Attraction
Jardin Majorelle
Jacques Majorelle's cobalt-blue villa and cactus garden, later owned by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé, with a museum of Amazigh culture inside the villa.
Menara Gardens
Twelfth-century Almohad olive groves around a large reservoir and a green-roofed 19th-century pavilion west of the medina, with views to the High Atlas.
At a glance
- Type
- Historic garden
- Area
- Menara, Marrakech, Morocco
Good to know
- Olive groves
- 19th-century pavilion
- Reservoir
Why we recommend it
The Menara Gardens were laid out around 1157 by the Almohad ruler Abd al-Mu'min as part of a larger estate west of the city walls. They declined after the capital moved to Fez, were restored by the Saadians and again by the Alaouite sultans in the 19th century. Since 1985 they have been part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing that also covers the medina and the Agdal Gardens.
The gardens are essentially a working orchard. Olive trees, with some fruit trees and cypresses, are planted on a regular grid across an area more than a kilometre long. At the centre is a vast raised reservoir, about 195 by 160 metres, built above ground so that gravity could water the orchards. It is still fed through underground channels called khettara that bring water from the foothills.
On the reservoir's southern side stands the two-storey pavilion, completed in 1870, with its pyramid roof of green tiles and painted interior decoration. Its upper floor overlooks the orchards towards the mountains, and the view of the pavilion reflected in the water with the snow-capped High Atlas behind is one of the classic images of Marrakech. Clear, crisp mornings between late autumn and early spring give the best chance of seeing the peaks.
This is a place for a gentle walk rather than a packed sightseeing stop. Allow forty-five minutes to an hour. The flat paths suit families and visitors who prefer not to tackle the medina's lanes, and Marrakchi families come for picnics and evening strolls, especially at weekends. Bring water and sun protection, as shade is limited around the reservoir itself.
The gardens are a short taxi ride west of the medina, close to Marrakech Menara Airport and the Hivernage district, so they fit easily into an arrival or departure day. Combine a visit with the Four Seasons or the restaurants of Hivernage nearby, or continue to Guéliz and the Jardin Majorelle. Agree the taxi fare or make sure the meter is running before you set off, which is good practice anywhere in the city. Calèche drivers also include the gardens on longer tours, which can be a relaxed way to see them.
Menara Gardens FAQs
How old are the Menara Gardens?
They date from around 1157 under the Almohads, while the present pavilion was completed in 1870.
Are the gardens a UNESCO site?
Yes. They have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage listing for Marrakech since 1985.
When is the Atlas view best?
On clear mornings in the cooler months, when the snow-capped peaks often stand out behind the pavilion.
How long should you allow?
Forty-five minutes to an hour for a walk around the reservoir and orchards.
How do you get there?
By taxi, a short ride west of the medina near the airport.
Is it suitable for families?
Yes. The paths are flat and the open space suits children.
How is the reservoir fed?
By underground khettara channels that bring water from the foothills.