MAJORELLE GARDENS MARRAKECH: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING.
Majorelle Gardens is one of Marrakech’s most famous attractions, and for many people, it sits high on the must-visit list. With its bold blue walls, exotic plants, and Yves Saint Laurent connection, it is easy to see why.
We visited during our time in Marrakech and had a really lovely morning there. But it is also one of those places where expectations need to be managed. It is busy, it is not cheap, and it requires a bit of planning in advance.
This post covers what it is really like to visit Majorelle Gardens, from crowds and queues to tickets, prices, and whether we think it is actually worth it.
Majorelle Gardens gets crowded
Chances are, if you have seen an Instagram post about Marrakech, you have seen a picture of Majorelle Gardens, or the YSL gardens as they are often known. And given how Insta-famous the gardens have become, it is probably no surprise that they are popular.
We visited at 09:30 in January, and the gardens already felt crowded. I can imagine that if you got the very first slot of the day, or perhaps went an hour or two before closing, it might be a little quieter. But honestly, I think bumping along with other tourists is, to some extent, unavoidable.
Luckily, the crowd flow and entry system are well organised, and the security staff, who look like glamorous FBI agents, usher people along to keep things moving.
Our best advice to manage this is to step back and let people pass you. Eventually, you will find small pockets of peace and quiet as others rush through.
There are often queues to take photos
Of course, we expected that the gardens might be popular. But what we had not quite anticipated was standing in a very polite line of tourists, all waiting to take the same photograph.
I will admit, having waited patiently to take the photo below, I soon decided to avoid the busiest areas of the gardens and just take photos where there was nobody waiting. You would need the patience of a saint to do otherwise.
The tickets aren’t cheap
Entry to the gardens for foreign visitors costs 170 MAD, around €17 per adult. Kids under 10 are free, and children over 10 cost 95 MAD.
You have to book online
You cannot pay on the door to get a ticket. Because it is such a popular attraction, you have to book online in advance.
There are two ways to do this, either via the official Majorelle Gardens website, or through a booking platform like Get Your Guide.
The latter is slightly more expensive, but it allows you to pay in your own currency by card, which can sometimes work out better.
A small note of caution if you book via the official website. We did not receive a booking confirmation email. This might just have been our experience, but I would recommend taking a screenshot of your confirmation page as soon as you pay.
You have to select a time slot
When you book, you will be asked to choose a time slot. These are usually in 30 minute intervals. The gardens are open from 08:30 to 18:00, with last entry at 17:30.
The YSL museum costs extra
There are three sites under the Majorelle umbrella. The gardens, the Pierre Bergé Museum of Berber Arts, and the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech.
It costs 230 MAD, around €23, to visit the gardens and the Berber museum. A combined ticket for all three costs 330 MAD, around €33.
If you only want to visit the YSL museum, tickets cost 140 MAD, around €14.
Majorelle blue
One of the most striking things about the gardens is the colour. The intense cobalt blue, now known as Majorelle blue, was created by French painter Jacques Majorelle in the 1920s.
It is used throughout the gardens on walls, pots, fountains, and doors, and it is part of what makes the place so visually distinctive. Even with the crowds, it is undeniably beautiful and very photogenic. And, you can buy a pot of your very own Majorelle blue paint in the gift shop.
You can walk there from the medina
The walk from the medina to Majorelle Gardens is an easy one. From Mouassine, where we were staying, it took us around 25 minutes, not including a slightly drawn out stop for coffee and a croissant.
We saw lots of other tourists doing the same walk and it felt very safe.
There’s a gift shop and café on site
Majorelle Gardens has one of the snazziest gift shops I have ever seen. There are all sorts of beautiful things, from perfumes to art books. It feels very YSL. We opted for a reasonably priced postcard, which felt like an easy souvenir.
The café is also really pretty, with a shaded courtyard. It is a little on the expensive side, but ideal if you want to sit and stretch out the experience.
It is still worth visiting in our opinion
All of this said, we had a lovely morning at Majorelle Gardens and genuinely enjoyed pottering around. We would still recommend it to a friend, or indeed to you, but it is worth going in with realistic expectations. You are unlikely to have the place to yourself.
We recommend visiting Gueliz on the same day
If you want to make a full day of it, we would recommend combining Majorelle Gardens with a visit to Gueliz. The newer part of Marrakech is a delight, and only a 15 to 20 minute walk from the gardens. It is ideal if you need a bit of breathing space from the medina. In Gueliz, there are no souks in sight.
Luxuriate with a reassuringly expensive coffee, browse galleries and bookshops, or enjoy a late lunch. Most restaurants serve wine here, so it feels much more European.
Alternatives to Majorelle Gardens in Marrakech
If Majorelle Gardens does not sound like your cup of tea, but you still want to visit a garden during your trip, there are a few alternatives.
Firstly, Le Jardin Secret, which is inside the medina. It is smaller and still popular, but much easier to fit into your day if you do not want to travel far. You can also book a walking tour which includes this garden.
Secondly, if you aren’t phased by going further afield, there is the André Heller Garden – found 30km south of Marrakech. I honestly think my biggest regret was not visiting this garden – especially as it offers a free mini-bus service from the medina. Next time!
Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
Three day Fez to Marrakech desert tour: what to expect
THREE DAY FEZ TO MARRAKECH DESERT TOUR: WHAT TO EXPECT. When we told our riad host in Fez that we were about to take a tour to the Sahara, he laughed and asked, “Did you book it on Get Your Guide?” whilst pouring our morning tea. We told him yes, we had booked it on…
Why Meknes is worth visiting + best things to do there
WHY MEKNES IS WORTH VISITING + BEST THINGS TO DO THERE. Meknes often gets overlooked on most Morocco itineraries. It sits quietly between Fez and Rabat, and is usually treated as a quick stop or a half-day trip at best. In fact, Meknes wasn’t on our original Morocco itinerary as an overnight stop. Instead, I…
Where to stay in Fez + tips for picking accommodation
WHERE TO STAY IN FEZ + TIPS FOR PICKING ACCOMMODATION. Fez is one of the most fascinating cities in Morocco, but also one of the most overwhelming. With its vast, labyrinth of a medina, choosing where to stay can make a huge difference to how relaxing your trip us. Unlike cities like Marrakech, where accommodation…
Reading material for your trip
Here are a few great books for your Morocco adventures:
CLASSIC TRAVEL GUIDE:Lonely Planet – Morocco
ESCAPASIM: Night Train to Marrakech by
Dinah Jefferies
SET IN MOROCCO: Secret Son by Laila Lalami
USEFUL LINKS FOR FLIGHTS, ACCOMMODATION AND TRANSPORT
CHECK LATEST FLIGHTS
ACTIVITIES TO CONSIDER
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Please note that some links on our website are partnered with affiliates. Using an affiliate links does not make it more expensive for you to purchase. We receive a small commission whenever you buy something which in turn allows us to keep writing independent travel guides and your support is greatly appreciated.