Parks and the outdoors in Marrakech

Parks and the outdoors in Marrakech

1. See

   Agdal Gardens

   It consists of groves of orange, lemon, fig, apricot and pomegranate trees in rectangular plots, linked by olive-lined walkways. Together with the medina of Marrakech and the Menara Gardens, the Agdal Gardens were listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1985.

   70 dirham for foreign adults

2. See

   Anima garden

   Anima André Heller's Garden

   One of the prettiest gardens in the world. Created by André Heller, it is true oasis when you’re weary of the medina hubbub. Book the official shuttle bus to get there and back for free.

3. See

   Dar Si Saïd Museum

   Museum set in an old palace with beautiful gardens. While somewhat run-down, it is worth seeing and houses many different artifacts from Morocco through the ages, such as wood carvings, musical instruments, and weapons. It is dedicated to the Moroccan craft industry of wood, gathering a very beautiful collection of popular art: carpets, clothing, pottery and ceramics. All these objects are regional, coming from Marrakech and all the south, especially from Tensift, High Atlas, Soussthe, Anti Atlas, Bani, and Tafilal.

   10:00–18:00·Locals: adult 10 dirham, child below 12 3 dirham; tourists: adult 30 dirham

4. See

   El Bahia Palace

   An ornate palace complex built in the late 19th century, with courtyards, gardens, richly decorated rooms and traditional Moroccan architectural details. The palace was developed in several stages and expanded by Ba Ahmed, Grand Vizier to Sultan Moulay Abdelaziz. The complex covers about 8 hectares. The main entrance is on Rue Riad Zitoun el Jedid. The palace is relatively close to other attractions in the southern Medina and can be reached on foot from Jemaa el-Fnaa. Arriving shortly after opening can be useful for visitors who want to avoid the busiest periods.

   09:00–17:00·Foreigners: adult 100 dirham, child aged 7–13 50 dirham; Moroccan/resident: adult 30 dirham, child aged 7–13 10 dirham

5. Eat

   Le Grand Salon

   Upscale restaurant with French cuisine. Serve organic vegetables and olive oil from its own gardens.

   600 dirham for three courses

6. See

   Majorelle Gardens

   Jardin Majorelle

   It provides an excellent respite from the hustle and bustle of the city streets, if not crowded by tourists as it sometimes is. The park was designed by the artist Jacques Majorelle in the 1920s and 1930s. Since 1980 the garden has been owned by Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé. It boasts a collection of plants from around the globe, including what seems like every cactus species on the planet. Get here early to avoid the crowds. Inside the gardens is also the Berber Museum, which shows a slightly bigger and more modern presentation than the Dar Si Saïd. Advance bookings must be made online, it is not possible to buy a ticket at the site.

   Oct-Apr: 08:00-17:30, May-Sep: 08:00-18:00, Ramadan: 09:00-17:00·170 dirham, 30 dirham extra for the Berber Museum

7. See

   Musée de la Palmeraie

   In old agricultural buildings in the Palmeraie, made out of rammed earth. The architecture itself is interesting if you haven't seen it. It offers a small collection of contemporary art, with a room dedicated to Moroccan artists (also famous ones), the international ones are rather not top-notch. The gardens are nicely made and are good place to relax in quiet.

   09:00-18:00?·40 dirham

8. See

   Saadian Tombs

   Saadian Tombs. The tombs were built in the 16th century as the dynastic necropolis of the Saadian dynasty. The complex includes the Chamber of the Twelve Columns, the Chamber of the Mihrab, the Chamber of the Three Niches and the garden tombs. The site was rediscovered in 1917 and subsequently restored and opened to visitors. The site is relatively compact and most visitors can see the main areas in 20–30 minutes. The entrance passage is narrow, so arriving early can help avoid queues.

   generally 09:00–17:00, although visitors should check current information before travelling·Foreigners: adult 100 dirham, children aged 7–13 50 dirham; Moroccan nationals and residents: adult 30 dirham, child 10 dirham

9. See

   The Menara gardens

   A mixture of orchards and olive groves surrounding the water reservoir with the central pavilion which is a popular sight on tourist postcards. Not a decorative garden, and now quite run down. The pavilion was built during the 16th-century Saadi dynasty, and renovated in 1869. It has a small cafe, but it is not open all hours. There are no toilets open when the cafe is closed.

   Closed · opens 9 am tomorrow·Free admission

10. See

    Yves Saint Laurent Museum

    Advance bookings must be made online, it is not possible to buy a ticket at the site.

    Thu-Tue 10:00 - 18:00·120 dirham, combination ticket with Majorelle Gardens and Berber Museum 180 dirham, queues are far shorter here than at the gardens to buy tickets though you have to buy either a YSL Museum ticket or combination ticket

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Marrakech (CC BY-SA 4.0).