No. 03, The districts · 06 of 11
The Kasbah of Marrakech: Bab Agnaou, the Saadian tombs and El Badi
The Kasbah is the old royal citadel in the south of the Marrakech medina. Enter through Bab Agnaou, a carved 12th-century Almohad gate, to reach the Kasbah mosque of 1185–1190 and the Saadian tombs. The El Badi palace ruins are close by. Arrive at opening time for the tombs.
Best timeAt opening time for the Saadian tombs
The Kasbah at a glance
- Best time
- At opening time for the Saadian tombs; late afternoon for the gate in warm light.
- What it feels like
- The old royal citadel in the south of the medina: stone gates, stork nests and the hush of the tombs.
- Eat here
- Small cafés on the Kasbah square; storks on the walls of El Badi overhead.
- See
- Bab Agnaou, the carved 12th-century Almohad gate
- The Kasbah mosque (about 1185–1190)
- The Saadian tombs
- El Badi palace ruins
Bab Agnaou
Bab Agnaou is the Kasbah's carved stone gate, dated to the 12th-century Almohad period. Late-afternoon light brings out the carving.
The Kasbah mosque
The Kasbah mosque dates to 1185–1190. As with other working mosques in the city, non-Muslims see it from outside.
The Saadian tombs
The Saadian tombs date to the 16th century. Walled off for generations, they were made known again in about 1917 by the French Service des Beaux-Arts.
El Badi and the storks
Storks nest on the walls of the El Badi palace ruins, a short walk from the tombs. Small cafés on the Kasbah square are a place to sit.
Don't miss
- Bab Agnaou, the carved 12th-century Almohad gate
- The Kasbah mosque (about 1185–1190)
- The Saadian tombs
- El Badi palace ruins
A medina rooftop, the Koutoubia lit · at night
Lamb and prune tagine
Mint tea at a café on Jemaa el-Fnaa
Worth knowing before you go
- Ticketed sites have official desks. Ignore anyone outside who says a site is closed today and offers another route.
- In summer, visit before 11:00; highs reach about 37 °C in July and August.
See The Kasbah with someone who lives here
Tell us your dates and group size. A planner writes back within 24 hours with a plan and a fixed written quote. Asking costs nothing.
Questions people ask
When is the best time to visit the Saadian tombs?
At opening time, before tour groups arrive. The chambers are small and fill quickly.
How old is Bab Agnaou?
It dates to the 12th-century Almohad period.
When were the Saadian tombs rediscovered?
In about 1917, by the French Service des Beaux-Arts. They had been walled off for generations.