This Quranic learning centre was once the largest in North Africa and remains among the most splendid." Full review
Travel + Leisure "If your date loves history or design, head over to my favorite spot in the city, this college whose main buildings date back to the 14th century." Full review
Travel + Leisure "A beautiful center basin, incredible Moroccan mosaic tiled walls, hand sculpted plasterwork, and ornate wood work—all come together to enchant. " Full review
Afar Magazine "At Ben Youssef Medersa, a 16th-century Koranic boarding school turned museum, visitors can see colorful mosaic zellij tiles and intricate stucco carvings inscribed with Muslim invocations." Full review
Frommer's "Ben Youssef Medersa [is] a former Koranic boarding school attached to its namesake mosque, where students used to learn Islamic law, science, and the Koran." Full review
Bahia Palace Fodor's Concierge Lonely Planet
Michelin Guide Afar Magazine Travel + Leisure
Marrakech, Morocco
From $0/night
Fodor's "This 19th-century palace, once home to a harem, is a marvelous display of painted wood, ceramics, and symmetrical gardens." Full review
Concierge "This 19th-century palace is so elaborate in its decoration it verges on kitsch."
Lonely PlanetTop choice
"Imagine what you could build with Morocco’s top artisans at your service for 14 years, and here you have it: La Bahia (the Beautiful)." Full review
Michelin Guide 2 Stars
"Superb decoration featuring zellige tiles, sculpted wood, stucco and paintings... and magnificent garden with trees and flowers and you have a superb ensemble." Full review
Afar Magazine "A masterclass in the fine Moroccan arts – zellij mosaic floors, carved stucco plasterwork and painted cedar ceilings, around a serene garden." Full review
Travel + Leisure "In the late 1800s, the Bahia Palace was built at the pleasure of Ba-Ahmed, a former slave who rose to become the all-powerful Vizier to the Moroccan Sultan." Full review
