Beyond Majorelle: four more gardens of Marrakech

Jardin Majorelle is the most famous garden in Marrakech, but it is far from the only one. The city's tradition of irrigated gardens goes back almost nine hundred years, to the Almohad dynasty, whose engineers brought water from the Atlas foothills through underground channels called khettaras. The four places below show different sides of that heritage and are excellent choices when Majorelle slots are full or when you simply want more space.

Menara Gardens

West of the Medina, the Menara is built around a large rectangular basin dating from the twelfth century. The basin once served as a reservoir to irrigate the surrounding olive groves, and according to local tradition it was also used to train soldiers to swim. The green-tiled pavilion on its southern edge was rebuilt in the nineteenth century and is the subject of countless postcards, especially in winter when snow caps the Atlas mountains behind it.

The olive groves are calm and spacious, popular with local families at weekends. Access to the pavilion itself has sometimes required a small separate fee. Visit early morning or late afternoon for the best light on the water, and bring a hat because shade near the basin is limited.

Agdal Gardens

South of the royal palace lie the Agdal Gardens, a huge historic orchard of orange, lemon, fig, pomegranate and olive trees laid out around large water basins. Together with the Medina, the Agdal forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage listing. Because the gardens are linked to the royal estate, public access has historically been limited to certain days and can close without notice when the royal family is in residence.

When it is open, the Agdal offers long shady walks and a powerful sense of scale. Ask your accommodation about current access before making the journey, and allow plenty of time, since the site is large and largely unsigned.

Le Jardin Secret

Hidden behind a wall on Rue Mouassine in the Medina, Le Jardin Secret occupies the site of a historic riad palace whose gardens were restored and opened to visitors in 2016. It is divided into two parts: an Islamic garden laid out in the classic four-part pattern with a central fountain, and an exotic garden featuring plants from several continents. A traditional water system is explained on information panels.

A tower on the site, when open, offers a view over the Medina rooftops towards the Koutoubia minaret. The garden is compact, which makes it ideal for a forty-minute pause during a day in the souks. Paid admission applies and is handled at the entrance.

Cyber Parc Arsat Moulay Abdeslam

Between the Medina walls and Avenue Mohammed V, near the Koutoubia, the Cyber Parc is a public park whose origins go back to an eighteenth-century royal garden. It was renovated in the 2000s and gained its modern name from public internet terminals installed at the time. Today it is valued for tall palms, orange trees, rose beds and plenty of benches.

Entry has traditionally been free, which makes the park a good place for a picnic or a rest between sights. It is busiest in the late afternoon when students and families gather. As in any city park, keep an eye on your belongings.

Choosing the right garden

• For design and photography: Jardin Majorelle and Le Jardin Secret.
• For space and mountain views: Menara Gardens.
• For history and scale: Agdal Gardens, when open.
• For a free, shady break: Cyber Parc.

Opening times, access rules and fees for all of these places can change. Confirm details locally or with the site's own channels before travelling, and see our visitor tips for heat and safety advice.