Dar El Bacha

Marrakech’s Dar el Bacha, or “House of the Pasha,” was once the residence of Thami El Glaoui. As pasha, he was the highest-ranking official during the French colonial regime. Known as a flashy man, he built his estate to impress guests, and he succeeded. Rich with Moroccan traditions, the palace included a hammam, multiple fountains, courtyards of orange trees, and a private harem area once used by the pasha himself.

After World War II, the palace was closed yet remained a time capsule of sorts, carrying remnants of an era that showcased unabashed vibrancy and impossibly intricate decorative patterns. In 2017, the building was transformed into a public museum. Since reopening, its name has been the Museum of Confluences, in recognition of the multiple cultures that call Morocco home.

Dar el Bacha is also renowned for its charming coffee shop, arguably a global exhibit in its own right. Visitors less inclined to survey the bounty of antiques or architecture still have an opportunity to sip on a culturally diverse experience at Café Bacha, via global beans. The shop displays canisters of the world’s finest varieties of coffee from over thirty countries. To avoid the jitters, we recommend at least two weeks to sip your way through the number of nations on offer, traveling the world through your coffee cup. No passport necessary.

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