Electric blue walls, towering cacti, shaded bamboo groves and lily ponds: the Majorelle Garden is the most photographed corner of Marrakech, and for good reason. Created by a French painter and later saved by Yves Saint Laurent, Jardin Majorelle is a calm, colorful world just outside the bustle of the medina.
Next door, the Yves Saint Laurent Museum celebrates the designer who called Marrakech his second home. Our team sends visitors here every week, and this guide shares what we have learned: the history, what to see, approximate ticket prices, why you should book online, the best time to go and how to get there.
The Majorelle Garden (Jardin Majorelle) is a 1920s botanical garden in the Gueliz district of Marrakech, about 2 km north of Jemaa el-Fna. Tickets must usually be booked online in advance for a set time slot; garden-only entry costs roughly 150-200 MAD, and combined tickets with the YSL Museum cost more. Go at opening time, around 8 am, to avoid crowds.
Key takeaways
- Book tickets online on the official Jardin Majorelle website; time slots often sell out, especially in spring and autumn.
- Expect roughly 150-200 MAD for the garden alone and significantly more for combined museum tickets; check current prices.
- The garden is about 2 km from Jemaa el-Fna: 10-15 minutes by taxi or about 30-35 minutes on foot.
- Allow 1 hour for the garden and another 1 to 1.5 hours for the YSL Museum.
- The earliest slot of the day is the quietest and best for photos.
- The site includes the Pierre Bergé Museum of Berber Arts, a café and a boutique.
The History of Jardin Majorelle
Jacques Majorelle's creation
French painter Jacques Majorelle settled in Marrakech in the late 1910s and bought the land in 1923. Over the following decades he turned it into a botanical garden filled with plants collected from around the world. In the early 1930s he built an Art Deco studio, designed by architect Paul Sinoir, and painted it the intense cobalt shade now known as Majorelle blue. He opened the garden to the public in 1947.
Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé
After Majorelle's death in 1962, the garden fell into neglect. In 1980, fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé bought the property, rescuing it from a planned development. They restored and expanded the planting and lived in the neighboring Villa Oasis.
When Saint Laurent died in 2008, his ashes were scattered in the garden, where a memorial stands today. The site is now run by a non-profit foundation.
What to See in the Majorelle Garden
The garden is compact, about one hectare, but densely planted and full of detail. Paths wind past roughly 300 plant species from five continents.
The blue studio
The heart of the garden is Majorelle's former studio, its walls painted in deep blue with yellow accents. It now houses the Berber Museum.
Cactus garden
Dramatic cacti and succulents of every shape and size, a favorite for photographers.
Bamboo groves and palms
Tall bamboo creates cool, shaded walkways, with palms, bougainvillea and banana plants adding layers of green.
Pools and fountains
Lily-covered ponds, water channels and fountains bring a sense of calm and attract birds, including turtledoves and bulbuls.
The YSL Memorial
A simple Roman column on a pedestal marks the memorial to Yves Saint Laurent, set in a quiet corner of the garden.
The Pierre Bergé Museum of Berber Arts
Inside the blue studio, this small museum presents the cultures of Morocco's Amazigh (Berber) peoples. It displays jewelry, textiles, weapons, tools and costumes from the Rif to the Sahara. A highlight is a mirrored room displaying ornate silver jewelry, lit like a starry sky.
Entry to this museum is usually sold as an add-on to the garden ticket, and it is well worth the extra time for anyone interested in Moroccan culture.
The Yves Saint Laurent Museum Marrakech
Opened in 2017, the YSL Museum Marrakech sits a short walk from the garden entrance on Rue Yves Saint Laurent. The building, designed by the French studio KO, uses terracotta brick laid in patterns that recall the weave of fabric.
What's inside
- Permanent exhibition: a rotating selection of Saint Laurent's haute couture garments and sketches, shown in a dark, theatrical hall.
- Temporary exhibitions: changing shows on fashion, art and Moroccan heritage.
- Library and auditorium: used for research, film screenings and talks.
- Bookshop and café: a quieter place to rest than the garden café.
Even visitors with little interest in fashion often enjoy seeing how Marrakech's colors and light shaped the designer's work.
Majorelle Garden Tickets and Opening Hours
Prices and hours change, so treat these figures as approximate and confirm on the official website when you book.
| Ticket | Approximate price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jardin Majorelle (garden only) | Around 150-200 MAD | Timed entry |
| Garden + Berber Museum | Around 200-250 MAD | Add-on museum entry |
| YSL Museum | Around 130-170 MAD | Separate timed entry |
| Combined garden + museums | Around 300-400 MAD | Best value for a full visit |
| Moroccan residents / students | Reduced rates | ID required |
Opening hours
The garden is generally open every day from around 8 am until late afternoon or early evening, with longer hours in summer. The YSL Museum typically opens a little later in the morning and has, in the past, closed one day a week. Hours can change during Ramadan and on holidays, so always check before your visit.
Why you should book online
In recent years the site has moved to online, time-slot ticketing, and walk-up tickets may be limited or unavailable. Slots sell out days in advance in peak seasons. Book through the official Jardin Majorelle website rather than unofficial resellers, and keep your e-ticket on your phone. Arrive close to your slot time, as there can be a short security queue.
Best Time to Visit Jardin Majorelle
The garden is busiest from about 10 am to 3 pm, when tour groups arrive. Narrow paths make crowds very noticeable.
- Book the first slot of the day for empty paths and soft light on the blue walls.
- Visit the YSL Museum afterward, when the garden is filling up.
- Late afternoon is the second-best option, especially in summer.
- Season: spring brings flowers in bloom; autumn has comfortable temperatures. Our guide to the best time to visit Marrakech explains monthly weather.
How to Get to the Majorelle Garden
The garden is on Rue Yves Saint Laurent in the Gueliz district, just north-west of the medina walls.
| From | Method | Approx. time |
|---|---|---|
| Jemaa el-Fna | Petit taxi | 10-15 min |
| Jemaa el-Fna | Walk | 30-35 min |
| Gueliz center | Walk | 15-20 min |
| Marrakech airport | Taxi | 20-25 min |
| Palmeraie hotels | Taxi | 15-20 min |
Taking a taxi
Petit taxis are the easiest way to get there. Ask the driver to use the meter, or agree on a fare before you set off. Ask for "Jardin Majorelle" and you will be dropped near the entrance.
Walking
From the medina, walk north through Bab Doukkala and along the main avenues. It is a pleasant walk in the cooler months but can be hot in summer. If you are heading from Jemaa el-Fna, our Jemaa el-Fna guide has tips on navigating the area around the square.
Tips for Your Visit
- Bring your e-ticket: screenshots help if mobile data is patchy.
- Photography: personal photos are allowed in the garden; rules inside the museums can be stricter, so check the signs.
- Respect the plants: stay on the paths and do not climb on walls for photos.
- Café Majorelle: a pleasant spot for juice or lunch inside the garden, though it gets busy.
- Accessibility: paths are mostly flat and paved, suitable for strollers and many wheelchair users.
- Combine wisely: pair the garden with a morning in Gueliz, then return to the medina for Bahia Palace in the late afternoon.
Building Majorelle Into Your Marrakech Trip
Jardin Majorelle and the YSL Museum fill a relaxed half-day. Many visitors pair this calm morning with a guided afternoon in the old city on our Marrakech medina walking tour (3 hours, from €25).
To balance city sightseeing with open landscapes, end the day with our Agafay Desert sunset camel ride and dinner (5 hours, from €55), about 45 minutes from the city. For more ideas, browse our full list of things to do in Marrakech.
Conclusion
The Majorelle Garden is a short, beautiful escape: a riot of blue and green shaped by two creative visionaries a generation apart. Book your time slot online, arrive early and leave time for the Berber Museum and the YSL Museum to understand why this garden still inspires artists and designers today.
Want help planning the rest of your stay? Message our Marrakech team on WhatsApp to book tours with hotel pickup, payment on the day and free cancellation.
