7 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 setting composed of a large collection of trees and flowers, beautiful architecture and several museums.

You can stroll freely through the garden and enjoy the beauty of every corner. You will have the opportunity to visit the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, dedicated to the famous French fashion designer, and also explore the exhibitions at the Berber Museum to learn a little about the history of the city, among other destinations included 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 due to the many charms that this oasis of art and landscaping has to offer.

If you also book a tour of the Majorelle Gardens, you won't have to worry about transportation because a vehicle with a driver will pick you up at your hotel and drop you off at the same place.

In addition, this excursion includes a walk through the Palmeraie, the old palm grove of Marrakech, a camel ride and a stop for tea in an old house. Without a doubt, this is an experience for the senses that you cannot miss on your trip to Marrakech.

Useful information

• Price: from £79 per person.
• Duration: 4 hours
• What's included: return transfer to your hotel in a vehicle with driver, tour of the Majorelle Gardens and the Palmeraie of Marrakech, camel ride, tea in an old house, mineral water and wet wipes, sweets and candies.

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

Upon entering the garden, you will see a beautiful square fountain designed by interior designer Bill Willis. From there, 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 next to the iconic kiosk in this area to enjoy its shade and coolness.

If you pay attention to your surroundings, you will also see a number of bird species, as this small forest has become their favourite refuge.

Variety of cacti

The Majorelle Garden is home to an important collection of cacti, comprising approximately 60 species. You can observe this family of plants up close , with their different textures, shapes, shades of green and sizes, most of which were brought here from the southwestern United States.

Water lily and lotus pond

As you pass by the water plant pond, you won't be able to help stopping in front of it, as it creates a perfect contrast to the desert landscape and endemic flora that characterise the city of Marrakech. You can admire the beautiful water lilies and sacred lotus flowers, both species imported from Asia by Yves Saint Laurent 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'll see several species of these large-leaved, straight-trunked plants that are native to the region, as well as others imported from the Canary Islands, Africa, India, the Pacific and the Mediterranean basin.

What's more, if you're a fan of these plants and want to enjoy their unique beauty, book a tour of the Majorelle Garden and you'll have the opportunity to visit the Palm Grove of Marrakech, the perfect place for camel rides and a truly unique experience.

Useful information

• Price: General admission to the Majorelle Garden costs around £12 per person, with reduced prices for Moroccan and international students, Moroccan citizens and residents. Children under 12, the press, travel agents and national educational establishments enter free of charge.
• Opening hours: the opening hours of the Majorelle Garden vary according to the time of year. For example, from October to April, it is open from 8:00 to 18:00, from May to September from 8:00 to 18:30 and during Ramadan from 9:00 to 17:00. Last admission is one hour before closing time.

The extraordinary history of the city can be seen not only by exploring the Marrakech desert in a day or visiting the Medina. You can also discover the richness and diversity of this people at the Berber Museum during your visit to the Majorelle Garden.

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

Architectural showcase

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

Exhibitions

As for the exhibitions, you will find three rooms with an important display dedicated to the indigenous people of Morocco. You will see approximately 600 objects from various regions, from the mountainous Rif region to the Sahara Desert. All of them were collected by fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé.

Among the items on display, you will see a series of textiles, weapons, basketry, carpets, leather goods and jewellery. You will also see pieces that have been chiselled, enamelled and covered with 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 12, the press, travel agents and national educational establishments can enter free of charge.
• Opening hours: The Berber Museum is open from October to April from 8:00 to 18:00, from May to September from 8:00 to 18:30 and during Ramadan from 9:00 to 17:00. Last admission is one hour before closing time.

If you are a fan of haute couture, you should make the most of your stay of at least two days in Marrakech to visit the Yves Saint Laurent Museum in the Majorelle Gardens.

During your tour of the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, you will see around 5,000 garments, 50,000 sketches and 15,000 haute couture accessories. Similarly, at the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, you will encounter architecture, as the building is a clear reference to traditional Moroccan style and modern trends.

Throughout this visit, you will have access to the museum's research library and bookshop. You will also enjoy a fairly cool atmosphere outside the building, ideal if you visit 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 Museum in Marrakech costs an average of £12 per person, with reduced prices for international students and children over 10 years old. People with disabilities, children under 10, professional press and school groups can enter for free.
• Opening hours: The Yves Saint Laurent Museum in Marrakech is open from 10:00 to 18:00, with last admission at 17:30. The museum is closed on Wednesdays.

During your visit to the Majorelle Gardens, you can sample Moroccan cuisine and, more specifically, some dishes typical of the city of Marrakech. To do so, stop off at Café Majorelle, located a few metres away from the garden boutique.

In this pleasant spot, you can sit at a table in the shade while surrounded by beautiful vegetation, as the café is open-air. You can relax, breathe in 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 (lettuce, tomato, tuna and onion salad) or lamb or chicken skewers, among other dishes generally offered in Marrakech restaurants.

Useful information

• Price: a visit to the Café Majorelle is available as part of the Majorelle Garden tour, so it is included when you book the tour of the Majorelle Gardens.
• Opening hours: Café Majorelle is open every day at the same time as the Majorelle Garden.

Whether you visit the Majorelle Garden in Marrakech in January or any other month of the year, you will find the Boutique open . This shop is located in the heart of this small oasis, where you can see and purchase the work of the best Moroccan artisans.

Upon entering the Boutique, you will be immediately struck by the use of colour in the space, which was designed to pay tribute to Yves Saint Laurent. Next, you will see a series of products that showcase the nobility of craftsmanship. All of them meet the highest standards in terms of finish and materials.

You can choose from garments that reflect the country's ancestral culture, made from Shantung silk and other high-quality fabrics. You will also find leather products such as embroidered cushions and wallets, as well as traditional slippers.

Useful information

• Price: access to the Majorelle Garden Boutique is included in the entrance fee to the Majorelle Garden, so it is included when you book the tour of the Majorelle Gardens.
• Opening hours: The Majorelle Garden Boutique is open every day. Opening hours vary according to the season. For example, from October to April it is open from 8:00 to 18:00, from May to September from 8:00 to 18:30, and during Ramadan from 9:00 to 17:00, with last admission 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 fashion designer and his partner, who acquired 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 date of death of Saint Laurent. Next to this inscription is the name of Pierre Bergé, who also donated this natural space.

This is undoubtedly a very special place, which could take on even greater significance for you if you visit the Majorelle Garden in Marrakech in June, as this month marks the anniversary of the death of haute couture icon Yves Saint Laurent.

Useful information

• Price: access to the Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé Memorial is included in the tour of the Majorelle Garden, so it is included when you book the tour of the Majorelle Gardens.
• Opening hours: the Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé Memorial is open during the Majorelle Garden's opening hours.