Originally a palace owned by the Grand Vizier, Si Ahmed Ben Moussa (better known as Bou Ahmed, a black slave who clawed his way to hold, in his twilight years, almost autocratic control as Protector for the young sultan, Abd El Aziz).
The Palace does not have any exhibitions as such its charm is in the beauty and ornate design of the building Bahia means "brilliance" and some of the workmanship is quite lovely, especially the painted cedar wood ceilings and some stained glass windows (though sadly these rooms are not at all well lit).
Beyond the main structure of the building is the harem, with colonnades and terraces, fountains and orange groves.
The Bahia seems to a favourite on the tour party list and they tend to come later on in the day so, to avoid the scrum, make for the Bahia as it opens (you can visit the less well-frequented sites like the Badi Palace later on, safe in the knowledge that tour parties will have moved on to the Saadian tombs and fewer crowds bother with the Badi or Tiskiwin).
The guidebooks will tell you that guided tours are obligatory, which is no longer the case. If you want a guide, you will have no shortage of offers but no one will force you if you choose to meander at will.
Open 8.30-11.45am and 2.30-5.45pm (closed winter months when the royal family is in occupation); entrance 10dh.