The gardens cost nothing. Walk in, stroll the olive grove and the 195 m basin. The only ticket is for the pavilion (60 MAD), and the best view of the pavilion is from outside it, for free.
Prices 2026
| What | Price |
|---|---|
| Gardens, olive grove and basin | Free |
| Pavilion, foreign adult | 60 MAD (~€5.70) |
| Pavilion, foreign child 7–13 | 30 MAD |
| Pavilion, Moroccans & residents (with card) | 30 MAD · child 7–13: 10 MAD |
| Under 7, visitors with reduced mobility | Free |
| Petit taxi from the Medina | 20–30 MAD on the meter |
Pavilion prices from the Ministry of Culture's official e-ticket page, checked October 2026. Older guides quote anything from 10 to 70 MAD; the Ministry figure is the one at the gate. Bring cash.
Opening hours
- Gardens: daily from about 8:00, closing around 18:00 in winter and 19:00 in summer.
- Pavilion: Ministry of Culture monument hours, broadly 9:00 – 17:00.
- Ramadan and holidays: hours shift and the gardens get very busy with Marrakchi families on Friday and Sunday afternoons and on holidays. Check on site.
Is it worth it? The honest answer
| Go if… | Skip if… |
|---|---|
| It is a clear day between November and April and the Atlas has snow | It is a hazy summer day and the mountains are invisible |
| You want space, calm and a walk after the Medina | You expect flowers and design like Majorelle |
| You have a late flight: the airport is 10 minutes away | You have one day in Marrakech |
| You want a free sunset with locals, not tourists | You are travelling with children who need shade and play areas |
On a first trip of 1–2 days, Menara is optional. On a third day, or as the last stop before an evening flight, it is a good hour. For the main sights, start with the things to do in Marrakech list.
What you see
- The olive grove. Thousands of olive trees planted on a regular grid, part of an orchard laid out around 1157 by the Almohad caliph Abd al-Mu'min. Water still comes from the Atlas through underground channels (khettaras) into the raised basin, which irrigates the trees by gravity.
- The basin. About 195 by 160 metres. Locals say the Almohads used it to train soldiers to swim before crossing to Andalusia; historians are less sure, but it makes a good story. Carp come to the edge if anyone throws bread.
- The pavilion. The green-tiled pyramid roof on the south side of the basin. The present building dates from the 19th century, on Saadian foundations; inside are painted cedar ceilings and a first-floor balcony with a view back over the water to the city. Together with the Agdal gardens and the Medina, Menara is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site listed in 1985.
Sunset and the classic photo
- The postcard shot is taken from the north side of the basin, looking south: pavilion, reflection, and the Atlas behind. Wind ruins the reflection, so calm late afternoons are best.
- Snow on the mountains is most likely from December to March; the air is clearest after rain.
- Arrive an hour before sunset, and check the closing time at the gate. The gardens shut not long after sunset in winter.
- Planes: Marrakech-Menara airport is next door; aircraft pass low on approach. Some people love it in photos, some do not.
Getting there
- Petit taxi: ask for "Jardins de la Ménara". 10–15 minutes from Jemaa el-Fna or Gueliz, 20–30 MAD on the meter. Taxis wait at the gate for the return; insist on the meter or agree the price before getting in.
- On foot: 35–45 minutes from the Koutoubia via Bab Jdid and Avenue de la Ménara. Pleasant in winter, too hot from May to September.
- Calèche: a horse-carriage tour of the ramparts can include Menara; agree price and duration first. Expect 150–200 MAD per carriage for the classic ramparts loop and more with Menara added.
- From the airport: 10 minutes. See airport to the Medina for fares.
Things nobody tells you
- Bring water and a snack. Facilities are basic; there is no café worth planning around.
- Camel and pony rides are offered at the entrance. If you do it, agree the price first; the animals' conditions vary.
- Friday and Sunday afternoons are local picnic time. Lively and friendly, but not the quiet garden of the photos.
- Combine with the Koutoubia gardens on the way back and sunset drinks above Jemaa el-Fna.
Menara Gardens: frequently asked questions
Are the Menara Gardens free?
Yes. The olive grove, the paths and the walk around the great basin are free. Only the pavilion charges: 60 MAD for foreign adults, 30 MAD for foreign children aged 7–13 and 30 MAD for Moroccans and residents, at the gate or on the Ministry of Culture e-ticket site.
Is the Menara pavilion worth paying for?
Only if you like interiors. Inside there is a painted cedar ceiling and an upstairs balcony looking north over the basin towards the city. The famous view is the opposite one, of the pavilion reflected in the water, and that is free from the edge of the basin.
What are the Menara Gardens opening hours?
The gardens open daily from about 8:00 and close around 18:00 in winter and 19:00 in summer. The pavilion follows Ministry of Culture hours, broadly 9:00 – 17:00. Times shift during Ramadan, so check on site.
Are the Menara Gardens worth visiting?
Worth an hour if you set your expectations right: it is a 12th-century olive orchard with a big reservoir, not a flower garden. Go on a clear afternoon between November and April, when the snow on the High Atlas sits behind the pavilion. In summer haze, without the mountains, it is mostly a walk among olive trees.
How do I get to the Menara Gardens from Jemaa el-Fna?
A petit taxi takes 10–15 minutes and should cost 20–30 MAD on the meter. Walking takes 35–45 minutes from the Koutoubia, mostly along Avenue de la Ménara with little shade. A calèche ride can include it; agree the price and route first.
Is Menara a good place for sunset?
Yes. The late light turns the pavilion and its walls orange, and on clear winter days the Atlas goes pink behind it. Arrive an hour before sunset, walk to the north edge of the basin, and leave before the gardens close.
Menara Gardens or Majorelle?
Different things. Majorelle is a small, intensely designed botanical garden with timed tickets at 170 MAD. Menara is a vast, free, plain orchard around a reservoir. If Majorelle is sold out, the closer substitute is Le Jardin Secret; Menara is the one for space and the mountain view.
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