Beautiful Gardens in Marrakech

Marrakech has many beautiful gardens open to the public, for example, The Majorelle Gardens were created by the artist Jacques Majorelle in the 1930, it is heavily influenced by the art-deco era and full of luxurious plants and brightly coloured pools, it has been restored by the current owners Yves St Laurent and Pierre Bergé and is well worth a visit, an oasis in the heart of the city.  Probably the most famous are the Imperial Menara Gardens, which were originally created before the 1200’s, it is huge and has fruit and olive trees and a pool that is said to have been used as a royal reservoir, it is a lovely place to have a picnic in the shade on hot summer days.

Marrakech other things to do

In addition to exploring the souks and Medina of Marrakech and there are several museums and historical sites we mention just a couple here, but could give you more information on others.

Dar Si Saïd Museum

The Museum shows the Berber culture and arts and crafts and depict everyday life in the Sahara.  There are beautiful pieces of silver jewellery and cedar Moorish furniture and the courtyard has a display of ornamentally carved doors. Location: Riad Ezzitoun El Jadid
The Marrakech Museum – Omar Benjelloun Museum
Contains an eclectic collection of art from Oriental artist to contemporary artists and sculptures  and archaeological artefacts plus there is a second exhibition of Moroccan cultural and ethnic objects from different areas of the country.  This is also a location where concerts and plays are staged. Location: Place Ben Youssef

Majorelle Museum

If visiting the gardens of the same name don’t miss the artists studio here, he collected excellent Morocco art on his travels around the country and the collection includes a few personal items too.  An good insight into Islamic art.  Location: the Majorelle Gardens, Avenue Yacoub El Mansour

Saadian Tombs

This is of architectural and historical interest and was built in the late 16th century and contains about 100 tombs and a mausoleums with the remains fo Sultan Ahmed el Mansour and his male heirs and the smaller mausoleum in the garden in his mothers’ resting place.  There are several “rooms” the most notable is the Hall of the Twelve Columns, the decoration is very ornate. Location: Behind the Kasbah mosque.

There is so much to see and do in Marrakech why not take a city tour this will at least help orientate you and will ensure that you see the most important aspects of this fascinating Imperial city.  This is easily arranged with our excellent representatives.

Or you could take an excursion into the High Atlas perhaps, there are various options on this such as Ourika, Asni, the Tichka pass and Oukeimden.  We have more information or it can be organised on arrival in Morocco.

Although not open to non Muslims the Koutoubia Mosque is a significant landmark in the city and the area is popular for an evening stroll.

Taroudant area

More of a town than a city and therefore there are less monuments and historical sites than say Marrakech but the Kasbah is an exciting and living history in itself and well worth exploring as are the fortifications of Taroundant as mentioned on our introduction to Morocco page.

The town is surrounded by lovely countryside and the Atlas Mountains are much closer here, only half an hour to the foothills.  So why not take an excursion to see this lovely area or if you have a hire car just explore.  Taroudant is a good base and its residents are mostly Berber who are helpful and friendly, so you will always find assistance at hand.

Fez things to do

Fez el Bali as we have said is the oldest part of the city and therefore the most interesting but do visit the Ville Nouvelle with its wide avenues as a contrast to the old city and Fes el Jedid is just outside the city walls of Fes el Bali.

The city has many old medersa, religious schools and fondouks, like warehouses that were used for storage in the old days and now many are used as workshops, these are part of the rich heritage of Fes and many are being rescued and renovated so some may have limited or no access at the time you visit as this is an ongoing programme.

Bou Inania Medesa

This well known Koranic studies school was built in the 1350’s by the Merinid Sultan Bou Inan he wanted something to rival the Mosque and the University and he got it.  It is a mix of Hispano—Moorish architecture and is elaborately decorated with carved cedar, hand cut zellige tiles and sculpted stucco and a courtyard paved with marble and onyx. This is one of the restoration projects so there may only be limited access but we still feel it worth mentioning.

Dar Batha Museum

In the Andalusian quarter this former summer house of Moulay Hassan I is a museum which has Moroccan arts on show, but the building itself shows how the other half lived a hundred years ago.  The adjacent Andalucian gardens are worth a wander around too.

Fes and other areas continued on next page.