Saadian Tombs Travel Guide: Top Sights in Morocco, Tours & Travel

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Saadian Tombs- Travel Tips What to See, How to Plan & Tours: Historical & Cultural; Morocco; 5 Reviews

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Suggested Duration: 2 hours

The Saadian Tombs in Marrakesh are a significant historical site, reflecting the grandeur of the Saadian dynasty, particularly during the reign of Ahmad al-Mansur in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Located next to the Kasbah Mosque, this royal necropolis features intricately designed tombs that showcase Moroccan artistry at its peak. The site includes several mausoleums, such as the Chamber of the Twelve Columns, where Saadian royalty are interred. The tombs combine Andalusi and Moroccan architectural styles, with detailed tilework and elegant marble decoration. Rediscovered in the early 20th century, they have been meticulously restored and offer a glimpse into the opulence and cultural sophistication of Morocco's past.

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Reviews of Saadian Tombs

Kailey Parks

4
Reviewed: 2024-06-27

We visited not understanding how popular this spot is! Be prepared to stand in line to see the main tomb - there is very little shade in line and it was HOT! We were glad we visited, but be prepared to wait an hour in line. Everything was beautiful!
Emily Anderson

4
Reviewed: 2024-05-27

Know before you go: You do not get to go inside. You will likely wait in a line outside to take your turn to look inside. I'd compare it to the experience of waiting to view the Mona Lisa. The line when we went on a Wednesday around 1100a was wrapped around quite a way. We waited in line for roughly an hour. There is some shade covering in the line but not much. There were a lot of people with exposed shoulders and/or stomachs. Do what you are comfortable with. It's noted as a sign of respect for the site when you do cover your shoulders. I would say earlier is probably better for this. It costs 70 dirham.
Miles Macdonald

4
Reviewed: 2024-05-03

I think if you've only got 70 MAD to spend, better to visit the Badi Palace which costs the same. Having said that, whilst this isn't a huge place, it does showcase beautiful mosaics and stone work with the tombs and if you go fairly early the grounds are very peaceful. A little bit of restoration work is going on at the far end if the site repairing earthquake damage.
Petr Weiss

3
Reviewed: 2024-04-07

The tombs are nice, but I still can't decide if visiting them was worth it or not. The entrance fee is 70 MAD, inside there is a small cemetery and two tombs. You can explore the cemetery and the smaller tomb in 10 minutes. There's a queue for the larger tomb. I waited for about an hour, almost the whole time in the sun. In the end, you can only peek inside the tomb anyway. If you have only a limited amount of time, I recommend to visit the palaces instead.
Jennifer Andrea Woites

2
Reviewed: 2024-03-07

The place is nice but the entrance is rather pricey for what's inside to see. You'll end up doing a huge queue to step next to the fence to see the tombs. Then it is basically just the garden, not sure if there used to be more to see here or not before the earthquake, but not worth the money.