In Morocco, gardens hold a secret. Often hidden behind large stone walls, Moroccan gardens are a peaceful oasis within a bustling city, and act as an escape from the dry desert landscape.
Treasured, decorated and carefully crafted, Moroccan Gardens attract visitors from around the world.
With Morocco’s 4th largest city, Marrakech being known for having some of the most stunning Moroccan gardens to visit.
Let’s take a look at which gardens you must add to your itinerary for your next trip to Marrakech!
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The Majorelle Garden
Created by the French artist Jacques Majorelle, it took over forty years for the Majorelle Gardens to reach completion.
With its official grand opening occurring in 1947. This beautiful and tranquil botanical garden covers 2 and half acres, with the rest of the property featuring an impressive Berber museum.
Inside you will find a collection of Majorelles paintings, and historical Berber artefacts and cultural pieces.
For many visitors the garden is the main reason for their visit. Outside you will find various exotic plants, over 15 species of birds, and beautifully tiled fountains with bright blue accents.
The Arts Garden
Free to enter and open to the public, The Arts Garden is the perfect place for a quiet stroll in central Marrakech. Inside you will find various pieces of modern art displayed, inspired by a push for climate initiatives and environmental sustainability.
Appropriately, many of the art pieces were created using recycled material and were produced by local Moroccan artists.
Making The Arts Garden a unique and modern garden, unlike the more commonly historical significant gardens found throughout Morocco. Although
The Arts Garden is not as popular and a bit smaller than other gardens in Marrakech, it is still worth a quick visit.
The Anima Garden
Situated in the High Atlas foothills, The Anima Garden is only a 30 minute drive from downtown Marrakech.
A beautiful oasis in the dry Moroccan landscape, The Anima Garden only recently opened in 2016 and is often described as magical by visitors.
Andre Heller, a world famous multimedia artist’s work is featured throughout the park. Multi-colored sculptures inspired by animals, the human body and African culture combine and pop against the lush garden backdrop.
In the garden fragrant flowers, exotic cacti, and weaving walkways greet you and add to the otherworldly experience.
A free shuttle service is available for visitors, but space is limited and must be booked in advance.
Secret Garden
The Secret Garden of Marrakech is a gorgeous sight to behold, having originally been used as a 19th century palace and home to many important historical and political figures.
Today, visitors are allowed within the raids walls and are able to explore the beauty of this peaceful oasis within a bustling city. The architecture and Islamic artwork is breathtaking, with turquoise tiled walkways allowing you to cross the ground with ease.
Trees provide intimacy and protection from the sun, as visitors explore the divided exotic and Islamic garden, which feature unique flowers and designs. Inside a cafe, shop and viewing tower are featured, making
The Secret Garden of Marrakech a great location to spend an hour or two during your stay.
Nectarome Garden
This organic aromatic garden is located in Ourika valley, only 35 km from downtown Marrakech.
Open year round, Nectarome Garden features over 50 unique plants that are used to create natural cosmetic, beauty and health products.
A shop is located on site, allowing visitors to not only shop online but also in store for their favourite soap, lotion or oil.
Workshops are also available, teaching visitors how to cook and use the various plants, providing a deeper connection to our natural environment.
A cafe also serves lunch on site and features dishes containing the natural honey, flavored vegetable oils, and nourishing amlou paste, that they so delicately produce.
Bahia Palace Gardens
Bahia Palace Gardens was originally built in the mid-19th century and is one of the best preserved palaces in Morocco.
Bahia Palace, featuring over 150 rooms that stretch over 2 acres, and situated in the middle of Marrakech’s medina.
Inside zellig-tiled fireplaces, painted cedarwork, stained glass and exquisite mosaic tile artwork decorates the walls, entryways and walkways.
A vast court yard featuring fountains and a basin can be explored by visitors, with its stunning tile work more mesmerising than the fountains themselves.
Koutoubia Gardens and Cyber Park
Located only a 5 minute walk from the Djemaa El Fna Square, Koutoubia Gardens and Cyber Park is the perfect place to escape the business of the city and take a respite.
Visitors don’t need to worry about being disconnected though, as WIFI hotspots are featured throughout the park. Allowing visitors to relax under a palm tree, without missing any important messages.
The Koutoubia Gardens are immaculately groomed, featuring perfectly trimmed scrubs, lush orange trees, and brightly colour rose bushes.
Large walkways make strolls through the garden easy and its proximity to Koutoubia Mosque, another Moroccan historical site, very convenient.
Marrakech gardens are a combination of natural beauty, detailed artwork and historical significance. With many gardens holding a story within the riads walls or a detailed beauty within the arabic tile work.
For visitors it is easy to get swept away and find peace in Morocco, as the peaceful tranquillity of the gardens pulls you in.
Let us know which garden you have visited and which one is your favorite moroccopedia@yahoo.com