More about: 6 Best Things to Do in the Palm Grove of Marrakech
It is known as the Beverly Hills of Marrakech as its grounds are home not only to fabulous palm trees and breathtaking scenery but also some of the country's finest luxury hotels and spas. Made up of several hundred thousand trees, the grounds of the Marrakech Palm Grove extend over an area of approximately 8 square kilometres.
Marrakech Palm Grove Camel Ride
Visit the palm grove by camel or camel-dromedary
Take a unique ride on the back of a camel, while observing the scenery up close at a leisurely pace and orchestrated by the camel guide leading the caravan.
Explore the stunning Marrakech Palm Grove on a guided tour on a camel and experience Moroccan culture at its best. You'll meet local people and even get to dress up and try on typical Saharan clothing.
Camel rides in Marrakech usually last an hour on average and include a stop for tea in a Berber village made up of old, traditional houses.
Recommended if... you want to do something different, touring one of Marrakech's most famous landscapes and having a cultural experience along the way.
Marrakech Majorelle Gardens and Palmeraie Tour
Tour the Majorelle gardens, the palm grove and take a camel ride.
Explore these city attractions in one tour. See art, landscape and nature. Learn to ride a camel and get a full experience of Moroccan culture.
The Majorelle Garden is considered one of the most attractive tourist attractions in Marrakech. It is a botanical garden designed by the French artist Jacques Majorelle in 1924; when he acquired what was then a palm tree estate, he commissioned the architect Paul Sinoir to build an Art Deco style chalet.
The chalet consists of the main house on the first floor and the first floor is an artistic studio with immense decorations. The architectural work and the garden had been abandoned since 1962 when, following an accident, Jacques was forced to return to Paris. The property was acquired, refurbished and reopened to the public in 1980 after Yves Saint-Laurent bought it.
Two very interesting aspects to look out for on your visit to the Jardin Majorelle:
- The characteristic blue colour of the villa created by the artist himself and named Majorelle blue.
- The impressive botanical garden is made up of a central basin and several areas of lush vegetation. Hundreds of birds nest in its green leaves, turning the property into an exotic living garden.
Recommended if... you want to tour this architectural and artistic luxury, while enjoying a camel ride in Berber attire.
Experience the luxury spa experience
To enjoy the Palm Grove of Marrakech is to encounter one of Morocco's most impressive luxury destinations. Five-star hotels and spas converge here with treatments and experiences that are a little different from what we are used to, resembling the traditional Moroccan hammam.
The hammam is an oriental ritual that cleanses the body and mind. In the Moroccan spas located in the Palm Grove of Marrakech you will find the complete experience surrounded by a luxurious environment and with expert therapists on hand to ensure that your visit is as relaxing as possible. In most of these spaces you can enjoy a sauna, accompanied by additional treatments such as a full body black soap scrub followed by an argan oil massage.
- Price of the experience: €50 to €100. Many of these packages can include transfer to and from your hotel in the city.
Desert quad biking and camel trekking all in one afternoon
A quad bike tour of the desert will allow you to explore large tracts of land in a shorter period of time; accompanied by professional guides who know the area and will know how to stop at the points of most interest. If you want to take a break from the more typical tourist activities in the red city, this is an interesting option to do with children in Marrakech as long as they are over the age limit of 6 years old. Children between the ages of 6 and 16 can participate in the desert tour but always accompanied by an adult and as a secondary passenger in the vehicle.
After finishing the first part of the tour you can join a caravan of camels in the heart of the Marrakech Palm Grove. This part of the adventure is much quieter and more relaxed, allowing you to enjoy the Berber villages, the desert palms and the dreamlike scenery that makes up this oasis.
- Price of the experience: about €80. It usually includes transport to and from a meeting point in the centre of Marrakech and a half-day quad bike tour combined with a camel ride in the Palm Grove desert.
- Duration: 3 hours
Sunset tea in the Palm Grove of Marrakech
If you want to experience the desert of Marrakech in one day like a real Moroccan, sign up for a sunset in the Palm Grove of Marrakech with a tasty traditional mint tea. This unique experience can easily be complemented with a camel ride through the palm trees to watch the sun set over the desert landscape.
If you book a private tour from Marrakech the company will pick you up in Marrakech and take you in a private vehicle to a typical Berber village to enjoy the tea as the locals do.
From here you will go to the Palm grove where the camel ride will start among the lush palm trees as the sun sets over the horizon. This is truly amazing scenery so make sure your camera is the first thing you pack in your backpack before setting off.
This type of tour is usually done in small groups which allows the guide to be attentive to each individual traveller. The only downside is that at busy times it can be difficult to find space for certain tours so if you can book in advance, don't think twice.
- Price of the experience: around 45 €.
Quad biking adventure through the Berber villages and the Palm Grove
If for some reason animal rides such as camel rides don't appeal to you, you have the option of exploring the palm groves of Marrakech on a quad bike. This is a thrilling adventure that will take you out of your comfort zone to experience the tranquillity of the desert in a completely different way, as driving a motorised vehicle will allow you to cover a larger area in a shorter period of time. Additionally, the routes designed by the guides include stops in some traditional Berber villages to appreciate the local culture, have a mint tea or simply share with the locals.
Important things to consider...
If you are travelling to Morocco with children it is good to know that most of the companies that offer quad biking tours in the desert allowchildren over 6 years old as second passengers. The excursions are organised in small groups, which allows the guide to have more control.
- Price of the experience: about €40 per person (depending on the company and service you hire).
Horseback Riding in the Palm Grove of Marrakech
Another interesting alternative to enjoy a tour of Marrakech's Palm Grove that doesn't involve the use of camels is a leisurely ride through the palm trees. Highly recommended if you are a horse lover and the idea of meeting a beautiful Moroccan specimen sounds exciting to you.
Many tour companies offer horseback riding activities in the Palm Grove of Marrakech that start with a briefing by the instructor on basic safety precautions. A small group consisting of the guide, the horses and their respective riders then set off into the incredible scenery of the arid hills, often stopping at the Tensift River and finally arriving at the Palm grove.
- Price of the experience: from €60
Play golf on Morocco's most exclusive courses
Although it may come as a surprise to many, the Palm Grove of Marrakech is one of the most exclusive and sought-after destinations in Morocco for golf lovers. If you love golf and are on holiday on Moroccan soil you should seriously consider a visit to some of the luxury hotels located in the palm grove and pay special attention to those that own the luxurious courses on their property.
The golf courses located here take advantage of the beauty of the Palm Grove and the snow-capped peaks of the Atlas Mountains to offer their visitors the most breathtaking views and significantly enrich the experience of playing golf in the desert. The design of the courses promises experienced players a challenging and exciting test, while less experienced players will find it easy to take their first steps in this discipline.
- Price of the experience: The green fee is around €60.
Please note that the price varies depending on many factors such as the course you choose, the number of holes and whether or not you opt to hire a trolley.
How to get to the Palm Grove from the city of Marrakech?
Due to its proximity to the city, a short drive will get you to the Palm Grove. Some of the best transport options are:
On an organised tour
Many guided tours and excursions to the Palm Grove in Marrakech include transportation to and from the hotel, possibly the most convenient option of all, as it avoids the need to plan every little detail of the trip. The organisers of these tours know where to take tourists who want to enjoy the best of the country.
By taxi
From any point in Marrakech you can hire a taxi service to take you directly to the Palm Grove. Due to the proximity you should not pay a very high fare but it is always best in Marrakech to negotiate the price in advance before getting into the car.
By private car
Marrakech has car rental options for all types of vehicles so if you prefer to move around on your own and at your own time this is an interesting alternative. A small car will cost around 8 euros per day, to which you'll need to add the cost of fuel.