I walked to El Badi Palace from the central Medina, weaving south through progressively quieter streets until the crowds of Jemaa el-Fna gave way to the more residential feel of the Kasbah district. It’s an easy walk if you have a general sense of direction, and it’s the way most independent travelers reach the palace.
Location
El Badi Palace sits at Ksibat Nhass, in the Kasbah district of Marrakech, about 5 minutes on foot from Place des Ferblantiers — a small square known for its metalwork shops and a handful of cafés. This puts it within easy reach of the other major Kasbah sights: Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs are both close by.
Walking
From Jemaa el-Fna, the main square, it’s roughly a 20 to 25 minute walk south into the Kasbah. The route takes you past the Mellah (the old Jewish quarter) and eventually into narrower streets closer to the palace itself. It’s a genuinely pleasant walk on a cool morning and a good way to get a feel for how the Kasbah differs from the busier central Medina, though the streets aren’t always clearly signed, so having a map app open is a good idea.
Taxi
A petit taxi from most points in the Medina or Gueliz to El Badi Palace should be a short, inexpensive ride — typically just a few minutes given how central the Kasbah district is. Agree on a price before getting in if the meter isn’t used, which is common practice for short trips in Marrakech. Ride-hailing apps, where available, offer a more predictable, metered alternative.
From the Airport
Marrakech Menara Airport is roughly 15 to 20 minutes from the Kasbah district by car, depending on traffic. A taxi directly from the airport to your accommodation, with a separate trip to El Badi Palace later in your stay, is more practical than trying to visit straight off a flight.
Landmarks to Navigate By
If you’re walking without a working data connection, a few fixed points help confirm you’re headed the right way: Place des Ferblantiers, the small square just outside the palace entrance, and Bab Agnaou, one of the historic Kasbah gates, both sit close to El Badi Palace and are marked on most printed Marrakech maps even when smaller streets aren’t. Asking for either by name tends to get a clearer answer from locals than asking for El Badi Palace directly, since the entrance itself is tucked down a side street rather than facing a main road.
Combining the Walk With Other Sights
Because El Badi Palace, Bahia Palace, and the Saadian Tombs are all within a few minutes’ walk of each other, most visitors don’t travel to El Badi Palace in isolation — they build it into a walking route through the Kasbah. See our guide to top attractions near El Badi Palace for a sensible order to see them in, and our one-day Marrakech itinerary if you’re planning a fuller day around the area.
Driving and Parking
If you’re driving rather than walking or taking a taxi, parking in the Kasbah’s narrow streets takes a bit of planning. We cover the practical options in parking near El Badi Palace.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is El Badi Palace from Jemaa el-Fna? It’s roughly a 20 to 25 minute walk through the Kasbah district, or about a 5 to 10 minute petit taxi ride depending on traffic.
Can I walk to El Badi Palace from the Medina? Yes. The walk from the central Medina south into the Kasbah district is straightforward and passes several other landmarks, though the streets can be confusing, so a map app or a rough sense of direction helps.
Is there a bus to El Badi Palace? Local buses serve the general area, but most visitors find walking or a short petit taxi ride simpler and more direct than working out bus routes for a single Kasbah stop. Once you arrive, current El Badi Palace tickets are sold at the gate.