World Travel Guide

City Guide  - Marrakech  - Further Distractions
Further Distractions

El Bahia Palace
Consisting of a series of paved courtyards, a harem quarter and Andalucian gardens, El Bahia Palace was built in the 1890s by the grand vizier, Si Ahmed Ben Moussa, and passed to his son Ba Ahmed. On the death of Ba Ahmed, the palace was stripped bare by the guards, slaves and courtiers leaving a great empty building. A small section of the palace has been refurbished for the royal family's visits to the city, when it is closed to the public. Otherwise, the palace can be viewed as part of a guided tour.

Rue Zitoun
Transport: Petit taxi or calèche.
Opening hours: Daily 0830-1200 and 1430-1800.
Admission: Dh10; plus Dh10 tip for guided tour.

Majorellè Gardens

Privately owned and maintained by the fashion designer, Yves St-Laurent, this botanical garden was created in the 1920s by French artists Jacques and Louis Majorellè. Within the walls, the perfectly manicured gardens, complete with pools, cacti, bamboo, coconut and banana trees, are offset by the blue wash that covers the paths, pavilions and garden walls - the overall effect is one of great tranquillity. The Majorellès' old studio is now a museum of North African artefacts.

Entrance in side street off Avenue Yacoub El Mansour
Transport: Bus 4 from Avenue Mouahidine; petit taxi or calèche.
Opening hours: Daily 0800-1200 and 1400-1700 (winter); daily 0800-1200 and 1400-1900 (summer). Museum closed Mon.
Admission: Dh15 (gardens); Dh15 (museum); children and animals not allowed.



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