Visiting the Palmeraie in Marrakech: practical information

If you’re lucky enough to spend a few days in Marrakech, you absolutely must visit one of its most popular tourist attractions: the palm grove. Located to the north of the city, it is one of the many wonders to be discovered in Morocco. Here’s a short guide giving you all the practical information you need to visit this beautiful oasis!

A historic palm grove

Morocco has many palm groves throughout its territory, but the one in Marrakech is certainly one of the most impressive. Dating back to the 11th century, it boasts almost 10 centuries of history! It was around 1070 that the Sultan of Morocco Youssef ben Tachfine, a member of the Almoravid dynasty, founded this palm grove at the same time as the medina of Marrakech, the country’s new capital. From then on, it was used to produce dates, palm oil, palm wine, palm hearts, wood and other items.

More than 100,000 palm trees were planted at that time, spread over an area of 13,000 hectares. It’s an impressive sight in a place that has also created an ecosystem that has allowed numerous fruit trees and plantations to grow alongside the palm trees, exploiting the local water table. It’s a historic palm grove that takes us right back to the Almoravid period and is still a source of wealth for Marrakech today!

How to visit the Marrakech palm grove?

Getting to the palm grove

The palm grove is located around ten kilometres from the medina. There are several options available to you, depending on how you wish to visit:

• By car: if you opted for a hire car when you arrived in Marrakech, you can reach the palm grove in around ten minutes from the medina. You’ll need to follow the signposted road and not venture into the narrow lanes in the vicinity, which are closed to traffic in order to protect the site.
• By taxi: you can order a taxi to take you to any point in the palm grove.
• By horse-drawn carriage: book a horse-drawn carriage that leaves directly from Place Jemaa el-Fna, in the medina, and takes you on a tour of the palm grove before returning you to the city. This is the longest option, but the most typical!
• By bus: line 36 takes you from the medina to part of the palm grove. Take the time to find out about timetables and itinerary beforehand.

What can you do in the Marrakech palm grove?

1. Hike

You’ll only see a small part of the palm grove if you decide to visit it on foot, but several footpaths will give you a good overview.

2. Take a camel ride

This is certainly the most popular activity in the palm grove. There’s nothing like a ride on a camel to discover these vast expanses of palm trees in the most typical way! Remember to book in advance to make sure you have a place. Some rides are even offered during sunset, a magical moment!

3. Opt for a quad bike tour

This is another popular option for travellers! On board your quad bike – or buggy, depending on the location you choose – you’ll set off on a sporting adventure to discover the most beautiful corners of the palm grove. A fun and efficient way to explore this haven of peace! And book well in advance…

4. Choose the horse-drawn carriage tour

The horse-drawn carriages that leave from the centre of Marrakech will take you on a tour of the palm grove, with the driver making several stops to give you information about the area and its attractions. If you would like to take part in an activity on site, it is possible to arrange for the driver to drop you off at the start of the camel or quad rides, for example, and wait for you to return to the medina. In this case, he will receive a commission from the service providers, but be sure to discuss this before you leave!

5. Relax in a spa

Marrakech’s palm grove is now surrounded by numerous hotel complexes, most of which offer swimming pools, hammams and spas for your wellbeing. You can therefore take advantage of your day in this oasis to relax in a hammam or during a massage in one of these residences.

6. Play golf

Yes, you can play golf right in the heart of Marrakech’s palm grove! In fact, it’s so well known that it was voted “best golf complex in Africa”… In a magnificent setting, you can play a frenzied round of golf on the 27 holes on offer.

All-inclusive excursions: several websites offer excursions that include both the journey from the medina to the palm grove and the activities to be done there. Make sure you get all the information you need to make the most of this unique place on the dates you want! If you are staying in one of the residences or hotels in the palm grove, you can book these services directly with your hotel at breakfast time or other times.

When should you visit the palm grove?

This little haven of peace is open to visitors at all times, so you can visit at any time of day. However, if you have the opportunity, it is advisable to go for the sunrise or sunset, which are magnificent there. Camel and quad bike rides are also available at this time – and are very popular, so make sure you book in advance! As for prices, entry to the palm grove is free, so you won’t want to miss out.

Sleeping in Marrakech’s palm grove

In recent years, with the great expansion of tourism in Morocco, the Marrakech palm grove has been invaded by numerous hotel complexes and restaurants that have sprung up all around and nearby, much to the delight of visitors. So it’s now possible to sleep directly in the palm grove and be right at the heart of the show! Here are the different types of accommodation on offer:

• Hotel complexes: in these buildings, some of which are huge, you’ll find a host of facilities and services to make your stay unforgettable. Most have swimming pools, hammams and the option of booking a relaxing massage. They also very often offer a wide range of activities that you can book directly with them to visit the palm grove at your leisure.
• Flats: a number of private flats can be rented in the palm grove via internet booking platforms.
• Villas are available for larger groups of travellers, often with an outdoor swimming pool to make the most of sunny days – and cool off in the heat! They are often similar to large riads, traditional Moroccan accommodation. A great alternative if you’re travelling with several people!

In conclusion

As you can see, the Marrakech palm grove is one of Morocco’s must-sees. This vast palm-filled natural expanse is a rich legacy of one of the most important periods in the country’s history. You can visit this exceptional oasis on a quad bike, on the back of a camel or horse, or in a horse-drawn carriage! There are so many activities on offer that make this a magnificent site where you’ll be happy to spend several hours, or even several days, enjoying the many experiences on offer!