Palmeraie

Marrakesh


Wrapped up in the legends of Marrakesh's beginnings, this sweep of palm-studded greenery is now the haunt of hotels and chichi holiday homes where celebrities take time out from the limelight. There's not much to see along the roads between these large gated properties; to get any real sense of the pockets of wilderness that still exist, book a trip through the palms by quad bike, bicycle or on horseback.

Many tourists come here for dromedary rides, but be warned that the camels are kept chained to the side of the road.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Marrakesh attractions

1. Musée Farid Belkahia

1.34 MILES

Farid Belkahia (1934–2014) was one of the most well-known figures in 20th-century Moroccan art. This museum, housed in the artist's old villa, exhibits a…

2. Musée de la Palmeraie

1.64 MILES

There's no comprehensive archive of modern Moroccan art in central Marrakesh: it's out here, hidden in the Palmeraie, and it's well worth travelling for…

3. Bab Debbagh Tanneries

2.26 MILES

Leather working is one of Morocco's medieval trades, and the tanneries around Bab Debbagh – ideally situated next to the river from where they draw water…

4. Musée du Parfum

2.4 MILES

Formerly the Musée de l'Art Vivre, this small perfume museum explores Morocco's love affair with essential oils. Rooms cover topics such as hammam rituals…

5. Chrob ou Chouf Fountain

2.42 MILES

Marrakesh's medina is dotted with public water fountains, but the Chrob ou Chouf ('Drink or Look') fountain still holds on to shreds of former finery with…

6. Maison de la Photographie

2.43 MILES

When Parisian Patrick Menac’h and Marrakshi Hamid Mergani realised they were both collecting vintage Moroccan photography, they decided to open a…

7. Dar Bellarj

2.46 MILES

Flights of fancy come with the territory at Dar Bellarj, a stork hospital (bellarj is Arabic for stork) turned into Marrakesh’s premier arts centre. Each…

8. Ali Ben Youssef Medersa

2.47 MILES

Currently closed for restoration that's scheduled to finish in spring 2020, this Quranic learning centre was once the largest in North Africa and remains…