Majorelle Garden Marrakech: Botanical Garden & YSL Museum

About Majorelle Garden

Majorelle Garden is one of the most visited sites in Morocco, attracting over 700,000 visitors annually. The garden was created over nearly forty years by French expatriate painter Jacques Majorelle, beginning in 1923. Majorelle fell in love with the intense cobalt blue used in Berber architecture and applied it generously throughout his villa and garden structures, creating a shade now known worldwide as 'Majorelle Blue.'

After Majorelle's death, the garden fell into disrepair until fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Berge purchased it in 1980, meticulously restoring the garden and adding hundreds of new plant species. Today, the garden contains over 300 species of plants from five continents, including towering bamboo groves, giant cacti, water lilies, bougainvillea, and coconut palms.

The property also houses the Berber Museum (Musee Berbere), located inside the original Majorelle studio, which showcases a stunning collection of Berber artifacts, jewelry, textiles, and ceremonial objects. Next door, the Yves Saint Laurent Museum (Musee Yves Saint Laurent) opened in 2017, dedicated to the designer's legacy and his deep connection with Marrakech.

Practical Tips for Visiting

Arrive early: The garden opens at 8 AM and the first hour is the quietest. By mid-morning, tour groups arrive and the narrow pathways become crowded, making it difficult to enjoy the serene atmosphere or take photos without crowds.

Entry fees: The garden entrance costs approximately 70 MAD (about 7 EUR). The Berber Museum inside the garden has an additional fee of 30 MAD. The Yves Saint Laurent Museum next door is a separate ticket at around 100 MAD. Combined tickets are available.

Photography: Personal photography is permitted throughout the garden, but tripods are not allowed. The blue buildings against the green foliage create stunning contrasts, especially in morning light. Professional photography requires prior authorization.

Getting there: The garden is located in the Gueliz (new city) area, about a 15-20 minute taxi ride from Jemaa el-Fna (20-30 MAD). You can also walk from Gueliz center in about 10 minutes. The entrance is on Rue Yves Saint Laurent. Check our transport guide for more options on getting around Marrakech.

Planning: The Majorelle Garden features in most Marrakech itineraries, so plan your visit early in the day to allow time for other attractions. The garden's appearance also varies by season — see our best time to visit Marrakech guide to decide when to go.

What's Nearby

The Yves Saint Laurent Museum is immediately adjacent to the garden and can be visited before or after. The museum's sleek modern architecture is itself worth seeing, designed by French studio KO to complement the historic garden.

The garden is located in the Gueliz district, Marrakech's modern new city area, which offers a different experience from the Medina. Nearby, you'll find the lively Avenue Mohammed V with contemporary cafes, restaurants, and boutiques.

From here, it's a pleasant 20-minute walk or short taxi ride to the Medina walls and the souks. Many visitors combine the Majorelle Garden with a morning in Gueliz before heading into the Medina for lunch and an afternoon of exploring.