10 Things to Do in Majorelle Gardens Marrakech

If you don't know what to see and do in Marrakech during your stay, the Majorelle Botanical Garden is one of the must-see destinations, visited daily by dozens of tourists and locals. This is thanks to the amazing natural scenery composed of a large collection of trees and flowers, beautiful architecture and some museums.

You will be able to walk freely in the garden and enjoy the beauty of each of its corners. You will have the opportunity to visit the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, dedicated to the famous French couturier, and also visit the exhibits of the Berber Museum to learn a little about the history of the city, among other destinations incorporated in the garden, which I will tell you about in a moment.

Spending a morning or afternoon exploring the beautiful Majorelle Gardens is a must on your visit to Marrakech because of the many charms this oasis of art and landscaping has to offer.

If you book a tour of the Majorelle Gardens you won't have to worry about the journey as a chauffeur-driven vehicle will pick you up at the door of your hotel and drop you back at the same point.

This tour also includes a walk through the Palmeraie, Marrakech's ancient palm grove, a ride on camelback and a tea stop in an old house. An experience for the senses not to be missed on your trip to Marrakech.

Useful information

• Price: from 79 ¤ per person.
• Duration: 4 hours.
• What's included: transfer to and from the hotel in a chauffeur-driven vehicle, tour of the Majorelle Gardens and the Palm Grove of Marrakech, camel ride, tea in an old house, mineral water and wet wipes, sweets and candies.

The Majorelle Garden is a small natural haven that is home to an array of botanical species, animals, ponds, canals and fountains.

As you enter the garden you will notice a beautiful square fountain that welcomes you, designed by interior designer Bill Willis. In this way, you will gradually discover the hidden gems of this small man-made oasis.

Bamboo Forest

In the bamboo forest you can walk along the water channel that connects to the fountain or sit by the iconic Kiosk in this area to enjoy its shade and coolness.

Also, if you pay attention to your surroundings, you will observe a number of bird species, as this small forest has become a favourite refuge for them.

Variety of cacti

The Majorelle Garden houses an important collection of cacti, made up of approximately 60 species. You can take a close look at this family of plants with different textures, shapes, shades of green and sizes, mostly brought from the south-west of the United States.

Water lily and lotus pond

As you pass by the pond of aquatic plants you can't help but stop in front of it, as it creates a perfect contrast to the desert scene and endemic flora that characterises the city of Marrakech. You will see the beautiful water lilies and the sacred lotus flowers, both imported from Asia by Yves Saint Lauren and Pierre Bergé.

Palm tree collection

Another of the garden's great attractions that you won't want to miss is its collection of palm trees. You will see several species of these plants with large leaves and straight trunks that are native to the region, as well as others imported from the Canary Islands, Africa, India, the Pacific and the Mediterranean basin.

Furthermore, if you are an enthusiast of these plants and want to enjoy their particular beauty , hiring a tour of the Majorelle Garden you will have the opportunity to visit the Marrakech Palm Grove, the perfect place for camel rides and, thus, you will live a unique experience.

Useful information

• Price: General admission to the Majorelle Garden costs around 14 Euros per person with reduced prices for Moroccan and international students, Moroccan citizens and residents. Children under 12, press, travel agents and national education establishments are free.
• Opening hours: The opening hours at the Jardin Majorelle change according to the months of the year. For example, from October to April it is open from 8am to 6pm, from May to September from 8am to 6.30pm and during Ramadan from 9am to 5pm. The last entrance is one hour before closing time.

The extraordinary history of the city is not only evident when you explore the desert of Marrakech in a day or visit the Medina. You can also discover the richness and diversity of the Berber people at the Berber Museum during your visit to the Jardin Majorelle.

The museum is located in the northeast corner of the site. It is in the space formerly occupied by the studio of the painter Jacques Majorelle, who was the first owner of the gardens, built in 1931 by the architect Paul Sinoir.

Architectural display

As you approach the building, you will be struck by the cobalt blue tone of the façade used on almost all the buildings in the garden. As you enter the museum, you will also notice some of the details that characterised the modernist style of the 1930s. You will see a series of tile mosaics, screens and other decorative elements typical of the Moroccan architectural style.

Exhibitions

In terms of exhibitions, you will find three rooms with an important display dedicated to the indigenous Moroccans. You will see approximately 600 objects originating from various regions, from the mountainous region of the Rif to the Sahara Desert. All of them collected by the couturier Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé.

Among the exhibits on display are textiles, weapons, basketry, carpets, leather goods and jewellery. You will also see pieces chiselled, enamelled and covered in filigree, a technique based on welded silver or gold threads.

Useful information

• Price: general admission to the Berber Museum costs approximately €5 per person. There are also reduced prices for Moroccan and international students, Moroccan citizens and residents. Children under the age of 12, press, travel agents and national educational establishments can enter free of charge.
• Opening hours: The Berber Museum is open from October to April from 8am-6pm, from May to September from 8am-6:30pm and during Ramadan from 9am-5pm. The last entrance is one hour before closing time.

If you are an enthusiast of the world of haute couture fashion, you should take advantage of your stay of at least two days in Marrakech to visit the Yves Saint Laurent Museum in the Majorelle Gardens.

As you walk through the rooms of the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, you'll see around 5,000 garments, 50,000 sketches and 15,000 haute couture accessories. At the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, you will also have an encounter with architecture, as the building is a clear reference point for traditional Moroccan style and modern trends.

During your visit, you will have access to the museum's research library and bookshop. You will also enjoy a very cool atmosphere outside the building, ideal if you are visiting Marrakech in summer. This is thanks to the Florida vines and the rectangular fountain accompanied by papyrus plants, monstera, prickly pears and giant strelitzia.

Useful information

• Price: general admission to the Yves Saint Laurent Marrakesh Museum costs an average of 12 euros per person and a reduced price for international students and children over the age of 10. Disabled persons, children under 10, professional press and school groups can enter free of charge.
• Opening hours: The Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech Museum is open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, with the last entrance at 5:30 pm. The museum is closed on Wednesdays.

On your way through the Majorelle Gardens you can try Moroccan food and, more specifically, some dishes typical of the city of Marrakech. To do so, you should stop at the Café Majorelle, which is located a few metres away from the Garden Boutique.

In this pleasant place you can sit at a table in the shade while surrounded by beautiful greenery, as the café is open-air. You can relax, breathe the fresh air and enjoy a hot or cold drink, breakfast or lunch.

In this case, you will have several options such as tajine (chicken, lamb or vegetable stew), zaaluk (salad of lettuce, tomato, tuna and onion) or lamb or chicken kebabs, among other dishes usually offered in restaurants in Marrakech.

Useful information

• Price: the visit to the Café Majorelle is available through the tour of the Majorelle Garden, so it is included in the Marjorelle Gardens tour.
• Opening hours: Café Majorelle is open daily at the same time as the Jardin Majorelle.

Whether you visit the Majorelle Garden in Marrakech in January or any other month of the year, you will find the doors of the Boutique open. This is a boutique located in the heart of this little oasis, where you can observe and purchase the work of the best Moroccan craftsmen.

When you enter the Boutique, you will first be struck by the use of colour in the space, designed to pay homage to Yves Saint Laurent. Next, you will see a series of products that manifest the nobility of craftsmanship. All of them, with the highest standards in terms of finishes and materials.

You will be able to choose from garments that reflect the country' s ancestral culture, made of Shantung silk and other high quality textiles. You will also find leather products such as embroidered cushions and handbags or traditional slippers.

Useful information

• Price: Access to the Majorelle Garden Boutique is included in the entrance fee to the Majorelle Garden and is therefore included in the price of the Marjorelle Gardens tour.
• Opening hours: The Majorelle Garden Boutique is open daily. Opening hours vary according to the season. For example, from October to April it is available from 8.00am to 6.00pm, from May to September from 8.00am to 6.30pm, and during Ramadan from 9.00am to 5.00pm, with the last entry 30 minutes before closing time.

Another stop on your tour of the Majorelle Gardens is the Memorial to Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé, a small space dedicated to the famous couturier and his sentimental partner, who bought the garden after the death of Jacques Majorelle, the previous owner.

It is a Roman-style column brought specially from the Moroccan city of Tangier, which stands on a pedestal. On it you will see a plaque with the name, date of birth and death of Saint Laurent. In addition, next to the plaque is the name of Pierre Bergé, also a benefactor of this natural space.

Without a doubt, this is a very special space, which could take on greater significance for you if you visit the Majorelle Garden in Marrakesh in June, as this month marks the anniversary of the death of the icon of haute couture, Yves Saint Laurent.

Useful information

• Price: Access to the Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé Memorial is included in the tour of the Jardin Majorelle, so it is included with the Marjorelle Gardens tour.
• Opening hours: The Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé Memorial is available during the Jardin Majorelle opening hours.