Gardens & new town — half a day

A breather outside the medina: Marrakech's two iconic gardens, linked by the new town. Majorelle in the morning to beat the crowds, a café break in Guéliz — modern Marrakech —, then the Menara late afternoon, when the light gilds the basin and the Atlas. Travel by taxi between stops.

The stops

1. 1

   Majorelle Garden

   ≈90 min

   The blue garden of painter Jacques Majorelle, saved by Yves Saint Laurent — giant cacti, bamboo and the famous Majorelle blue. Outside the medina, on the Guéliz side: get there by taxi. Very popular — go early in the morning.

   💡 Book tickets online in advance and arrive at opening time. On the way out, Guéliz is steps away: café break in the new town before the next stop.

2. 2

   Menara (gardens and pavilion)

   ≈75 min

   The great 12th-century basin and its pavilion, set in a century-old olive grove — Marrakech's postcard image with the Atlas as a backdrop on clear days. Outside the medina, to the west (the airport is named after it): get there by taxi, ideally late afternoon.

   💡 Taxi from Guéliz. Aim for late afternoon: golden light on the basin, the Atlas as a backdrop on clear days.