Epic Guide to Visiting Jardin Majorelle

Visiting Jardin Majorelle is a must if it is your first time in Marrakech. But, if you’re picturing a peaceful stroll through empty, cactus-lined pathways then think again.

This iconic garden, once a quiet artist’s retreat, is now one of the most visited sites in Morocco—meaning it’s almost always packed and receives upwards of 900,000 visitors annually.

So, gone are the days of wandering freely through this botanical oasis. Instead, visitors must now purchase tickets online in advance and need to queue in line to take photos at iconic spots within the garden.

Trust me, as someone who has been to Jardin Majorelle multiple times since moving to Morocco, I’ve learned a few tricks to make your visit much more enjoyable.

In this post, I’ll share all my favorite local tips with you. This way you can navigate the crowds, soak in the beauty, and make the most of your time in this enchanting oasis.

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Should You Visit Jardin Majorelle?

Okay, this is a tough question. In January of 2023 I would have said absolutely add this spot to your one day in Marrakech itinerary.

I visited early in the morning (right when they opened) and had the place all to myself. It was a stunning oasis of calm and I truly loved being here.

Now, in February of 2025, I am not so sure. The place is just heaving with tourists taking photos. It is hard to walk around and you need advance reservations if you want a chance at getting in.

You’ll also have to queue to take photos in certain spots and can’t move freely through the garden. So, while Jardin Majorele is still undeniably beautiful, I think the crowds really make visiting pretty awful.

So, I would not recommend visiting Jardin Majorelle unless you are prepared to deal with intense crowds.

Yeah, I kind of feel like this place is a Marrakech tourist trap and that you should go to Musee de Palmeraie instead since there is hardly anyone there.

FWIW, tickets are also not that cheap and start at 170 Dirhams ($17.00) for a basic ticket into the museum.

History fo Jardin Majorelle

In 1923, French painter Jacques Majorelle chose to settle in Marrakech, purchasing a four-acre palm grove on the outskirts of the medina.

The land was originally planted with poplars, inspiring the estate’s first name, Bou Saf Saf, meaning “the poplars” in Arabic. The initial dwelling was a Moorish-style structure featuring a traditional adobe tower.

It wasn’t until 1931, after expanding the property to nearly 10 acres, that Majorelle commissioned French architect Paul Sinoir to design an art deco-style villa and studio.

The now-iconic building, widely recognized and currently home to the Musée Berbère, was originally Majorelle’s studio and workshop.

Meanwhile, the main house—where Majorelle lived, later became the residence of Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé.

It was purchased by the famous designer and his partner in 1980, since they wanted to restore the sight to its former glory. It remained a private home until Bergé’s passing in 2017 and was later opened to the public.

The garden is currently home to over 300 species of plants, with Majorelle’s electric-blue art deco studio being home to the Musée Berbère. It showcases over 600 artifacts that relate to indigenous culture in Morocco.

Tips for Visiting Jardin Majorelle

Since moving to Morocco in January of 2023, I have been to Jardin Majorelle twice, once in early 2023 and once in February of 2025.

TBH, my experience changed quite a bit in two years and that’s why I wanted to create this guide. I want to give you the most up to date info and the best tips possible. This way you know what to expect and can plan accordingly.

So, here are my fave tips for visiting Jardin Majorelle. This way you can have the best experience possible and enjoy every minute there.

• You MUST Pre-book Tickets Online in Advance – In 2023, I was able to walk in, no problem. Fast forward to 2025 and you will not be able to enter Jardin Majorelle without advanced booking. I saw a couple make this mistake and they were turned away after walking all the way there. So, use their official website and book tickets a few days in advance, more if you are visiting during peak season.

• Do Not Expect to Have This Place All To Yourself – When I initially visited in 2023, this place was empty. In fairness, that’s probably because I got there right when they opened. However, when I visited in 2025 it was absolutely packed, to the point that we had to wait to get in even though we had reserved tickets in advance. So, do prepare to walk through this garden with hordes of other tourists.

• You Will Need to Wait to Take Photos – Yeah, there is no way around it. This place is PACKED and you will have to wait to take photos at popular photo spots within the garden. Just accept this and enjoy the garden for what it is. FWIW, over a million people visit this place annually. So, it makes sense that it’s packed.

• You Can’t Walk Freely Around the Garden – During my last visit in February of 2025, you could not walk freely around the garden. Essentially, staff would guide you through the garden in a set direction to avoid overcrowding and to keep people moving through the garden. Not gonna lie, I was a bit annoyed that I couldn’t just walk wherever I wanted to. But, I understand that this problem helps with the crowds and keeps people moving.

• Skip the Berber Museum – Honestly, I wasn’t overly impressed with this museum and would give it a pass. Besides, there are plenty of other cool museums in Marrakech that you could visit instead.

• The Garden is NOT Big – Most people will be able to explore this garden in around 30 minutes. At least, that’s how much time our group was given to enjoy the garden. It should be enough time since this garden is not that big.

• Get the Combined Ticket for Jardin Majorelle and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum – I am not big into fashion and was genuinely surprised by how much I loved the Yves Saint Laurent Museum. It was really interesting to learn about the designer’s life and see the clothes he created. Therefore, when you buy a ticket to Jardin Majorelle, get a ticket to visit the Yves Saint Laurent Museum too. After all, it’s cheaper to buy one combined ticket to both Marrakech attractions than to purchase the two tickets separately.

• Jardin Majorelle is NOT Inside the Medina – Please give yourself plenty of time to get to Jardin Majorelle since it is not super close to the Medina. In fact, the garden is about a 24-minute walk from Bab Doukalla. If you are not into walking, you could always take a Petit Taxi or a bus to visit. From Jemma el Fna, you can take the number 15 bus since the bus stop is about a 3-minute walk from the garden.

• The Garden is Accessible to Wheelchair Users – If you have mobility issues or are traveling in a wheelchair, then you should have no problem accessing these gardens. Many of the paths are flat and there are ramps that lead into the garden.

• Skip the On-site Cafe and Boutique – Don’t get me wrong, the on-site cafe is beautiful, as is the gift shop. However, both are very overpriced and not really worth your time. Therefore, have a look at my list of the best cafes in Marrakech and go somewhere else to buy souvenirs in Marrakech.

Conclusion

A visit to Jardin Majorelle in Morocco is more than just a stroll through a beautiful garden—it’s a journey through history, art, and culture – at least if you can handle the intense crowds during your two days in Marrakech itinerary.

Whether you’re admiring the striking cobalt blue architecture, exploring the rich heritage of the Musée Berbère, or simply soaking in the peaceful atmosphere, the garden is a must-see for many first-time visitors to Marrakech.

Just be sure to book tickets in advance, expect large crowds, and be prepared to wait in a queue for photos at many of the garden’s most iconic spots.

If you can handle this then Jardin Majorelle will dazzle you with its vibrant colors, lush greenery, and artistic legacy.

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