The palm grove of Marrakech, the perfect place for camel rides

It is known as the Beverly Hills of Marrakech since on its grounds you will find not only fabulous palm trees and breathtaking scenery but also some of the best luxury hotels and spas in the country. Made up of several hundred thousand trees, the grounds of the Marrakech Palm Grove extend over an area of approximately 8 square kilometers. Visiting it is definitely one of the things to do during your stay in Marrakech.

The oldest legends found refer to the Marrakech Palm Grove as a large palm garden, whose construction was ordered by Sultan Yussef Ben Tachefine. While looking for land to establish his Almoravid dynasty, the sultan and his soldiers camped in the Haouz plain; where they consumed dates whose seeds were thrown on the ground. From them sprouted trees and many centuries later, the same plain had become a lush garden.

Enjoying the Palm Grove of Marrakech is to find one of the most impressive luxury destinations in Morocco. In it converge five-star hotels and spas with treatments and experiences that are a little out of 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 available 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.

How much does this activity cost?

If you want to experience a luxury spa in Marrakech be prepared to pay around 50 to 100 €. However, many of these packages can include the transfer to and from your hotel in the city.

As we mentioned at the beginning, the palm grove of Marrakech is the perfect place for the classic camel ride or dromedary ride that can not miss on any trip to Morocco.

The heart of the palm grove is the perfect place for this type of excursion. A unique tour on the back of a camel, while observing the landscapes very closely at a pace; throughout the tour a leisurely pace orchestrated by the camel guide who leads the caravan is maintained. Camel tours in Marrakech usually last an hour on average. Many of these tours include a stop for tea in a Berber village composed of old, traditional houses.

How much does this activity cost?

Although prices may vary depending on the activities included in the tour you can average about 30 € for your camel ride.

A quad tour in 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 greatest 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 above the age limit of 6 years old. Children between 6 and 16 years old can participate in the desert tour but always accompanied by an adult and as a secondary passenger of the vehicle.

After finishing the first part of the tour you can join a camel caravan in the heart of the palm grove of Marrakech. This part of the adventure is much quieter and relaxed, allowing you to enjoy the Berber villages, the desert palms and the dreamlike landscape that makes up this oasis.

How much does this activity cost?

It usually costs about 80 € approximately. The payment usually includes round trip transportation to a meeting point in the center of Marrakech and a half day Quad tour combined with a camel ride through the desert of Palm Grove; the adventure usually takes 3 hours of time.

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 and traditional mint tea. This unique experience can be easily complemented with a camel ride through the palm trees to watch the sunset in the desert landscape.

If you hire 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 tea as the locals do.

From this point you will go to the palm grove where you will start your camel ride through the lush palm trees while the sunset is peeking over the horizon. This scenery is truly amazing so make sure your camera is the first thing you pack in your backpack before setting off.

This type of excursion is usually done in small groups, which allows the guide to be attentive to each traveler. The only disadvantage is that during busy periods it can be difficult to find space for certain excursions, so if you can make your reservations in advance, don't think twice.

How much does this activity cost?

An afternoon tea in a Moroccan Berber village combined with a dromedary ride in the palm grove of Marrakech can average 45 €.

The Majorelle Garden is considered one of the most attractive tourist spots in Marrakech. It is a botanical garden designed by the French artist Jacques Majorelle in 1924; the artist fell in love with the red city at the time when it was part of the French protectorate. For a sum of money he acquired what was then an estate of palm trees and commissioned the architect Paul Sinoir to build an Art Deco style villa.

The Chalet is composed on the first level by the main house and the second floor is an artistic workshop of immense decorations. The architectural work and the garden had been abandoned since 1962 when, after an accident, Jacques was forced to return to Paris. The property was acquired, refurbished and reopened to the public in 1980 after the acquisition by Yves Saint-Laurent.

Two very interesting aspects to which you should pay attention during your visit to the Majorelle Garden:

• The characteristic blue color of the villa created by the artist himself and named Majorelle blue.
• The impressive botanical garden is composed of a central basin and several environments of lush vegetation. In its green leaves nest hundreds of birds which turn the property into an exotic living garden.

How much does this activity cost?

If you want to make a visit to the Majorell Garden and conclude this experience with a camel ride through the palm grove of Marrakech you will have to pay an approximate of 50 €.

If for some reason animal rides such as camel rides do not appeal to you, you have the option of exploring the palm grove of Marrakech on a quad bike. This is an exciting adventure that will take you out of your comfort zone to experience the tranquility of the desert in a completely different way; since driving a motor 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 aspects to consider...
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If you are traveling to Morocco with children, it is good to know that most of the companies that offer quad tours in the desert allowchildren over 6 years old** tojoin as second passengers. The excursions are organized in small groups that allow the guide to have more control.

How much does this activity cost?

Depending on the company and service you hire this quad tour through the Palm Grove can cost about 40 € per person.

Another interesting alternative to enjoy a tour of the palm grove of Marrakech and that does not involve the use of camels, is a quiet ride among palm trees. Totally recommended if you are a horse lover and the idea of meeting a beautiful Moroccan specimen seems 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. Then, a small group composed of the guide, the horses and their respective riders depart to the incredible landscapes of arid hills, making in many cases a stop at the Tensift River to finally reach the Palm Grove.

How much does this activity cost?

This type of activity usually costs over 60 €.

Although it may come as a surprise to many, the Marrakech Palm Grove is one of the most exclusive and sought after destinations in Morocco for golf lovers. If you love this practice and you are on vacation 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 who have on their property the luxurious courses.

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 the most experienced players a challenging and exciting test, while less experienced players will be able to take their first steps in this discipline with ease.

How much does this activity cost?

The average green fee is €60. However, you should take into consideration that the price for playing golf at the courses varies depending on many factors such as the course you choose, the number of holes you will play and whether or not you opt to rent a cart.

Due to its proximity to the city, a short drive will allow you to reach the Palmeral. Some of the best transportation options are:

In an organized excursion

Many guided tours and excursions to the Marrakech Palm Grove include the alternative of transportation to and from the hotel, possibly the most convenient option of all since it avoids the need to plan every little detail of the trip. In addition, the organizers of these types of excursions know where to take tourists who want to enjoy the best of the country.

By cab

From any point in Marrakech you will have the possibility to hire a cab service to take you directly to the Palm Grove. Due to the proximity you should not pay a very high rate but the best thing to do in Marrakech is always to negotiate the price in advance before getting into the car.

By private car

In Marrakech has rental options for vehicles of all types so if you prefer to move on your own and at your own time this is an interesting alternative. A small vehicle will cost about 8 € per day, to this rate you must add the cost of fuel.