10 Things to Do in Majorelle Gardens Marrakech

If you do not 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 can walk freely through 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 in order 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 transportation because a chauffeur-driven vehicle will pick you up at the door of your hotel and drop you back at the same point.

In addition, this tour includes a walk through the Palmeraie, the ancient palm grove of Marrakech, a ride on the back of a camel and a stop for tea in an old house. Undoubtedly, an experience for the senses that you can not miss on your trip to Marrakech.

Information of interest

• 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 oasis controlled by man.

Bamboo forest

In the bamboo forest you can walk along the water channel that connects to the fountain or sit next to the emblematic Kiosk that is located in this area to enjoy its shade and freshness.

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

Variety of cacti

The Majorelle Garden houses an important collection of cacti, made up of approximately 60 species. You will be able to closely observe this family of plants with different textures, shapes, shades of green and sizes, mostly brought from the southwestern United States.

Water lily and lotus pond

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

Collection of palm trees

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

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

Useful information

• Price: the general entrance to the Majorelle Garden costs about 14€ per person with reduced prices for Moroccan and international students, Moroccan citizens and residents. Children under 12, press, travel agents and national educational establishments enter free of charge.
• Opening hours: the opening hours at the Majorelle Garden change according to the months of the year. For example, from October to April its spaces are open from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, from May to September from 8:00 am to 6:30 pm and during Ramadan from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The last entrance is one hour before closing time.

The extraordinary history of the city is not only evident by exploring the desert of Marrakech 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 Jardin Majorelle.

The museum is located in the northeast corner of the site. Precisely 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 display

As you approach the building you will vibrate with the cobalt blue tone of the facade used in almost all the buildings in the garden. In addition, as you enter the museum you will notice some details that characterized the modernism of the 1930s. You will see a series of tile mosaics, screens and other decorative elements typical of the Moroccan architectural style.

Exhibits

As for the exhibits, you will find three rooms with an important exhibition dedicated to the Moroccan natives. 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 you will see a series of textiles, weapons, basketry, carpets, leather goods and jewelry. You will also see pieces chiseled, enameled and covered with filigree, a technique based on welded silver or gold threads.

Information of interest

• Price: general admission to the Berber Museum costs approximately 5€ per person. In addition, there are reduced prices for Moroccan and international students, Moroccan citizens and residents. Children under 12, press, travel agents and national educational establishments can enter free of charge.
• Hours: the Berber Museum is open from October to April from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, from May to September from 8:00 am to 6:30 pm and during Ramadan from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. 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.

During the tour of the rooms of the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, you will see about 5,000 garments, 50,000 sketches and 15,000 haute couture accessories. Likewise, at the Yves Saint Laurent Museum you will have an encounter with architecture as the building is a clear reference of traditional Moroccan style and modern trends.

Throughout this visit, you will have access to the museum's research library and bookshop. In addition, you will enjoy a rather 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.

Information of interest

• Price: general admission to the Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech Museum has an average cost of 12 euros per person and a reduced price for international students and children over 10 years. 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 taste the food of Morocco 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 meters away from the Garden Boutique.

In this pleasant place you can sit at a table in the shade while surrounded by beautiful vegetation, as the cafe is outdoors. 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 skewers of lamb or chicken, among other dishes usually offered in restaurants in Marrakech.

Information of interest

• Price: the visit to the Café Majorelle is available through the tour of the Majorelle Garden, so it is included by hiring the tour of the Marjorelle Gardens.
• Opening hours: the Majorelle Café 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 doors of the Boutique open. This is a store located in the heart of this small oasis, where you can observe and purchase the work of the best Moroccan artisans.

Upon entering the Boutique, you will be struck at first by the use of color 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 can select from garments that reflect the ancestral culture of the country, made of Shantung silk and other high quality textiles. You will also find leather products such as embroidered cushions and handbags or traditional slippers.

Information of interest

• Price: Access to the Majorelle Garden Boutique is included in the entrance fee to the Majorelle Garden, so it is included in the Marjorelle Gardens tour.
• Opening hours: the Majorelle Garden Boutique is open every day. Hours vary according to the season of the year. For example, from October to April it is available from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, from May to September from 8:00 am to 6:30 pm, and during Ramadan from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, with the last entrance 30 minutes before closing.

Another stop you should make during 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 acquired the garden after the death of Jacques Majorelle, the previous owner.

It is a Roman-style column brought especially from the Moroccan city of Tangier, which rises 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 this writing is the name of Pierre Bergé, also benefactor of this natural space.

Undoubtedly, this is a very special space, which could take on greater meaning for you if you visit the Majorelle Garden in Marrakech in June, since during this month the anniversary of the death of the icon of haute couture, Yves Saint Laurent, is celebrated.

Information of interest

• Price: access to the Memorial to Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé is incorporated into the tour of the Jardin Majorelle, so it is included by hiring the tour of the Marjorelle Gardens.
• Hours: the Memorial to Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé is available during the opening hours of the Jardin Majorelle.